đź“ť Summary
Four students from the Faculty of Management’s Bachelor of Marketing program represented their university at the Social Innovation Project Bootcamp 2026, where they collaborated with international delegates to develop innovative solutions to local challenges in Surabaya, Indonesia. The bootcamp focused on social innovation, collaborative problem-solving, and cross-cultural exchange, and provided students with a hands-on learning experience. The students successfully applied their academic knowledge to real-world settings, sharpened their intercultural communication skills, and made a tangible contribution to social innovation initiatives.
SURABAYA, Apr 17 — Four dynamic students from the Faculty of Management’s Bachelor of Marketing program recently took their skills to the global stage, representing the university at the Social Innovation Project Bootcamp 2026. Organized by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya, the intensive program ran from April 13 to 17, 2026.
Designed to push students beyond traditional classroom learning, the bootcamp focused heavily on social innovation, collaborative problem-solving, and cross-cultural exchange. It served as a vibrant international hub, bringing together delegates from Scotland, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia to foster meaningful collaboration and share diverse regional perspectives.
The undeniable highlight of the program was an immersive field engagement session in the local district of Gebang Putih. Rather than analyzing case studies from a desk, students engaged directly with residents and district officers on the ground. Through hands-on interviews, careful observation, and community discussions, participants identified pressing local challenges. Together, they worked collaboratively to develop practical, innovative solutions designed to directly improve the community’s overall well-being.
The Faculty of Management was proudly represented by Bachelor of Marketing students Chia Qiu Ting, Noor Syahirah Sapari, Chia Re Jia, and Alif Syafi Mohd Azmi. All four delegates actively immersed themselves in the bootcamp’s rigorous agenda, driving fieldwork, leading discussions, and contributing fresh ideas to the problem-solving sessions. They were guided and supported by Dr. Nor Emmy Shuhada Derani, a lecturer from the Entrepreneurship panel, who served as their supervising lecturer throughout the initiative.
Beyond the rigorous academic and community work, the students also embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in Indonesia’s vibrant culture. They were introduced to the rich, authentic flavors of local Indonesian cuisine and experienced the country’s renowned hospitality firsthand. This cultural immersion culminated in an unforgettable excursion to the majestic Mount Bromo. Witnessing the spectacular sunrise and sweeping landscapes of the active volcano provided the students with a profound sense of wonder and a well-deserved moment of team bonding outside the city.
Ultimately, the bootcamp delivered a powerful experiential learning opportunity. It empowered the students to bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, sharpen their intercultural communication skills, and make a tangible contribution to meaningful social innovation initiatives while forging lasting international friendships.
