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The Agribusiness Management Department (MNA) of Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) successfully held a Project Based Learning (PBL) Exhibition and Talkshow with the theme “Set Up Your Mind and Goal to be Agripreneurs: Forming a Competitive, Creative, and Innovative Agripreneur Spirit through Collaboration with Partners in the Industrial World and the World of Work”. The event, which took place on Wednesday (11/13) at GOR Perjuangan 45 Polije, became a place for students to showcase innovative agro-industrial products that they have developed and to strengthen their understanding of the world of agripreneurs.
The event was opened by the Vice Director of Planning, Collaboration, and Information Systems of Polije, Agung Wahyono, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., who said that this activity is one of Polije’s concrete steps in supporting project-based learning that is oriented towards the world of work and industry. Agung Wahyono said that this activity is not only a place of learning for students but also an opportunity for Polije to establish strategic cooperation with various parties through the signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Jember Regency Cooperative Office, the Jember Regency Fisheries Office, and UD Purnama Jati.
“This PBL is one of the real manifestations of the implementation of Key Performance Indicator (IKU) 7 regarding collaborative and participatory classes that provide opportunities for students to learn directly in the industrial world and collaborate with various parties,” said Agung.
He also added that as a vocational college, Polije prioritizes education that involves more practical activities than theory. Through PBL, students not only learn about business theory but also gain direct experience in managing and marketing the products they make.
Furthermore, Agung Wahyono explained that students at Polije can work on a final project in the form of an independent business, where they must create a product and conduct an economic analysis to determine market potential.
“Hopefully, when they graduate, students will have experience in the business world so that they can become competitive, creative, and innovative entrepreneurs. In addition, through this learning method, students are also expected to be able to continue the innovations they create into commercial businesses that are ready to compete in the market,” he explained.
Head of the MNA Department, Taufik Hidayat, S.E., M.Sc., also explained that this PBL activity was attended by students of Applied Bachelor of Agro-Industry Management and Diploma Three of Agribusiness Management. In this PBL activity, the main focus is on innovation in the agro-industry sector, especially in fishery processing products. This is expected to improve students’ skills in creating value-added products in the fisheries and agribusiness sectors.
“Most of the PBL participants are also part of the Independent Entrepreneurship (WMK) program, which provides entrepreneurial provisions since college,” said Taufik.
Through this program, students get the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills in a more structured way. In addition, all students who participated in this PBL activity already have a Business Identification Number (NIB) which makes it easier for them to legalize their business, so that they can more easily market their products widely and increase the economic value of the products they develop.
In the talk show held as part of this activity, speakers from the industrial world also provided insight and motivation to students to pursue agribusiness and innovate in the products they produce. The discussion became a forum for students to gain knowledge about market opportunities, marketing strategies, and tips for developing innovative and competitive agribusiness products in this increasingly digital era.
Polije hopes that through this PBL Exhibition and Talkshow activity, students will not only gain a deep understanding of agribusiness but also have the mental readiness and practical skills needed to become highly competitive agripreneurs. In addition, collaboration with partners from the industrial world and the world of work is expected to provide students with broader insight into the needs and opportunities that exist in the current job market.
This activity received great enthusiasm from students, as seen from their active participation in the product exhibition, discussions, and question and answer sessions with the speakers. Through this activity, Polije hopes to produce young agripreneurs who are ready to compete and are able to make real contributions in the agribusiness sector, as well as being part of Polije’s efforts in creating superior graduates who are ready to work according to the needs of the industry in the future. (rda)