UNS– Dr. Budi Santosa, M.Si., an alumnus of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), has been appointed as a member of Indonesia’s Merah Putih Cabinet for the 2024-2029 period. He now holds the position of Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), following the announcement made by President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday evening (20/10/2024) at the Presidential Palace.
Dr. Budi, a graduate of the 1987 class from the Mass Communication program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNS, was officially sworn in as the new Minister of Trade on Monday (21/10/2024). Born and raised in Sonorejo, Sukoharjo, Central Java, he is known as a person with great dreams and determination. His calm demeanor and focus were evident even from a young age.
UNS, as his alma mater, and the entire academic community expressed their pride in his achievement. Dr. Didik Gunawan Suharto, S.Sos., M.Si., the Dean of FISIP UNS, shared his pride with uns.ac.id, saying it is an honor for the FISIP family to have one of their alumni entrusted with such a prestigious role.
“Regarding the appointment of a FISIP UNS alumnus as the Minister of Trade, the entire FISIP UNS family is, of course, proud. It is an honor that our alumnus has been trusted to take on the responsibility as the Minister of Trade,” Dr. Didik Gunawan said.
Dr. Didik further noted that this appointment marks the pinnacle of Dr. Budi Santosa’s career in the Ministry of Trade. Previously, he served as the Secretary-General of the ministry.
“We hope his appointment will inspire and motivate FISIP UNS students and alumni to excel in their respective fields. We also wish Pak Budi Santosa great success in carrying out his duties with integrity and advancing the nation, especially as we work toward Indonesia Emas,” Dr. Didik added.
According to the Ministry of Trade’s official website, Dr. Budi Santosa has held various significant roles within the ministry. He served as Director-General of Foreign Trade from December 2022 to August 2024, Chief Representative at the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei from September 2020 to December 2022, and Head of the Finance Bureau from June to September 2020.
In 2010, Dr. Budi served as the Head of the Creative Economy Sub-Directorate at the Directorate General of National Export Development and was later promoted to Trade Attaché for India. Upon his return from India, he was appointed Head of the Program and Cooperation Division at the Directorate General of National Export Development.
Following these assignments, he held several Echelon II positions within the Ministry of Trade, including Head of the Data and Information Center (2017), Director of Business Development and Distribution (2017), and Head of the Bureau of Organization and Personnel (2018). For his loyalty and dedication, Dr. Budi was awarded the Satyalancana Karya Satya Presidential Awards, receiving the X award in 2005, XX in 2017, and XXX in 2024—one of the highest honors in government service.
Humas UNS
