Mataram, University of Mataram — Local food does not have to remain in its traditional form. In the hands of students, regional ingredients and culinary traditions can be transformed into new products with greater added value, more modern packaging, and broader market potential. This spirit is being brought by two student teams from the University of Mataram (Unram) to KMI Expo XVII 2026, hosted by Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (Unsoed) in Purwokerto, Central Java, from 29 September to 1 October 2026.

This year, Unram is represented by TuChips (Jaje Tujak Chips) and TEKEMBUNG (Mackerel Fish Shrimp Paste) in the Growing-Stage Food and Beverage category. They are among 395 student business groups from 219 higher education institutions selected to participate in the national event, organised through the Student Entrepreneurship Development Programme (P2MW) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

KMI Expo provides a platform for student entrepreneurs from universities across Indonesia to showcase their products, exchange experiences, build networks, and explore potential collaborations with mentors, investors, and industry stakeholders.

Turning Jaje Tujak into a More Practical Souvenir

The TuChips team comprises Citra Bela Qur’ani from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Nayla Azzra Syafitri from the Faculty of Food and Agroindustrial Technology (FATEPA), and Indi Abida Firdaus from FEB, under the supervision of Rini Nofrida, S.TP., M.Si.

The innovation began with jaje tujak, a traditional Lombok snack known for its distinctive flavour but characterised by a moist texture and relatively short shelf life. These characteristics make jaje tujak less practical as a souvenir and limit its potential market reach.

TuChips transforms jaje tujak into crispy chips with a longer shelf life and more practical packaging. The product is currently available in Original and Ayam Taliwang flavours, with new flavour variants under development to respond to consumer preferences.

The innovation not only preserves the identity of jaje tujak but also gives the traditional snack a new form that is better suited to the souvenir market. This creates opportunities for a Lombok culinary product to reach a wider range of consumers while increasing its added value.

For the TuChips team, the process demonstrates how creativity and innovation can go hand in hand with efforts to preserve local culinary heritage.

Harnessing Fisheries Potential through TEKEMBUNG

Meanwhile, TEKEMBUNG was developed by Laela Ardo, Fitri Idayanti, Nurfatin Zalila, and Yatmi Hijayanti from FATEPA and Heni Sepira from FEB, under the supervision of Firman Fajar Perdhana, S.Si., M.Biotech.

TEKEMBUNG is a shrimp paste innovation made from small shrimp and mackerel, developed with attention to hygiene, protein content, and the use of preservative-free ingredients.

The product draws on Indonesia’s fisheries potential, including fish resources available in Lombok. Ingredients that were previously sold or consumed primarily in fresh form are processed into a more practical product with greater added value.

Beyond improving the utilisation of the raw materials, TEKEMBUNG has been developed through enhancements to its flavour profile, nutritional value, and modern packaging design. The innovation is also intended to introduce shrimp paste as one of Lombok’s distinctive food products to a wider market.

Through TEKEMBUNG, the students are not only developing a food product but also learning to view local resources through an entrepreneurial lens: how resources available in a region can be transformed into products with economic value and market competitiveness.

Bringing Last Year’s Momentum to the National Stage

The participation of TuChips and TEKEMBUNG in KMI Expo XVII is part of the students’ entrepreneurship development journey through P2MW. All participating teams went through the Progress Assessment (PKP) and a selection process before being chosen to compete at the national event.

For Unram, this year’s participation also carries forward the momentum of the university’s achievements in the previous edition. Last year’s success has become both a foundation and a source of motivation for the students to return to the national stage, compete for medals, and pursue an even stronger achievement.

KMI Expo XVII 2026 carries the theme “Wirata Berkarya Inovatif, Berakar Lokal, Berdampak Global” and features product exhibitions and showcases, the KMI Awards, entrepreneurship talks, competitions, a cultural parade, collaborative matching sessions, and forums.

In his activity report, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni of Unsoed, Roy Andreas, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., emphasised the importance of networks for students. KMI Expo is expected not only to provide a space for developing strong ideas and products, but also to connect students with various stakeholders and build networks that can support their entrepreneurial journeys.

Acting Rector of Unsoed, Prof. Dr. Ali Rokhman, M.Si., said KMI Expo provides a platform for developing value-added innovations by harnessing local resources and cultural knowledge. He also highlighted the importance of managerial perspectives, information systems, and digital literacy to ensure that student entrepreneurship can evolve in line with future needs.

“Indonesians should remain rooted in their local culture, while also engaging and creating impact globally,” he said.

For Unram students, the KMI Expo stage is more than a place to showcase products. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how far their innovations can compete at the national level. From jaje tujak to mackerel, the two innovations carry a shared message: local potential can be transformed into value, and Unram students are ready to take that potential further.

With the determination to build on last year’s achievement while pursuing new opportunities for success, TuChips and TEKEMBUNG carry the name of Unram, the potential of Lombok, and the hope of returning home with another achievement to celebrate.

From local food, students create value. Through innovation, they build businesses. And on the national stage, they bring Lombok’s potential further into the competition.