Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Monday (15/7), the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) held the opening ceremony of the International Summer University (ISU) and International Week (IWEEK) 2019 as a series of events from the 64th FEB UGM Anniversary. ISU is an academic cooperation program at the FEB UGM with the Vienna University of Economic and Business which will be held on July 15 to August 2. 22 participants from FEB UGM and 17 participants from Vienna University will collaborate in classroom learning activities and cultural events. "Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Emerging Markets" will be the main highlight of the ISU 2019. The activities will consist of lectures, case study projects, and guest lectures from various companies, as well as Talk CEOs from PT Garuda Indonesia and PT Jasindo.

On the other hand, the IWEEK 2019 academic program will be held for two weeks, starting from July 15 to July 26. The event was attended by undergraduate and graduate students from business schools in Malaysia, Thailand, and Nepal. As a media to enrich students with international and academic experience, this program collaborates with FEB UGM lecturers, visiting professors and experts. Also, there are CEO talks, interactive discussions, field studies or cases, company visits, and several cultural events that will enhance cross-cultural understanding among the participants.

This activity is motivated by opportunities and challenges in the dynamics of the global market. As part of the ASEAN region, member countries are expected to contribute sustainably and significantly to the needs and development of the global market. In supporting this vision, FEB UGM as one of the leading business and economic schools in ASEAN together with ASEAN Leading Business and Economics and Chair for ASEAN University Network Business and Economics (AUN-BE) began a solid collaboration between ASEAN business and economic schools through the 5th holding of the International Week of FEB UGM with the topic "ASEAN Business Environment". This program seeks to harmonize the need to develop academic and human capacity in Indonesia to prepare ASEAN and the world community in taking a role to help ASEAN as a single economic community.

The opening ceremony which was held at the Auditorium of the FEB UGM Learning Center Building began with the traditional performance of Roro Ngigel's traditional dance from Bagong Kusudiharjo Art Center. Furthermore, a gong beating session was held and the opening remarks by the Vice Chancellor for Cooperation and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Paripurna, S.H., M. Hum., LL.M., as a marker for the start of the event. Then, followed by remarks by Eko Suwardi, M.Sc., Ph.D., as The Dean of FEB UGM. Eko Suwardi said that participants who came from various countries to join the program were expected to be able to share experiences between countries. Regarding the topics raised in the ISU and IWEEK 2019, Eko Suwardi said the two topics were very relevant to current conditions, especially for participants as future leaders. This can create turbulence in the international economic sector and international trade. Moreover, the activity was facilitated by inviting professors from Japan and Viena University, CEOs from national and multinational companies, and lecturers from FEB UGM so that they would be able to improve the participants' insight.

The program continued with a keynote speech from the CEO of PT. Garuda Indonesia, I Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra. Ari said that to face challenges and maintain performance amid intense competition in Indonesia and ASEAN, PT Garuda Indonesia implemented three strategies. First, corporate culture transformation through people, process and technology. By adhering to the principle of "making employees happy", PT Garuda Indonesia included Faith Confidence, Fire Thirst of Success, Focus Concentration on High Impact Actions (3F) to support the achievement of this principle.

The second strategy, namely revenue enhancement by focusing on problems and The New Flight Experience solutions, runs the Strategic Partnership by optimizing the SkyTeam alliance, the Codeshare Agreement with global airlines, and conducting joint operations with Sriwijaya Air Group to become the leading market in the ASEAN airline industry. Besides, to face the challenges of e-commerce, capacity, and technology, PT Garuda Indonesia optimizes business volume and network expansion. Third, redefine the cost structure based on the organization with the same service. Regarding this, PT Garuda Indonesia applies three steps, namely Synergy Group, Renegotiation of Fleet Contracts, and Integrated Procurement & Shared Service. "You are needed for your personal abilities, your technology is follower, the most important thing is that you have to improve your capabilities," Ari Askhara said to all participants.

Source: Leila Chanifah Z and Sony Budiarso