ITS Campus, ITS News — The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) witnessed the birth of creative and independent young entrepreneurs through the 2025 Millennial Entrepreneur Award (MEA) at Grha Sepuluh Nopember ITS on Wednesday (October 8). This event is a form of implementation of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITS and the East Java Education Office (Dispendik) seven years ago.
In his remarks, ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MSc, Eng, PhD, emphasized the importance of applied skills for high school graduates. He believes that not all students will continue their education to college, so they need to be equipped with life skills for independence. In response, the High School Double Track (DT) Program was created to provide practical skills for students.
Bambang explained that this program is the result of a collaboration between ITS and the East Java Education Office, along with industry and UNICEF. In this regard, ITS also plays a role as an academic partner, assisting students and teachers in developing technical skills and providing digital training. “ITS is proud to be part of the effort to develop a skilled and highly competitive young generation,” he said.
Echoing the ITS Rector, East Java Governor Dr. (HC) Khofifah Indar Parawansa praised the success of the SMA DT program in preparing an independent and competitive young generation. She stated that the program’s approach, which connects students with the industrial world, enables their work to compete in the global market. “This is proven by the fact that several SMA DT student creations have been sold in Hong Kong and internationally,” she claimed.
This program also achieved a proud achievement, with 1,600 Student Business Groups (KUS) setting a new MURI record. Thousands of these KUS then competed in the 2025 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a platform for students to showcase their creativity and economic independence.
This year, the MEA presented nine competition categories covering various areas of entrepreneurship and innovation, such as Student Business Planning and Development, DT Mart Services, Training Media Innovation, Product Promotion, and Superior Product Creation. Participants in the KUS competed to showcase their work in the form of creative videos highlighting aspects of innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
In closing her remarks, Khofifah also encouraged the DT High School students to view this competition not as the end of their journey, but as the first step toward independence. She emphasized that business sustainability and innovation can only be achieved if they continue to adapt. “Change never stops, and neither must we stop changing,” she said.
This synergy between ITS and the East Java Education Office aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 4, concerning Quality Education. Furthermore, the multi-sector collaboration in promoting SMA DT’s success reflects SDG point 17, concerning Partnerships to Achieve Goals. (ITS Public Relations)
Reporter: Naurah Fitri
Translator : Devinka Mutianeira