Surabaya, May 6, 2026 — The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of the University of Riau (UNRI) actively participated in the 23rd AFEBI Plenary Session held in Surabaya on May 6-8, 2026. The event brought together several prominent leaders from economics and business faculties in Indonesia, particularly state universities.
The theme of the event was "National Downstream Orchestration: Building a Sustainable and Globally Competitive Industrialization Ecosystem." The FEB UNRI delegation was led by the Dean, accompanied by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Cooperation, as well as the Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs.
In her statement, the Dean of FEB UNRI, Dr. Hj. Alvi Furwanti Alwie, S.E., M.M., emphasized the importance of forums like this in strengthening global collaboration and discussing sustainable industry, particularly in building a competitive and environmentally friendly ecosystem. "The participation of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNRI in the 23rd AFEBI demonstrates FEB UNRI's commitment to building international partnerships and engaging in important discussions that will shape the future of economics and business education."
The 23rd AFEBI Plenary Session began with a series of events on the first day, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The event began with an international seminar and colloquium attended by AFEBI doctoral students. Following this, participants attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UPN "Veteran" East Java, as part of an effort to strengthen inter-university relations.
On the second day, Thursday, May 7, 2026, the series of events began with an opening led by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UPN Veteran East Java, followed by remarks from the Chair of the AFEBI DPN (Regional Executive Board), the Rector of UPN Veteran East Java, and the Governor of East Java. The opening ceremony also included the singing of Indonesia Raya and the National Defense March, fostering a spirit of nationalism in an academic context.
The most anticipated session was the keynote session delivered by the Director General of Research and Development of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Fauzan Adziman, S.T., M.Eng., who discussed the importance of innovation and research in sustainable economic development. This was followed by a plenary session featuring speakers from various sectors, including the technology, finance, and energy industries, such as Mr. Sigit Puji Santosa (Chief Technology Officer of PT. Danantara Indonesia) and Mr. Rifki Ismal (Deputy Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for East Java Province). This discussion provided new insights into how these sectors can support the development of a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
In a more in-depth parallel session, the Deans' Forum discussed Expanding Global Partnerships Within Business Schools, highlighting the importance of global collaboration between business schools to improve the quality of education and research. Meanwhile, the leadership forum focused on Formulating Thought Leadership for Societal Impact, discussing how leaders in education can develop leadership oriented toward broader social impact.
One of the key sessions at the event was the accreditation forum, which discussed new national accreditation standards and the development of the Learning Development Center by LAMEMBA. This provided an opportunity for FEB UNRI to continue innovating in improving the quality of education by adhering to the latest standards, which are expected to enhance global competitiveness.
At the closing ceremony, the announcement of the host for the 24th AFEBI Congress was a highly anticipated moment, marking the end of this year's plenary session. Participants were given the opportunity to engage in further discussions in a networking session, strengthening the collaborations generated during the event.
FEB UNRI hopes to continue enhancing its role in creating education that is relevant to industrial developments and global needs. "This forum is a valuable opportunity for FEB UNRI to expand its network, deepen its insights, and build international collaborations that can support sustainable economic development," said Dr. Alvi.
