Surabaya, Bhirawa

Ciputra University’s (UC) Master of Management program has launched five innovative specialisation programs. These five programs are: Hotel, Tourism and Service, Digital Marketing Communication, Information Technology, Design Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurial Sustainability Management. These innovative specialisation programs are designed to address current industry needs and trends.

UC Surabaya Rector, Prof. Yohannes Somawiharja, explained that the launch of these five specialisation programs resulted from a collaborative effort among lecturers amidst the high industry demand for expert fields.

Yohannes believes that campuses are typically designed to produce thinkers, scientists, and academics. This contrasts with UC’s focus on entrepreneurship. “Not all graduates want to become academics, thinkers, or scientists. But we prepare graduates with the expertise needed by industry,” he explained on Thursday (January 16).

The presence of this innovative specialisation program, Yohannes continued, also refers to Ali Mochtar’s statement that he hoped there would be a link and match between the world of education and industry. In this specialisation, his institution innovates on Ali Mochtar’s basic concept by using problem-based and project-based learning in lectures.

Regarding human resources, Yohannes stated that UC always combines teaching staff from academics and practitioners, or those still actively involved in industry. This is necessary because the industry is developing very rapidly. So, academics who understand the science are indeed important, because we have quality standards from the Directorate General of Higher Education, and these must all be met.

“Usually, certain classes that require projects require both. In the Master of Management program, there are three clusters: Management, Entrepreneurship, and Expertise. Typically, there are two clusters for expertise and entrepreneurship (academic and practitioner), so students’ knowledge is enriched, not just theoretical,” he explained.

Damelina Basaili Tambunan, S.E., M.M., PhD, CLC., CPM (Asia), Dean of the School of Business and Management, added that the program is now open and is accepting applicants. Registration will begin on February 15, 2025.

Damelina claims that prospective new students (camaba) can improve their quality of life by gaining knowledge in the 3-in-1 program. This means that in addition to gaining management knowledge, they will also gain knowledge about entrepreneurship and their interests. “In the first year, we are opening a total quota of 120 seats, with a quota of 10 students for each interest,” she added.

Damelina also emphasised that applicants from any major are welcome to enrol in UC’s Master of Management (MM) program, as long as their professional profile demonstrates a need for a specific area of ​​interest.

In addition to gaining management knowledge, which can be found elsewhere in other MM programs in Indonesia, Damelina claims the added value includes entrepreneurship, as UC excels in this field, along with the respective areas of interest. “So, 40 per cent of the curriculum will discuss these areas of interest. So, a 3-in-1 program can equip students in three areas,” she added.

She hopes that with the opening of this specialisation program, more graduates and practitioners will develop an awareness of their respective industries, sustainability, and contribute specific insights to their respective industries. This will result in graduates who are ready to compete on the global stage,” she concluded. [ina.wrw]