MBA FEB UGM has introduced the Honesty Canteen, located in the Student Lounge, as an innovative program initiated by Sony Wijaya, an Entrepreneurship student from MBA Batch 83. This initiative aims to instill values of integrity and trust within the campus community.
The Honesty Canteen operates on a self-service model, allowing visitors to purchase food and beverages without direct supervision. Customers simply pick their desired items and pay according to the listed prices. Relying on honesty, the program is designed as a practical ethics learning platform for everyday life.
Sony explained that the idea emerged from students’ feedback, which highlighted the need for a platform to practice business, especially in the food and beverage sector. The canteen serves as a business laboratory, curating products from students’ entrepreneurial ventures. “This canteen is not just a place to buy food but also a laboratory for ethics. I want MBA FEB UGM students to excel not only academically but also in character,” he said.
Although recently launched, the Honesty Canteen has faced several challenges, including the lack of benchmarking, creating an efficient system, and managing perishable goods. Sony noted that operations are currently manual, including record-keeping, and expressed the need for development, such as introducing a cashier system to streamline management.
The canteen offers a variety of snacks, beverages, and daily necessities at affordable prices. Initial feedback from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. “From the opening day, many people were enthusiastic about buying, especially beverages. There’s also been significant demand for food products,” Sony shared. Both students and staff have expressed interest in contributing their own products to the canteen.
To ensure the sustainability of the canteen, a consignment mechanism with revenue-sharing has been implemented. The funds collected are used to cover any financial discrepancies, ensuring that contributors receive their rightful earnings. Sony also emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity during transactions and encouraged reporting any issues for collective improvement.
The Honesty Canteen welcomes MBA FEB UGM students to submit their products through the MBA Student Association (MBASA). Submitted items must meet specific criteria, such as originality, clear ingredient labeling, and approval by the sales team after testing. This system allows students to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience within the campus environment.
This initiative is expected to contribute to shaping the character of MBA FEB UGM students. Sony highlighted that the program helps students apply business theories in real-life practice while fostering ethics and honesty. “As the coordinator, I’m delighted to bring positive impacts through this program,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Sony plans to expand the Honesty Canteen by integrating an app-based cashier system and increasing the variety of products available. Although currently focused on MBA FEB UGM, he hopes this initiative will inspire other institutions to adopt similar programs.
Rocky Adiguna, Ph.D., Vice Director of MBA FEB UGM, expressed his support for the initiative. “The concept of an Honesty Canteen is not entirely new. However, sometimes the simplest solution to a limitation is to challenge our basic assumptions. Amid students’ busy schedules and constraints, the Honesty Canteen offers them a platform to experiment with business,” he remarked.
The Honesty Canteen at the MBA FEB UGM Student Lounge is a testament to how integrity can be woven into daily activities. This initiative is hoped to serve as a stepping stone toward broader positive change.
Reporters: Danis, Rossa, Aldanu
Editor: Nur Fuadi
