Semarang, October 21, 2024 – The Department of Business Administration at Universitas Diponegoro has officially commenced its Short Course titled “Toward Sustainable Futures: Innovative Strategies for Responsible Production and Consumption,” taking place from October 21 to October 30, 2024. The event began at 1:50 PM GMT+7, featuring an opening address from the Head of the Organizing Committee, Anis Qomariah, M.Ling, and was officially inaugurated by Vice Dean II for Resources, Ika Riswanti Putranti, Ph.D.

In her opening remarks, Anis Qomariah, M.Ling., emphasized that this annual event is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to broaden students’ horizons on global issues and deepen their understanding of academic knowledge from an international perspective. “The goal of this event is to provide students with insights into global developments and deepen their understanding of knowledge from an international context,” she said. The theme “Toward Sustainable Futures” was chosen to address the pressing global challenges related to responsible production and consumption and to promote a deeper understanding of sustainability in business.

Dr. Hari Susanta, Head of the Department of Business Administration, expressed his hopes that this event would inspire students to learn not only from local lecturers but also from international scholars and researchers. “By inviting speakers from various countries, we aim to enrich students’ understanding of sustainable business practices on a global scale,” Dr. Hari explained.

The event was officially opened by Vice Dean II for Resources, Ibu Ika Riswanti Putranti, Ph.D., who stated that this short course aligns with the values of internationalization at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Diponegoro. “This event will expand participants’ perspectives on sustainable business, which is highly relevant to the challenges of the future,” she said.

The 2024 International Short Course successfully attracted 62 participants from various countries, with the majority coming from Pakistan (50%) and Indonesia (40%). Other participants hailed from countries such as India, South Korea, Gambia, Sudan, and Yemen. The event featured 15 distinguished speakers from several countries, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Korea, the UK, and Vietnam, one of whom is from a university ranked in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings.

The majority of participants were graduate students (65%) from prestigious institutions, such as Universitas Indonesia and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The course also attracted academic professionals, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduate students, and working professionals, providing a rich and diverse learning environment. Notable attendees included a professor from MIT Art, Design and Technology University in India and a Research Professor from Korea University in South Korea.

The first speaker, Dr. Dušan Kučera from the Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic, presented a session on the “Foundation of Sustainability in Business.” In this session, he emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability and ethics into business practices. He addressed the growing challenges faced by capitalism, such as inequality, environmental degradation, and social responsibility. Dr. Kučera called on business schools to adapt by fostering responsible leaders who prioritize the long-term well-being of society, the environment, and the economy. Through frameworks like the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), his presentation highlighted the need for future managers to create value that benefits both businesses and the global community, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

This Short Course is expected to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of innovative strategies for responsible production and consumption, while fostering a sustainable future for the next generation.