Internasional Affairs Office USU

Two Best Cases for Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition

After going through a lot of process, there are two social enterprise that got chosen as best case for Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition from Universitas Sumatera Utara, the two best cases are IDEASTEAM and EcoGrow. Both teams were supervised by Mr. Trudly Karo-Karo as the owner of CV. Teknologi Tepat Guna which have a lot of incredible experience in business development. Both teams want to start their business because they want it to be valuable and impactful for their society or community.

Let’s have a look at the first team which is Ideasteam. Ideasteam begin their business idea to teach STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) for children. This idea came after lack of STEAM Specialist in Indonesia and the high demand of specialist at Industry 4.0. IdeaSTEAM implements play and learn technique with robotics so the student will play as long as they learn Science, Math, Technic and Robotic. They choose to teach children at the age 7-10 years old because in their age is the most crucial year for remembering and understanding everything. They also identify one of their local problems which are lack of jobs for the disabilities. They did research that most of disable peopledon’thaveproperjoborevenunemployed.Theirgoalforthissocialproblemistoempower and gain more interest in several types of disabled children so they could believe they have the same opportunity to learn STEAM through robotics. The advantages for disabled children are they have same chance to learn STEAM and after graduating from the program they could have a chance to become a mentor to teach other children. After doing several mentoring sessions, they said that it is not easy to developing social entrepreneurship. But, their mentor helps them to gain more knowledge at public relations, problem solving, and give them good examples based on his experience and that is really useful. In the next year, they want to at least collaborate with 3 schools in Medan City. By 5 year later, they could have their own working space to learn with other children. Our creative space become everyone destination for learning robotics especially for disabilities.

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robot The second best case team goes to EcoGrow. Ecogrow begin their business idea because they want to turn waste into useful products and it could be benefit for low income families. They promote environment sustainable education through greater independence gained by produce eco-friendly organic liquid fertilizer (OLF). In this social business, they cooperate with Sekolah Alam Medan. Every day they could pick up 50 kg organic food waste form the market and 20 kg manure for making the organic liquid fertilizer (OLF). They sells their product through offline and online platform such as e-commerce (Shopee, Tokopedia, Lazada, Bukalapak and Blibli) for gaining profit or revenue. They said that their customer segmentations come from medium to high income market into householder and business that aware of using organic high nitrogen fertilizer. Since this is the first time they build social business, they said that they didn’t consider pandemic as one of the obstacles to develop their business. The pandemic Covid-19 makes them unable to communicate face to face with the community and customers which they can guide to educate them more about eco-friendly lifestyle. They have a vision that in the future they could have market spread and production scale up. They said the key factors for being success in social enterprise are quality of products, price, delivery service, prudent source and funding.

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Congratulations for both teams for winning the best case Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition. We do hope that both teams could achieve their vision as soon as possible and become the local heroes in their community because that is one of the objective for doing social enterprise. We also want to give our upmost gratitude for other team participation adn we do hope that you could gain experience for joining Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition as you also join the incubation program and supervised by the incredible mentors. Once again, Congratulation!

External Mentors for Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Incubation Program

We are proudly introducing our external mentors for Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition Incubation Program from Universitas Sumatera Utara. The first mentor is Mr. Robert Sianipar who is the owner and founder of Ulos Sianipar Gallery. Ulos Sianipar Gallery was established in Medan, North Sumatera in 1992. Following his family business tradition for selling Ulos fabric which is a traditional fabric from Bataknese, Mr. Robert then produces bags, shoes, clothes, and many other things combined with Ulos fabric. Also, Ulos Sianipar Gallery was the supplier of Ulos fabric in the wedding of presidential family. One of the purpose of Ulos Sianipar Gallery is to change the perspectives of Ulos in Fashion Industry.

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The second mentor we want to introduce is Mr. Aditya Kryoadi, S.T. He is the owner and founder of DreamArch Animation (DA). DreamArch Animation was established in Medan, North Sumatera in 2001. DreamArch Animation (DA) is an animation center engaged in making animation projects, provide animation courses for students, and selling animation souvenirs. Mr. Aditya has published several books about animation. He also became speaker in animation workshops.

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The next one is Mr. Trudly Karo Karo who is the owner of CV. Teknologi Tepat Guna. CV. Teknologi Tepat Guna was established in Medan, North Sumatera in 2009. CV. Teknologi Tepat Guna sells and accepts orders for tools for agricultures, plantations, fisheries, and so on. CV. Teknologi Tepat Guna produces various kinds of product such as fruit chip frying machines, bootle cover machines, seasoning grinding machines, and organic waste chopping machines. The customer can customized any machines or tools related to agriculture, plantations, fisheries.

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Last but not least is Mrs. Ros Marya Yasintha S.P., M.Sc. who is the Managing Director of CV. Topaz profiles which was founded in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra in 2011. This company produces polystyrene profile bars, which are the basis of furniture decoration, interior design materials and photo frames. Most of the raw materials to produce polystyrene profiles bars in the CV. Topaz Profiles nowadays are obtained by recycling styrofoam waste. This company has also started a campaign on recycling styrofoam waste on social media and is trying to convince the public that styrofoam waste can also be recycled.

Total, there are four incredible external mentors for Erasmus+ INSPIRE Social Enterprise Business Plan Competition incubation program provided for all of the winners. All of the mentors were really excited to share their experiences and supervised all of the winners during the incubation program. the winners also said that their contribution and experiences has brought so much great ideas in developing their social businesses.

Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility in Austria

Assalamualaikum, I am Fitria Adine Yasmine Belinda majoring in Information Technology Universitas Sumatera Utara. During this semester, I got a chance to join Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility and study in Austria for about 6 months. First of all, I would like to say thank you very much to Universitas Sumatera Utara especially the International Affairs Office and Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology for offering and facilitating me to join the program until I got chosen as one of the Erasmus+ awardee this year. It is an amazing opportunity for me to feel the cultures even there was quarantine happened because of the pandemic but I think I still be able to make my exchange year become so memorable. So, how does it feel living in Austria? Now, I am going to tell you this incredible experience.

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Orientation in Graz, Austria

In Austria, I studied in FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences majoring Internet Technology. They have 3 campus located in Graz, Bad Gleichenberg, and Kapfenberg. My campus is located in Kapfenberg therefore I lived there. I lived in Wist Flat. It is not far away from my campus, only 5-7 minutes walking from my flat to the campus. In the beginning of the semester, I attended the orientation program both in campus Graz and Kapfenberg. I met with so many friends from different countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Finland, Thailand, and many more. For my courses, I took IT Project Work, 3D Programming, German Course, Business Management, IT Industry, and so on. I took courses that I have never had before since the credit will be transferred at the end of the semester. The education system is different from what we have in Indonesia. For bachelor degree in FH Joanneum, they only need 3 years to finish it instead of 4 years. The grading system is also different. They score you from 1 - 5 where 1 is the excellent one. 1 is equal to 90% or above. The lecturers are very helpful. They are open for discussion outside of the class if we are still having questions or having problem with some software installations. For the schedule, they have a calendar called Almaty so it is basically schedule that you could import into your calendar and it’s very dynamic to all changes. I have to check my calendar a day before a class if there is some changing for the class that I took otherwise I would missed it. Most of the classes that I took are project-based examination. So, I have to make a report or project in the end of the semester as an Exam and I like it very much.


FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences at Kapfenberg, Austria	Internet Technology Building

Austria is such a beautiful country. It captured my heart especially the beautiful small city Kapfenberg. The city surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is very nice to have a walk in the afternoon by the river near my flat. Kapfenberg is 40 minutes far away by train from Graz and 2 hours from Vienna which is the capital city. The people were very nice. The only culture shock that I have is only because they are so calm unlike us in Medan where people could speak really loud, they don’t. I asked my friend about it and he said that it is the way they taught to behave since they were kids. Austrian speaks German or Deutsch. Since, I didn’t know about the language before, I take the German as one of my courses. But, there are a lot of people that could speak English so it is easier to communicate. All of my courses also teach in English. So, I don’t really have any problem regarding the language. For the food, in Austria they have so many types of cheese and meat but I couldn’t really try their traditional dishes since most of them are not halal but I have tried Puten Schnitzel which is a turkey cutlet, Sachertorte which is an Austiran chocolate cake with apricot jam and Palatschinken. At least, I could feel the taste of Austrian food before I left. I usually cooked by myself at home and do the grocery shopping once or twice a week and for your information it is common to bring your own paper bag or shopping bag when you do groceries since there will be no plastic bag given to you. They are so protective about their environment that’s why they are keeping the plastic use away.

In the beginning of the semester, we still have no Covid-19 cases in Austria. Everything goes normal. I was still able to attend my classes, orientations, welcoming party, playing games and so on. But, since in the middle of March, everything was different because there is a Covid-19 case was found in Innsbruck. Innsbruck is one of the tourist places in Austria, they have a lot of Ski Resorts and usually it is very crowded in winter since everyone wants to go skiing. After that a lot more Covid-19 cases were found and the government starts to react to the situation and they close the schools, universities, restaurants, and public attractions. Everyone was asked to stay at home and do the quarantines. But, the government also told the people that we don’t need to be panic because the vital objects were still open such as pharmacies, groceries, and gas stations. We are also still being able to go for a walk near our home for about 30 minutes. But, I and my friends are very concern about the situation and we just stayed at home until the situation got better and only go out if we need to do groceries shopping. Our international coordinator also suggest us to go back home because of the uncertainty that could happen in the future but after I talked with my parents about this, they thought that it’s way better for me to stay in Austria until the end of the semester because it’s also very risky to go travel back home during that time. The classes were hold online. My university prepared everything so quickly because after that they give us an online platform to do the classes online such as Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams. In the beginning, I would say that it was pretty hard to be honest. Being far from home, quarantined, and you face only uncertainty and can only pray and aim that the Covid-19 cases could be reduced and the situation could be better. At the end of March, the government closed the borders so it’s really hard to find the airlines to go back home. I tried not to get distracted and panic and focus only for my study since we can’t really go anywhere and do groups activities.
Until the end of May, things started to get as usual again. The public attractions start to open again like museums. I can go travel a bit more inside of Austria and see the beauty of this Country. I went to Salzburg, Mariazell, Green Lake, and many more places. On June 15th, the borders were opened. So, I decided to go travel to the neighbor countries with my friends from Mexico and Costa Rica. It was really nice to be able to travel a bit more since I was already in Europe. For the rest of the weeks, I finished my study in Austria. I did the presentations for my project and submitted all of the left assignments. I prepared for my departure because I need to get health certificate from the health center and letter from the embassy of Indonesia in Vienna.


Me and My friends from Mexico and Costa Rica in front of Mirabel Palace in Salzburg	on my way to Green Lake	Graz, Austria.

I went back to Indonesia on July 1st. It was a really great experience to spent one semester as an international student in Austria even though things didn’t really went as I planned before but I am still grateful for this amazing opportunity. This journey somehow gave me another perspective on how a good education should be. One thing that I also amazed about Austria is that they have a really good transportation system, one thing that we don’t really have in Indonesia. Everything is so punctual and you could just use an app to see the schedule anytime you want. It is so reliable. Now, I am in my last year of study and trying to finish my study in Indonesia. Hopefully, this story could give you more perspective about Austria. I am sorry that I have to summarize everything in only limited pages because I think it is not going to be enough actually but if you have any questions please do and feel free to contact me via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or instagram (adinebelindaa) since I am active in both of those platforms. Thank you very much for reading my story. I hope it is interesting enough for all of you.

ERASMUS+ via INSPIRE grants computers and other equipment for co-working space

As the INSPIRE objective is Introducing to Social Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institution in Indonesia, hence to support student activities in developing their social business ideas, the partner universities are required to provide co-working space to support the intended activities. To fill the co-working space, INSPIRE (co-funded by Erasmus+) grants computer equipment, printers, wireless projectors etc. While furniture such as computer desks, chairs, cabinets and so on is the obligation of the partner universities to provide.The room for co-working space INSPIRE has been established and approved by the Vice rector of asset and business management Ir. Luhut Sihombing, M.Si, and vice-rector of research, community service, and cooperation, Prof. Mahyuddin K.M. Nasution, Ph.D – is located in the building of Master of Management study program Universitas Sumatera Utara.

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Vice Rector III, Prof. Mahyuddin Nasution, Ph.D, the Director of MM – Prof. Isfenty, Dr. Esther Nababan-Manager of INSPIRE-USU team, and Ms. Yasmin Mochtar – Coordinator of INSPIRE Mentoring Activities reviewing co-working space and equipment which already been set up.

Universitas Sumatera Utara through Master of Management study program provides mebelair/ furniture, interior decoration, INSPIRE banner, Internet connection (WIFI), electrical installation and other and other equipment required for co-working space. Grant computer equipment has been accepted by INSPIRE USU and has been plotted in co-working over the approval and support of the chairman of Magister Management study program Prof. Isfenti. All the equipments received are registered in the Asset Bureau of Universitas Sumatera Utara. Official handover to Vice rector of asset and business management is planned to be done in April while holding an internal exhibition in USU. On behalf of Universitas Sumatera Utara, the vice rector for cooperation, also as the quality board of USU INSPIRE team conveys gratitude to Erasmus + for the equipment grants for co-working space at every partner university on the INSPIRE program.

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BPC Finalist Mentoring Activities conducted in the co-working space of INSPIRE-USU

In connection with the existence of the co-working space of INSPIRE-USU, the mentoring activities of finalists Business Plan Competition which is the next INSPIRE program was conducted in the co-working space located in the Master Management building - Universitas Sumatera Utara.The mentoring activities held in February 2020 were the first mentoring conducted in the co-working space. Previously, the mentoring was conducted in co-working space of Galery Ulos Sianipar, belonging to one of the external mentors Mr. Robert MT Sianipar, SE. In addition, separately each group conducted mentoring activities at the meeting room of the International Affairs Office – Universitas Sumatera Utara.
The existence of this co-working space enhances the spirit and motivation of BPC finalist because they can work together and use the equipment available in the co-working space.

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Prof. Isfenti, chairman of the Master of Management study program, provides a professional interior designer to design layout and interior of co-working space to attract and create a pleasant atmosphere for the students working in the co-working space. Hopefully after the end of the INSPIRE program, the co-working space can be used by all students, especially students who are interested in developing their social business ideas. On behalf of Univesitas Sumatera Utara, the vice rector for cooperation – Prof. Mahyuddin K.M. Nasution, Ph.D conveys gratitude to the Erasmus+ and to the INSPIRE project coordinator Mr. Dimitrios Doukas of the FH Joanneum University of Applied Science in Graz – Austria. It is strongly expected that USU may continue to strengthen the partnership and cooperation with INSPIRE HEI partners, and we look forward to successful and high level cooperation in the next years too.

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All members of INSPIRE-USU team, internal mentors, external mentors and representatives of each finalist BPC team attended mentoring activities conducted in the co-working space

Student Exchange to FH Joanneum University of Applied Science

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Two students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology of the Universitas Sumatera Utara will be going to Austria to follow the student mobility program which will be held for one semester at FH Joanneum University of Applied Science - in the city of Graz, Austria which is one of the largest universities in Austria. The two students are Ms. Fitria Adine Yasmine Belinda, and Ms. Selina Amelia Savitri, both are students of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. The student's departure and living allowance in Austria is fully funded by the Erasmus + which supports education, training, youth and sports programs.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Adine and Selina were accompanied by the Head of the Office of International Affairs, Dr. Esther Sorta Mauli Nababan, M.Sc, met the Vice-Chancellor I for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosmayati, M.S., in order to convey their planned departure and ask for her blessing because they will soon leave for Austria. During the meeting Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosmayati, M.S advised the students to behave well, maintain good relations and networks, keep up the good work, and maintain USU's good reputation. This is very important to maintain the opportunity for USU students to get an Erasmus + grant for the student mobility program in the future.

The Student Mobility Program from USU to FH Joanneum University of Applied Science has taken place every year since 2016. In addition to the university, several other universities in Europe have also conducted student exchange programs with USU. Currently, 2 students from the USU Physics Department also completed a student mobility program at Middle East Technical University for 1 semester (September 2019 - January 2020). Within a period of 4 years since 2016, every year at least 2 USU students received a full grant from Erasmus + to attend a mobility program in Europe.

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