Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire Impressed by IBISMA UII

Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) received the visit of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom, Stephen Marston on Wednesday (6/11), at Simpul Tumbuh Building, UII Integrated Campus. On his visit, Stephen was attracted to the pattern of business and innovation development at UII, especially in Inkubator Bisnis Bersama (IBISMA) UII.

His visit on this occasion is welcomed by the Deputy Rector for Networking & Entrepreneurship UII, Ir. Wiryono Raharjo, M.Arch., Ph.D. In his welcoming speech,  Wiryono Raharjo expressed that as the oldest private university in Indonesia, UII attempted to escalate economic activities in Indonesia through IBISMA UII that now has developed not only for UII but also beyond UII, for those who are interested and have ideas to grow along with UII. 

“Now, IBISMA is not only for internal UII only, but external parties who are interested may also join. We have changed the word “mahasiswa” in the abbreviation (which means ‘student’) into “bersama” (meaning ‘together’),” Wiryono Raharjo explained. 

As explained by the Director of Entrepreneurship Development/Simpul Tumbuh UII, Dr. Ir. Arif Wismadi, M.Sc., the establishment of IBISMA was started from a program to encourage the utilization of research outputs, such as the entrepreneurship development program and building innovation ecosystem.

“In UII internally, we have tried to push forward every department to develop innovation through entrepreneurship. Gradually, IBISMA gained trust from the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education in terms of strengthening the incubator of business technology,” Arif Wismadi expressed. 

Furthermore, Arif Wismadi explained that IBISMA is the concrete manifestation of Erasmus+ Gita Project (Growing Indonesia Triangular Approach), one of its goals is to prepare graduates with entrepreneurial skills. 

“To prepare graduates with the ability to develop innovation and ideas through business and digital and also to better Indonesian economy. UII has provided curriculum about this economy in every study program through entrepreneurship subject,” he added. 

When Stephen Marston asked about public response on IBISMA, Arif Wismadi answered that there are many positive responses. Moreover, until 2019, IBISMA UII has received grants of which worth up to 3.5 Billion from the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. Besides that, UII has also independently contribute to grant funding to the current tenant that recently grows together at IBISMA UII. 

Witnessing such progress, Stephen Marston was impressed by the establishment of IBISMA UII that creates impacts in innovation and business sector in Indonesia. He said that the role of higher education in Indonesia should be enhanced in economic development especially in facing ASEAN Economic Community. 

“Indonesia’s economic growth has a better prospect when these ideas and innovations can be developed. Because through these innovations and brilliant ideas, will also come quality human resources,” he stated. (ENI/RS)