The Master of Science and Doctoral Program at FEB UGM held a guest lecture titled “Statistics Applied on Health Economics”, featuring Dr. Maria Garcia Reyes, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of York, UK. The lecture took place in person at the Bakrie Room, 2nd Floor of the MD FEB UGM Building, and was open to both the academic community and the general public interested in health economics.

During the two-hour session, Dr. Garcia Reyes presented two main subtopics: “Introduction to Health Economics” and “The Effect of Income on Health Expenditures.” The lecture aimed to provide a foundational understanding of how economic approaches can be used to analyze health-related issues, and how statistics serve as a crucial tool in data-driven policy-making.

Dr. Garcia Reyes explained that health economics is a field that studies how resources are allocated for healthcare services and how economic factors, such as income, influence individual and household decisions in spending on health. She emphasized the importance of data analysis and statistical methods in measuring the relationship between income levels and public health expenditures.

Using panel data and quantitative methods, researchers can evaluate whether increased income genuinely improves access to quality healthcare or instead widens existing disparities. The lecture also highlighted the importance of inclusive and evidence-based policies in ensuring efficiency and equity within healthcare systems.

This guest lecture reaffirmed FEB UGM’s commitment to delivering contextual and globally relevant education. Participants expressed great enthusiasm and responded positively to the interdisciplinary insights presented, as they offered practical perspectives on how economics can contribute to addressing public health issues in Indonesia and globally.

From Tuesday to Thursday, April 22–25, 2025, the Master of Science and Doctoral (MD) Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), held a guest lecture titled “Artificial Intelligence in Management”, featuring Dr. Harald Puhr, M.Sc., M.I.M., Assistant Professor from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, as the keynote speaker.

The guest lecture took place offline over three days in the Bakrie Room, 2nd floor of the Master of Science and Doctoral Building at FEB UGM. Each day was divided into two sessions: a morning session from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and an afternoon session from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

Each lecture began with an interactive quiz to gauge the audience’s initial understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), followed by a brief presentation of Dr. Puhr’s academic and professional background.

In his presentation, Dr. Puhr thoroughly explained the basic concepts of Artificial Intelligence and its potential applications in a management context. AI was introduced as a branch of computer science aimed at developing intelligent systems capable of performing tasks like humans. One of its subfields, Machine Learning, focuses on developing algorithms that can learn from data.

The second day’s session focused more on the application of AI, particularly in relation to data bias. Dr. Puhr emphasized that the output of generative technologies like AI heavily depends on the datasets used, which can potentially introduce certain biases.

On the final day, students deepened their understanding through hands-on practice based on what they had learned. This activity aimed to enhance students’ comprehension of how AI can be utilized in the field of management. Throughout the sessions, participants demonstrated high enthusiasm, as shown by their active participation in discussions and Q&A sessions. The lectures concluded with a group photo session.

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program of FEB UGM held a graduation celebration at the BRI Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Master of Science and Doctoral Building, FEB UGM. Behind the cap and the happy smiles of the graduates of the Master of Science and Doctoral programs at FEB UGM, there is a touching story of struggle. One of them is Rizki Oktavianto, a graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting program, who represented his fellow graduates in delivering the commencement speech.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Master of Science and Doctoral (MD) Program of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), once again organized a field study activity by visiting Kirana Agro Wisata, an innovative agrotourism destination located in the Borobudur area, Magelang. The event was attended by Master of Science students, Doctoral Program students, academic staff, and administrators of the MD Program FEB UGM, including Dr. Sahid Susilo Nugroho, M.Sc.

The activity aimed to enrich participants’ insights into modern agribusiness management while strengthening the integration between the academic theories learned in the classroom and real-world practices in the field.

The visit began with a presentation session by Prof. Wihana Kirana Jaya, who is also the founder of Kirana Agro Wisata. During this session, Prof. Wihana shared his inspiring experiences in building and developing a plantation business, as well as providing insights into the concepts of democratic economy, sustainability, and circular economy. The session was highly interactive, with participants showing great enthusiasm. Many actively asked questions and offered critical ideas, all warmly welcomed by Prof. Wihana. As an appreciation, each participant who contributed to the discussion received a book authored by him.

Through this session, participants gained valuable insights into the importance of adaptive strategies and sustainable practices in the agribusiness sector, equipping them with broader perspectives for their future endeavors.

Following the discussion session, the activity continued with a tour of the durian plantation area, which is one of the main highlights of Kirana Agro Wisata. Participants had the opportunity to directly observe various types of durian plants being cultivated while listening to detailed explanations about the characteristics of each plant type, as well as information regarding planting times and harvest schedules. This hands-on experience added significant value, as participants were able to witness the real-world implementation of agribusiness theories.

The sense of togetherness grew stronger as all participants enjoyed fresh young coconuts and shared a lunch amidst the lush and cool atmosphere of the Borobudur area. A relaxed and friendly atmosphere was evident as participants chatted, took photos, and simply enjoyed the fresh air in the open garden.

To conclude the event, all participants and program administrators captured this precious moment with a group photo, marking the end of a day filled with learning, inspiration, and camaraderie.

Through this field study activity, the MD Program of FEB UGM remains committed to providing holistic learning experiences for students, bridging academic theory with real-world challenges and opportunities in the industry.

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program of FEB UGM held a graduation celebration at the BRI Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Master of Science and Doctoral Building, FEB UGM. This event was a special moment to celebrate the graduation of 38 students, consisting of 33 graduates from the Master of Science Program and 5 graduates from the Doctoral Program.

The series of events began promptly at 11:00 AM (WIB), starting with a report delivered by the Chair of the Master of Science in Economics Program, Mrs. Heni Wahyuni, M.Ec.Dev., Ph.D. In her report, she expressed her gratitude for the graduates’ achievements and appreciated their dedication and hard work throughout their studies. The next speech was delivered by the Vice Dean of FEB UGM, Mr. Bayu Sutikno, S.E., M.S.M., Ph.D., who congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue bringing honor to their alma mater in both the professional and academic worlds.

The event became even more memorable with the awarding of the Best and Fastest Graduate from the Master of Science Program, presented to Rizki Oktavianto from the Master of Science in Accounting Program. With an impressive GPA of 3.97 and graduating with cum laude honors, Rizki brought pride to his family as well as to the entire academic community of FEB UGM. In his speech, Rizki expressed his deep gratitude to the deans, program administrators, academic advisors, and all educational staff for the knowledge, guidance, and support they provided throughout his journey at FEB UGM. He emphasized that his academic experience was not only about gaining knowledge but also about the life values that he would carry into the future.

At the close of the event, graduates received their academic transcripts directly from the heads of their respective study programs. The warm and proud atmosphere grew even stronger as all graduates, together with the leadership and program administrators, gathered for a group photo to capture the joyous moment. The entire series of events proceeded smoothly, filled with gratitude, and left a lasting impression in the hearts of all participants.

Master of Science and Doctoral Program FEB UGM hosted the MD Research Forum titled “Strategies for Successfully Completing Master and Doctoral Programs.” The event featured two distinguished speakers: Eko Heru Prasetyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., an Assistant Professor at Institute of Science, Tokyo, Japan, and Amanda Acintya, M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer at the Department of Accounting FEB UGM. The forum was moderated by Fu’ad Rakhman, M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the

Master of Science in Accounting Program FEB UGM. This event was conducted online via Zoom Meeting from 13:30 – 15:30 and was open to the public.

In the first session, Dr. Eko Heru Prasetyo shared his academic experiences, including the challenges and opportunities of studying abroad. He highlighted aspects such as global academic networking, academic pressure, and financial difficulties commonly faced by postgraduate students. Through SWOT analysis, he outlined the strengths of pursuing higher education, such as access to international research collaborations and academic freedom, while also pointing out threats like financial crises and language barriers.

Additionally, he shared his personal journey in completing his thesis in 2016, experiencing six months of unemployment, and discovering new research opportunities through disruptive innovations in Indonesia, such as Gojek. His experiences provided valuable lessons for students on how to develop industry-relevant research.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amanda Acintya emphasized the importance of time management, mental resilience, and cultural adaptation in completing postgraduate studies. She also discussed various funding schemes and strategies for dealing with academic pressure.

This event aimed to provide insights for students who are planning to pursue or are currently undergoing master’s and doctoral studies, helping them navigate academic challenges and develop effective strategies for successfully completing their programs.

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program at FEB UGM successfully held the Academic Orientation & REACH Program for new master’s and doctoral students.

This event, held on February 6 and 8, 2025, provided a platform for students to gain a deeper understanding of the academic system and build connections with fellow students and the FEB UGM academic community.

Held at BRI Auditorium, FEB UGM, the first day began with a welcoming speech from the program management. The agenda continued with a curriculum and academic regulations briefing delivered by each Head of Study Program (Kaprodi). Beyond academic matters, students gained valuable insights through the “UGM Philosophy” session, presented by Prof. Dr. Sutaryo. This session encouraged reflection on UGM’s core values as a university rooted in nationalism and scientific excellence. Additionally, students were introduced to various student organizations, including FORKOMSI and IMADEBGAMA, which play essential roles in supporting academic and social activities at FEB UGM.

The second day held at Bukit Cubung, Kulon Progo. Designed to foster strong bonds among students and enhance both their academic and soft skills, this session included a variety of interactive activities. To further strengthen teamwork and creativity, the event included fun games that promoted collaboration among students. The Academic Orientation & REACH Program received overwhelming enthusiasm from participants. Students gained new perspectives on both academic and non-academic aspects, and the opportunity to network with fellow students and faculty members proved to be a valuable experience as they embarked on their academic journey at FEB UGM.

This event was not just an academic orientation but also an effort to foster a strong sense of community and enthusiasm for learning. Through this program, students are expected to be better prepared to face the challenges of master’s and doctoral studies and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in economics and business.