The Future of Entrepreneurship in Indonesia through the Global Entrepreneurial University Initiative

Indonesia, with its vision to become a developed nation, has identified the importance of producing more new entrepreneurs. In this effort, universities have transformed into Entrepreneurial Universities, a concept that aims to instill a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in education and research. In this article, we will explore how the Global Entrepreneurial University initiative can help develop entrepreneurship activities in Indonesia.
Definition and Objectives of Entrepreneurial University
Universities that transform into Entrepreneurial Universities do not only focus on education and research, but also on developing an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This concept is based on three main parameters: good teaching, good research, and good innovation. Education is the basis for research, while research is the application of science to concrete things, and innovation is the differentiator in research that aims to answer the challenges of the times.
Implementation Strategy in Indonesia
Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)
Since 2014, ITB has declared itself to become an Entrepreneurial University. This idea was brought by Prof. Dr. Ir. Kadarsah Suryadi, DEA, ITB Rector 2014-2019. ITB's implementation strategy includes strengthening as a Research University towards an Entrepreneurial University by developing an innovation ecosystem and improving entrepreneurship programs. ITB also increases its pioneering role in providing the best contribution to the nation and state, as well as improving the quality and quantity of supporting fields for education, research, and community service activities.
President University
President University has overhauled the curriculum by including Entrepreneurship courses and establishing a business incubator. This program is supported by the government through the Ministry of Education and Culture with the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program. This program gives students the right to study outside their study program for three semesters, including carrying out entrepreneurial activities with the guidance of lecturers. This is important because according to data from the IDN Research Institute (2019), as many as 69.1% of the millennial generation in Indonesia have an interest in entrepreneurship.
Telkom University
Telkom University (Tel-U) has a vision to become a National Excellence Entrepreneurial University by 2028. The main focus of this vision is to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Tel-U's Master Plan for Development is divided into five stages, with the third stage committing to becoming a National Excellence Entrepreneurial University. The Center of Excellence (CoE) work program was also presented in the Rector's Message 2024 event, which covered issues related to Human Resources, Innovation, and Commercialization.
Challenges and Opportunities
Building an Entrepreneurial University in Indonesia is not free from challenges and opportunities. One of the challenges is integrating the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation into education and research. However, this opportunity can also be seen from international benchmarks such as Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which have transformed into highly innovative and influential universities in the development of technology and business.
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
To build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, universities must have a paradigm that transforms into an Entrepreneurial University. This includes:
Developing Collaborative Relationships : Building effective relationships between universities and companies.
Instilling an Entrepreneurial Spirit : Instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in all stakeholders at the university.
Building New Companies : Building new companies from ideas and innovations that contribute to the local and regional economy.
Conclusion
Building an Entrepreneurial University in Indonesia through the Global Entrepreneurial University Initiative can help increase entrepreneurial activities and innovation in the country. With an effective implementation strategy, such as that carried out by ITB, President University, and Telkom University, universities can transform into superior educational institutions with a focus on entrepreneurship and real contributions to sustainable development. Thus, Indonesia can produce more new entrepreneurs and become the developed country that is expected. Thus, we can see that the Global Entrepreneurial University initiative has great potential in developing entrepreneurial activities in Indonesia. By transforming universities into Entrepreneurial Universities, we can improve the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and create an ecosystem that supports the birth of new entrepreneurs.