Depok-Based on data from the World Instant Noodles Association in 2023, Indonesia ranks second in terms of instant noodle consumption after China. The high consumption of instant noodles has raised other issues related to the use of plastic and cups made from synthetic foam (styrofoam) which are not environmentally friendly. Also, the basic ingredient of noodles made from processed wheat flour is a low-nutrient ingredient, but high in calories.
Seeing this phenomenon, students from the Universitas Indonesia (UI) who are members of the E-Zeat Team made a culinary innovation called Miegu, which was entered in the National Business Plan Competition organized by Universitas Diponegoro. The E-Zeat team consisting of Habil Aulia Mufa and Izha Noer Aradha (Vocational Education Program students) and UI Pharmacy student, Nadia Hasina, brought the business idea “Miegu: Combination and Social Responsibility in Practical Cup Noodle Product Innovation”.
Miegu presents innovative, practical culinary in the form of cup noodles as a staple food that is easy to serve with self-heating pack and edible film technology. The function of sago as an alternative source of carbohydrates and gluten-free is expected to be one of the choices for people in consuming food menus.
In addition, the use of edible film as seasoning packaging, paper bowls as primary packaging, and forks and spoons made from natural birch wood as cutlery are products made from environmentally friendly materials. Utilization of sago commodities through partnerships with sago farming communities is one of the issues behind the idea of making this product.
(Photo: Habil and Nadia after receiving the third place award at the National Business Plan Competition)
“The E-Zeat team has gone through the Business Model Canvas screening stage to enter the top fifty, followed by the Business Proposal selection until reaching six finalist teams for the pitching session,” said Habil. The competition, which took place from April to June 2024, was attended by 150 participants from various universities across the islands of Indonesia. After going through a series of screening stages, the E-Zeat Team managed to win third place.
Habil said that him and his team’s participation was a strategic step to train themselves and apply the knowledge they had acquired in real terms in the form of business ideas with cross-study program or faculty collaboration, both in terms of business from Creative Business students, information technology from Records and Archives Management students, and product content from Pharmacy students.
“We hope that the business idea can be realized in real terms. I also invite other students to participate in achieving in various fields, both academic and non-academic,” said Habil.
Padang Wicaksono, S.E., Ph.D, Director of UI Vocational Education Program, expressed his pride in the achievements of the E-Zeat team. According to him, the business idea they created was an implementation of classroom learning, namely an innovative product.
“We continue to strive for students to think creatively and create various products or prototypes that have positive benefits for society. Fresh ideas from the young generation show that they are ready to enter the professional world before they finish their studies and become people who are useful for the Indonesian nation,” said Padang.
