Juggling Two Roles, Dr. Edra Builds a Network of Clinics While Researching the Family Business
22 June, 2026
KOMPAS.com – Amid his busy schedule as a dentist, Dr. Edra Brahmantya Susilo, MM, SpKG, juggles a dual role as an entrepreneur who is developing clinics and involved in the family business.
He also pursued his studies through the doctoral level at Ciputra University in Surabaya, focusing on family business. According to him, this education brought about significant changes in his way of thinking and managing a business.
“For me personally, the most noticeable change from my master’s to my doctoral studies was in my way of thinking and analyzing business,” said Dr. Edra in a press release received by Kompas.com on Monday (June 22, 2026).
Undeniably, the business journey of the Chair of the Ciputra University Alumni Association did not happen overnight. Starting out as a dentist, Edra began getting involved in the family’s contracting business, which was founded by her parents.
Drawing on that experience, he went on to start his own business by opening a dental clinic that began operations in 2018. The business has grown and now has several branches in Surabaya and the surrounding area.
“At first, I was just a dentist, then I got involved in the family business. Later, in 2018, I started building a dental clinic, and it has continued to grow to this day,” he said.
He admitted that his decision to pursue a master’s and doctoral degree at Ciputra University was driven not only by his own desire but also by his parents.
“My parents were the ones who encouraged me to pursue my doctorate. After going through it, it turned out to be very beneficial,” he said.
Over time, he has reaped broader benefits, particularly in the development of his mindset and business analysis skills.
According to him, learning at Ciputra University is not only theoretical but also closely tied to practice, as the academic environment is dominated by business professionals.
“At Ciputra University, (students) don’t just learn theory, but also engage in discussions with peers, most of whom already have business experience,” he added.
Edra pursued his master’s degree at Ciputra University from 2013 to 2015, then went on to earn his Ph.D. at the same university, focusing on research still related to family business.
During his studies, he was also able to gain firsthand experience in the business world, especially when he had to juggle his time between classes, dental practice, clinic management, and involvement in the family business.
“Everything was done step by step; it couldn’t all be done at once. As we went along, we learned to manage our time,” he said.
Researching Family Business Succession
In his doctoral research, Edra examined the transformation of tacit knowledge in family businesses, specifically the succession process from the first generation to the next.
He highlighted the fact that many family businesses face significant challenges during the generational transition process, with a fairly high failure rate.
“Much of the knowledge passed down from parents is unwritten, based solely on experience. That’s what I’m trying to bring to light so it can be transformed,” he explained.
In addition to his academic activities, Edra is also active in the Ciputra University Alumni Association as its president. He believes that the alumni community plays a vital role in expanding networks and opening up opportunities for business collaboration.
“Relationships formed 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.
Public Relations Officer at Ciputra University, Erlita Dwi Tantri, said that Ciputra University has a family business ecosystem that involves not only students but also their parents.
“At Ciputra University, we have a strong family business ecosystem. Not only are students involved, but parents are also connected to the community, facilitating the transfer of experience across generations,” said Erlita.
In various campus activities, he added, parents are also directly involved in sharing their experiences in building a business. In this way, a bridge can be built between the founding generation and the next generation of business leaders.
“Often, both parents and children are involved in this community. From there, dialogue and mutual understanding emerge regarding the development of the family business,” he added.