BANDUNG, UNIKOM — To strengthen the capacity of lecturers in producing high-quality research and increase their opportunities to secure research funding, the Center for Digital Business Studies, under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics and Business of Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM), organized a National and International Research Grant Proposal Writing Workshop on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Held in VVIP Room 16, 16th Floor of the UNIKOM Smart Building, the event was specifically aimed at lecturers within the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM. It sought to equip participants with the strategies and skills necessary to draft competitive grant proposals for both national and international funding schemes. Furthermore, the workshop was designed to foster the formation of research groups capable of generating impactful proposals, publications, and research outputs.
The event was attended by UNIKOM’s executive leadership, including the Vice Rector I for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Hj. Umi Narimawati, Dra., S.E., M.Si.; the Vice Rector for Technology & ICT, International Programs & Center of Excellence, Prof. Zainal A. Hasibuan, MLS., Ph.D.; the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM, Prof. Dr. Siti Kurnia Rahayu, S.E., M.Ak., Ak., CA.; the Head of the Center for Digital Business Studies and Director of UNIKOM International Programs, Dr. Senny Lukyardi, S.P., M.M.; the Director of DP3M UNIKOM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irawan Afrianto, S.T., M.T.; the Director of the UNIKOM Center for International Studies and Grants, Dr. Muhammad Aria Rajasa Pohan, M.T.; as well as an external multi-grant expert speaker, Dr. Adi Santoso, S.E., M.M., representing the COE Economics of Advanced Digital Technology (EADT) of Telkom University. Heads of Study Programs and lecturers from the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM were also in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Rector for Technology & ICT, International Programs & Center of Excellence, Prof. Zainal A. Hasibuan, MLS., Ph.D., stated that the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to develop the Center of Excellence, particularly in strengthening the research sector. “On this occasion, we are holding a workshop on writing national and international grant proposals. This is a highly strategic endeavor and a long journey, but we must begin by making preparations to welcome various competitive grant invitations,” expressed Prof. Zainal.
He noted that the initiative, spearheaded by the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM, is expected to serve as an initial step that can subsequently be expanded and adopted by other faculties within UNIKOM. The presence of both internal and external speakers is anticipated to provide valuable experience, guidance, and mentorship to lecturers in producing high-quality and competitive proposals. Prof. Zainal added that strengthening research is also part of UNIKOM’s contribution to supporting government programs, particularly through the development of higher education institutions that deliver tangible impacts.
Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Hj. Umi Narimawati, Dra., S.E., M.Si., expressed her appreciation for the execution of the workshop, which specifically involved the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM lecturers. She stated that the event aligns with UNIKOM’s efforts to build and strengthen research groups. “Research requires thought, not just individual thought, but the collective thinking of many people to generate excellent ideas. With high-quality data and appropriate methods, it will certainly produce impactful research,” said Prof. Umi.
Furthermore, Prof. Umi encouraged lecturers to cultivate a collaborative research culture. According to her, collaboration is a crucial element in producing high-quality academic work while simultaneously supporting the academic career development of lecturers. “No single work is solely accomplished alone. Therefore, it is highly appropriate that UNIKOM, particularly the Faculty of Economics and Business, dissects these research activities together,” she added.
Prof. Umi also highlighted the Center for Digital Business Studies as a significant potential asset to be developed by the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM. She noted that the study center possesses unique characteristics as it is supported by the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. She hopes that the outcomes of research and community service will not stop at academic outputs but can be implemented and developed into various innovations and entrepreneurial activities. This aligns with UNIKOM’s direction to foster the emergence of exceptional AI-based entrepreneurs.
On the same occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM, Prof. Dr. Siti Kurnia Rahayu, S.E., M.Ak., Ak., CA., explained that the workshop is part of the faculty’s efforts to implement UNIKOM’s vision, mission, and objectives, particularly in supporting the strengthening of the Center of Excellence and the development of a research culture within the faculty. According to her, the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM has established a study center which, despite being relatively new, is supported by teaching staff with immense potential for development. The workshop was specifically directed to provide facilitation and mentorship for lecturers, especially those who lack experience as principal investigators in research grant applications.
Prof. Siti also explained that one of the primary targets to be achieved through this event is the production of research proposals that meet the requirements and qualifications as directed by the speakers. Currently, the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM has formed 15 research groups that are undergoing the proposal development process, and this number is expected to grow. “Regarding the output, our hope is to generate proposals that genuinely fulfill the requirements and qualifications outlined by the speakers. We already have 15 groups, and God willing, this will increase. From these 15 groups, the target is at least one proposal from each group, and if there is more than one, it will certainly be an even better achievement,” she elaborated.
Not stopping at the workshop’s execution, the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM of UNIKOM has also prepared a follow-up phase through a monitoring and evaluation process. This monitoring will be conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM Study Center to ensure that the materials and workshop outcomes translate into proposals ready for submission to various grant schemes. “The next step after this activity is monitoring. The Head of the Study Center, Mrs. Senny, will observe the extent of the follow-up from this workshop, as we are pushing to have proposals ready for submission to government-related systems this year, both nationally and internationally,” concluded Prof. Siti.
The workshop series then continued with the main sessions featuring several expert speakers. The Director of the UNIKOM Center for International Studies and Grants, Dr. Muhammad Aria Rajasa Pohan, M.T., delivered a presentation on navigating international grants and consortiums. Subsequently, the Director of DP3M UNIKOM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irawan Afrianto, S.T., M.T., discussed national research policies and internal institutional strengthening.
Meanwhile, the external multi-grant expert speaker, Dr. Adi Santoso, S.E., M.M., presented material on the anatomical breakdown of proposals and the formulation of novelty. The session proceeded with a hands-on workshop and a draft clinic, allowing lecturers not only to gain a conceptual understanding but also to directly develop their proposal drafts.
The event was further complemented by a panel discussion and a live review of proposal drafts, analyzing several proposal ideas from representatives of the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM lecturers. During this session, participants received direct feedback from the speakers to refine their ideas and the substance of their proposals before advancing to the grant submission stage.
Through this grant workshop specifically targeted at the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM lecturers, it is hoped that an increasingly collaborative and productive research ecosystem will be established, simultaneously generating highly competitive research proposals at the national and international levels. These efforts are part of the Faculty of Economics and Business of UNIKOM’s pivotal steps in strengthening research contributions, enhancing lecturer capacity, and producing academic work that holds broader relevance and impact. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
