A total of 263 student business stalls representing nine study programs at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), took part in the Semarak FISIP 2026 Entrepreneurship Expo. The event featured a wide range of products and services, including food and beverages, photography services, handicrafts, and photo booths, at the FISIP campus grounds in Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang, on Tuesday (October 27, 2026).
The annual event was officially opened by UNNES Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Information Systems, Prof. Ngabiyanto. The opening ceremony was marked by the release of balloons into the air at the FISIP field, where student business stalls filled the grounds.
The entrepreneurship expo provides students with an opportunity to introduce their products and test their business ideas in a real-world setting. Through direct interaction with customers, students gain practical experience in setting prices, promoting products, managing sales, and assessing consumer responses.
Ngabiyanto said the initiative could serve as a model for other faculties at UNNES, particularly in involving alumni in campus activities.
“I will encourage the deans of other faculties to organize similar activities, including involving alumni in their faculty programs,” Ngabiyanto said.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining connections between universities and their alumni, allowing graduates to continue contributing to their alma mater beyond their years of study.
Among the participating businesses, student-run photo booths offered an alternative to conventional product-based enterprises. Refan Dwi Adryanto, one of the participants, provided photography services, offering both printed photographs and digital image files.
Refan said more than 30 people had used his team’s photography service. In addition to purchasing printed photographs, some customers also bought digital copies of their pictures.
His team charged between Rp 10,000 and Rp 15,000 per service. By the end of the event, the team had generated approximately Rp 500,000 in revenue.
The business illustrates how student entrepreneurship can extend beyond selling physical products. Photography services also offer business opportunities by combining technical skills, equipment, and creativity to deliver an experience that appeals to customers.
Meanwhile, students from the Geography Study Program offered fruit smoothies. Aisah Fitriani and her teammates developed the product with fellow students in mind, particularly those seeking refreshing drinks and a more convenient way to consume fruit.
Aisah said all 50 cups of smoothies had sold out.
She explained that the business idea came from observing that some students rarely eat fruit, partly because preparing and peeling it can be inconvenient amid their busy schedules.
By turning fruit into a ready-to-drink beverage, Aisah and her team hoped to offer a practical alternative that would make fruit easier to consume.
The two businesses illustrate the different approaches students brought to the expo. Some relied on service-based enterprises and visual documentation, while others developed food and beverage products based on their understanding of consumer habits.
FISIP UNNES Dean Prof. Arif Purnomo said the entrepreneurship expo was part of Semarak FISIP 2026, an initiative designed to give students hands-on experience in running businesses. The event also provides a platform for students to develop their creativity and introduce their products to a wider audience.
The best business stall from each study program will receive a development grant of Rp 750,000. The selected winners will also have the opportunity to participate in a national-level entrepreneurship competition.
The awards are intended to encourage students to continue developing their businesses beyond the expo. Their products and business ideas can be refined and expanded to compete in a broader market.
Semarak FISIP 2026 runs for four days, concluding on Thursday (October 29, 2026). In addition to the entrepreneurship expo, the program includes entertainment and activities showcasing student talent.
On Wednesday (October 28, 2026), the event is scheduled to feature a musical performance by Dikta Wicaksono. The program will conclude on Thursday with the Grand Final of the 2026 FISIP Ambassador Selection.
Through its 263 business stalls, Semarak FISIP 2026 brings together student creativity, entrepreneurship, and campus life. For participating students, the opportunity to sell products and services directly to customers offers valuable experience in understanding market demand and managing a business beyond the classroom.
