UNS — PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero), Tbk held an offline general lecture for Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta students in Ruang Sidang (Meeting Room) 2 UNS and online through Zoom Cloud Meeting on Saturday (27/03/2021). This general lecture was attended by Ir. Irfan Setiaputra as the President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia and Dr. Prasetio, S.E., M.H. as the Director of Finance PT Garuda Indonesia.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sajidan, M.Si. as Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs UNS. In his remark, Prof. Sajidan explained that this general lecture was held to implement Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka Program. Especially for the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Faculty of Law (FH), Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), and Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNS students who attended the general lecture offline.
The general lecture held in the form of a talk show discussed the business dynamic experienced by air transportation firms in Indonesia amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The discussion covers the factors that affect a firm’s decisions and how a firm survives critical conditions caused by the pandemic. Ir. Irfan Setiaputra shared how the Covid-19 pandemic strongly affects Garuda Indonesia. His discussion includes the decrease in the number of passengers and reduced flights from Garuda Indonesia, and a more severe impact when people’s movements stopped. He emphasized the importance of savings and each leader’s sense of crisis as the keys to facing a problem.
“We must give an example. In the second month, we cut pay. In the board of director meeting, I only said ‘we will cut pay’, so we need to do that as an example,” Ir. Irfan said. “Sense of crisis must start from ‘the head of household’, starting from the president director,” he added.
From community’s perspective as airline consumers, Ir. Irfan shared that the result of the research shows that the community’s confidence level is low. Garuda Indonesia conducted a follow-up effort to gain the community’s trust back. They communicated the education on cabin air circulation, the use of a mask by employees, and physical distancing in seats to meet the health protocols.
The general lecture is followed by Dr. Prasetio, who discussed the decision-making process implemented by Garuda Indonesia directors amid the pandemic. He explained that every decision taken should be based on a good intention and the best intention. Loyalty and obedience towards the corporate needs to be maintained, and lastly, develop awareness and understanding the difficult situations through efficiency and productivity. Dr. Prasetio was also reminded not to exceed authority or take actions that do not reflect compliance.
“We need to give the best for Garuda. With all of its historical background, we need to survive. We need to maintain it. The best, there should not any conflict, personal interest, everyone best impress for the corporation, be careful, avoid greater losses, then never violate (regulation),” Dr. Prasetio added. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti