What is the GITA Project?
Indonesia has a population of over 260 million. It is Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s fourth most populous nation. At the moment theres a lack of support for start-ups and entrepreneurs and there is a need for educational institutions such as universities to implement entrepreneurship education in their curricular.
The GITA project is a €1 million project funded by the European Union. It involves the creation of Growth Hubs over the next three years to provide support to entrepreneurs and start up businesses. The triangular approach which forms the foundation of the project will unify university enterprise collaboration and enterprise creation.
What is the Growth Hub?
For those of you who aren’t aware, the Growth Hub is a professional space for entrepreneurs and businesses to grow and maximise its potential. The first Growth Hub was formed at Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester at the University of Gloucestershire. You can get one-to-one advice and support, and there’s help for growing companies of all shapes and sizes, whether it’s sourcing funding, developing your team or breaking into new markets, there are consulting experts on hand.
In the three years since the Growth Hub opened, businesses who have received support from the Hub have seen a £20 million increase in turnover. The Growth Hub was created as a result of the University of Gloucestershire and GFirst LEP committing to work together to achieve a step change in business growth and economic performance in the county.
How can the University of Gloucestershire help?
The University of Gloucestershire’s business school has received a million euros of EU funding to develop entrepreneurship in Indonesia. Like the Growth hub at Oxstalls campus, the planned spaces in Indonesia will allow academics, students, graduates, start-ups and enterprises to come together to explore new ideas and apply these to local and regional economies.
The GITA project will enhance studies for students, promote entrepreneurship, bring university collaboration, and also employ a future plan model. The University of Gloucestershire is the leading partner in this project and has well established employer engagement and curricular development expertise. UOG also has experience in the design and implementation of the Growth Hub model which has been successfully operating for the last three years.
Why does the EU support the creation of more entrepreneurial opportunity in Indonesia?
The EU want to provide the opportunity to strengthen higher education ties between Europe and Indonesia. Funding within Indonesia doesn’t currently exist which would allow for universities to capitalise on this innovative platform. Although the Growth Hub was established at the University of Gloucestershire, the Growth Hub model is sweeping across the UK. This funding will allow Indonesian universities to participate in this exiting approach to university enterprise.
Want to find out more?
An exclusive interview with Professor Neil Towers, a University of Gloucestershire lecturer of Retail Marketing has spoken with our student journalists regarding the upcoming project that he is heading and has provided a further insight into the project and what they hope to achieve. Dwi Nita Aryami and Adhi Setyo Santoso, representatives of the GITA project also accompanied Neil in the talks of growing Indonesia.
Have you heard ‘Interview with Professor Neil Towers’ by Natalie A L Turner on #SoundCloud? #np https://t.co/TZICOkmfpU
— Park Life (@UOGParkLife) April 13, 2018