13/07/2026
Taipei–Jakarta, June 18, 2026 — First-year students from the English-Taught Program in Smart Service Management (ETPSSM) at Shih Chien University achieved outstanding international recognition by winning First Place and Second Place at the International Business Idea Competition (IBIC) 2026, hosted by Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia.
The achievement highlights not only the innovative capabilities of ETPSSM students but also the program's commitment to fostering a truly international learning environment. The winning teams brought together students representing Indonesia, Japan, Canada, and the Kingdom of Eswatini, demonstrating the power of cross-cultural collaboration in solving global challenges.
Competing against talented university students from around the world, two ETPSSM teams, under the supervision of Dr. Aditya Nugroho (郭昱辰), impressed judges with business concepts that combined innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
The First Place award was presented to Team Sustrava (Sustainable Travel), consisting of Golea Devina Wu (吳利雅), Chevarayna Joyce Ester Hutabarat (胡綺華), and Thandeka Phiweyinkosi Ngcece (葉愛華). Guided by the slogan “Journey Reimagined, Footprint Reduced,” the team developed a sustainable tourism platform that encourages travelers to track and reduce their carbon footprint. Going beyond a conceptual proposal, Team Sustrava designed an Augmented Reality (AR)-enabled website prototype that provides travelers with carbon-emission information for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services in Taiwan, supporting global efforts toward carbon reduction and sustainable travel.
The Second Place award went to Team SAMA (Smart Assistive Mobility Attachment), represented by Thabiso Ndumiso Hlanze, Zak Josiah Gariba, Ralph Anderson Butenaers (陳仁明), and Hinata Fujikawa (藤川日向). Their project introduced an innovative smart attachment designed for wheelchairs, walking canes, and underarm crutches. Equipped with warning alerts and emergency assistance functions, the device aims to enhance mobility, safety, and independence for seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals requiring mobility support.
Both projects strongly reflected the competition theme, “Empowering Student Entrepreneurs to Blueprint Global Enterprises,” while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Judges commended the teams for developing solutions that addressed real-world challenges through practical, scalable, and socially responsible innovation.
For ETPSSM, the dual victory serves as a testament to the program's distinctive international character. Bringing together students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, the program encourages interdisciplinary thinking, global perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving. The success of students from Indonesia, Japan, Canada, and the Kingdom of Eswatini working together on award-winning projects exemplifies how diversity can drive creativity and innovation in higher education.
As one of Taiwan's most international undergraduate programs, ETPSSM continues to cultivate future leaders capable of addressing global challenges through technology, entrepreneurship, and smart service innovation. The outstanding performance at IBIC 2026 further reinforces Shih Chien University's growing reputation as a hub for internationally minded talent and impactful student innovation.
