To support and encourage an entrepreneurial atmosphere, Widyatama University in Bandung will establish a company with human resources consisting of students from the university. The company, called Student Corporate, is planned to be formed before the end of 2010. The rector of Widyatama University, Mame S. Sutoko, said in Bandung on Monday (28/6) that Student Corporate is a concrete step in educating students to manage businesses. The capital to form the company will come from the sale of shares.
“So, all students can be involved. Lecturers, parents of students, and alumni who are interested in buying Student Corporate shares are welcome to do so,” he said. The capital required is around Rp 50 million – Rp 100 million. The share price is estimated at Rp 10,000 per share. “It is hoped that all students can participate. There are around 6,000 students at Widyatama University,” he said.
Another alternative is to require new students to purchase shares. However, their money will not be lost because the shares can be resold after graduation. Every year, Widyatama University accepts around 1,500 new students. The capital is expected to be collected by November 2010. Furthermore, registration with a notary will be conducted before the end of 2010. “Whatever amount is collected will become the initial capital. Regarding the business field to be pursued, we are still discussing it,” he said. If realized, Student Corporate will be the first university-established business venture in Bandung to educate students. The number of students needed to manage the business is estimated to be relatively small, between 5 and 10 people.
Business Data Center
Mame said that in addition to Student Corporate, another plan by Widyatama University to educate students in running a business is to establish a Business Data Center. This institution will provide information about various companies in Indonesia and abroad. “Students and lecturers can study this data to find out what products companies need, fill the market, or find information for research,” he said. Widyatama University is currently waiting for information service providers to present their services. The Business Data Center is planned to be established before the end of 2010. The budget for this institution is around US$10,000 per year. “However, the products we use in the early stages can be selected based on lower costs. For example, around 2,000 or 6,000 US dollars per year,” said Mame. As an effort to encourage students to start businesses, the university has been offering an Entrepreneurship course since 2003. The course is offered over two semesters, each with a weight of three semester credit units. (Source: Kompas)
