SBM ITB encourages its students to participate in the Swiss Innovation Challenge ASEAN (SIC ASEAN) 2024. This program results from a collaboration between SBM ITB and FHNW Switzerland.
The Swiss Innovation Challenge ASEAN is an innovation competition with projects, conceptualization, and stages for startups and established businesses. This competition is open to businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
“This collaboration between universities supports growth and development in Indonesia, providing the value of successful collaboration with future potential that supports participants’ challenges,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Ignatius Pulung Nurprasetio, M.SME., Dean of SBM ITB, at the opening of SIC ASEAN 2024 on Wednesday (27/6).
FHNW representative Prof. Dr. Rolf-Dieter Reineke stated that the aim of SIC ASEAN 2024 is the development of the regional environment.
“This is achieved through promoting activities, cross-sector collaboration, developing serendipity, investment, and sources of innovation,” said Reineke.
The SIC ASEAN 2024 Committee Chairman, Prawira Frajarindra, emphasized that SIC ASEAN 2024 is more than just a competition.
“Innovation is not just about new ideas but also about definite implementation with real impacts,” he said.
The SIC ASEAN 2024 innovation competition runs from June 27, 2024, to December 7, 2024. It includes various events such as business coaching, business seminars, competency promotion at pitching events, comprehensive feedback, and networking opportunities, with a total prize of USD 9,500.
Following the kick-off, the event featured a short seminar by Leo Aldianto, the Head of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Management Expertise Group at SBM ITB, on “Formulating Technology-Ready and Fit-to-Market Innovation.” He explained the difference between innovation and invention.
“Invention is creating a solution to a problem with technological results, while innovation is the economic exploitation of an invention when the invention is marketed and purchased,” said Leo.
For example, Karla Bionics, a previous SIC ASEAN winner, developed affordable prosthetics for people with disabilities, reflecting the need for technological developments to align with accessibility.
“People with disabilities are not difficult people but smart people who need different methods,” said Arief Indra Muharam, the CEO of Karla Bionics.
SIC ASEAN 2024 aims to support students in enjoying an insightful journey through innovation that has a meaningful impact on society.