Malanginspirasi.com – The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Merdeka (UNMER) Malang successfully held its Market Day on Monday, December 8, 2025. A total of 48 stalls from eight classes participated in the lively event held within the faculty premises.
The activity served as a practical platform for students to apply the entrepreneurial skills they had learned throughout the semester.
Muhammad Mursyidul Azmi, S.Pd., M.Pd., the lecturer in charge of the Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance course, explained that the initiative stemmed from concern over Indonesia’s employment landscape.
“Most young graduates only aspire to become civil servants (PNS). Yet government data shows nearly 10 million people were unemployed in Indonesia during 2023–2024,” he said.
According to Azmi, students must be encouraged to look beyond government jobs and instead embrace self-reliance by producing and selling products using their own abilities.
Creating Job
Market Day was designed to broaden students’ perspectives and nurture the mindset of creating jobs rather than merely seeking them.
Preparations began at the start of the semester. Lecturers provided guidance, helped develop concepts, and ensured students understood the entire entrepreneurial process. Each group created its own brand as part of their final examination (UAS) assignment.
Besides academic grades, students had the opportunity to earn real profits and gain hands-on business experience.
“The stages include socialization, mentoring, and supervision. Students then demonstrate their products in class—complete with testers—to ensure everything is safe and market-ready,” Azmi explained.
Evaluation criteria included sales volume, stall creativity, marketing skills, and product presentation.
Azmi emphasized that marketing is the spearhead of successful sales.
“Some groups sold 40–50 items and made profits of nearly 100%. I calculated one group earned 600,000–700,000 rupiah in profit today. Marketing truly is the key,” he added.
Azmi also shared consumer-psychology-based marketing strategies with students, such as crossed-out pricing (e.g., slashing Rp25,000 to Rp20,000), which proved effective in attracting buyers.
Student enthusiasm was remarkable. Many stayed up late preparing their goods, and some even transported carts from home using pickup trucks.
“Many arrived as early as dawn. It shows their extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit,” Azmi remarked.
A Milestone Event
This year marked the first time Market Day was held on a faculty-wide scale. Previously, it was conducted only within individual classes.
In closing, Azmi expressed hope that students would not depend solely on government employment.
“We must always have a Plan B. If Plan A fails, let’s choose entrepreneurship. In today’s world, Rp50,000 barely buys anything—so let’s foster a love for entrepreneurship,” he urged.
With strong student enthusiasm and full faculty support, UNMER Malang’s Market Day is expected to become an annual tradition that continues to promote economic independence among the younger generation.
