UNS — The Center for Fintech and Banking Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta (UNS Fintech Center) organizes a webinar entitled ‘Strategy and Implementation of Business, Economics, and Education Recovery’ on Tuesday (30/3/2021), which available on Zoom Cloud Meeting and Youtube Livestream in UNS Fintech Center Youtube Channel.
In his opening remark, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, states that there is no guarantee on when the pandemic will end. “In this context, innovation and strategy, as well as business, economic, and education recovery planning is needed. We need to feel optimistic toward the post-Covid-19 condition,” Prof. Jamal states.
Opening the session, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, delivers an overview of Central Java economics development. The pandemic has led the economic condition to see a contraction at -2.65%. Responding to this, the government prepares several strategies to manage the industry and potential economic sector.
Considering the dynamic of the crisis, the second speaker, Sunarso, who currently serves as the President Director of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), states that Indonesia’s risk management is more than ready to face this crisis. Regarding the pandemic strategy, he reveals that BRI prioritizes employees’ safety, IT optimization, digital and network distribution while supporting the governments’ stimulus. BRI ensures that the government’s stimulus is effectively, efficiently, and distributed appropriately. Hence it will speed up the economic recovery.
In the airline industry, the President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Irfan Setiaputra, reveals that the airline sector’s decline can reduce the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 0.02% up to 1.98% and leading to 4.2 up to 5 million unemployment. On the other hand, several issues arise during the pandemic, such as minimum tariff policy, visit restrictions, travel restrictions, operational cost, operational revenues, and business competition.
The fourth speaker, the Deputy Secretary for the Vice President Office of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Ahmad Erani Yustika, explains the three levels of the economic arena, namely the international, national, and regional level. At the international level, the policy in other countries will affect regional economics. At the national arena, Indonesia has an advantage in economic regulations prepared by the government. While at the regional level, infrastructure development is predicted to bring economic opportunities in the future. Additionally, Prof. Ahmad Erani considers that the involvement of maritime aspects can encourage faster economic development.
The next material is delivered by an alumnus of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS, who currently serves as the President Director of the Indonesia Railways Service (KAI), Didiek Hartantyo. Didiek reveals that he had prepared a strategy to recover the condition. This strategy includes consistent health protocol implementation, cost efficiency, digitalization, and transportation ecosystem integration as the strategic foundation for the Covid-19 recovery.
The webinar continues with the material presented by the General Director of Pegadaian, Gunawan Sulistyo, an alumnus of the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) UNS. To support the economic recovery, Pegadaian designed internal programs including credit restructuration, relaxation, assistance, and Gadai Peduli.
In the education sector, the Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs, Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Sajidan, M.Si., explains the response of UNS to the pandemic. UNS shows a responsive action to implement the government policy. During the pandemic, all teaching and learning activities are conducted virtually. This policy also applies to thesis exams, followed by partial work from home policy, students’ internet quota subsidy, donation, and tuition fee suspension.
UNS also initiates various other policies such as hybrid Student Community Service Program (KKN), budget re-allocation, research assignment for innovative handling of Covid-19, and the most recent one is the virtual celebration of UNS 45th anniversary.
“Our academic members actively create innovations such as a ventilator, face shield, and other innovative tools for Covid-19 handling,” Prof. Sajidan states. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
