Enviro News Asia, Serang – Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), through its Faculty of Computer Science (FIK), has developed and launched a mobile commerce application named “Plaza Serang Bahagia.” This initiative aims to support the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the creative economy in Serang Regency, Banten Province. By providing a digital platform for over 48,000 local MSMEs, the application is designed to facilitate their expansion into digital markets amid rapid technological advancements.
The launch event took place in Muncak Village, Serang Regency, marked by a symbolic handover of the application by UPNVJ Rector, Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, Ak., Comm., to the Serang Regency Government. The ceremony attracted key stakeholders including the Dean of FIK UPNVJ, the Regional Secretary of Serang Regency, representatives from the Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, the Chairperson of the Indonesian MSME Forum (Formikimba) for Banten Province, and representatives from various sub-districts across Serang. Local MSME actors and community members also enthusiastically participated in the event.
Prof. Dr. Anter Venus emphasized the strategic importance of the Plaza Serang Bahagia app in strengthening the local digital economy. He stated, “We dedicate this application to enhance economic growth by empowering MSMEs in Serang Regency. Our faculty and students are determined to make tangible contributions to regional development.”
The application is the product of a pentahelix collaboration involving FIK UPNVJ, the Serang Regency Office for Cooperatives, MSMEs, Industry, and Trade (Diskoumperindag), Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) Serang, Formikimba, and Kabar Banten media. Through community service programs and entrepreneurship training, UPNVJ academics and students equip MSME players with digital literacy and ongoing support to adopt mobile commerce technologies. Besides enabling digital product marketing, the app integrates business intelligence-based data visualization tools, helping MSMEs and local authorities analyze and craft targeted development programs.
Designed to improve MSMEs’ competitiveness, market reach, and digital economic growth in Serang Regency, the Plaza Serang Bahagia app aims to facilitate access to national and global markets. It also supports positioning Serang as a tech-driven creative economy hub.
Yosi Ekamarsa, Head of Micro Business Division at Diskoumperindag Serang, praised UPNVJ’s initiative, saying, “This collaboration provides practical solutions for MSMEs to adapt to the digital era. We hope the application becomes a catalyst for regional economic growth.”
The launch underscores UPNVJ’s commitment to supporting MSME digital transformation and reinforcing the university’s role as a socially impactful institution. With continued assistance, UPNVJ is optimistic that Plaza Serang Bahagia will serve as a successful model for digital economic empowerment replicable in other regions. (www.upnvj.ac.id)
