Donald Lantu was awarded a professorship in Business Leadership at the end of 2024, marking an extraordinary milestone after two decades of service at the SBM ITB. Prof. Donald attributes his achievements to the significant role of SBM ITB and its members (lecturers and academic staff) who collectively foster staff development through leadership policies, systems, and culture.
Integration of Academics and Industry Practitioners at SBM ITB
According to Prof. Donald, SBM ITB takes a distinctive approach to faculty development. In addition to encouraging lecturers to pursue academic careers, the institution actively invites industry practitioners to share their experiences in the academic world. Conversely, lecturers are also encouraged to gain hands-on experience through internships or direct involvement in the industry.
Prof. Donald has pursued a unique path by balancing academia with entrepreneurship and investment. He believes that real-world experience must complement theoretical knowledge to provide students with deeper insights. This approach aligns with SBM ITB’s vision of delivering education rooted in real-life applications rather than relying solely on literature and research findings.
Innovating in Teaching: Buddy System, Experiential Learning, and Flipped Classroom
As an educator, Prof. Donald continuously innovates in teaching methods. One of his key initiatives is the Buddy System for undergraduate students at SBM ITB. This peer-coaching and mentoring program facilitates communication between students, their advisors, and peers, enabling them to support each other in their academic journeys.
Additionally, he actively incorporates experiential learning (Kolb’s model), where students engage in learning through group projects, simulations, gamification, and peer evaluations. This method is particularly applied to courses focusing on soft skills development, such as leadership, teamwork, and change management, which are among SBM ITB’s core competencies.
Prof. Donald also implements the Flipped Classroom method, where students review course materials before class, allowing in-class time to be dedicated to discussions and practical applications through assignments or case studies. This approach fosters a more active learning environment, enhancing students’ analytical and critical thinking skills as they prepare for the workforce.
Dedication to Community Service: Transformation MSMEs at Cihapit Market
Beyond academia, Prof. Donald is deeply committed to community service. One of his notable contributions is the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at Cihapit Market. Together with students from the MBA CCE program at SBM ITB, he helped modernize this traditional market. The initiative not only focused on physical improvements but also provided training in customer service, financial management, and business operations for local traders. Another innovative aspect of this initiative is the Market School, an educational program designed for the children of market traders, ensuring they have access to better learning opportunities. A similar program was launched in Gelap Nyawang, where Prof. Donald and his team assisted local MSMEs in enhancing their competitiveness. This work underscores the critical role of academic involvement in strengthening the informal business sector.
Innovation in Business and Education: Executive & Inclusive Education as a Leading Leadership Development Program
As an expert in Business Leadership, Prof. Donald has played a pivotal role in leadership development across various levels, from supervisors and managers to directors in multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, and private companies.
“While MBA programs exist, companies often require leadership development programs tailored to their internal needs, both in terms of competencies and business context, in a shorter timeframe and at a lower cost,” he explained.
To meet this demand, he introduced the Mini MBA program, an intensive three-month business training course designed to equip business leaders, including MSME owners and family business entrepreneurs, with cutting-edge managerial skills and diverse learning methodologies. Launched as a B2B (Business-to-Business) initiative in 2017, the program transitioned to a B2C (Business-to-Consumer) format in 2021 through partnerships with edutech platforms. The strong response from participants highlights the program’s effectiveness in bridging the gap in flexible, practical business education and leadership development.
In line with the vision of Prof. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, SBM ITB’s founder, who aimed to make world-class business education accessible to all, Prof. Donald introduced the Mini SBM concept. This program targets high school and vocational school students who lack opportunities to pursue higher education, partnering with industry leaders to provide practical management training and paid internships.
The first Mini SBM program, launched in collaboration with TACO, successfully placed graduates in full-time employment. Notably, the program is free and funded through SBM ITB and TACO contributions. Mini SBM has since expanded, partnering with Amartha to support entrepreneurship development.
“Inclusive education is my flagship program. My goal is to make world-class business and management education accessible to all members of society,” said Prof. Donald.
Through these initiatives, he expands access to quality business education and addresses industry challenges in workforce development and entrepreneurship.
Transforming Business Models in Higher Education
Beyond his contributions to teaching, research, and community service, Prof. Donald advocates for a transformation in the business models of educational institutions. He emphasizes that universities must become more innovative in diversifying funding sources, driving impactful initiatives, and conducting research that directly addresses industry and societal needs.
With his extensive contributions to teaching, research, community service, and industry development, Prof. Donald Crestofel Lantu, PhD, has established himself as a distinguished academic and an innovator shaping the future of business education in Indonesia.