SLEMAN- The Master of Development Economics Program, Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Gadjah Mada (MEP FEB UGM) which was founded on 3rd June 1995 celebrated its 23rd anniversary. In order to enliven the event, MEP FEB UGM held a symposium and banquet ceremony on Monday (28/05) at the MEP FEB UGM campus. The academic civic of MEP FEB UGM (lecturers, coordinators, staff and students) and the guest invitee participated in the event. The ceremony started with speech remarks from the officials of FEB UGM and continued with traditional ceremony ‘tumpengan’ by cutting a yellow rice cone as celebration exactly as the fasting broke.
Gunawan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Dipl.Stat.Ec. as the chairperson of the 23rd Dies Natalis of MEP FEB UGM committee told in his remarks the series of agenda in the event which are workshop, reunion and national seminar. The theme of the seminar was “Regional Asset Management Planning in Order to Increase PAD for Regional Development Funding”. All the events started from 13th – 14th July 2018. “We expect that all the academic community of MEP FEB UGM will participate in the event in order to also succeed the event,” he said.
In his remarks, the Coordinator Head of MEP FEB UGM, Dr. Akhmad Makhfatih, M.A. narrated the development of MEP since 1995 until now in its 23rd anniversary. He brought up the obstacles during its journey in creating more innovations and how it keeps optimizing the curriculum to follow the recent era as well as significant changes that need to be made. “Nowadays, the curriculum making is following the targeted market,” he stated. “MEP targeted market is not only from government institutions but also from private institution.” He added.
In addition, Makhfatih reminded that the alumni of MEP FEB UGM spread around throughout Indonesia. This proves how MEP gives contribution and commits in the regional development in the country. “Many alumni of MEP FEB UGM hold strategic positions in the regional government so that the knowledge acquired in the campus can be implemented in policy making,” he claimed.
The event continued on with speech from Eko Suwardi, M.Sc., Ph.D., the Dean of Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Gadjah Mada. “Since MEP is one of the study programs in Faculty of Economics and Business, we, the academics civic in FEB fully support the development of MEP and join the celebration of the 23rd Dies Natalis which is held by the MEP FEB UGM.” Said Eko.