UNS — The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK), Prof. Wimboh Santoso, SE, MSc, Ph.D., expresses his admiration for the development of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) until today. For the last 45 years, UNS has succeeded in graduating the best generation for The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Through a written message, Prof. Wimboh expresses his pride in UNS academic members’ perseverance in improving their competency and the alumni diligence in establishing collaboration to support UNS advancement. For these, UNS is ranked as the top 10 State Universities and designated as State Universities as Legal Entities (PTNBH).
As one of the alumni from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UNS), Prof. Wimboh Santoso is happy to share his experiences when studying at UNS. Back then, he was thrilled to study at UNS amid the limited facilities. He considers that a small classroom will build familiarity among the students. Students from other faculties can meet each other and collaborate in various activities.
“In Mesen campus, there was the Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Literature, with a basket field in between the two faculties, while there was only one gate. If we wanted to wait for our friends or watching other students, we just need to sit at the entrance gate and we will find the person. Oftentimes, we spent our time in the post,” Prof. Wimboh revealed in his writing, reminiscing his study in FEB UNS.
Not only students, the lecturers at that time are mostly from the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) —such as Prof. Sutatwo, Prof. Bambang Riyanto, and Prof. Nopirin, also have a high spirit. According to Prof. Wimboh Santoso, their dedication was exceptional. The lecturers were happy to give lectures on Saturdays and Sundays. Even helping the students to get access to works of literature through the UGM library.
UNS students’ solidarity was shown during collective activities such as sports, arts, and hiking. The students felt that the UNS campus is the place where their character was forged into a better one. Therefore, even though they are now alumni, Prof. Wimboh Santoso, together with other alumni always maintain the synergy.
During his study time, Prof. Wimboh Santoso was actively participating in organizational activities such as Students Representative Body (BPM) or also known as BEM (Student Executive Board), religious activities, Cooperation, and Magazines publications, as well as Folk Song that was popular that time. For him participating in activities on the campus, the environment can expand his network, experiences, and skills as a provision for developing his career in the future.
“I tried to join those groups (campus organizations) even though there is a limit for us because academic achievement is the most important,” he added.
With his experiences, character, and his penchant for synergy, Prof. Wimboh Santoso succeeded in achieving important roles in his career such as experience in Bank Indonesia (Executive Director), Head of Bank Indonesia in New York, IMF Executive Director, President Commissioners for Bank Mandiri, and now as the Chairman for the Board of Commissioners in OJK.
For him, UNS has provided a spacious space for him to continue the collaboration and improving his role in developing the community through bilateral partnership and Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Alumni Association (IKA UNS). This excellent synergy was proved with the establishment of the IKA UNS branch office all across Indonesia and various activities that can add to UNS value with direct access to Prof. Jamal Wiwoho as the UNS Rector.
Commemorating the 45th UNS Anniversary, Prof. Wimboh Santoso expresses his gratitude to UNS for its success in shaping a strong character in students’ personalities and providing the space for them to maintain the synergy through available platforms established by the UNS campus. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
