Makassar, 26–27th September 2025 — Makassar Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar) through its Business Incubator Unit is once again holding its Business Entrepreneur Training (BEST) Batch 8 programme with the theme ‘Resilient Entrepreneurs’. This theme emphasises the importance of young entrepreneurs' ability to bounce back, adapt, and successfully overcome challenges, failures, and uncertainties in the business world. The key to long-term success is not avoiding problems, but building the capacity to recover and continue moving forward in the face of obstacles.

The two-day programme, held at Makassar Tourism Polytechnic Co-Working Space, was attended by 35 students from all study programmes, particularly those who entered through the entrepreneurship pathway and students who are currently starting their own businesses. The event was opened by the Director of Makassar Tourism Polytechnic, Dr. Herry Rachmat Widjaja, who emphasised the importance of continuing the entrepreneurship programme. Students will be directed to focus on business fields that are relevant to their majors and study programmes, both in the form of tourism products and services.

The first session featured Dr. Agus Syam (Entrepreneurship Lecturer at UNM Makassar) with material on the Entrepreneurial Mindset, which builds creative and adaptive thinking patterns as the foundation for becoming an entrepreneur. The material continued with Business Ideas, which encouraged students to explore business potential from everyday problems to opportunities in the tourism sector, as well as Business Model Design to develop a measurable and sustainable business framework.

In the afternoon session, Fahrurazi Erman (Branding and Marketing Practitioner from MENANG Creative) presented a series of materials on Business Go Online. This topic emphasised the importance of business digitalisation, from branding strategies and creative promotions to the use of digital platforms to expand the market. Students were introduced to the practice of building a strong brand identity and social media-based marketing steps.

The second day opened with a session on Legality by A. Nadya T. Alia (Food Science Officer, Makassar City MSME Incubator). This session explored the importance of legality in business, from licensing and brand protection to the regulations that must be complied with in order for a business to develop formally and sustainably.

After that, Dr. Agus Syam returned to give a session on Business Model Practice. Students were invited to directly compile their business model designs, applying theory to real-world contexts, while also practising their presentation and business argumentation skills. This practice session was intensive, lasting from morning to afternoon, providing space for students to be creative and receive input from resource persons.

Through the BEST Batch 8 programme, Makassar Tourism Polytechnic not only provides theoretical knowledge but also equips students with practical skills, legal understanding, and digital strategies relevant to current industry needs. The Director of Makassar Tourism Polytechnic emphasised that students must be able to become resilient, innovative, and adaptive entrepreneurs, thereby contributing meaningfully to the tourism industry and other business sectors.