Yogyakarta- Since its launching in 2009, UGM Student Entrepreneurship Program continues to produce successful students in independent entrepreneurship. There are Saptuari Sugiharto (alumnus of Faculty of Geography) with his Kedai Digital, Mirza Akbar and Arum Dewi Suci (students of Faculty of Animal Sciences) through their Jogja Ice Cream and Nur Kartika Indah Mayasti (alumnus Faculty of Agricultural Technology) through Nata de Cassava which was successful to gain Shell LiveWIRE Business Start-Up Awards 2010.
Chairman of the program, Ibnu Wahid F.A., S.T.P., M.T., said that as in 2009, this year he hoped that there will be many students that have entrepreneurship spirit.
“Actually, it is not only quantity that is important, but also quality. Hopefully, there will be many successful and qualified students,” Ibnu said on the sideline of exhibition and dialogue of
entrepreneurship at UGM University Club, Thursday (16/12).
Ibnu explained that to develop Student Entrepreneurship Program in 2009 and 2010, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of National Education provides fund amounting to 1,5 billion rupiah. The fund will be distributed to individuals or student groups that have proposals or business embryo. The loan given to the students is interest-free.
“The distribution is for students who have business embryo and some through proposals. The essence is that through this program, we want to produce the young generation who succeeds in entrepreneurship,” Ibnu said.
He admitted that the number of UGM students who succeed in the program has not met the target of 15% from the total of UGM students or 900 students each year. Currently, said the lecturer of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, at least there is 2% or 100 students per year who can be produced from the entrepreneurship program. “We will continue to develop towards the target, but we don't only pursue the number of students,” he added.
Meanwhile, program staff, Basuki, added that the focus of student business development consists of clusters of agroindustry, food, skill and service. By following the program, aid in the form of loan for students from DIKTI grant is given at around 8-40 million rupiah.
He emphasized that the program will be developed by training and internship opportunities for student participants. The expectation has received positive response from a young businessman, Sandiaga F. Uno, who is ready to do assistance to UGM entrepreneur students.
“Students will get the opportunity to do internship from national successful businessman such as Sandiaga F. Uno,” Basuki explained.
Meanwhile, Ami Susanto, one of student participants of the program, said that the event can help her clothing outlet business that has experienced a stop in 2008. “It has run a year, then stopped for once, and in 2010, we received an aid so it can run again,” she said.