The Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK) at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) has reached its post-immersion stage and hosted the Expo and Demoday Event. The event involved 316 students divided into 80 groups with an entrepreneurial booth or stand each. This event was an attempt to test their products on the market.

The event was hosted at the Atrium of the Park Mall Semarang for two days, from December 7 to 8, 2024. The Expo and Demo Day among many activities must be participated by all participants of the Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK). 

There were a hundred participants in the WMK program, with 60% of them being students from Udinus. Meanwhile, 40% of them were students from other universities in Indonesia.

Prior to this, all of the participants have started their businesses from scratch. On this occasion, they would be facilitated to test their products on the market. This was stated by Dr. Rindra Yusianto, M.T., the Chief of the 2024 WMK Team at Udinus.

The first day focused on the expo, featuring 80 stands or booths. Each stand would be tended by five students. 

There would be various products at the stands, including food and beverage (FnB), digital products, services, manufacturers, and fashion. Students from many regions of Indonesia participated in the expo.

“We chose this mall as the location to garner a wider range of market. This post-immersion stage is a simulation for the participants to introduce their products to the public, as well as face their customers directly,” he revealed.

The expo was also a platform for the participants to compete against each other. At the expo, the judges would visit every single booth to assess various aspects. In addition, participants would also present their products to the judges and ask about their products’ details. The groups with the best booths would be allowed to meet their investors the next day.

“We will curate dozens of best groups to engage in the investor engagement session. The chosen group will be allowed to meet its investors to present and negotiate their products to collaborate with the investors, allowing their products to be invested,” Rindra uttered.

Introducing Their Products to the Public

On a different occasion, the Chancellor of Udinus, Prof. Dr. Ir. Edi Noersasongko, M.Kom., hoped all participants could utilize this opportunity to its fullest and begin to understand how the market worked. Moreover, the chancellor also wished for more technology-based business developments funded by investors.

“The Expo and Demo Day is a golden opportunity for WMK participants to introduce their products to the public. It also encourages participants to hone their mentality in facing consumers and investors, which is among the most important factors in running a business,” he hoped.

As additional information, Udinus is currently among the trusted universities to host the Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK). The WMK program at Udinus specifically employed the theme ‘Precision Smart Technopreneurship.’

The theme holds the meaning that Udinus hosts the Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK) using the basis of precision technology, with Artificial and Business Intelligence as its approaches, in further strengthening the Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.

Improving the Entrepreneurial Spirits of Students

The Independent Entrepreneurship program was one of the steps initiated by the government in developing an entrepreneurial learning program. In addition, it could also push students to improve their working power and gather entrepreneurial experience.

Adrian Bani Kansil, the Manager of the Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK), revealed that the WMK program was one of the solutions to reducing educated unemployment in Indonesia, as well as giving entrepreneurial knowledge to students. 

According to him, for a university to host the WMK program, the university must have an excellent entrepreneurial program. 

Furthermore, the chosen university must also be able to facilitate and guide students to business partners, and Udinus was among the chosen universities. At the two-day expo, students were encouraged to face their customers directly.

The 80 booths successfully attracted visitors and numerous contestants who participated in various events also hosted by Udinus at the Park Mall Semarang. The number of visitors and customers showed the immense enthusiasm sparked at the event. 

“We were given the freedom to further develop this program and involve more universities in the process. Udinus is among dozens of chosen universities to host the Independent Entrepreneurship Program (WMK) in Indonesia. This Demoday is a nice momentum for students to showcase their products,” he concluded. 

At the opening of the Expo and Demoday, Adhiral Refaddin, SIPP, MPP., the Chief of the General Division of the Higher Education Service Institutes of Region VI, was also present, alongside representatives from the Cooperation Service. On the same occasion, the Central Java Bank also made an appearance to provide educational support to students from Udinus. 

At the scene, several contests were also hosted by Udinus to further amplify the amusement aspect, including an E-Sports contest, a toy car contest, and a drawing contest. (Humas Udinus/Alex. Foto: Humas Udinus)