The Master of Science and Doctoral Program (MD) of FEB UGM, in collaboration with LPDP UGM Chapter, successfully held the International Seminar and Publication Forum 2025 on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The seminar carried the theme “Navigating Global Research Impact: From Local Relevance to Scopus Q1 Publications,” emphasizing the importance of bridging locally relevant research with internationally recognized publication standards.

The event featured keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Hiram Ting, a distinguished academic from Malaysia who was listed among the world’s top 2% scientists in business, management, and marketing by Stanford University and Elsevier in 2024. Prof. Hiram Ting is also known as the Editor-in-Chief of two Scopus Q1-indexed journals (Young Consumers and Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling), and currently serves as the President Director of Responsible Borneo (REBORN).

In his presentation, Prof. Hiram Ting provided in-depth insights into strategies for publishing in reputable journals, particularly Scopus Q1 outlets. He emphasized the importance of understanding a journal’s scope and direction, following current research trends, and constructing a strong and relevant scholarly narrative as key factors to increase publication success. He also introduced the concept of authorial positioning, how authors strategically place themselves and their research within the global academic discourse, not merely as contributors but as meaningful voices offering new perspectives.

Moreover, Prof. Hiram Ting highlighted the vital role of international research collaboration and networking in amplifying research impact, enhancing scholarly credibility, and creating opportunities for broader academic partnerships. He also acknowledged the challenges commonly faced by researchers from developing countries, such as limited access to academic journals and references, insufficient writing mentorship, and language barriers. In response, he offered practical advice including joining research communities, actively participating in publication forums, and familiarizing oneself with international academic writing standards.

The seminar, moderated by Riana Ekawati, was held in a hybrid format, on-site at the BRI Auditorium, FEB UGM and online via Zoom, from 08:30 to 11:30 WIB. The session was dynamic and interactive, with enthusiastic participation from students, faculty members, and early-career researchers alike. The forum served as both a reflective space and a motivational platform for the academic community to enhance research impact, strengthen global networks, and elevate the quality of scientific publications. Through initiatives like this, FEB UGM particularly the Master of Science and Doctoral Program reaffirms its commitment to expanding global academic horizons and promoting meaningful research contributions on the international stage.

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program at FEB UGM held a heartfelt and inspiring graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the BRI Auditorium, 3rd Floor of the MD FEB UGM Building. This special event celebrated the graduation of 14 students from the Master of Science Program who had completed their academic journey with exceptional dedication and commitment.

The ceremony began promptly at 12:30 PM (WIB) with an opening report delivered by Mr. Dr. Fu’ad Rakhman, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., CA., the Head of the Master of Science in Accounting Program. In his report, he expressed his gratitude for the achievements of the graduates and appreciated their perseverance, discipline, and relentless pursuit of knowledge throughout their studies. The event continued with a speech from Mr. Dr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., representing the Dean’s Office of FEB UGM. He extended his congratulations to the graduates and encouraged them to carry the good name of their alma mater into their professional and academic futures.

The ceremony was made even more memorable by the announcement of Muhamad Satya Ragil Kencono as the outstanding graduate from the Master of Science in Management Program. With a remarkable GPA of 3.97 and cum laude honors, Gili delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude to all lecturers, program administrators, and academic staff for their continuous support and guidance throughout his academic journey at MD FEB UGM. He also shared an uplifting message with fellow graduates, encouraging them to embrace the essence of being lifelong learners—not merely in pursuit of degrees, but by remaining intellectually curious, open to change, and sincerely committed to making a meaningful impact on society. For Gili, being a true learner is not confined to the classroom, it is a lifelong commitment that continues with every step we take.

To conclude the ceremony, the graduates received their academic transcripts directly from the heads of their respective study programs. This was followed by a group photo session filled with joy and meaning, as the graduates captured this special moment alongside program leaders and administrators. The entire event was marked by warmth, gratitude, and pride, serving as a reminder that graduation is not the end, but the beginning of a greater journey of contribution and purpose.

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program of FEB UGM held a guest lecture titled “From Challenges to Opportunities: Agentic Artificial Intelligence for Low-Resource Languages.” The event featured Prof. Nir Kshetri, a renowned academic from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, USA, widely recognized for his work in technology, digital policy, and innovation-driven economic transformation. The lecture took place in the Satyajaya Room, 2nd floor of the Master of Science and Doctoral Building at FEB UGM, from 09:00 to 11:00.

In his presentation, Prof. Nir Kshetri highlighted the challenges of developing artificial intelligence (AI) for low-resource languages—languages that still faced limitations in terms of digital data, documentation, and technological support. While AI had made rapid advancements for global languages such as English, Mandarin, and Spanish, there were still few comprehensive solutions for local or minority languages, including many regional languages in Indonesia.

Through the approach of agentic AI—that is, artificial intelligence capable of making decisions and taking action based on specific contexts—Prof. Kshetri emphasized the tremendous potential that could be harnessed by speakers of local languages. He explained that, when properly directed, this technology could support cultural preservation, the development of mother-tongue-based education systems, and improve access to digital information and public services for communities that had long been marginalized in terms of technology.

He also stressed the importance of international collaboration among countries, academic institutions, and the tech industry in creating inclusive and unbiased AI models. According to him, the future of AI was not only about more advanced technologies but also about becoming fairer, more inclusive, and reaching all levels of global society.

The guest lecture strengthened FEB UGM’s commitment to delivering contextual and globally relevant learning. The discussion was dynamic and broadened participants’ perspectives on the intersection of AI, language policy, and social development. Participants expressed great enthusiasm and positively welcomed the interdisciplinary discourse, as it provided practical insights that directly addressed local challenges and contributed to sustainable development.

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.

Rizki’s journey was not easy. He began with great doubt about continuing his studies. However, words of encouragement from the students he taught as a high school teacher sparked his motivation to apply for the LPDP scholarship. The support didn’t stop there. When he was about to start his studies and was again filled with doubt, the prayers and sincere messages from his students became a source of inner strength that meant a lot.

During his 17 months and 9 days of study, Rizki held onto the belief that his knowledge was a gift from God that must be accounted for. He went through every process with sincerity, accompanied by his mother’s daily prayers and invocations for him after every prayer.

His greatest happiness was felt when he passed his thesis defense on January 23, 2025. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. His mother, who had prepared clothes and a bag to attend the graduation ceremony, passed away on the last day of Ramadan, joining his father who had passed away 20 years earlier. Despite this, Rizki believes that his mother was present, watching his achievement from the best place beside Him.

Rizki expressed his deep gratitude to his advisor, Prof. Sony Warsono, Ph.D., who not only provided academic guidance but also taught life lessons. He also expressed appreciation to his family, friends, and everyone who supported him throughout his journey.

Through this story, Rizki reminded everyone that an academic degree is not just about achievement, but also about gratitude, competence, and usefulness. He encouraged all the graduates to remain humble, even as they grow in knowledge, and to always apply the knowledge they have gained for the good of society, the nation, and the country.

As he concluded his speech with enthusiasm:

“Kelapa muda dicemplungi es, semoga kita semua sukses, gaes.”

The Master of Science and Doctoral Program FEB UGM held a public lecture on “Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Banking-Free Finance and Investment Opportunities in the Digital Era” on Friday, February 28, 2025. The event featured Mr. Eddy Junarsin, Ph.D., CFP, as the keynote speaker and Mr. Usman Arief, S.E., M.S.M., as the moderator. This public lecture was conducted online via Zoom Meeting from 09:00 to 11:00 and was open to the public.

In his presentation, Eddy Junarsin discussed the concept of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), a blockchain-based financial system that enables transactions without the involvement of banks or traditional financial institutions. While DeFi offers new investment opportunities, it also faces challenges such as regulation and data security.

One of the key innovations in blockchain is smart contracts, which are self-executing digital agreements that automatically enforce terms when predefined conditions are met, similar to how a vending machine operates. Smart contracts are already being applied in various sectors, such as Ethereum-based agricultural insurance, where insurance claims are automatically processed based on verified weather data without manual intervention.

Furthermore, DeFi plays a significant role in digital investments through mechanisms such as staking—where assets are stored in a blockchain to earn returns of 1-5%—and liquidity protocols, which allow users to lend their assets at specified interest rates. Another emerging phenomenon within this ecosystem is memecoins, digital assets that often go viral but do not always hold strong fundamental value.

From a security perspective, blockchain offers transparency and data protection through decentralization, meaning no single entity has control over the system. Additionally, public transaction records, cryptographic hashing, and consensus mechanisms ensure data integrity and prevent manipulation.

Through this lecture, students were expected to gain a deeper understanding of blockchain technology developments and sharpen their critical thinking skills in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of digital financial innovation.