UNAIR NEWS — What started as a modest effort during their university years has grown into a long, transformative professional journey for drh Pramudya Rizki Ruandhito MSc and drh Nurochmah Ishiyama Hamid MVPH. The husband-and-wife team, both graduates of Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, now helm PT Gemilang Mulia, a company specializing in poultry services and products.
From small operation to billion-rupiah revenue
Ruandhito shared that he began building his business while completing his master’s degree. Leveraging his veterinary background, he first sold pullet chickens and offered after-sales support for customers.
“It all started when someone I knew offered me a chicken coop. I rented it and began selling pullets on a small scale. I also provided care services, medication, vaccination, and assistance until the process was finished. The poultry industry involves significant financial flow, so I formed a company to manage it properly. Now, thank God, our monthly revenue reaches billions of rupiah,” he explained.
In the early years, Ruandhito faced a series of hurdles. Fraud, theft, and livestock health issues became part of the steep learning curve he had to navigate.
“There were times when viruses spread among the chickens, when temperature mismanagement caused many to die, when theft occurred, or when I was deceived by others, so many challenges. But each one taught us how to respond when similar problems appeared again. To me, the lifeline of any business is cash flow, how you manage income and expenses to keep the operation profitable,” he said.
Soft skills as the backbone of success
Ruandhito emphasized that soft skills are essential to sustaining a business. He encouraged others not to expect overnight success but to value the process and consistently reflect on their goals to build a clear career direction.
“After graduation, the challenges are enormous. Surprisingly, handling the chickens isn’t the hardest part. When a chicken is sick, there’s medication and we know the treatment. What’s truly difficult is managing people, leading a team, building a team, or shaping a team so they meet our expectations. That is the real challenge,” he added.
Similarly, Hamid highlighted that students should not depend solely on classroom learning. Continuous study from a wide range of sources, she noted, is crucial.
“Learn beyond the campus. There is so much knowledge you’ll need to move forward in life. Never feel satisfied with what you already know. Be an empty vessel that continually seeks to be filled,” she advised.
The journey of this couple demonstrates that UNAIR not only produces capable graduates but also alumni who deliver real contributions to society through innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Author: Putri Andini
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
