On August 26 – BINUS International recently welcomed its newest cohort, Binusian 2030, through its signature First Year Program (FYP). Centered around the inspiring overarching theme “AI x Binusian Spirit: Educate, Enrich, Empower Nusantara,” the multi-day orientation aimed to instill a forward-thinking mindset in the new students while deeply rooting them in the university’s core values of empowerment and education.

For the incoming students of the Computer Science program, the orientation took an exceptionally creative and futuristic turn. Designed around the concept of a “Time Traveler from 2050,” the faculty and upperclassmen crafted an immersive experience to expand the students’ technological imaginations. The event kicked off with facilitators and volunteers roleplaying as visitors from the year 2050, casually sharing tales of “normal” everyday AI applications in their timeline—concepts that sound wild, absurd, and highly advanced by today’s standards.

 

Building on this imaginative foundation, the new students were immediately put to the test in a high-energy, “Shark Tank”-style pitching competition. Divided into teams, the freshmen roleplayed as startup founders tasked with pitching their own AI product ideas to a panel of discerning “investors.” The students were encouraged to make their ideas as wildly futuristic or absurd as they wanted. As the investors grilled the teams on their concepts, the room filled with a fun, fiercely competitive atmosphere. Beyond the laughs and theatrical presentations, the activity cleverly sneaked in foundational lessons in real product-thinking, rapid problem-solving, and entrepreneurial strategy.

To balance the futuristic roleplay with grounded, real-world insights, the FYP also featured comprehensive sharing sessions and workshops led by successful BINUS Computer Science alumni. These graduates returned to campus to share their personal academic journeys, professional industry experiences, and practical advice for navigating the tech world, providing Batch 2030 with an invaluable roadmap for the next four years.

By blending visionary storytelling, competitive entrepreneurship, and grounded alumni mentorship, the Binusian 2030 First Year Program successfully set a dynamic and inspiring tone. The newest Computer Science students begin their academic journey not just as coders and developers, but as visionary innovators ready to embrace AI and empower Nusantara.