Workshop of Business Plan and the Preparation of the Business Model Canvas for Aquaculture students of the Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Sciences (FIKP) who are members of the Tilapia Cultivation Entrepreneurship Research Team were warm, intimate, fun, and inspiring, that was the impression of all the participants present. During the three days of the workshop (18-20 January 2022), taking place in the FIKP Senate Room, not a single participant was absent, even though the activities started from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm every day in the middle of quite heavy rain. Why not, the accompanying coach is a practitioner who has a high reputation, Rully Setya Purnama (CEO of MINAPOLI) is very good at building enthusiasm and curiosity from the participants.

This workshop is one of the briefing materials before practicing entrepreneurship for four months at the Mallomo Sejahtera Fish Cultivator Group in Soppeng Regency. Previously, a Virtual Workshop was held, which brought together experts in their fields such as Prof. Dr. Estu Nugroho from the Fisheries Research Center of KKP RI who provided material on biofloc technology in tilapia cultivation, Prof. Dr. Esti Handayani Hardi from Mulawarman University who provided material on the management and treatment of tilapia diseases using herbs, and Prof. Dr. Yushinta Fujaya who gave material on the use of herbal biotechnology in tilapia cultivation to increase productivity. Nine students were selected in this activity and closely monitored by the Research Team chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. Yushinta Fujaya and fully supported by team members Dr. Nita Rukminasari, Dr. Letty Fudjaja, and Ivo Asphama, S.Pi., M.Si.

This activity is an effort from the Ministry of Education and Culture through the University to prepare Human Resources (HR) who will have the competence to enter the business world. It is undeniable that college alumni are less interested in getting involved in the business world as entrepreneurs. They are more inclined to want to become civil servants, become lecturers, or become researchers. Entrepreneurship is the last resort when they can’t breakthrough. In fact, the space for ASN is very narrow, while the space for entrepreneurs is broad to explore.

Ironically, Indonesia’s current entrepreneurial ratio is still low compared to other countries, which is around 3.47% of the population (Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, 2021). Even lost to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. In fact, the total population and the potential for business development in Indonesia are very high. The entrepreneurial ratio of Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand is above 4 percent, while the average entrepreneur ratio in developed countries is 12 percent.

As a maritime country, the potential for fisheries in Indonesia to be managed is very high. To go after countries that have already developed, Indonesia must be able to master the business in the marine and fisheries sector. Both macro and micro, industrial sectors, logistics, and maritime. It is where the role of universities is to prepare reliable human resources who master marine and fisheries science and are ready to enter the business world.

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