The Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (IE FEB UGM) has explored opportunities for academic and research collaboration with Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). The exploration of a potential partnership took place on Monday (29/7/2024) during the visit of a delegation from Lancaster University to FEB UGM. The LUMS delegation consisted of Prof. Marwan Izzeldin (Associate Dean for International Partnership, LUMS), Prof. Hilary Ingham (Head of the Department of Economics, LUMS), and Prof. Andrew Abbot (Academic Dean of Lancaster University in Sunway Malaysia). The LUMS delegation was welcomed by Dr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni), Dr. Rimawan Pradiptyo (Head of Department of IE FEB UGM) along with the managers of the Economics Department and Head/Secretary of the Study Program at the Department of Economics FEB UGM.
Rimawan explained that the exploration of the potential for cooperation had been carried out since 2023 through email. In May 2023, a visit was made by the Department of Economics FEB UGM to Lancaster University. The presence of the LUMS delegation to FEB UGM this time is a return visit to discuss various cooperation schemes in more depth. “Several initiatives proposed in the cooperation that will be carried out later are staff mobility programs, joint research, international conferences, and the implementation of dual degree master programs,” explained Rimawan. Rimawan further explained that the staff mobility program allows lecturers of the Department of Economics FEB UGM to teach at Lancaster University and vice versa. For 2 to 3 weeks, the lecturers will present the results of the research that has been done through seminars, workshops, and public lectures.
“This program is expected to improve the quality of teaching and research collaboration with foreign academic partners for the Department of Economics FEB UGM,” he said, mentioning that in 2025, he would invite guest lecturers from LUMS to give guest lectures in sports economics.
Rimawan said that staff mobility and research collaboration should improve the quality of research. “Hopefully, there will be a lot of collaborative research in the future, and in the long run, it can be done in different fields of study. Lancaster University has offered research collaboration in the field of behavioral economics; hopefully, in the future, it can be done in other fields, such as Islamic finance,” he said.
Rimawan added that in the future, a dual degree master’s program will also be opened for the Master of Science in Economics and Master in Development Economics programs. Students will study one year at FEB UGM and one year through this dual degree program at Lancaster University. “Currently, the Dual Degree Masters Program is in the curriculum alignment process. We hope that the program can start in 2025,” he explained.
Another cooperation is the participation of students in an international conference for undergraduate students organized by Lancaster University in March 2025. Conversely, students from Lancaster University are expected to participate in the global summer week organized by FEB UGM in July 2025. The various collaborative initiatives initiated are expected to improve the quality of education and teaching and the quality of teaching and learning.
Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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