Pursuing higher education, particularly in challenging subjects such as programming, databases, and other computing courses, presents inherent difficulties. Muhammad Fikri Ulumuddin Maulana, a Mathematics student from the Class of 2018 at Airlangga University, experienced these challenges, particularly in project and final assignment work where theoretical instruction lacked detailed practical guidance. Recognizing the need for a solution, Fikri, in collaboration with fellow students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) and the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), initiated the Semicolon community in September 2021.
Commencing as a virtual initiative due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Semicolon Academy evolved after a proposal to the Student Entrepreneurship Program (PMW), co-submitted by Fikri and his partner Difandi. Subsequently, Semicolon Academy achieved recognition as the best technology startup, establishing its online presence with the domain semicolonacademy.id, crafted by M. Wildan Azky Hamdani, a 2019 Information Systems student. Semicolon also represented UNAIR in the Student Digital Entrepreneurship Innovation (IWDM) competition, securing funding from investors under the guidance of Mrs. Asri Bekti Pratiwi and mentor M. Fairuz, CEO of Sarang Walet.
Currently offering two class programs, Semicolon Academy caters to teenagers and undergraduates. The Teenagers program focuses on programming training for junior and high school students, serving as an initial introduction to the realms of programming and computing. The Undergraduate program provides career-oriented programming training for student’s post-graduation. Additionally, Semicolon Academy offers paid classes, such as an artificial intelligence course attended by 10 participants. Registration for these classes can be completed on the website, followed by payment and participation in a Telegram group for monitoring during the four-class sessions. Successful participants receive certificates and ongoing consultation opportunities with Semicolon mentors.
Semicolon Academy distinguishes itself through the quality of its mentors, ensuring participants receive assistance in understanding course assignments and exploring future career opportunities. This mentoring quality proves crucial for conceptual comprehension and acts as a valuable reference for academic coursework.
In addition to its academic initiatives, Semicolon Academy participated in a business incubator facilitated by the Start-up and Incubation Business Development Agency (BPBRIN), gaining mentorship, coaching, and meeting legal requirements. The current focus of the Semicolon Academy team involves research and the preparatory stages for launching paid classes targeting high school students, scheduled for May 2023. The establishment of Semicolon Academy aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 by providing inclusive learning opportunities outside traditional educational institutions and Goal 8 by contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work.
Semicolon Academy serves as a testament to the notion that learning extends beyond campus and school boundaries. Facilitated by adept mentors and well-structured learning materials, participants benefit from a quality learning experience, enabling a deeper understanding and proficient completion of academic assignments.
Writer : Sri Ayu Lestari
