Thru Appropriate Technology, This Surabaya Campus Boosts MSMEs' Productivity
The impact of technology is now being felt by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Surabaya. Thru the Community Service Program (PKM), a team of lecturers from Universitas Wijaya Putra (UWP) successfully introduced a simple yet impactful innovation: an automatic cake batter dispensing machine.
This program targets the MSME "JM Donat Kentang" owned by Mrs. Mimik Rukmiasih, a resident of Pondok Benowo Indah, West Surabaya. Up until now, Mimik has run her business in a traditional way—dividing the dough manually using her hands and small scales. This process is time-consuming and the results of the donuts are often inconsistent.
However, that condition changed when a team of UWP lecturers arrived with a solution of appropriate technology. They introduced an automatic dough divider machine capable of doubling production capacity without sacrificing quality.
Now production time can be saved by almost half. "It used to take about three hours to finish one large batch, now it only takes an hour and a half. The donuts also come out more uniform and neat," Mimik enthusiastically shared when met at her production house.
Not only did the teaching team provide tools, but they also offered comprehensive business mentoring. They teach simple financial record-keeping, profit and loss calculations, and even digital marketing strategies thru social media. In fact, even the product packaging was redesigned to look more appealing and meet food safety standards.
The Head of the Implementation Team, Alven Safik Ritonga, S.Si., M.Si., stated that this activity is a concrete form of the campus's contribution to the community.
We want MSMEs not just to survive, but also to upgrade. "With a combination of technology, modern management, and ongoing mentorship, they can compete in the digital age," he explained.
This activity involves cross-departmental collaboration – from Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering to Management – as well as full support from the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM UWP). This eight-month program also received funding from the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for 2025.
Now, JM Donat Kentang is able to meet the increasing market demand, both from regular customers and online orders. Mimik's homemade donuts are more hygienic, soft, and consistent in taste.
"I am very grateful. Thanks to UWP's assistance, my small business has been able to grow." "Hopefully, programs like this will continue so that more MSME actors in Surabaya can be helped," Mimik said with sparkling eyes.
This program reaffirms Universitas Wijaya Putra's commitment as a campus focused on community empowerment – integrating innovation, technology, and local wisdom to strengthen a sustainable creative economy.
INEWS SURABAYA
