Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA, held a webinar entitled Collaborative Teaching: Unemployment among ASEAN Countries on Friday, November 1, 2024, conducted in Google Meet. On this special occasion, Dr. Malik Cahyadin, a lecturer at FEB UNS, was invited as the keynote speaker, and Dr. Rosmah Nizam from the Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang, Malaysia, served as the moderator.
Opening the session, Dr. Rosmah Nizam introduced Dr. Malik and setting the stage for the session. “Today, we will listen to a presentation by Dr. Malik for approximately two hours, followed by a discussion and Q&A session,” said Dr. Rosmah.
In his presentation, Dr. Malik provided a comprehensive analysis of the concept of unemployment, emphasizing its multifaceted nature and the underlying causes. He explained that unemployment is not merely the absence of work, but a complex socio-economic phenomenon influenced by various factors such as economic fluctuations, technological advancements, and structural shifts in the labor market.
Dr. Malik further categorized the workforce into four distinct groups: individuals who are employed, those who are not employed but actively seeking work, the labor force—comprising both employed and unemployed individuals available for work, and the final group, those outside the labor force, including individuals who are neither working nor seeking employment.
The webinar, which was attended by more than 300 students from both UNS and Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, also included a discussion on policy alternatives to address unemployment.
“The government can implement workforce training programs, such as those already in place in Indonesia, and establish agencies that provide job vacancy information to job seekers. This will help match employees with suitable positions,” Dr. Malik explained.
He further elaborated on the labor market conditions, specifically focusing on unemployment across five ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
With the dedication and efforts of more than 170 accounting students serving as organizing committee, ACTIVE 2024 went successfully under a central theme entitled “Synergy of Youth: Achieving Indonesia Emas 2045 with Economic Excellence.” The first event, the National Talkshow, was held on November 19, 2024, at the Ki Hadjar Dewantara Ballroom. Moderated by Titin Dwi Ariyanti, the discussion focused on “Success Highway: Navigating Career, Study, and Business Balance,” offering students with insights on their first steps after earning their undergraduate degree.
Beyond the talk show, ACTIVE 2024 hosted two national-level competitions: ACCESS (Accounting Competition for College Students) and BMC (Business Model Canvas). Both competitions involved multiple virtual rounds. The competitions brought together students from diverse universities, including Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Trisakti School of Management, Universitas Diponegoro, and many more, creating an intense and competitive atmosphere.
Providing participants with a deeper connection to local culture, ACTIVE 2024 also featured a Field Trip as a post-competition activity. Delegates explored Surakarta’s history and traditions through an engaging visit to the Museum of Kraton Kasunanan Hadiningrat. The journey continued with a culinary experience at Pasar Gede, where participants enjoyed local delicacies such as Es Dawet Telasih, dim sum, and Nasi Rames, while also experiencing the vibrant market atmosphere.
The is evening wrapped with traditional dance and musical performances, along with cultural elements incorporated into the event’s decorations, reinforcing ACTIVE 2024’s commitment to showcasing Indonesia’s rich artistic heritage. The event officially concluded with the spirited chant of “One Goal One Spirit”, marking the successful completion of ACTIVE 2024.
Dr. Sutaryo, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Ak., CA., Vice Dean for Non-Academic Affairs at FEB UNS, extended a warm welcome and expressed gratitude for the visit. He emphasized the importance of discussing potential areas of collaboration and took the opportunity to introduce the FEB UNS leadership team present at the meeting.
Dr. Sutaryo also highlighted the various laboratories available at FEB UNS to support learning. These include the Banking Laboratory, Project-Based Learning (PBL) Laboratory, Entrepreneurship Laboratory, Financial Technology (Fintech) Laboratory, Logistics and Export-Import Laboratory, Data and Analytics Laboratory, Investment Gallery, and Computer Laboratory.
During the visit, Dr. Lilis Silistuani, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., Dean of FEB UNDHA AUB, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception. After introducing her team, she explained that the primary purpose of the visit was to exchange insights on the management of the Banking Simulation Laboratory.
He also noted that the sarasehan was a moment of gratitude for PDIE’s journey over the past 16 years. “We are gathered here to express our gratitude for PDIE reaching its 16th year, marking its second lustrum as part of FEB UNS,” he stated.
In this occasion, Dr. Siti Aisyah Tri Rahayu, S.E., M.Si., was introduced as the Head for the Development Economics track, while Dr. Hidajat Hendarsjah, S.Si., M.M., was introduced as the Head for the Management track. Additionally, the forum marked the official establishment of the Himpunan Mahasiswa Program Doktor Ilmu Ekonomi (HMPDIE), a student association for PDIE students, with Adhitya Agri Putra, a student from the 2022 first academic session, appointed as its first chairman.
Prior to this occasion, PDIE did not have a formal student association. The establishment of HMPDIE is expected to facilitate various academic and extracurricular activities and serve as a bridge between students and the PDIE administration for conveying feedback and addressing concerns.
The sarasehan was conducted successfully, with valuable input, suggestions, and constructive feedback from faculty, students, and alumni. These contributions will play an important role in helping PDIE achieve academic excellence and strengthen its reputation both nationally and internationally.
Prior to the dialogue, BEM conducted a service satisfaction survey covering four key areas: academic services, student affairs, facilities and infrastructure, and financial services. The survey was conducted from September 29 to October 13, 2024, through Google Forms, with 126 FEB UNS students participating. The sampling method used was simple random sampling to ensure broad representation of the student body.
She further encouraged students to adopt an intellectual approach when raising concerns, such as conducting research or publishing well-written pieces in appropriate media channels. According to her, this method increases the likelihood of their voices being heard.