The Higher Education Review

"KawahCandradimuka" - that's what university is about. Taken from a Hindi-mythology, Candradimuka crater is where warriors are trained and forged, so that when they got out of the crater - they emerged strong & victorious. Similar to how we'd like to see our students when they graduate from university. It is with that belief in mind, that Universitas Prasetiya Mulya was established back in 1982, by members of Indonesia's prominent business leaders. Its aim was simple: to serve as an excellent center of learning for its partners: business entrepreneurs, professionals, and researchers. For almost 4 decades, Prasetiya Mulya has done so, by using a 'business incubator' approach for its learning program, and by building a strong business ecosystem within the university and its partners.

Recognizing the rapid advancement of science and technology, Prasetiya Mulya encourages innovative entrepreneurship that is based in science and technology that play important role in developing the market in Indonesia. This is in line with the university's vision to be a driving force in the advancement of science, the establishment and growth of innovative and superior business through education, research, and training in the field of business sciences, social and applied STEM for the progress and prosperity of Indonesia. If you aspire to be an entrepreneur, Prasetiya Mulya offers a one-of-a kind learning experience that you can't find in many other universities. This unique learning experience, combined with a strong network to the business ecosystem in Indonesia, will prepare you to enter the global workforce with a strong entrepreneurial foundation.

Collaborative Learning by Enterprising
In this era of interconnectedness, one of the most important things that everyone must excel in is collaboration. That is why, the core of spirit learning in Prasetiya Mulya is collaborative learning by enterprising. With the world becoming more connected, and the issues we face becoming more complex, it is crucial to be able to approach them through collaboration and through multiple perspectives and actors. Hence, cross-disciplinary approach is also something that is nurtured at the university.

“Every semester, students are given a project so that they can learn not only the concept or theory, but also how to implement those concepts in a different context. The projects could be inter-disciplinary, and requires them to solve it using different concepts from other courses; it could also be hands-on practice where they are required to work in close contact with the industry players themselves. The goal is to initiate students to become entrepreneur early on, so they know how it feels to be a CEO of their own business. To support that, students are given access to get in contact with mentor, investor, regulator, fellow startup owners, so that their learning curve could be more drastic - completing it during their time on campus”, shares Agus W. Soehadi, Vice Rector - Academic Universitas Prasetiya Mulya.

Completing that learning curve is also facilitated by the wide range of courses that focus on business and entrepreneurship. With 8 different courses in the School of Business, and 6 in School of Applied STEM, Prasetiya Mulya offers innovative courses and classes that no other universities have. For example, it offers bachelor degree in Branding and Event for

students who want to delve deeper into the practical side of business and marketing. In the School for Applied STEM, it offers bachelor degree in Food Business Technology and Renewable Energy Engineering. Students can also take classes from other course or program, allowing them to have a taste of other program - be it in the applied STEM or the business school.

Strong business ecosystem, supported with industry-experienced lecturers
In realizing its aim to be the excellent learning center, PrasetiyaMulya strives to build a strong business ecosystem within its institution. It established solid relations and network with players in the industry - from business owners, suppliers, government institutions, as well as fostered an entrepreneurial culture across all aspects in the institution. At the university, students are encouraged to think creatively and be innovative, to take risk and try something new. Being an entrepreneur, after all, is about dealing with something that cannot be seen yet. There is always a risk to fail; but failure is a part of the process towards success - and this is the kind of business ecosystem & culture that is embraced by the institution.

“Prasetiya Mulya University’s focus is to provide practicality and business insights, so that students' learning curve in becoming an entrepreneur is steep and could be achieved during their time on campus”

The same culture is lived and strengthened by the faculty members. All faculty members do not only excel academically, but they all have valuable experience in the industry. “By having that 'insider's peek' from various industry, combined with their academic achievement, Prasetiya Mulya's faculty members are able to provide a holistic perspective in approaching an issue. The focus is to provide practicality and business insights, so that students' learning curve in becoming an entrepreneur is steep and could be achieved during their time on campus”, adds Prof. Agus W. Soehadi.

On top of that, faculty members also take active part in students' growth. Upon enrolling, each student is assigned a mentor from faculty member, who will act not just as an academic counsellor, but as a business mentor. This mentorship will last until they graduate, providing students with direct access to the industry's network and perspective. International students who enroll will also receive the same treatment - by being assigned a faculty member mentor and a senior student - to help them navigate the new place.

Sharpening Hard Skills, Nurturing Soft Skills
Another point that makes Prasetiya Mulya a lucrative place to learn is their focus on not only building hard skills through lectures and projects; but also, on developing the students' soft skills. This commitment to develop soft skills is reflected in the university's commitment to assess and develop students' LE AMICA (Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Analytical Thinking, Maturity, Interpersonal Relationship, Communication, and Achievement). These aspects are assessed during the first year, second year, and before they graduate - to measure their ability to perform in the field of entrepreneurship and business.

Another way to encourage students to develop their soft skills also comes in a form of scholarship incentive that is given to those who maintains a minimum of 3.0 in their GPA, and earns career points of at least 25% above average. Students can earn career points if they are active on extracurricular activities, such as participating in a students' organization or events committee, taking part in

a seminar, or representing the university in various competitions. That way, the university provides a systemic way to motivate student to perform academically, and non-academically - both are important traits for aspiring.

The University has had the opportunity to churn out a plethora of industry-leading professionals and Erwin Tenggono is one such professional that has been able to cement his legacy in the global healthcare industry. He has decades of experience in the healthcare segment and has held respectable positions in a number of reputed business organizations. Currently, he is working as an Advisory Board Member at Halodoc ID. Adding more about the uniqueness of Prasetiya Mulya University, he says, “One of the most important factors that helped me to choose Prasetiya Mulya University over other educational institutions is that, the University has from a long time onwards prioritized on offering vocational training to students while most other universities in the country just focused on the theoretical aspect of education.

This has helped them to create capable professionals that are able to make a name for themselves in the respective industries. When I was doing my MBA in the University I was working as well and I wanted to select an institute that can enrich my experience and expand my knowledge base and Prasetiya Mulya University was the right fit for me. The institute also prioritizes on being a front-runner when it comes to incorporating the latest technologies and teaching pedagogies in their curriculum. This helps the students to be more industry-ready as well. Also, recently, the University has come up with an initiative where if a student has a promising business idea, the institute will help you to execute your business along with your studies and give you support to develop your business.

Students also have the opportunity to listen to lots of lectures from industry professionals and the university also has a strong industry-institute connect. Prasetiya Mulya University also keeps a good relationship with all their alumni that also help college-going students to get placed in the organizations of the alumni. The faculty also ensure that the students’ grievances are addressed in an optimal manner and creates an inclusive learning environment for the students to excel. As far as international students are concerned, the University makes sure that their transition into the campus life at Prasetiya Mulya University is seamless and more importantly, at the University, every student will feel welcomed”.

Prof. Agus W. Soehadi, Vice Rector - Academic Universitas Prasetiya Mulya
Prof. Agus W. Soehadi has a Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing Strategy from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK in 2001, and is a Marketing Professor since 2004. Previously Prof. Agus W. Soehadi served as Dean of the Prasetiya Mulya University Business and Economics School from 2016 to 2020. Until now, he is Vice Rector for Academic Universitas Prasetiya Mulya. He is also active in various business associations, including as a Founder at the Indonesian Brand Development Institute (IBDI), as Founder at Indonesian Consumunity Expo (ICE), as VP Education at the International Advertising Association (Indonesian Chapter), and also as a member of the International Accepted Marketing Standard (IAMS). In addition, he is also still active as an external examiner of doctoral program at a number of universities, such as at the University of Indonesia and the Bogor Agricultural Institute. Prof. Agus W. Soehadi is also still active as a contributor in the expert opinion column in a number of business media.