The Business Administration Student Association (HMPS Administrasi Bisnis) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Diponegoro, through its Business and Economic Studies (BES) division, successfully hosted the Connect Space 2026 program. Carrying the overarching theme “Craft the Day, Create the Meaning,” the event featured a practical workshop format designed to equip students with commercially viable handicraft skills while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
The initiative behind Connect Space was driven by concern over Indonesia’s entrepreneurship ratio, which stood at approximately 3.47% according to 2023 Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, as well as the high youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) reaching 16.42% in February 2024. Amid an academic environment that often emphasizes theoretical learning, Connect Space offered a hands-on experience (learning by doing) in the creative economy sector, specifically handmade crafts. This sector presents vast market potential, production flexibility, and accessible startup costs tailored for university students.
Series I: Commemorating Kartini Day Through the Art of Crochet
The first series took place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Room B.102, FISIP Undip. Titled “Crochet Class: Blooming like Jasmine, Strong as Kartini,” the session commemorated Kartini Day by drawing on the philosophy of the jasmine flower as a symbol of elegance, strength, and the simplicity of Indonesian women..
A total of 33 participants actively engaged in learning basic crocheting techniques from scratch under the guidance of Rahma Elvina Estiyanti, an Islamic Economics student at Undip experienced in managing a home-based crochet business specializing in bags, dolls, and keychains. Participants were divided into small groups to foster collaboration and discussion. Through intensive guidance from the trainer, attendees practiced creating jasmine-shaped crochet crafts designed as keychains. This inaugural session ran interactively and concluded with every participant successfully bringing home their own handmade keychain creations.
Series II: Expressing Affection Through Artificial Flower Arrangements
The second series, titled “Flower Arranging Class: A Blooms of Love,” took place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Bizz Fusion Hub Laboratory, FISIP Undip. Marking Sweetest Day, the class invited 23 participants to explore artificial flower bouquet arrangement techniques as a form of personal expression and a viable business opportunity in floriculture.
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The workshop was led directly by Viatika, owner of Sekaran Florist Tembalang. Working in small groups, participants practiced the bouquet-making process from the ground up. To ensure optimal technical guidance, each group was assisted by a facilitator crew member from Sekaran Florist who guided participants through stem arrangement and wrapping techniques. All participants successfully completed their own aesthetic flower bouquet creations.
Project Leader of Connect Space 2026, Najla Azzura Dewanti, expressed her appreciation for the high enthusiasm demonstrated by participants across both series. She hoped that the practical skills acquired would extend beyond personal hobbies to serve as a catalyst for launching independent creative business ventures.
Following the success of both Connect Space 2026 series, HMPS Business Administration FISIP Undip reaffirms its commitment to providing applicable, collaborative learning platforms that strengthen the student entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus.
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