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Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), through the Lab Bina Desa (Village Development Laboratory), hosted a virtual training session on Business and Financial Management with the theme “Capital Assistance and Financing” on Thursday, 16 October 2025. The event, led by Yogi Pasca Pratama, S.E., M.E., Ph.D., featured Bagus Hendri Setiawan, Interim Head of Bank BTN for Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua Regional Office, as the keynote speaker.

Opening the event, Prof. Tri Mulyaningsih, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Research Affairs, emphasized the urgency of strengthening financial literacy among students and rural communities. “This Lab Bina Desa initiative is expected not only to broaden students’ insights into the banking sector but also to empower rural communities to achieve greater prosperity through stronger economic activities,” she stated. She further noted that understanding business financing mechanisms would be valuable for students, both in pursuing careers in finance and in developing their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Serving as the keynote speaker for the session, Bagus Hendri Setiawan shared insights based on his professional experience in the banking sector, particularly in supporting the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He explained that banks play an essential role as financial intermediaries by channeling public funds into productive sectors through credit and financing programs.

“The government cannot carry out its duty alone. The private sector, especially MSMEs, plays a major role in supporting the national economy. Therefore, the banking sector is committed to expanding access to funding, providing guidelines, and strengthening financial literacy,” he said.

Bagus also presented BTN’s initiatives for MSME empowerment, including the Micro and Small Business Credit (KUMK) and People’s Business Credit (KUR) programs in collaboration with Indonesian ministries. He introduced BTN’s ongoing digital transformation, which enhances operational efficiency through Decision Engine technology and various digital solutions for entrepreneurs. He also highlighted the significance of well-prepared financial statements—such as income statements and balance sheets—as tools to evaluate business performance and financial health.

This training reflects FEB UNS’s commitment to enhancing the business and students’ and rural communities’ financial management capacity. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), through initiatives that promote financial literacy, access to capital, and digital transformation for inclusive and competitive economic growth.

More than 100 students from the Digital Business Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), took part in a public lecture entitled “Quantitative Research: Survey and Questionnaire Design” held at the Soedarah Soepono Hall, FEB UNS, on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. The event was officially opened by Tastaftiyan Risfandy, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and featured Zamroni Salim, Ph.D., Head of the Macroeconomics and Finance Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as the keynote speaker.

In his material presentation, Dr. Zamroni provided a comprehensive overview of quantitative research methodology, covering survey techniques, questionnaire development, and field observation. He explained that surveys are essential tools for gathering both quantitative and qualitative data that are specific and relevant to research objectives. He further emphasized that well-designed questionnaires are crucial to ensure research validity and reliability.

“Questionnaires must be constructed with clear research objectives, precise wording, and strong data protection measures,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of confidentiality and privacy principles in line with modern research ethics.

The lecture also outlined different types of survey questions, including open-ended, closed-ended, and Likert scale questions. Dr. Zamroni discussed how to select appropriate question types and avoid common mistakes such as double-barreled questions and ambiguous phrasing.

Additionally, students were introduced to the importance of pilot testing research instruments before large-scale implementation. The pre-test phase ensures that respondents can clearly understand the questions and helps improve both the structure and flow of the questionnaire.

This activity is expected to enhance the data-driven research skills of Digital Business students, a key competency in the digital economy era. By mastering survey techniques and questionnaire design, students can produce research that is not only relevant to academic development but also impactful for society.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure), this public lecture represents FEB UNS’s concrete step in supporting the development of ethical, evidence-based research and innovation that contributes to sustainable development.

The Center for Research and Community Engagement Development (P4M), Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), organized a “Webinar and Coaching Session: Accelerating Research Visibility, Publication Consultation for Reputable International Journals for FEB UNS Lecturers.” This initiative reflects the faculty’s strategic efforts to improve the quality and visibility of research by the academic community at both national and international levels.

The webinar, entitled “Publication Strategies in Reputable Journals: Optimizing the Quality of Scientific Works to Reach Scopus and SINTA,” featured two distinguished speakers: Dr. Widya P., S.E., M.Sc., (Business and Management), and Novat Pugo S., S.E., MIDEC., Ph.D. (Economics). They shared their insights and effective publication strategies to strengthen the quality of scientific articles produced by FEB UNS lecturers and students.

Conducted on Friday, 10 October 2025, via Zoom Meeting, the session was divided into several breakout rooms to enable more interactive discussions between participants and speakers. Activities included presentations, group discussions, and one-on-one consulting sessions on participants’ draft articles.

Participants, comprising lecturers and students from the Development Economics, Management, and Accounting Study Programs, were grouped for targeted mentoring sessions. These sessions provided opportunities for in-depth reviews, technical feedback, and publication guidance for reputable journals.

This mentoring initiative is part of FEB UNS’s commitment to cultivating a strong research and publication culture within the academic environment, while also preparing lecturers to respond effectively to the demands of becoming a World Class University.

The program also aligns with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by enhancing research capacity and advancing the global dissemination of knowledge.

Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), organized the National Digital Marketing Training and Certification Program in collaboration with Data Academy as part of its efforts to strengthen students’ professional competencies before joining the workforce. The activity took place on 13–15 October 2025 at the Teleconference Room, Soedarah Soepono Building, FEB UNS, and was attended by 30 undergraduate students from the Management, Development Economics, and Digital Business Study Programs, from the 2022 cohort.

The program began with two days of intensive training on 13–14 October, followed by a competency certification assessment by the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP) on the third day, 15 October 2025.

Vice Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Tastaftiyan Risfandy, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed that this initiative represents a strategic step to support FEB UNS’s vision of producing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also equipped with nationally recognized professional certifications. “We want FEB UNS students to have tangible qualifications that enable them to compete in the job market. Through this training, students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also earn BNSP certification that validates their skills in digital marketing,” he stated.

During the training, participants received in-depth sessions from professional digital marketing practitioners, focusing on digital marketing strategies, social media content management, SEO optimization, and digital marketing data analysis. The training was designed to help students understand both strategic and technical aspects of designing effective digital campaigns that align with industry needs.

Head of the Integrated Technology and Information Laboratory, Dr. Mulyadi, S.E., M.Si., explained that this training and certification program is part of the faculty’s policy to equip students with competency certificates as a supplement to their academic degrees (SKPI). “The faculty has set a policy that before graduation, FEB UNS students are expected to obtain competency certification. One of the facilitated schemes is Digital Marketing. Students not only receive training but also BNSP certificates that can be used when applying for jobs,” he said.

He added that the training was conducted intensively over two days using a hands-on training method to ensure students acquire practical skills that can be directly applied. On the third day, participants underwent a competency assessment conducted by BNSP assessors. “We hope all participants pass the assessment and receive the BNSP certificate. However, of course, the results depend on each student’s seriousness and preparation,” he added.

Dr. Mulyadi emphasized that this training was designed to provide equal opportunities for all students, not just those who already run businesses or have entrepreneurial experience. “In the first training, we required participants to have existing business ventures. This time, the approach is different—students in their seventh semester can all register to ensure equal access. This training serves as a learning space for those who are just starting and eager to explore the world of digital marketing,” he explained.

He also highlighted the importance of involving industry practitioners in the learning process. According to him, while many digital marketing learning resources are available for free online, direct mentoring by practitioners offers significant added value. “Many (people) now learn through YouTube or other online platforms. But learning directly from practitioners gives a different perspective, especially strategies and tips that are not always shared on free platforms. That is the added value of this program,” he emphasized.

As a follow-up, Dr. Mulyadi encouraged students to make the most of the knowledge and certification gained from this program to develop their potential in both the job market and entrepreneurship. “The ultimate goal of this program is not just obtaining a certificate, but how students can build their competencies further. We hope they continue honing their skills to become outstanding young professionals in the digital economy era,” he concluded.

This program reflects FEB UNS’s strong commitment to integrating academic education with professional competency development. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by enhancing students’ capacities to compete in the global labor market and contribute to the development of Indonesia’s digital economy.

The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FEB UNS), organized the Intensive Workshop English Program for Academic Support Staff as part of efforts to enhance English language skills and strengthen competencies to support internationally oriented academic services.

The training took place over three days on 7, 9, and 14 October 2025 at Meeting Room 2, Soeharno TS Building, 1st Floor, FEB UNS. Academic Support Staff from various units across FEB UNS participated in two sessions of the workshop.

In an interview with feb.uns.ac.id, Vice Dean for Non-Academic Affairs, Dr. Sutaryo, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Ak., CA., CRA., CRP., ACPA, explained that English proficiency is an essential skill to support effective and professional academic services, particularly in the context of higher education internationalization and the pursuit of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) international accreditation.

He stated that the AACSB process evaluates not only academic and research achievements but also the role of Academic Support Staff as the frontliners of faculty services.

“AACSB is not only about faculty and research; it also focuses on how Academic Support Staff deliver quality-oriented services and continuous improvement. Enhancing English proficiency is a fundamental step toward building a work culture that is better prepared to meet global demands,” he explained.

Dr. Sutaryo added that foreign language skills go beyond linguistic abilities; they involve habit formation and mindset shifting. “Small steps like greeting, replying to messages, or writing letters in English are part of the process of developing new habits. It’s fine to start in a mixed or bilingual way, as long as there is a clear effort. In the future, we even plan to have specific days when all internal communication will be conducted in English,” he shared.

He also encouraged staff to use technology to support their language learning process, such as translation applications and digital assistants. “Many tools are available now, from translators to AI tools. What matters most is the willingness to try and get used to it, because without practice, the skill will fade,” he added.

Beyond language enhancement, Dr. Sutaryo emphasized the importance of rekindling professionalism and a sense of responsibility at work. “We all have contracts and responsibilities. Every contribution, no matter how small, reflects the compensation we receive each month. That sense of responsibility should come from self-awareness, not because someone asks us to,” he stated.

He also shared plans to conduct regular training sessions for Academic Support Staff every quarter, covering various themes such as public speaking, work ethics, and public service improvement, as part of the faculty’s commitment to strengthening human resource capacity.

Through this initiative, FEB UNS reaffirms its commitment to fostering a professional, adaptive, and globally oriented work environment. This effort also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by preparing competent and competitive Academic Support Staff to deliver excellent and sustainable educational services.