Mataram, University of Mataram – The University of Mataram (Unram) student team consisting of Adina Edian Putri, Abu Rizal Kholid, and Nur Habiiburrahman, won first place in the food and beverage business category at the Indonesian Student Entrepreneurship (KMI) EXPO 2024 event held at Halu Oleo University on 23-25 October 2024.

This team excelled because of their innovation of Lombok culinary products, ready-to-eat Sate Tanjung, which is packaged practically and lasts long without preservatives. The product became the main attraction of the judges and succeeded in bringing Unram’s name to the national champion podium.

The business, named ‘Santara Food’, was established by Adina and her team members, and was first launched in 2023 through funding from the Student Entrepreneurship Development Programme (P2MW). In 2024, further funding from P2MW allowed their business to expand further. To date, Santara Food’s ready-to-eat Sate Tanjung has sold more than 1,500 pcs, marketed through souvenir shops and e-commerce platforms.

“The initial motivation to join P2MW was because I had a lot of business ideas, but was constrained by funds to realise them. That is why I am looking for a funding programme to make my business realised,” explained Adina, who acts as team leader.

The Sate Tanjung product developed by Adina and her team has advantages that attracted the market and KMI EXPO judges. “Our product has no preservatives, is practical to carry, can last for 30 days and is guaranteed to taste delicious,” said the seventh-semester Management student.

Behind her success, Adina and her team also face challenges, especially in terms of product sterilisation. “Currently, we don’t have our own sterilisation equipment, so the process is carried out at Fatepa Unram Laboratory,” said Adina. Fortunately, the support from the university is significant. Unram not only provides training, but also facilities through the Business and Innovation Incubator (Kubinov), where Adina and her team are registered as a tenant.

During the competition at KMI EXPO 2024, the experience Adina and her team gained was memorable. “The support from the University of Mataram made our activities there run smoothly and safely. The guidance and support from our supervisors over the past two years has also been one of the keys to the success we have achieved today, my deepest appreciation to our supervisor, Dr. Baiq Handayani Rinuastuti, SE, MM.,” she said.

“I think one of the determining factors for our victory was the completeness of our business administration. Currently, we have established a PT with the name PT SATE NUSANTARA FOOD,” she explained when interviewed by the Unram Public Relations team on Tuesday, 29 October 2024.

In the future, Adina and the team plan to add product variations by launching “Taliwang Chicken Satay” in 2025, which is currently in the development and testing stages of storage period.

Adina hopes that her achievements can inspire other students to become entrepreneurs. “Make good use of your privilege as a student. There are so many programs provided by campuses and educational institutions so that we can improve our skills,” she said.

The success of Adina and her team at KMI EXPO 2024 is not only a personal achievement but also brings the good name of Unram at the national level in the field of student entrepreneurship.