BANDUNG – The Master of Management (MM) program at Universitas Widyatama specifically equips its students with practical insights into the business world through public lectures held on Saturday, May 31st, 2025. Under the theme “Strategic Thinking Based on Theory and Business Context,” the event, held in the 6th Floor Seminar Room of Building B, featured executive leaders from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) of Bandung City. A total of 140 final-semester master’s management students attended to gain direct knowledge from practitioners, preparing them to make strategic decisions in the corporate world and entrepreneurship.
Strategic Preparation for Magister Management Students in the Workplace
This activity was designed as the peak of theoretical learning that students have received, especially those who took the Corporate Business and Unit Strategy (CBUS) course and entrepreneurship concentration. The goal was to bridge the gap between academic concepts and the dynamic and often unpredictable reality of business. The organizers hope that this event will sharpen the strategic thinking skills of students before they return to work full-time at companies or develop their own businesses.
The Secretary of the Master of Management Program, Dr. Yenny Maya Dora, S.T., M.M., explained that this activity is vital for the future careers of the participants. “The purpose of this event is, of course, to make our students better in understanding their important roles in society, both as employees and entrepreneurs, so that what is conveyed today will add to their ability to think and make the right decisions for their jobs and businesses,” said Dr. Yenny.
Practitioners’ Stories of Digging for Gold from a Business Context
Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda M.Hum., shared his business story at a public lecture for the Magister of Manajemen program at Universitas Widyatama .
The atmosphere became more lively when the Plt. Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Universitas Widyatama, Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda M.Hum., shared his business story, which was rich in lessons. He recounted his journey of building various businesses, ranging from wood trading since 1995, health clinics, to fishing ponds, all without any formal business education.
His experience proves that the key to strategy is a deep understanding of the context and character of customers, something that is not always written in textbooks. Prof. Dadang recounted how he actually made a profit during the 1998 monetary crisis because of his appropriate stocking strategy. He also shared valuable lessons about the different characteristics of customers when opening a clinic. The highly successful free medical program in Ciamis received a different response when implemented in Jatinangor. “So, from my business experience, this is a strategy and contextual issue. I strongly agree that it should be based on the context in which the business operates,” emphasized Prof. Dadang, underlining the importance of adapting strategies based on location and demographics.
The story of his fishing pond further strengthens this message. Instead of renovating the building to make it luxurious, he chose to maintain its natural feel and focus on the basic facilities needed by customers from all walks of life, such as cleanliness and a place of worship. As a result, his business was booming. He concluded that listening to and observing customer testimonials is the main foundation for sustainable business development. At the end of his speech, he emphasized that the greatest happiness is not just financial gain, but his ability to create jobs and provide welfare for his 62 employees.
Student Perspective of The Real Impact of Public Lectures
The participants immediately felt the benefits of this public lecture. They not only gained theoretical knowledge from KADIN speakers Ridwan Kurniawan and Meriza Hendri, but also real inspiration from senior practitioners. The students, who are in their final year, gained new perspectives that will be very useful in their careers. This event succeeded in opening their eyes to the importance of adaptive strategy execution and empathy-based customer service.
One of the participants, Irfan Rizki, admitted that he gained significant insight from this event. “This public lecture was very interesting and memorable for me. As a fresh graduate, it opened my eyes and expanded my thinking about what I should do for my future strategy,” said Irfan. He hopes that similar activities will continue to be held because they provide value through discussions and the sharing of first-hand experiences from experts in their fields.
Group photo of the Universitas Widyatama Master of Management public lecture with the theme “Strategic Thinking Based on Theory and Business Context”.
