Polibatam has ceremoniously unveiled its 2nd batch of the “Wirausaha Merdeka” program in a hybrid event held at the Best Western Premier Panbil Hotel, Batam.

With the vision of fostering tech-based entrepreneurship, the program has chosen the theme “Entrepreneur Beyond Horizon”. This year, Polibatam continues to stand out as one of the 34 selected institutions to implement the program.

Alena Uperiati, Chair of WMK Polibatam, highlighted that 450 students are part of the initiative this year. This includes students from Polibatam and eight other collaborative institutions, such as Universitas Batam and Politeknik Pariwisata Batam.

Institutional leaders and business industry representatives attended the event, underlining their commitment to fostering young entrepreneurs, ready to tackle global challenges with a robust competitive edge.

Following the grand launch, a workshop was held featuring prominent alumni: Ervin Ahmad Nur Hidayanto, CEO of 4happy studio, and Sury Resky Rara Lebang, Owner of Raya Bridal and Studio.

The program promises practical entrepreneurial experience for students, from nurturing the entrepreneurial mindset to practical business development. Participants will benefit from real-world exposure, and as an added bonus, they’ll earn academic credits equivalent to 20 SKS.

The event also saw the Training of Trainer for 44 on-field academic mentors, culminating in discussions on the conversion of the 20 SKS credits for participants.

For Singapore and the international community, this initiative solidifies Batam’s position as a rising hub of entrepreneurial learning in Southeast Asia. The collaboration between multiple institutions is indicative of the region’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Singaporeans and international visitors can anticipate a surge in tech-based entrepreneurial ventures, potentially providing investment opportunities and boosting regional collaborations.

Polibatam’s second launch of the “Wirausaha Merdeka” program seeks to empower students with practical entrepreneurial skills. Collaborating with multiple institutions and emphasizing tech-based ventures, this initiative signals Batam’s growing influence in the entrepreneurial education space in Southeast Asia.

Source: Batam Pos (2023)