EduAsiaNews, Jember – Committed to introducing local wealth to the national stage, a group of students from the Economics Education Study Programme at the University of Jember (UNEJ) have successfully amplified regional potential through an innovation rooted in the local wisdom of Bawean Island. Through a product named “Koncok-Koncok Nyemil’s”, they have succeeded in repackaging a traditional food made from tuna fish into a modern, highly competitive business concept.
This innovation was pioneered by Moh Awaidil Fikri, a native son of Bawean, together with his colleague, Mufiddatul Husnah. Through the business plan they developed, the UNEJ team worked on product refinement so that this regional culinary specialty could reach a broader market while simultaneously introducing Baweanese culture to the wider Indonesian public.
Fikri emphasised that their primary focus in developing this concept was not merely to pursue ceremonial recognition. For him, bringing forward ideas that generate a tangible impact on society is of paramount importance. Beyond its focus on business and the creative economy, the “Koncok-Koncok Nyemil’s” innovation is also directed as a preventive solution to help address the issue of stunting in Indonesia, by harnessing the high protein content found in the selected tuna commodity.
As a son of the region, Fikri expressed great pride in the fact that this locally and culturally grounded business idea from his homeland proved to carry remarkable bargaining power when presented before a broad audience from various parts of the country.
“Our greatest challenge throughout the preparation process was managing our time between academic coursework and the considerable technical demands — from drafting the proposal and designing the presentation to building the prototype. We typically addressed this by holding Zoom meetings and gathering after class hours, often working well past midnight,” shared the 2024 cohort student.
During their presentation, the UNEJ team encountered a technical difficulty when the remote presenter device malfunctioned intermittently. Nevertheless, their composure and thorough command of the material enabled them to convey the product’s strengths with remarkable confidence and clarity.
Amid his academic commitments, Fikri regards productive activities such as this as a means of expanding his network and honing his capabilities beyond the classroom. He also offered a message of encouragement to his fellow students, urging them not to fear stepping outside their comfort zones.
“Do not wait until you are great to begin — begin, and you will become great. Never be afraid to try, because without trying, you will never know what the outcome may be. Confining yourself to classroom learning alone makes for a rather dull university experience. Make extracurricular activities a refreshing counterbalance to your academic workload,” he concluded.
This brilliant concept — one that champions local food security — ultimately bore fruit on the national academic stage. The “Koncok-Koncok Nyemil’s” innovation successfully led Fikri and Mufiddatul to claim the Gold Medal as well as the Best Idea Award at the Business Plan Edutalk Fair Competition 2026, organised by the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, on 30–31 May 2026.
This outstanding achievement in Semarang also serves to complement Fikri’s broader record of accomplishments throughout May 2026. Earlier, on 9 May 2026, he had also secured victory at the National Student Essay Festival at Universitas Wisnuwardhana Malang. This record of two wins within a single month further affirms the quality and consistency of Universitas Jember students in producing innovations that are recognised at the national level. (dil/ajf)
