(08/05/2021) The Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme held a Public Lecture themed “Opening Up Contemporary Start-Up Business Opportunities” on 18 June 2021 from 14.00–16.00 online. This lecture was organised as an initial activity manifesting the cooperation that had been signed between Fakultas Ilmu Budaya and Yayasan Harapan Pendidikan Indonesia. The lecture was delivered by Ms. Humaira, S.S., Head of the Human and Resource Development (HRD) Division at EHI.
A swift response to the launch of the Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) programme was demonstrated by the Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, through opening opportunities for cooperation with various companies and institutions outside the campus. This cooperation was initiated, among others, by the Entrepreneurship Division chaired by Ms. Tuti Purwati, S.S., M.Pd., together with Yayasan Harapan Edukasi Indonesia (EHI). EHI is a Start-Up company based in Purwokerto whose scope of operations has reached the international level. EHI has held activities in several countries, including Turkey, Korea, and Singapore.
EHI’s main focus area is edutourism. As a successful regional Start-Up company, the Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme held a Public Lecture on Start-Up opportunities for prospective MBKM student participants. In addition to serving as a learning platform for students to understand the intricacies of a Start-Up company, this public lecture also served as a means of socialising the internship programme that EHI will open for students of the Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme.
In her presentation, Ms. Humaira explained three main components of a start-up business, namely Creative People, Digital Devices, and Knowledge. These three components are essential for a start-up to be able to run. After having these three components, it is very important for a company to identify the elements of Strength (S), Weakness (W), Opportunity (O), and Threat (T), or SWOT. SWOT is needed so that the direction of a Start-Up’s policies can be better mapped out. The SWOT analysis conducted becomes the basis for forming the Start-Up’s Road Map. The Road Map begins with the formation of a solid and like-minded team, the gathering of various media references, the formation of a simple concept with massive impact, a reliable coordinator, and consistency in work.
Participants of the public lecture were enthusiastic in following the session. Several questions were posed to Ms. Humaira. Among the questions raised was one from a student, Faisal Amin, “Although I am part of the millennial generation, I quite enjoy culture. Given that EHI’s segment seems very modern and millennial, is there an opportunity for my interest to be accommodated for an internship at EHI?” Ms. Humaira explained that EHI is very open to internship opportunities for students with various interests. A unique interest could even become a new opportunity for the development of the Start-Up business.
Later, students who intern at EHI will be placed in several divisions. This placement will go through a selection process by HRD. There will be 10 internship slots for students of Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, FIB. Those accepted will be treated just like other EHI employees. One of the challenges that EHI will give to interning students is how they can design a programme that can be sold to target consumers. Interning students will be given incentives by EHI. Therefore, overall, EHI opens up opportunities for students of the Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme to learn directly how to open up Start-Up business opportunities.
MBKM is a breakthrough programme aimed at improving the life skills of students, lecturers, and all staff involved in every campus work unit under the Ministry of Education and Culture. One of the policies in the MBKM programme is the right to study a minimum of 20 credits (sks) that can be taken outside the study programme. There are eight programme options for students who wish to exercise their right to study outside the campus, namely internships, teaching assistance at Educational Institutions, research, entrepreneurship, independent projects, student exchange, KKN Bina Desa (village development community service), and humanitarian projects. The government has actually provided facilities for these eight programmes; however, the quota remains limited. This is why Fakultas Ilmu Budaya is swiftly opening up many opportunities for cooperation with various institutions and companies outside the campus environment. The cooperation with EHI is a manifestation of the Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris study programme’s swift response to the implementation of the MBKM programme. (NR)