Empowered to Innovate: My Unforgettable Hackathon Experience 2024, Jessicas testimonial

‘Empowered to Innovate: My Unforgettable Hackathon Experience 2024’

Supported by the European Union through the Erasmus+ ECoGREEN Consortium, the Green Entrepreneur Hackathon at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia (AJCUI) brought together 61 students, 29 academics from various disciplines and leading universities, along with 9 SMEs—including Wageningen and University Research (WUR), UHasselt, Unpar, SCU, Ubaya, Trisakti, and Unwahas. This inspiring collaboration ignited the creation of innovative, sustainable solutions to tackle urgent environmental and social challenges.

With support from a distinguished jury comprising representatives from Bappenas, the Ministry of SMEs, UHasselt (QS 551 and a leader in cultivating future leaders), and WUR (ranked No. 1 globally for sustainability), this event equipped participants with actionable strategies for green growth in Indonesia’s SMEs."

By combining academic excellence, policy expertise, and practical collaboration, the Hackathon empowered participants to drive change and foster sustainable entrepreneurship. Explore an inspiring testimonial from an SME participant here: https://bnnet.media/articles/hackathon-green-entrepreneur-4-6-desember-2024-di-uaj-kolaborasi-generasi-muda-dan-umkm-untuk-masa-depan-berkelanjutan

Below are testimonials from students who participated in the Hackathon:

To me personally, this experience is memorable and priceless. The opportunity to be meeting and collaborating with many individuals from different countries really open my eye and help me understand different cultures and approaches in our daily lives. We learned a lot about green entrepreneurship and are more aware of sustainability, to consume less and do initiatives to make a difference. I would like to thank the entire bootcamp committee and Erasmus for making this series of event possible.

Jessica Halim

NIM: 202201010028

Undergraduate student in the Management Study Program.

Participating in the Hackathon at UNIKA Atma Jaya and the ISUSTAIN Seminar at Universitas Parahyangan, both part of the Erasmus+ ECoGREEN Project, was definitely an unforgettable experience.

At the ISUSTAIN Seminar, one session that really caught my attention was led by Yanuar Nugroho, representing the Ministry of National Development Planning. His insights into sustainability policies and the broader role of higher education in driving green entrepreneurship were incredibly thought-provoking. It was fascinating to hear how global and local efforts intersect to create meaningful change. At Isustain,hearing from experienced keynote speakers and seeing how shared goals can connect people across countries and disciplines was very inspiring.

The Hackathon, hosted by my home university Atma Jaya, was a highlight for me. Collaborating with international students, including those from European universities like Hasselt University and Wageningen University, was truly inspiring. Working together to tackle real-world challenges faced by SMEs allowed us to exchange diverse perspectives and ideas on sustainability. The energy and creativity in our discussions made the experience both productive and fun.

Both events show the importance of collaboration—across countries, disciplines, and institutions—in addressing sustainability challenges. They left me feeling inspired and motivated to contribute more actively to sustainable initiatives in the future!!

Latifany Mukti Priyono

NIM: 202101010033

Undergraduate student in the Management Study Program.

Hi everyone my name is Arlin Esther Meiniati I am a Law Student from Atmajaya University,  I joined the Eco-Green Hackathon 2024 and it was a fun and enjoyable learning experience. I get to meet again with my mentors and friends from U Hasselt and Wageningen University from the Eco Green Bootcamp last September, and I get to know more friends from various Universities in Indonesia like Trisakti University, Unwahas University, UNPAR, Soegyo Pranoto Catholic University, PPM University, Bunda Mulia University, and many more.

I get to work with students who are fun and fabulous future leaders who are very eager to learn and participate in every task and challenges given in the program.  We had a wonderful and fun time working together in solving our SME’s problems to help them be more sustainable and successful.   The only setback is the time for hackathon is wayyyyyy to short, we would love it if it could be longer, like for a whole week perhaps?!

Because it’s so much fun learning and working with all the fabulous and fun students, mentors and SME’s at the EcoGreen Hackaton 2024.

The Social impact for me is that through this experience I get to have more perspective on keeping our environment sustainable and healthy.   Its not just about recycling and reusing materials but also making an impact in the community where we do our businesses, by involving the community in our business and teaching them about the importance of keeping our environment healthy.  And that’s also the advice we gave to our SME, to teach the community to do businesses that are sustainable both for the business itself and for the environment.  We understand that it wont be easy and it wont be an overnight task, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, doesn’t it?! So that’s exactly what we are doing, making our first steps

Arlin Esther Meiniati

NIM: 202205000125

Undergraduate student in the Law Study Program

Last December, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the ECoGREEN+ Hackathon, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. As a law major, I initially thought the event might be outside my comfort zone, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned. The hackathon wasn’t just about technology or business strategies; it was an immersive experience that taught me how to approach problem-solving from a business perspective. I had the chance to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, and it was eye-opening to see how different fields of expertise come together to create innovative solutions. The process of brainstorming, strategizing, and working under time constraints was challenging yet incredibly rewarding. I learned new approaches to business strategy, how to analyze market trends, and how to present ideas clearly and persuasively. As a law student, I always focus on structure, logic, and analysis, but the hackathon showed me how these skills could be applied in a real-world business setting. Overall, the ECoGREEN+ Hackathon was an amazing learning experience that not only broadened my perspective on business but also gave me a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. 

The knowledge and skills I gained from the ECoGREEN+ Hackathon will be incredibly valuable as I move forward in my career. As a law major, I’ve always been focused on understanding legal frameworks and regulatory compliance, but the hackathon opened my eyes to how these aspects intersect with business, technology, and sustainability. In the future, I plan to integrate these new insights into my career by exploring opportunities where law and business strategy converge—particularly in fields like corporate law, environmental law, or even advising businesses on sustainability practices. 

Megumi Yosephine Edlim Syariep

NIM: 202205510035

Undergraduate student in the Law Study Program

Over the course of the event, I had the privilege to consult for PT. Piviko Manunggal, a company dedicated to creating eco-friendly fashion and household products using Indonesia’s natural resources. This opportunity allowed me to apply innovative problem-solving techniques, including design thinking and stakeholder analysis, to address real-world challenges.

One key highlight of the hackathon was learning how to identify sustainable solutions for business challenges. For example, we explored strategies to tackle workforce scarcity in PT. Piviko’s artisan sector. By interviewing stakeholders and analyzing data, we developed actionable ideas to attract younger generations to craftsmanship, such as integrating weaving techniques into school curriculums and collaborating with local communities for skills training. These insights underscored the importance of sustainability and inclusivity in business practices.

Participating in the hackathon was not just about solving a single challenge but about gaining a broader perspective on how to merge innovation with sustainability for meaningful social impact. I am deeply grateful for the experience and eager to carry forward the lessons learned to contribute to a greener, more equitable future

Nama: Arale Rayhan Subrata

NIM: 202107000218

Undergraduate student in the Psychology Study Program.

Rosalia Dominique Davina Blata

NIM: 202201020077

Undergraduate student in the Accounting Study Program

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Patricia Simona Nuetta Mbaling

NIM: 202201020013

Undergraduate student in the Accounting Study Program

Participating in the EcoGreen Hackathon was an extraordinary and inspiring experience. Throughout the event, I learned how creative ideas can help solve environmental problems. Moreover, I had the chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a vision for a greener future. The creative and innovative ideas developed during the hackathon demonstrated that significant change can start with small steps. This event broadened my perspective on the importance of contributing to society through sustainable technology.

Best regards

Marcella Carlo

NIM: 202301020004

Undergraduate student in the Accounting Study Program

The Hackathon event was an incredible experience that provided me with a lot amount of knowledge and valuable insights. Throughout the event, I learned how to handle SMEs and address their problems by identifying innovative solutions. The collaborative atmosphere of the hackathon pushed me to think critically and creatively, enabling me to grow both personally and professionally. I am immensely grateful to the committee and Erasmus for organizing such a transformative event. Their dedication and support made this experience seamless and enriching for all participants. The knowledge and experience I gained during the hackathon will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for my future project, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it.

Bryan Christian Ravelino

202301020117

Undergraduate student in the Accounting Study Program