06 Feb 2025 highlight

UPJ Talks 2025: Uniting Educators and Sociopreneurs for Real Impact in the World of Education

Bintaro, South Tangerang, 03/02/2025 - In commemoration of International Education Day on January 24, Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) proudly organized UPJ Talks 2025, themed “Sociopreneurship: Act to Impact.” This event aimed to expand educators' insights into the role of sociopreneurship in education, fostering innovation to build a more inclusive and empowered society.

Held at Theater 1, Building A UPJ, the event featured two inspiring speakers: Tri Erwinsyah Putra, Co-Founder of Kopi Tuli, and Dr. Mohamad Trio Febriyantoro, S.E., M.M., Ph.D., Head of Jaya Center for Advanced Learning (JCAL) UPJ. Teachers from various schools in Tangerang and Jakarta attended, reflecting UPJ's commitment to forming strategic partnerships with educational institutions to share knowledge and experiences.

In his opening remarks, UPJ Rector, Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Ph.D., expressed his gratitude to the speakers for sharing their experiences and emphasized the challenges that education faces in the digital era, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

“The rapid development of AI does present new challenges for education. However, there is one thing that cannot be replaced by technology—the human aspect. Therefore, we as educators must wisely utilize technology and ensure that education maintains a humanistic touch,” said Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Ph.D.

He also underscored the relevance of sociopreneurship in education, stressing that businesses should not solely focus on profits but also bear social responsibility towards the community.

In the first session, Dr. Mohamad Trio Febriyantoro, S.E., M.M., Ph.D. highlighted the importance of social entrepreneurship in creating innovative solutions that are both financially sustainable and socially impactful. He shared the inspiring story of Ms. Suryani, a business owner who has successfully empowered children with special needs through the culinary industry.

“Social entrepreneurship-based businesses are not only about making profits, but also about creating positive social impacts. Although the challenges are great, there are always opportunities for those with the determination and vision to bring change,” Dr. Febriyantoro noted.

The next session featured Tri Erwinsyah Putra, Co-Founder of Kopi Tuli, who shared his inspiring journey in building a social enterprise. With the tagline “The Taste That Touches Your Heart,” Kopi Tuli is more than a coffee shop—it’s a movement that promotes inclusivity for the deaf community.

“We want to create a space where deaf friends can work, be economically empowered, and have equal opportunities. Kopi Tuli also serves as an educational platform for the community to better understand and use sign language in everyday life,” said Erwin.

He also shared his personal experience of losing his hearing at the age of two and how this challenge motivated him to establish a business that empowers the deaf community.

UPJ Talks 2025 concluded with remarks from Elisabeth Rukmini, Ph.D., Vice Rector for Human Resources, Operations, and Cooperation. She invited participants to engage in an interactive game featuring questions about UPJ and PT Pembangunan Jaya's business units. This activity was a fun and educational moment, strengthening the relationship between UPJ and the attending educators.

Through UPJ Talks 2025, UPJ hopes to inspire more educators and businesspeople to develop social-based businesses that prioritize not only financial benefits but also positive societal impacts. This event is a testament to the potential collaboration between the world of education and business in driving meaningful change.