Dr. Edra Brahmantya: Developing a Dental Clinic and Family Business in Surabaya Through Her Doctoral Studies
22 June, 2026
SURYA.co.id, SURABAYA – Amid his busy schedule as a dentist, Dr. Edra Brahmantya Susilo, M.M., Sp.KG, juggles a dual role as an entrepreneur developing clinics and the family business.
He also pursued his studies through the doctoral level at Ciputra University in Surabaya, East Java, focusing on family business—a field he says has significantly transformed his way of thinking and managing his ventures.
“For me personally, the most noticeable change from my master’s to my doctoral studies was in my way of thinking and analyzing business,” the chair of the UC Alumni Association told SURYA.co.id on Monday (June 22, 2026).
Building a Dental Clinic
His business journey did not happen overnight. Starting out as a dentist, Edra later became involved in the family’s contracting business, which his parents had founded.
Drawing on that experience, he went on to develop his own business by establishing a dental clinic that began operations in 2018 and has continued to grow, now operating several branches in Surabaya and the surrounding area.
“At first, I was just a dentist, then I got involved in the family business. Then, in 2018, I started building a dental clinic, and it has grown to where it is today,” he said.
He admitted that his decision to pursue a master’s and doctoral degree at Ciputra University was driven not only by personal desire but also by his parents’ influence.
“It was my parents who encouraged me to pursue my doctorate. But once I got into it, I realized there were many benefits,” he said.
However, as time went on, he came to appreciate even broader benefits, particularly in terms of his mindset and business analysis skills.
More Than Just Learning Theory
According to him, learning at UC isn’t just theoretical—it’s also closely tied to practice because the academic environment is dominated by business professionals.
“At UC, it’s not just about learning theory, but also engaging in discussions with classmates, most of whom already have business experience,” he added.
Edra earned his master’s degree at Ciputra University from 2013 to 2015, then continued his doctoral studies at the same institution, focusing on a topic still related to family business.
Throughout his studies, he also emphasized the importance of hands-on experience in the business world, especially when he had to juggle his time between classes, his dental practice, managing the clinic, and his involvement in the family business.
“Everything was done step by step; I couldn’t do it all at once. As we went along, we learned to manage our time,” he said.
Doctoral Research
In her doctoral research, Edra examined the transformation of tacit knowledge in family businesses, particularly the succession process from the first generation to the next.
She highlighted the fact that many family businesses face significant challenges during the generational transition, with a fairly high failure rate.
“Much of the knowledge passed down from parents is unwritten—it’s based solely on experience. That’s what I’m trying to bring to light so it can be transformed,” she explained.
In addition to her academic activities, Edra is also active in the Ciputra University Alumni Association as its President. She believes the alumni community plays a vital role in expanding networks and opening up opportunities for business collaboration.
“Relationships on campus don’t just end in the classroom; they can develop into business networks—and even patient networks,” he said.
He believes that the experience of studying at Ciputra University offers more than just an academic degree; it also provides an ecosystem that supports the sustainable development of entrepreneurship.
UC’s Family Business Ecosystem
Erlita Dwi Tantri, Public Relations Officer at Ciputra University, noted that UC has a family business ecosystem that involves not only students but also their parents.
“Here at UC, we have a strong family business ecosystem. It’s not just the students who are involved—parents are also connected within the community, fostering a transfer of experience across generations,” said Erlita.
He added that in some activities, parents are also directly involved in sharing their experiences in building a business, thereby creating a bridge between the founding generation and the next generation of business leaders.
“Often, both parents and children are involved in this community. This fosters dialogue and mutual understanding in the development of the family business,” he added.