Rezki Anugerah Putra (top right) and five members from Group 15 of KKN Tematik Recon Kemendikbud while visiting the selected UMKM partner, Iko Nyo Ko Dorayaki in Pekanbaru, Riau.

Pekanbaru, ITS News — Besides education and health systems, economic resilience needs to be considered. The reason is, during the Covid-19 pandemic, people who own small businesses must adjust to running a business online. This fact is what motivates 12 students of Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) to help Pekanbaru City’s Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) or Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises survive amid the ongoing pandemic.

They are Rezki Anugerah Putra, Ariq Andika, Roida Nabila, Robiatul Adawiyah, Arialdi Almonda, Putri Natasya, Herzani Diva, Fatina Khairunnisa, Stevanus Rivaldi, Aprilia Alifta, Latisha Maheswari, and Muhammad Fikri, who are members of Kelompok Kuliah Kerja Nyata Tematik (KKNT) 15. Under the guidance of Daril Ridho Zuchrillah ST MT, the group succeeded in realizing business assistance proposals for UMKM. 

The representative of the group, Rezki Anugerah Putra, said that one of the capabilities needed by UMKM to survive today is digital marketing through social media. Unfortunately, there are still many UMKM that have not been able to maximize the use of existing marketplaces. “Social media is not well managed, bookkeeping is still confusing,” he explained, showing the problem.

Backed by his knowledge and experience, Rezki, as he is usually called, and his team conducted a survey of UMKM which were nominated as partners. The survey was held to formulate the assistance needed by partners, as well as a measure of success needed for the group’s UMKM accompaniment. “Later, each UMKM will be accompanied for ten days,” said Rezki, the student of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

After conducting the survey, three UMKM partners from the food sector of UMKM were selected. The three of them are Madu Nour, PONARI, and Iko Nyo Ko Dorayaki. KKNT 15 also focuses on sharing their knowledge on design, editing, and copywriting so that the UMKM social media can become more attractive to potential consumers. “We are aware that the transition from offline to online marketings is a challenge for food businesses to market their products,” added Rezki.

Six members of Group 15 KKN Recon Kemendikbud while conducting survey on the conditions of UMKM partner, Madu Nour in Pekanbaru, Riau.

Furthermore, this group also introduced and explained the use of various features in several media. For example, managing Instagram Stories, as well as installing LinkTree on Instagram profiles. “After preparing ammunition for promotion, we are also trying to help improve the partner bookkeeping system,” added the student from Pekanbaru.

Although he succeeded in carrying out the program, Rezki admitted, it was not easy to assist partners who were far from reach. Rezki concluded that the biggest challenge was communication between members. “Even though half of us live in Pekanbaru City, it is still very prone to miscommunication,” he explained.

Rezki also hopes that this assistance will not only help partners’ businesses to survive the pandemic but can help improve the economic welfare of the local community. “Especially seeing the enthusiasm of the UMKM vendors who were so enthusiastic in participating in the programs that we held,” he said.

Realizing Rezki’s hope, Wilda, the vice-chairman of PONARI, said that after this KKN event, their processed pineapple products can continue.PONARI managed to advertise their products through Riau Televisi. The owner of Iko Nyo Ko Dorayaki also thanked and encouraged the sons and daughters of  ITS to continue spreading benefits. “Wishing many goodnesses will be gotten as well as the benefits they spread,” hoped Feri, the owner of Iko Nyo Ko Dorayaki. (qaf/hen)