Campuses Encouraged to Integrate AI in Entrepreneurship Education

The Indonesian Association of Entrepreneurship Study Programs (APSKI) is encouraging universities to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into their entrepreneurship education. This move is seen as essential for preparing graduates not only to build businesses but also to adapt effectively to technological shifts and evolving market demands.

Sonny Rustiadi, Chairman of APSKI, stated that entrepreneurship education must go beyond simply teaching how to start a business. He believes universities should equip students with the skills to identify problems, explore regional potential, and develop economically viable solutions. "Students must be guided to find specific problems in their regions, develop relevant solutions, test them in the market, and transform innovations from campus into businesses that provide real benefits," Sonny said.

Rustiadi emphasized that entrepreneurship learning should focus on project-based approaches, field experience, applied research, and solving real-world problems. This educational strategy needs support through inter-university collaboration, strengthened business incubators, and access to technology, funding, and markets. These commitments were central to the APSKI National Working Meeting held in Bali from July 22-24, 2026, attended by leaders from 49 Indonesian universities, practitioners, and national and international partners.

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Students must be guided to find specific problems in their regions, develop relevant solutions, test them in the market, and transform innovations from campus into businesses that provide real benefits.

Badri Munir Sukoco, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, highlighted the strategic role of universities in fostering new entrepreneurs and startups. He stressed the need for campuses to build ecosystems that support job creators through research, laboratories, business incubators, mentorship, industry partnerships, financial institutions, government support, and alumni networks.

M. Riza Damanik, Deputy for Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, added that entrepreneurship education must continuously adapt to technological advancements, business needs, regional potential, and national development agendas. "We don't expect all graduates to become entrepreneurs. However, every graduate needs an entrepreneurial mindset: being sensitive to problems, creatively finding solutions, daring to make measured decisions, being able to collaborate, and being resilient in facing change," Riza stated. This approach aligns with Presidential Regulation No. 38 of 2026 on National Entrepreneurship Development.

Alongside the working meeting, APSKI hosted an International Conference on Entrepreneurship featuring academics from Indonesia, the UK, South Korea, Australia, and the Netherlands. The association also launched two scientific journals, the Journal APSKI Entrepreneurship and Journal APSKI PKM, and officially ratified its Bali chapter.

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We don't expect all graduates to become entrepreneurs. However, every graduate needs an entrepreneurial mindset: being sensitive to problems, creatively finding solutions, daring to make measured decisions, being able to collaborate, and being resilient in facing change.