HMJ JIB Polman Negeri Babel Presents INFEST, a Technology and Business-Based Youth Development Platform
The enthusiasm of the participants was clearly visible when they took part in the INFEST activity as a forum for self-development in the digital era which was held at the Polman Negeri Babel Hall building.
The Informatics and Business Student Association of the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic is encouraging the development of the potential of the younger generation through the INFEST (Infinis Festival of Future Enterprise and Smart Technology) event, held in the campus auditorium on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
This event is a response to the rapid development of digitalization, which demands students not only excel academically but also be adaptive, creative, and innovative in responding to the ever-growing needs of industry. This year, INFEST adopted the theme "F.U.T.U.R.E." (Future Utilization of Technology for Upgraded & Resilient Enterprise), which focuses on leveraging technology to build resilient and sustainable businesses in the modern era.
The event was also attended by several distinguished guests, including the Regent of Bangka Regency and his staff, the Chairperson of APTIKOM Bangka Belitung, representatives of Mandat Pro, representatives of the Indonesia Stock Exchange, and members of the Polman Bangka Belitung leadership.
More than 180 first-year Informatics and Business students participated in the seminar, demonstrating the high enthusiasm of the younger generation in developing their knowledge in technology and digital entrepreneurship.
INFEST 2026 also featured various prestigious competitions, such as the Hackathon, Business Model Canvas (BMC), Web Technologies, and Infographic Design, which attracted participants from various educational institutions across Indonesia.
In the Hackathon category, five teams from various renowned universities competed: Polman Babel, Diponegoro University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Muhammadiyah University of Bangka Belitung, and Samarinda State Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, in the Business Model Canvas competition, five teams competed closely: two teams from Polman Babel, two teams from Brawijaya University, and one team from Tarumanegara University. In the Web Technologies category, four participants from SMKN 1 Simpangkatis, SMKN 1 Sungailiat, and SMKN 1 Parittiga competed, and the infographic design competition attracted 46 participants.
Beyond just competitions, INFEST also features educational seminars featuring public speaking by Asrie Diyah, M.Ak., as well as presentations from the Indonesia Stock Exchange, which provided participants with practical insights into the world of communication and investment.
In his remarks, the Director of Polman Babel, I Made Andik Setiawan, M.Eng., Ph.D., stated that INFEST 2026 is not just a competition, but a space for students to actualize their ideas, creativity, and abilities in presenting technological solutions that have a real impact on society. "I see this activity as a strategic step in shaping a generation that is not only academically proficient, but also adaptive, innovative, and capable of responding to industry challenges in the digital era," he said.
Through the various competition categories and seminars held, we can see the extent of students' potential in developing applicable and useful technology. I hope activities like this will continue and grow, so that Polman Babel can continue to produce superior talent ready to compete at the national level.
"Continue to create, innovate, and use this momentum as a stepping stone to creating a better future through technology." he said.
Similarly, the Regent of Bangka Regency, Fery Insani, M.M., stated that this activity can develop the MSME sector and improve the quality of human resources. "When the younger generation is able to utilize technology intelligently and productively, that's where a strong economic foundation begins to form," he said.
I have long known that the Polman Babel campus contributes to producing superior, technology-based human resources, and I hope that collaboration between the government, education, and industry can continue to be strengthened to create a progressive and sustainable digital ecosystem in Bangka Regency.
"Because today, technology is no longer an option, but a primary necessity in driving regional progress. Therefore, I hope that the younger generation, especially Polman Babel students, can become the driving force in delivering innovations that benefit society," he explained.
Meanwhile, Bayu Safyndra, Chair of the Informatics and Business Student Association at Polman Babel, explained that INFEST is a strategic platform for building synergy between education and industry, particularly in creating future technological innovations.
Bayu further expressed his gratitude to APTIKOM Bangka Belitung Region as a strategic partner for supporting this event, ensuring its relevance to industry needs.
"Through a series of activities ranging from competitions to educational seminars, I hope INFEST 2026 can provide tangible benefits and become a collaborative space for all participants," he concluded.
He further expressed his gratitude to all parties who supported this event, including the campus, sponsors, and the Bangka Regency Government, for their full support for the success of INFEST 2026," he concluded.
