Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

The Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) will again hold the Global Summer Week (GSW) from July 15-25, 2024. At least 100 students will attend from various countries worldwide, including ASEAN universities, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Scandinavian countries.

GSW is an annual event organized by FEB UGM in the form of short-term learning over two weeks in the summer. The GSW program has been held since 2014 under International Week (iWeek), highlighting various current global issues. In 2024, GSW will carry the theme "Sustainable Futures: Igniting Change through Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation." FEB UGM is collaborating with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of Groningen this year.

The Head of the Global Relations and Mobility Office (GREAT) FEB UGM, Luluk Lusiantoro, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated that GSW is designed to provide a comprehensive perspective on social entrepreneurship. In an era of challenges and dynamic changes, social entrepreneurship and innovation are crucial in supporting government programs for poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, environmental conservation, and educational equality. Additionally, through collaborative networks and cross-sector partnerships, social entrepreneurship fosters collaboration between the government, civil society, and the private sector, paving the way for new avenues of collective action and shared prosperity.

"Through the Global Summer Week 2024 program, participants will engage in interactive lectures, workshops, case studies, and hands-on projects. They will gain insights into sustainable business models, explore cutting-edge technologies and methodologies for sustainable development, and learn from real-world examples of successful social enterprises and initiatives," explained Luluk on Thursday (11/7) at FEB UGM.

Moreover, GSW will provide a platform for participants to collaborate, network, and exchange ideas with individuals worldwide. By fostering a dynamic community of passionate change agents, the GSW program aims to cultivate a collective spirit of innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility that transcends boundaries and catalyzes sustainable impact on a global scale.

"Through this immersive learning experience, participants will not only gain the knowledge and skills to drive positive change but also gain the confidence to become agents of transformation in their respective fields and communities," he added.

Furthermore, Luluk explained that GSW participants would gain an understanding of social entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial process, and how social entrepreneurs transform societies to create social impact in their communities. Additionally, they are expected to understand how social entrepreneurship can be applied to address social problems and measure the social impact on beneficiaries.

"The hope is that through participation in GSW, participants will gain experience generating and validating social entrepreneurship ideas and be motivated to take on roles as social entrepreneurs," he concluded.

GSW is conducted through various activities, including executive talks, lectures, field visits, social entrepreneurship projects, and cultural activities. The GSW program is equivalent to 3 credits (5 ECTS) per activity, all held in Yogyakarta.

Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum 

Sustainable Development Goals