IPB University Successfully Organizes YAC 2024 to Cultivate Students’ Sociopreneurship
The Young Agripreneur Camp (YAC) 2024 is one of the flagship programs of the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) at IPB University, designed to meet students’ educational needs in entrepreneurship. The series of activities for YAC 2024, themed “A Greatest Young Who Create The Future,” officially concluded on Saturday, August 10, at the Innopreneurship Center Building, IPB Dramaga Campus.
In addition to the increased number of participants, YAC also successfully introduced a wider variety of commodities, including quail, sweet potatoes, fish, papaya, hydroponics, and organic vegetables. Dr Handian Purwawangsa, Director of PMA at IPB University, highlighted the increased participation of faculty members, with 16 lecturers involved in the YAC 2024 program.
“Education and hands-on skills are directly provided to students in running commodity-based entrepreneurial projects, equipping them to become entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector,” he explained.
“The commodities chosen for this program already have a clear market within IPB University’s Agribusiness Technology Park (ATP), so students not only learn theoretically but can also directly collaborate with partners at ATP,” Dr Handian added.
He also revealed that ATP is currently building a quail farm with a capacity of 3,000-4,000 birds and preparing to cultivate crickets to meet significant market demand.
IPB University Rector, Prof Arif Satria, stated during the event that the YAC 2024 program would equip students with better life skills. “What students participate in during their studies, whether within or outside the curriculum, will bring valuable experiences, such as the experience of institutionalizing a business and gaining hands-on experience that supports their careers and lives after graduation,” he added.
IPB University Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof Ernan Rustiadi, emphasized the university’s commitment to developing entrepreneurship education, notably through the YAC program.
He pointed out that the success of developed countries is not solely derived from natural resources but also from the excellence of human resources, particularly in mastering technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“America has an advanced entrepreneurial ecosystem with a participation rate of over 12 percent. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the rate is still relatively low. Therefore, IPB University is committed to developing entrepreneurship education through the YAC program,” said Prof Ernan Rustiadi.
The event also featured the screening of an aftermovie of the field project, presentations of assignments, and judging. YAC practitioners, including Djadja Soehardja Soeharta (Quail Practitioner), Sujino (Papaya Practitioner), and Cecep (Fish Practitioner), were invited to receive awards for their dedication in mentoring the participants in the field. (*/Lp) (IAAS/RUM)
