Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) for the 2019-2024 period, Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Fadel Muhammad Al-Haddar said, “There are three main things that an entrepreneur must have, namely innovation, the ability to find and create opportunities, and the ability to organize future strategies.” College is the right place to start an entrepreneurial mindset, where students can learn to strategize and prepare themselves for various processes.
The statement by the Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI for the 2019-2024 period was delivered while filling a discussion session with figures titled “Bisakah Insinyur Jadi Pengusaha?” (Can Engineers Become Entrepreneurs?), at the Introduction to the Faculty Academic System (PSAF) of the Faculty of Engineering (FT) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) on Thursday, August 15, at the Balairung UI building, Depok campus. He shared his experiences regarding his long journey in building a business, as well as the importance of innovation for an entrepreneur.
“Success is not a destination, but a journey,” he said. He further stated that creativity is like a seed in a fruit, which is the essence of all life. Therefore, it is important to continue to care for and hone creativity by continuing to innovate.
“Innovation does not have to create something new, but can start with something simpler, such as making something better than before,” said Prof. Fadel. “An entrepreneur must also have willpower. There is a saying that says ‘people who die before they die’. This saying means that the person has no will. Therefore, we must continue to cultivate so that the will within us does not die,” said Prof. Fadel. He also reminded the importance of interaction with the community because this interaction will provide an opportunity to gain better experiences and enrich insights.
In front of 2,202 new FTUI students, and moderator, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Unit (WIN) FTUI, Dr. Muhamad Sahlan, S.Si., M.Eng., Prof. Fadel shared his journey as an entrepreneur and academic. He started his career by establishing PT Bukaka Teknik Utama, which started as a small-scale motor vehicle repair shop and has now grown into a large company in the field of infrastructure and metal construction with thousands of employees.
He emphasized the importance of having an entrepreneurial spirit for engineering students. According to him, an engineering graduate should not only focus on finding a job after graduating, but also see the opportunities and chances that exist in society. “From these opportunities, build a new business, become an entrepreneur. Because in reality entrepreneurship is not something that is hereditary, but is obtained from learning,” he said.
Prof. Fadel once served as Governor of Gorontalo for two terms. At that time, he succeeded in improving the economy of Gorontalo, whose poverty rate reached 48%. As an alumnus of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), who played a role as an entrepreneur, he saw the potential of corn commodities in Gorontalo to be able to develop into superior products that brought significant changes to the local community.
With strong entrepreneurial ideas and spirit, he managed to strengthen fish production in Gorontalo by 365%. Acting Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., said, “The presence of Prof. Fadel Muhammad at the PSAF FTUI 2024 event is a very valuable moment for new students. The insights he conveyed regarding entrepreneurship, especially in the field of engineering, certainly provide a new perspective for students to be more creative and brave in taking opportunities in post-campus life.”
As closing, Prof. Fadel read a poem narrative titled “Kredo Wiraswasta”, which describes the spirit and philosophy of life as an entrepreneur. He said that with the demographic bonus that Indonesia has, many new job opportunities will open up and ultimately Indonesia Emas 2045 will be achieved with the support of a high-quality young generation. His presence in PSAF FTUI 2024 not only provides motivation, but also opens up new insights for new FTUI students regarding entrepreneurship in the world of engineering.
