Mataram, University of Mataram – Who would have thought that a traditional Lombok snack could be transformed into a modern, long-lasting treat with a shelf life of up to eight months—one with the potential to become a new favorite souvenir? The Student Entrepreneurship Development Program Team of the University of Mataram (P2MW Unram) has made it possible through TuChips, an innovation that reimagines jaje tujak into practical, durable, and delicious chips.

This product is being showcased at the 16th Indonesian Student Entrepreneurship (KMI) Expo 2025, held from 17–22 November at Universitas Tidar, Sidotopo Campus, Magelang, Central Java, and attended by creative student entrepreneurs from across Indonesia.

TuChips is an innovative creation that has gained attention for transforming a traditional Lombok delicacy into a practical, modern snack ready to compete in the souvenir market. The product is presented by the P2MW Unram team led by Himayatun Epira Ayunda (Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry), with members Nadia Permata Hasanah (Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry) and Citra Bela Qur’ani (Faculty of Economics and Business), under the supervision of Rini Nofrida, S.TP., M.Si. TuChips is categorized as an early-stage food and beverage business, demonstrating strong potential as a student-driven innovation aligned with the creative economy.

This product innovation successfully extends the shelf life of jaje tujak from just three days to up to eight months by transforming it into a practical chip-style snack. Its previously simple mica packaging has now been replaced with a modern pouch that is practical, informative, and rich in philosophy. In terms of flavor, TuChips offers an ayam taliwang (a staple dish from Lombok) variant that aligns with the trend of cross-cultural food, making it not just a souvenir but a unique culinary experience.

“Our target this year is to maintain last year’s championship title in the food and beverage subtheme. We want to demonstrate that our team’s innovation and dedication remain consistent and competitive at the national level,” said Epira, Leader of the TuChips Team.

TuChips was born from a long-standing issue: jaje tujak has a very short shelf life, making it difficult to bring home as a souvenir. By transforming it into a snack-style chip, this challenge has been successfully resolved. With sales reaching 1,000 pieces in just three months through nine souvenir shop partners, TuChips has proven to be well-received as an authentic Lombok specialty.

With its innovation that blends creativity, local culture, and a well-crafted business strategy, TuChips proves that traditional snacks can evolve into modern souvenirs favored by many. At the same time, it inspires other students to continue innovating and to confidently compete at the national level.