Cooperatives are economic institutions that have been somewhat overlooked. Interestingly, the word 'cooperative' was not included in the Explanation section of the latest amendment to the 1945 Constitution. John Nash, who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2001, proved that cooperatives can achieve equilibrium. Unlike entrepreneurs who often seek to win at the expense of others, cooperative people always strive for win-win outcomes. This win-win approach can be achieved through deliberation, which is one of the key principles of cooperatives. These insights were shared by the Chancellor of the Indonesian Cooperative University (IKOPIN University)., Prof. Dr. Ir. Agus Pakpahan, M.S., while visiting the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNY.

Agus mentioned that IKOPIN University recently visited FEB to examine and create a curriculum that could be implemented on their campus. The purpose of this visit was to strengthen collaborations with various universities and to support their "study while working, work while studying" program. Agus also mentioned that a cooperative program has been developed for student groups that will continue even after graduation.

“According to a research conducted in 2015, one in four Germans is a member of a cooperative. However, in Indonesia, the number is expected to remain at 8% by 2023. In the United States, cooperative members make up 30% of the population, and in Singapore, this number is as high as 50%. Therefore, with our program, we hope to promote the growth of cooperatives in Indonesia and make them a critical contributor to the country's economy," added Agus.

Responding to this, Professor of FEB UNY who is also Chair of the UNY Board of Trustees, Prof. Suyanto, Ph.D., welcomed IKOPIN University's visit and plans. “It is important to prioritize the curriculum and plan in order to ensure the success of IKOPIN students. These students are considered special because they are chosen and selected, much like AKABRI, which is an example of a specialized school. By implementing unique educational innovations, institutions can inspire the surrounding community to also innovate," he said.

FEB UNY lecturer, Supriyanto, M.M., also appreciated IKOPIN University's efforts in realizing its program. "We still need a lot of effort to spread the cooperative virus and also the entrepreneurial virus," stressed Supriyanto. During this visit, the Rector of IKOPIN University was accompanied by the Vice Rector for Innovation Development and Cooperative Synergy, Marsda TNI (P) Dr. Agus Sudarya, S.H., S.E., M.M., M.Sc. Department heads and study program coordinators within FEB UNY were also present. (fdhl)