Providing Solutions for Startups, SBM ITB and SIT Hold gPBL 2023

The Social Simulation and Big Data Analytics Laboratory at SBM ITB, together with Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), launched the Global Project-Based Learning (gPBL) program on Thursday, February 16, 2023. A total of 40 students from SIT and SBM ITB joined the program, which has been running since 2019.

gPBL is a training program for SBM ITB and SIT students to help them develop systems thinking, design, and validation skills. Participants learn how to identify problems and create solutions, which will later be delivered to client startup companies.

Manahan Siallagan, Director of the Big Data Analytics and Social Simulation Laboratory at SBM ITB, explained that gPBL is divided into two sessions. The first session is problem-based learning in Indonesia. The second session is project-based learning, which will be implemented in Japan in September this year.

First Session in Bandung and Jakarta
The first gPBL session will last for nine days in Bandung and Jakarta. Participants will take part in startup sharing, team building, problem-solving activities, and final presentations.

Afterward, participants will coordinate online from March to August. In September, SBM ITB students will travel to Japan for the second gPBL session, which focuses on building design.

“This is the fifth year gPBL has been held, and this year, gPBL will be held offline in Japan,” said Shimaditya Nuraeni, one of the gPBL coordinators.

Since 2020, gPBL in Japan has been held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants Become Advisors to Client Startups
gPBL participants will become advisors to client startups. Ten startups from LPIK ITB have become gPBL clients, including:

1. Ecoplast

2. Meraki Asa

3. Idemes

4. Halofina

5. Living

gPBL participants will be divided into groups of 4–5 people.

“I hope SBM ITB and SIT students can collaborate in this program to solve problems,” said Manabu Ichikawa, sensei at Shibaura Institute of Technology.

One of the gPBL participants from SIT, Torafumi Miyanishi, expressed optimism that he could solve problems and provide the best solutions for client startups after taking the course.