Building Entrepreneurial Mindsets: UKDW Workshop Features Experts and Founders
YOGYAKARTA – The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Centrino) at Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) successfully hosted the third Entrepreneurship Clinic Session (ECS 3) on August 19–20 and September 3, 2025. The program provided intensive mentoring for recipients of the 2025 Student Entrepreneurship Development Program (P2MW) grants and was also open to the public eager to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.
ECS 3 was officially opened by Dr. Parmonangan Manurung, S.T., M.T., IAI., Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni, Information, and Innovation at UKDW. In his remarks, he underlined that entrepreneurship is a core pillar in realizing UKDW’s vision as a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Research University (SERU).
“Entrepreneurship is not only about creating businesses—it’s about building an innovative, creative, and independent mindset. We want our students to become change-makers who have the courage to create jobs,” he said.
Branding as the Soul of Business
The first session featured Ign. Agus Putranto, M.Si., a communications expert from Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta, who spoke on “Branding Strategy – Branding is Soul.” He emphasized that branding is more than just visual identity—it represents the core values and spirit of a business.
“A brand is a symbol and a set of values that build consumer trust. Without soul, a brand has no strength to endure,” he said.
Building a Collaborative Ecosystem
On August 20, ECS 3 continued with Cretta Cucu Abdulah, CEO of Seruni Audio, presenting on “The Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.” Cucu highlighted the importance of networks and supportive environments for business growth.
“Entrepreneurs cannot grow in isolation. They need an ecosystem supported by government, universities, and communities,” he explained.
He pointed to three key roles of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and empowering communities through local wisdom. The session closed with an interactive mentoring activity.
Founder’s Talk: Learning from Real Experience
On September 3, ECS 3 concluded with an inspiring Founder’s Talk by Michael Adhika Damarsasi, founder of Abhinaya Watch. Dika shared his journey of building a business from the ground up and winning national entrepreneurship grants for three consecutive years.
“Product validation, careful grant fund management, and consistent innovation are the keys to sustaining a business,” he said.
Positioning UKDW as an Entrepreneurship Incubator
Dr. Haryo Dimasto Kristiyanto, S.S., M.Sc., Head of Centrino, noted that ECS 3 is a concrete step in shaping a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus.
“We hope ECS not only produces new businesses, but also strengthens UKDW’s entrepreneurial culture and contributes to the growth of Indonesia’s creative economy,” he concluded.
Centrino, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is UKDW’s dedicated unit for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Its programs are designed to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets that are creative, adaptive, and socially impactful.
W-ID:& Doc: amp | Ed. (ENG): drr
