Strengthening Capital Market Literacy and Students’ Investment Interest through the Capital Market School Program

Abstract

Financial literacy is an essential competency for university students in responding to the development of the digital economy, the expansion of financial technology, and the increasing accessibility of investment instruments. Low levels of financial literacy may limit students’ ability to make rational investment decisions and increase their vulnerability to illegal investment practices. This community service activity aimed to enhance students’ financial literacy through capital market education based on Capital Market School Level 1 and Level 2, as well as an introduction to the PROFITS/Profits Anywhere digital investment application. The activity was conducted in May 2026 at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Halu Oleo, involving 240 students from the Business Administration Study Program and the Government Studies Study Program. The methods employed included interactive lectures, discussions, application demonstrations, evaluative quizzes, and participatory observation. The materials covered an introduction to the capital market, investment products, investment risks, legal and illegal investments, and practical training in the use of digital investment applications. The results indicated an improvement in students’ understanding of the capital market and digital investment. As many as 90% of participants expressed an interest in investing after participating in the activity. This high level of interest was influenced by fintech exposure, the novelty effect of using digital investment applications, and social influence during the learning process. The activity demonstrates that integrating capital market education with digital investment technology is effective in improving financial literacy and fostering more rational and responsible investment intentions among university students.