"Interest in entrepreneurship among university students is increasing. We can see that Indonesia's start-up companies are ranked fifth in the world," Nizam remarked during a ceremony to launch an online learning module for entrepreneurship in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He highlighted the waning interest among university students to serve the county as civil servants, while the interest to start a business was increasing. Taking this factor into account, he suggested universities to accommodate the interest of students by providing classes on entrepreneurship.
"By providing classes on entrepreneurship to students, we will ensure more successful entrepreneurs in future, as they would have sufficient knowledge to establish their business instead of merely relying on their instincts," Nizam expounded.
Related news: Academic urges students to take digital entrepreneurship route
The entrepreneurship program has been integrated as a specialized program within the Kampus Merdeka (Freedom Campus) study system, thereby enabling students to gain entrepreneurship experience for one or two semesters to serve as a basis to become successful entrepreneurs in future, Nizam noted.
He explained that the entrepreneurship module in the Kampus Merdeka study system encompassed student exchange, apprenticeship, research, humanitarian program, and other activities.
He noted that difficulties faced by students to balance study and business while developing their business compelled them to forego their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. To address this issue, the Kampus Merdeka program allows students to integrate their start-up business with their studies.
"Before the Kampus Merdeka program, university students often sacrificed their studies to focus on their new business, as they should complete their exams or assignments while developing the business," he stated.
Nizam reiterated his ministry's commitment to integrating entrepreneurship modules within the online learning system of the ministry.
He expressed optimism that the ministry's key partner, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), would extend support to start-up companies founded by Indonesian university students.
Related news: BPPT supports emerging tech start-ups, social entrepreneurs
Translator: Indriani, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
