Another proud achievement has been made by the Industrial Engineering Department’s students, Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI), Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). They showcased their skills and came home with a Silver Medal at the prestigious AGREETION (Agritech Research and Entrepreneur Innovation) 2025, organized by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya.
The competition focused on developing a solid business plan, with stages including the creation of a Business Model Canvas (BMC), proposal writing, and a final pitch in front of a panel of judges.
Representing UII, Ferdian Anugrah Pratama, along with teammates Ahmad Arro’uf Sulfuadi and Imam Baihaqi, presented a project titled “CORNOVA: Recycled Paper Innovation from Corn Husk and Paper Waste.” The project offers an innovative take on recycled paper using corn husks and paper waste, all built around a circular economy approach.
“This product is meant to replace conventional plastic and paper, especially in the Yogyakarta area. Our business model also involves local corn farmers, waste banks, and small businesses, while promoting community engagement,” Ferdian explained.
He added that the project is expected to be an initial step toward reducing landfill waste in Yogyakarta through the application of circular economy principles.
Behind the Scenes: Competition Journey
Sharing more about their journey, Ferdian said the team went through several stages. They started by brainstorming problems and solutions, ensuring their ideas met real needs. Then, they conducted product-market fit research to evaluate market potential and long-term sustainability.
“We also had to validate whether our idea truly matched market demand,” he explained. “One way we did this was by launching a small pilot project and receiving direct feedback from our academic advisor.”
The team received guidance from Dr. Dwi Adi Purnama, S.T., a lecturer in UII’s Industrial Engineering Department. He actively supported the idea development process throughout the competition.
At the end of the interview, Ferdian said the competition was both fun and challenging. The international scale gave him a great opportunity to sharpen his English communication skills. He also shared a message for other students who want to follow a similar path: “Don’t give up just because something fails the first time. One idea may not work now, but it might succeed in the future.”
Big congratulations to Ferdian and his team! Keep creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the environment and society.
Syawarani Gayatri
