EduAsiaNews,Malaysia – In conjunction with the 81st anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the Accounting Department of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) brought the spirit of independence and the values of Bela Negara (national defense) into the realm of international community engagement. In collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Kelantan, Malaysia, UPNVJ organized an international community service program titled “An Accounting Spreadsheet Model as a Tool for Enhancing the Accountability and Sustainability of MSMEs in Malaysia” in Kelantan, Malaysia, on Monday (August 17, 2026).
The program represented an effort to put the values of Bela Negara into practice through academic contribution, providing accounting knowledge and innovation to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) strengthen their accountability, self-reliance, and business sustainability. The spirit of the struggle that once drove the fight for independence is now reflected in the tangible contributions of universities to building community capacity, strengthening economic independence, and creating meaningful benefits through international collaboration.
The program brought together 19 MSME owners in Kelantan and was opened with remarks by Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Nasir Ismail, Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs at UiTM Cawangan Kelantan, followed by remarks from Prof. Dr. Dianwicaksih Arieftiara, S.E., Ak., M.Ak., CA., CSRS., Head of the 2026 International Community Service Collaboration (KPI) Team at UPNVJ.
In her remarks, Dianwicaksih emphasized the special significance of holding the program on August 17.
“Independence is not commemorated only through ceremonies, but also through meaningful work and tangible contributions. For UPNVJ as a Bela Negara Campus, knowledge-based community service is one way we translate the values of Bela Negara into the present day. Through our collaboration with UiTM Cawangan Kelantan, we hope our accounting expertise can deliver tangible benefits to MSMEs while strengthening academic ties between Indonesia and Malaysia,” Dianwicaksih said.
She also expressed hope that the collaboration between UPNVJ and UiTM Cawangan Kelantan would extend beyond a single program.
“We hope the partnership between UPNVJ and UiTM Cawangan Kelantan will continue to grow through various programs focusing on MSME empowerment, education, and cross-border accounting research. This is one way Indonesian higher education institutions can contribute by bringing the spirit of Bela Negara and the value of public benefit to the international level,” she added.
The program was carried out jointly by teams from both institutions. The UiTM Cawangan Kelantan team comprised Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Nasir Ismail, Dr. Nik Zam Nik Wan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marziana Madah, Dr. Wan Zurina Nik Abdul Majid, Dr. Wan Noraswaniaty Wan Ahmad, and Shalwati Ramli. The UPNVJ team consisted of Prof. Dr. Dianwicaksih Arieftiara, S.E., Ak., M.Ak., CA., CSRS., Satria Yudhia Wijaya, S.E., M.S.Ak., Masripah, S.E., M.S.Ak., CPSAK., Murdhaningsih, S.E., M.Ak., and Munasiron Miftah, S.E., M.M., CRP.
During the training, the 2026 KPI Team from UPNVJ delivered materials on MSME accounting standards in Indonesia and Malaysia, accounting fundamentals for MSMEs based on the Malaysian Private Entities Reporting Standard (MPERS), and hands-on training in using an accounting spreadsheet model.
The model was designed to be user-friendly, enabling MSME owners to record day-to-day business transactions, including sales, purchases, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, while generating financial reports and information in a more systematic and automated manner.
The approach was intended not only to improve participants’ technical accounting skills but also to strengthen their business independence and accountability. More organized and transparent financial information can provide MSMEs with a stronger basis for evaluating business performance, making informed decisions, and planning sustainable business growth.
To assess the impact of the program, participants completed pre-tests and post-tests to measure improvements in their financial literacy. Participants also signed commitment forms pledging to use the accounting spreadsheet model in managing their businesses following the training.
The workshop held on August 17 was not designed as a one-day activity alone. As a follow-up, participants will use the accounting spreadsheet to record their business transactions for at least three months. By the end of this period, the MSME owners are expected to have sufficient financial data to analyze their financial position and business performance through an information dashboard incorporated into the spreadsheet model developed by the 2026 KPI Team.
Through the program, UPNVJ and UiTM Cawangan Kelantan demonstrated how international academic collaboration can generate direct benefits for local communities. For UPNVJ, the initiative also underscores that Bela Negara in the modern era can be expressed through knowledge, community engagement, economic empowerment, and Indonesia’s contribution to international partnerships.
As Indonesia celebrates 81 years of independence, that spirit is being carried beyond national borders—from a Bela Negara Campus to empowered communities, stronger MSMEs, and a tangible contribution from Indonesia to the global community.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
