MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Mhd Haikal Ananta has received support to expand his business and continue his education after demonstrating his determination to balance university studies with selling mochi on the campus of the University of North Sumatra (USU). The Indonesian Literature student at USU's Faculty of Cultural Sciences received Rp5 million in start-up capital from Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman. He was also promised a full scholarship from PTPN IV PalmCo.
Haikal runs his small business alongside his studies, selling mochi directly to students at various faculties. He walks around the campus to offer his products. When the Linus bus, short for Lintas USU, is available, he uses it to get around. Otherwise, he makes the journey on foot.
"When I sell my mochi, I go from one faculty to another on the USU campus. I usually take the Linus bus when it is running. If there is no bus, I simply walk," Haikal said.
His determination to run a business while pursuing his degree demonstrates his efforts to become financially independent while still at university. He is not only seeking to generate income through sales but is also considering the availability of raw materials and exploring ways to develop his business further.
Meeting the Agriculture Minister Opens Up New Opportunities
Haikal's entrepreneurial efforts attracted attention when he attended a public lecture entitled "Innovation and Collaboration Among the Younger Generation on the Path to Food Sovereignty" at the USU Auditorium on 15 July 2026. During the event, he met Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and asked him about the availability of glutinous rice flour, one of the key ingredients needed for his mochi business.
His question highlighted the importance of reliable information about raw material supplies in ensuring the long-term sustainability of his business. The exchange in an academic setting subsequently opened up opportunities for him to receive support for both business development and the continuation of his studies.
Haikal confirmed that he had already received the Rp5 million in start-up capital from the Agriculture Minister. The assistance is particularly significant to him because it could help expand the mochi business he has been running alongside his studies.
"Yes, thankfully, I have already received the start-up capital for my business from the Agriculture Minister. This support means a great deal to me because it will help me develop my existing mochi business further. It also motivates me to expand the business while learning how to become a better entrepreneur," Haikal explained.
The financial assistance gives him additional opportunities to develop his entrepreneurial skills. It can help meet his business expansion needs while encouraging him to learn more about entrepreneurship and improve the way he manages his enterprise.
USU STUDENT RUNS MOCHI BUSINESS ALONGSIDE HIS STUDIES: Mhd Haikal Ananta, an Indonesian Literature student at the University of North Sumatra, sells mochi on campus. He has received Rp5 million in start-up capital and a full scholarship to support his business development and continue his education. (PHOTO: Mhd Haikal Ananta)
PalmCo Full Scholarship Eases Financial Burden on His Parents
Alongside the financial assistance for his business, Haikal was also promised a full scholarship from PTPN IV PalmCo. According to him, the scholarship had already been used to pay his tuition fees, known as Uang Kuliah Tunggal (UKT), for the current semester.
The educational support helps Haikal cover the cost of his studies while reducing the financial burden on his parents. With his tuition fees taken care of, he has greater flexibility to continue his education while managing the business that has become part of his daily routine.
"As for the full scholarship from PTPN IV PalmCo, thankfully, I have also received a firm commitment that I will receive it. I am very grateful for this opportunity and the support, as it will help me continue my studies and ease the financial burden on my parents," he added.
For students who must divide their attention between education and running a business, financial assistance with tuition fees can be crucial to completing their studies. In Haikal's case, the start-up capital and scholarship address two interconnected needs: developing an independent source of income and completing a university degree.
Limited Resources Are No Reason to Abandon Dreams
Haikal sees the support he has received as more than just financial assistance. He regards it as encouragement to continue developing himself, maintain his entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrate that difficult circumstances do not have to prevent anyone from pursuing their goals.
"For me, the start-up capital and scholarship are not just material support. They also give me the strength to keep fighting, grow my business and prove that limited opportunities are no reason to give up on your dreams," he said.
Haikal's story shows that entrepreneurship and university studies can go hand in hand. By selling mochi directly at different faculties, he is gradually building his business while fulfilling his academic responsibilities as a student.
The start-up capital from the Agriculture Minister and the full scholarship from PTPN IV PalmCo have opened up new opportunities for Haikal to continue along this path. His experience also highlights the importance of supporting students who take the initiative to establish their own businesses while working towards completing their higher education.
For the younger generation, Haikal's experience demonstrates that the journey towards achieving personal goals can begin with simple steps, such as selling products directly on a university campus. Consistency, a willingness to learn and access to support are important building blocks for a better future.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala