The Global Project-Based Learning (GPBL) 2025 program, an international academic collaboration by SBM ITB, was officially launched on Saturday (15/2). This year, the program brings together students from ITB, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) in Japan, and, for the first time, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), reflecting GPBL’s commitment to expanding global participation.
GPBL 2025 features 15 student groups, each comprising 4-5 participants from different universities, who will act as business consultants. Under the slogan “Make the Company Better,” they will analyze partner companies, identify key challenges, and propose innovative solutions. The program will culminate in the MM Competition 2025 on February 26, where teams will present their findings.
Dr. Manahan Siallagan, ITB representative and Head of SBM ITB’s Big Data and Business Analytics Laboratory, expressed hope that each team would deliver meaningful solutions. He emphasized the value of cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork in fostering innovation.
“By working together, we can gain diverse perspectives and develop more innovative and impactful solutions,” he said in his speech.
The opening session featured ice-breaking activities to build team cohesion, followed by Prof. Manabu Ichikawa‘s lecture on creative problem-solving from SIT. He introduced students to system diagrams and information organization techniques.
“With vast amounts of input and information, it’s crucial to structure them into clear outputs. Students can use tools such as mind maps, positioning maps, and rich pictures to organize their ideas effectively,” Prof. Manabu explained.
Beyond theoretical learning, GPBL provides hands-on experience through visits to partner companies. By directly observing industry challenges, students are expected to apply academic insights to develop real-world solutions.
GPBL is not only an opportunity for students to hone their academic skills, but also to build international networks and experiences. GPBL 2025 improves students’ academic and practical competencies and strengthens international relations, creating a collaborative environment where different perspectives come together to face today’s business challenges.
“After the company visit, my team and I gained a clearer understanding of the business challenges we can address. We hope to provide an impactful outcome for the company,” said Sasa, a representative of CCC, Team 15, who is participating in GPBL for the first time.