HARRISBURG, PA — Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Pavlo Buryi, and HU alumnus Bagus Wicaksono Ruswandi ‘25, have been selected to participate in the TiE Silicon Valley University Mentors Program, a global initiative that connects university innovators with experienced entrepreneurs and startup leaders from Silicon Valley.
The program, launched by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), is now in its second year and offers students and emerging founders access to mentorship, guidance, and resources completely free of charge.
Dr. Buryi will serve as a mentor in this year’s cohort.
“My motivation [for serving as a mentor] stems from a deep desire to amplify the impact Harrisburg University has on economic development – not only within our local community but also across the nation and globally,” he said. “I see this program as a bridge connecting HU to Silicon Valley and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, while showcasing the remarkable innovation and creativity of our students.”
As Program Lead of HU’s Master of Science in Techpreneurship, Dr. Buryi brings both academic and real-world expertise to the mentorship process. “My role involves working closely with students to refine their entrepreneurial vision, build practical skills, and connect them to the right opportunities,” he added. “This experience allows me to help students turn their ideas into reality.”
“What excites me most is the chance to collaborate with highly motivated students who are passionate about their ideas and willing to put in the hard work to make them succeed. Being able to guide them through the challenges of startup building is rewarding, but equally exciting is the opportunity to partner with such a well-known and respected organization. I especially value the chance to work closely with Dr. Preetha Ram, an inspiring leader, founder, and innovator whose vision and leadership energize the program and create a powerful platform for student success.”
Joining him in the program is Bagus Wicaksono Ruswandi, who graduated from HU this past May with a Master’s in Techpreneurship. Bagus was selected for his startup, Studio Bumi, a food-experience company that creates communal dining events designed to foster connection, culture, and belonging.
Bagus first learned about the program after presenting his research on Studio Bumi. At that point, he was already working on the project full-time and looking for ways to take it further.
“I spoke with Professor Pavlo about what the next steps could look like, and he mentioned the program as one of the many opportunities to avoid thinking in a loop or staying in an echo chamber,” Bagus said. “At the time, I had no idea what the cadence would be like or who I would be paired with, but I was excited by the possibility.”
Bagus hopes the mentorship will help him refine Studio Bumi’s approach, especially in areas like scaling operations and forming strategic partnerships. “Studio Bumi has grown from small experiments into something with real momentum,” he said. “Having a mentor who can share perspective on growth, leadership, and long-term vision will help me make better decisions, and it will also give me the confidence to take bigger steps knowing I have guidance to lean on.”
Learn more about HU’s highly versatile Techpreneurship master’s degree or Business Administration bachelor’s degree by starting a conversation with the Admissions Team today.
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Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
