[Unpad.ac.id, 12/11/2013] Universities play a great role in producing entrepreneurs to contribute to national development. To that end, universities should change its vision and mission than just learning or research university to entrepreneurial university in that applying the results of their research to the benefit of the corporate world or society at large, as explained by Prof. Dr. H. Yuyun Wirasasmita, M.Sc, Professor of Unpad Faculty of Economics and business when speaking at Academic Entrepreneurship Dialogue held on the first day of the Simposium Kebudayaan Indonesia Malaysia (SKIM) XIII at Bale Sawala, Jatinangor, on Tuesday (12/11).
Academic Entrepreneur Dialogue headed by Dr. med., Dr. Setiawan, also presented Prof. Dr. Sam’un Jaja Raharja and Drs, M.Si from Universitas Padjadjaran and Prof. Dr. Mohd. Md Fauzi Joni and Mr Mohd. Razuan Rahid from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as the speakers. “Universities should be equipped with the Center for Entrepreneurship Development, which serves to encourage and assist its members to set up a business, starting with the start-up, development, growth and expansion,” said Prof. Gratian.
To that end, Prof. Gratian further explained, universities should develop a strategic policy aimed at the issue, such as establishing a technology-based business incubator that facilitates the students who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. It is also important to set up a coordinating centre of research that will promote basic and applied research to the business world and society at large. Universities also need to incorporate entrepreneurial material into the curriculum.
Prof. Dr. Sam’un described academic entrepreneurs as a community developing the results of their research oriented to the improvement of the economic value for themselves, for the universities, and for the society.
UKM’s experience
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia shared their experience in managing the Centre for Entrepreneurship and SMEs Development (Cesmed). According to Prof. Dr. Mohd. Fauzi Md Joni, entrepreneurship is a space for academicians to contribute to the community. For that purpose, it is necessary to empower the expert and researchers at universities for the purpose of building the entrepreneurial spirit.
Mr Mohd Razuan Rahid explained that all students of UKM are required to enroll in entrepreneurship courses in the first year of college. Then, there’s an additional module specific entrepreneurship in subsequent years for those interested. It is called junior start-up phase for those who take modules in the second year and senior phase start-up for the module in the third year.
“This dialogue is a forum between Unpad and UKM to share experiences in the field of entrepreneurship. Hopefully, it may encourage the progress of the two institutions in promoting entrepreneurial spirit. For Unpad, entrepreneurship is a very important issue because we aim to be a World Class entrepreneurial University by the year of 2026, said Dr. med. Setiawan, dr., who is a vice-rector in the field of research, community service, and cooperation.
On Wednesday 13 November 2013, at the same place, SKIM XIII will be opened officially by the speech by Rector Unpad PProf. Dr. Ir. Ganjar Kurnia, DEA and Vice-Chancellor of UKM, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hassan Shabuddin. And continued with keynote speaker Deputy Minister tourism and Creative economy of Indonesia Sapta Nirwandar, Dr. delivering a presentation on “Creative Economy for Nation’s Welfare, Indonesia Case” and the CEO of the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Mohd. Nazlee Kamal speaking on the topic of “Bioeconomy for the Nations ‘ Prosperity.”
SKIM is a biennial event held alternately by Unpad and UKM since 1985. SKIM this year will feature 200 papers by participants from 8 countries. SKIM XIII will take up to 14 November 2013 at Unpad, Jatinangor campus. *
