SBM ITB is innovating to enhance the quality of education by introducing case-based teaching, a successful method at Harvard Business School. This approach encourages students to actively analyze and solve real-world business problems through case studies, making learning more dynamic and engaging.
Instead of passive listeners, students would appraise business situations, identify obstacles, and develop real solutions. Through debates and rigorous case analyses, they develop analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills, which are key components of the case-based teaching approach recently adopted by SBM ITB.
To implement this method effectively, SBM ITB is training its lecturers. Leo Aldianto, an SBM ITB faculty member who recently completed equivalent training at Harvard Business School (August 15–16, 2024), has been appointed the lead trainer. This training equips lecturers not only with theoretical knowledge about case-based teaching but also with practical experience in developing and facilitating case study discussions.
“This method requires students to deeply understand business contexts, exercise sound judgment, and propose appropriate solutions to business challenges,” Leo explains. He emphasizes the importance of selecting case studies relevant to the Indonesian business landscape, such as those addressing global competitiveness and innovation. “Students must be able to connect theoretical concepts with real-world scenarios,” he adds.
Case-based learning equips students with seven meta-skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgment, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence, which will help them learn quickly, adapt to change, and thrive in modern society. This strategy also improves analytical capabilities, decision-making abilities, and communication skills. “Students will become accustomed to thinking critically, presenting arguments logically, and working together in teams,” says Leo.
SBM ITB acknowledges the need to adapt this teaching strategy to local contexts. “Raising awareness of the essence of case-based teaching among students and lecturers is vital,” Leo explains. “This includes preparing teaching plans, ensuring students engage with the cases and theories, and utilizing resources such as boards, teaching assistants, and other tools to facilitate effective case discussions.”
Leo envisions case-based teaching becoming a standard practice at SBM ITB, enabling students to bridge theory with practical application. “The measure of success lies in the enhancement of students’ meta-skills, their ability to analyze information, connect it with theory, and determine effective solutions,” he says. Ultimately, the accurate indicator of successful case-based teaching is the ability of SBM ITB graduates to apply their skills effectively in the workforce.
SBM ITB is ready to transform business education in Indonesia by creating highly competitive graduates who can significantly contribute to Indonesian and global industries.
