Students of the Applied Bachelor Program in Agroindustrial Management at Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) successfully conducted a real-world business practice event at Roxy Mall Jember through the AGROFORGE 2026 program. Organized under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework, the initiative provided students with direct experience in managing and operating businesses in a public commercial environment. The event demonstrated Polije’s commitment to bridging academic learning with practical entrepreneurial experience.

Held on May 23, 2026, AGROFORGE 2026 carried the theme “Circular Agroindustry in Creativity: Optimizing Agroindustrial Waste Through Innovative Products.” Through this theme, students were challenged to transform agricultural by-products and waste materials into innovative products with commercial value. The activity encouraged participants to apply sustainability principles while developing entrepreneurial skills.

Unlike conventional classroom-based assignments, the project took place in a busy shopping mall, allowing students to interact directly with consumers. By selling and promoting their products in a real market setting, participants gained firsthand experience in customer engagement, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and business operations.

The event showcased a variety of innovative agroindustrial products developed by students. These products reflected the application of scientific knowledge, creativity, and market analysis skills acquired during their studies. Many of the products emphasized sustainability by utilizing agricultural residues and underutilized resources as raw materials.

According to the organizers, the primary objective of the activity was to strengthen students’ entrepreneurial mindset and prepare them for future business challenges. Through direct interaction with consumers, students learned how to identify market preferences, adapt promotional approaches, and evaluate product competitiveness in a dynamic commercial environment.

The Project-Based Learning approach implemented by Polije emphasizes experiential learning and problem-solving. Students are required to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines, including production management, product development, quality assurance, marketing, and financial planning. This holistic approach enables them to understand the complete business process from concept creation to product commercialization.

The event also served as a platform to showcase the effectiveness of vocational education in producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also capable of creating business opportunities. By managing real business activities, students developed essential professional competencies such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and decision-making.

Through AGROFORGE 2026 at Roxy Mall, Polije reaffirmed its commitment to producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates. The successful implementation of the program highlights how vocational education can empower students to transform ideas into marketable products, strengthen sustainable business practices, and prepare future entrepreneurs who are ready to contribute to Indonesia’s economic development.