From Campus to Market: UNM Student Successfully Builds 'Pempek Kito' Business

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Amidst the challenges of the digital era, which demands creativity and independence, students from the Management program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Nusa Mandiri University (UNM), have once again proven that university life is not just about theory.

As a Digital Business Campus with the tagline “Turn Dreams into Achievements,” UNM encourages students to take bolder steps, including building businesses while still in university.

One of the students, Abi Rizki Pradana, has successfully developed a culinary business called ‘Pempek Kito’ amidst his busy schedule as an active student. This business, which he started during his studies, is a clear example of how management knowledge can be directly applied in the business world.

By utilizing knowledge in the fields of marketing, finance, and operational management, the ‘Pempek Kito’ business has been able to grow and compete in a dynamic market.

This success confirms that students are not only prepared to be job seekers but also job creators.

This phenomenon aligns with the practice-based learning approach in the Management program at UNM, which is supported by an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students are encouraged to be brave in trying, innovating, and developing business ideas early on as part of the learning process.

The Head of the Management program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, UNM, Instianti Elyana, stated that the success of students in running their businesses is an important indicator of the effectiveness of education.

“We continue to encourage students not only to understand the theory but also to be able to apply it in practice. The university provides space for students to develop, including building businesses while still in university,” she said in a statement on Friday (May 15, 2026).

She added that the concept of a Digital Business Campus, which UNM promotes, serves as the foundation for producing graduates who are adaptable to technological developments and the industrial world. Students are not only equipped with academic skills but also with strong digital skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

The success story of Abi Rizki Pradana through ‘Pempek Kito’ is expected to inspire other students to be brave in starting businesses and not be afraid of failure.

With the support of the university and a conducive environment, UNM students have proven that university is not an obstacle to achieving success, but rather a bridge to a brighter future.