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The Project-Based Learning (PBL) Laboratory, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), organized a Workshop on Developing Semester Learning Plans (RPS) and English Teaching Materials in Economics and Business on Friday, 19 September 2025, at the PBL Laboratory, FEB UNS. The workshop, attended by lecturers representing various study programs within FEB UNS, featured Dr. B. Yuniar Diyanti, S.Pd., M.Hum., lecturer of the Department of English Education, Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture, Yogyakarta State University (UNY), as the main speaker.

The workshop aims to enhance lecturers’ understanding and skills in developing contextual syllabi and English teaching materials tailored to the learning needs in economics and business. The outcomes of this workshop are expected to enrich students’ learning experiences and improve the overall quality of teaching at FEB UNS.

In her remarks, Prof. Tri Mulyaningsih, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Vice Dean of Academic and Research Affairs at FEB UNS, emphasized that graduates’ English proficiency still needs to be strengthened. This conclusion is based on feedback from employers and stakeholders, highlighting the need for stronger English skills among graduates. “This is one of the main motivations behind holding this workshop,” she stated.

Prof. Tri also explained that at the faculty, English learning process solely relies on UPT P2B, to administers placement tests for new students. Test results are then converted into grades ranging from A to E, with students scoring below 60 provided one opportunity to attend a short training. As a result, many students settle for a grade of “C” and are less motivated to further improve their English skills. Aside from this provision, in accordance with Rector’s regulations, every study program is required to offer at least one English course designed specifically to fulfil its respective discipline needs. FEB thus needs to design an English for Economics and Business course that applies across all study programs. “It will be much easier if we have English learning modules that meet the needs of each study program,” Prof. Tri added.

Meanwhile, Siti Khoiriyah, S.E., M.Si., Head of the PBL Laboratory, underlined the importance of strengthening English teaching materials to support graduate learning outcomes (CPL). “English proficiency is crucial in supporting our students’ competencies. Therefore, the syllabi and teaching materials must be designed to align with the needs of each study program and the CPL that have been formulated,” she said.

She further noted that this activity is part of a series of initiatives by the PBL Laboratory to support the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Previously, the PBL Laboratory held a workshop on developing case-based and project-based learning modules. In the fourth quarter of this year, it will continue with a mentoring program for developing these modules. As one of seven laboratories within FEB UNS, the PBL Laboratory is dedicated to advancing collaborative and applied learning innovations.

The workshop, which spanning from morning until late afternoon, was highly interactive. Participants actively engaged in discussions, Q&A sessions, and hands-on practice in developing syllabi and teaching materials. Their enthusiasm and active involvement reflected a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of English teaching within the faculty.

This initiative also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by strengthening lecturers’ capacity to provide relevant, internationally-oriented teaching materials. In addition, it contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by improving the quality of graduates in economics and business who are ready to compete in the global market.

Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FEB UNS), organized a Program Dissemination Session on Training and Certification of Competency offered by the various laboratories within FEB UNS. The session, held virtually via Zoom Meeting, was mandatory for all students of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts.

In her opening remarks, Vice Dean of Academic and Research Affairs FEB UNS, Prof. Tri Mulyaningsih, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., cited several survey results and news reports highlighting the major challenges in Indonesia’s labor market. She noted that job growth in Indonesia remains focused on quantity rather than quality, leading many job seekers to face difficulties due to a mismatch between their skills and industry needs.

A survey by Bank Indonesia showed that the national labor market is weakening, with around 44 million young people struggling to secure employment because of this skills gap. This phenomenon underscores the urgent need for relevant and competitive competency enhancement. “We are striving to provide students with a wide range of extracurricular training programs that can strengthen their skills. Certification from these training programs is also a requirement to sit for the thesis examination. Students are required to join at least one, or more depending on their interests and the field they wish to explore further,” explained Prof. Tri.

She further expressed hope that the dissemination would provide students with comprehensive information to increase both their participation and the quality of engagement in training and certification programs. Currently, nine active laboratories at FEB UNS offer training and certification recognized by the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP). These include: the Export-Import Laboratory, the Taxation Laboratory, the Entrepreneurship Simulation Laboratory, the Financial Technology (Fintech) Laboratory, the Logistics and Capital Market/Investment Laboratory, the Project-Based Learning Laboratory, the Information Technology Laboratory, the Village Empowerment Laboratory, and the Fiscal Corner Laboratory.

Each laboratory provides certification programs that are mandatory for students before their final thesis examination. These certifications are valid for three years and nationally recognized by BNSP, giving students a valuable advantage in the labor market.

“We hope these training and certifications will not only serve as a formality but also provide students with practical skills that they can apply in building successful and meaningful careers,” Prof. Tri added.

Vice Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs FEB UNS, Dr. Tastaftiyan Risfandy, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., also emphasized that seventh-semester students are required to participate in Pre-Job Training (PJT) as part of the training program. He further highlighted the collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on the topic of Green Jobs Skills for Impact. Green jobs, he explained, are not only environmentally friendly but also socially, economically, and ecologically impactful, integrating employment, environmental quality, and sustainable economic growth.

“Green Jobs training is essential for students to strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market, open new job opportunities, develop interdisciplinary competencies, build professional credibility, and even pursue entrepreneurship,” he stated.

The session proceeded with presentations from the heads of the nine FEB UNS laboratories, who detailed the training and certification programs available to students along with their schedules, enabling students to select the most suitable programs based on their interests and skill development needs.

The Training and Certification Program of FEB UNS laboratories is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes access to quality education and skill development. In addition, with its focus on Green Jobs and village empowerment, the program also contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta maintains to strengthens support in empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This time, the UNS Community Partnership Program (PKM) collaborated with Batik Manggar SMEs in Blora Regency, Central Java, through an assistance program designed to improve overall business management.

Led by Dr. Sri Hartoko, MBA., Ak., CACP., the research group team consisted of Prof. Dr. Hunik Sri Runing Sawitri, M.Si., a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS, and M. Rudianto, S.E., S.Sn., M.Sn., a lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design UNS. The program also involved two FEB UNS students, Salma Nadia Putri and Tsabita Widya Waskito. More than just training, the program aims to drive the transformation of SMEs into sustainable businesses.

The initiative, entitled “Implementation of Accounting Systems and Enhancement of Marketable Product Quality to Create Business Sustainability for Batik Manggar SMEs,” featured Prof. Dr. Rahmawati, M.Si., Ak., and Prof. Dr. Dra. Hj. Endang Dwi Amperawati, MM., as speakers. The program focused on three main aspects: strengthening business accounting systems, fostering product innovation, and expanding marketing channels.

According to Dr. Hartoko, Batik Manggar’s market is currently limited to local consumers in Blora. Therefore, innovative measures are needed to enable its products to compete in broader markets. “To improve efficiency and quality, we introduced paper stamp techniques in motif-making, developed prototypes for new products, and introduced feeder equipment to accelerate the production process,” he explained.

Beyond production, the team also enhanced marketing strategies and brand identity. Initiatives included the production of a business profile video, the development of an official website, social media management, and the opening of e-commerce channels. These steps are intended to expand Batik Manggar’s reach to regional and even national markets.

The program also created new job opportunities by involving local communities in the production process, thus fostering an inclusive economic ecosystem. Equally important, the collaboration served as a platform for knowledge transfer from the university to business practitioners, particularly in management, finance, digital marketing, and human resource development. “Batik Manggar has great potential. With better governance and innovative products, we hope this SME can become a role model for regional creative economy development,” added Dr. Hartoko.

Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) in 2025, this program supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). It also contributes to the university’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU), namely student involvement in off-campus activities and the direct application of lecturers’ research results in society. With this comprehensive approach, UNS hopes Batik Manggar will advance further as a creative economy icon of Blora, capable of competing in national markets.

The Export-Import Laboratory, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FEB UNS), in collaboration with the Center for Human Resource Development on Export and Trade Services (PPEJP), Ministry of Trade Republic of Indonesia, organized a Training on Export Preparation at the Teleconference Laboratory, Soedarah Soepono Building.

The training was conducted over three days, from September 16 to 18, 2025, and concluded with a certification exam on the fourth day, September 19, 2025. The certification exam is part of the export competency certification scheme, designed to ensure participants’ readiness to take part in the export sector professionally and according to standardized procedures.

The program featured experienced speakers in international trade, including Fernandes, Eriklex D., and Lukman Nurjaman, to deliver key materials on export procedures, documentation, international payment mechanisms, and trade regulations.

Mulyana, representing PPEJP at the Ministry of Trade, emphasized the need for this training as preparation stage before taking the certification exam. He encouraged participants to be attentive and committed to the learning process.

“We hope the participants can stay focused and understand the materials delivered by the instructors. Hopefully, all of them will pass the certification competency test and become successful and competent individuals capable of competing in the economic and business sector, particularly in advancing Indonesia’s export-import development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Export-Import Laboratory FEB UNS, Dr. Arif Rahman Hakim, S.E., M.Ec.Dev., highlighted that collaboration between FEB UNS and PPEJP has been established since 2001. One of the significant accomplishment of the partnership was the establishment of the Export-Import Laboratory as a center for learning and competency development in international trade.

Dr. Arif further explained that the training was attended by 30 participants from various academic levels, including undergraduate, master’s, doctoral students, and lecturers. He highlights that this initiative reflects a concrete effort to develop a readily high-quality talent to contribute in strengthening national export performance.

This training also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through this program, FEB UNS contributes to producing competent human resources capable of driving export growth and sustainable economic development.