Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Marselia Melania Karet, 17, never imagined she would be learning at the prestigious Gadjah Mada University (UGM). For a girl from a small town in eastern Indonesia, specifically Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province, studying at UGM's Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) for almost two months is a luxury.

Marselia, who is currently a 12th-grade student at State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Teluk Bintuni, along with 23 of her classmates, had the opportunity to attend intensive training on accounting, institutional finance, and computerized accounting at FEB UGM from July 15 to August 30, 2024. The Center for Accounting Education Studies (PKAP) FEB UGM conducted the training in cooperation with the Center for Information Systems Studies (PKSI) FEB UGM, the Professional Accountant Education Program (PPAk) FEB UGM and the Teluk Bintuni Regency Department of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports.

"We are happy and proud; we never expected to study at FEB UGM. Through this training, we have gained much new knowledge and insights. We now know how to prepare financial reports, journals, and correct transaction data," she said on Friday (August 30) during the closing ceremony of the Intensive Training on Accounting, Institutional Finance, and Computerized Accounting at FEB UGM, held at the Alumni Hall of FEB UGM.

Marselia and her friends also had the opportunity to learn directly using one of the educational innovations developed by the FEB UGM faculty, SIDEK-Edu. This application introduced them to the components and data flow needed to build a digital accounting information system.

"Thank you very much. We would not have gained the knowledge we lacked without this activity. I hope this program can be continued for our younger classmates," she said.

Petrus Maran expressed similar sentiments. He gained much valuable knowledge and experience through the FEB UGM training activities.

"Thank you, and may the knowledge we bring back be a beacon for our future," he said hopefully.

Meanwhile, the Dean of FEB UGM, Dr. Didi Achjari, M.Com., Ak., CA., in his speech, conveyed that the students could apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. He hoped that the knowledge gained would be beneficial to the development of the Teluk Bintuni area.

"We hope that this cooperation can continue. Hopefully, the support from the local government will also continue because the key to regional excellence is superior human resources," he explained.

Didi also encouraged the students to maintain their enthusiasm for learning when they return to Teluk Bintuni. The students are expected to prepare for the following stages of their lives: further studies or entering the workforce.

"From now on, you must study hard and prepare yourselves to be ready when the time comes, including those who will continue their education. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has a positive program for Papuan students through the ADik program. UGM also has a similar program for students from 3T areas," he explained.

The Head of Basic Education at the Teluk Bintuni Department of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Solikhudin, S.Pd. M.Pd., representing the Regent of Teluk Bintuni, expressed his gratitude to FEB UGM for providing training to SMK N 1 Teluk Bintuni students. Through this activity, the students have gained a lot of new knowledge that is expected to contribute to the development of their region.

"We hope that the knowledge gained from these two months of learning at FEB UGM will be a valuable asset for the students in the future," he said.

He also hopes that the training program for students can be sustained. It is expected that the educational cooperation will not only focus on accounting but also expand to other fields.

PKAP Coordinator and FEB UGM Accounting Lecturer Dr. Arika Artiningsih explained that during the seven-week training, the students were taught about service company accounting and corporate accounting. They received theoretical and practical training and were introduced to the SIDEK Edu and SIDEK ERP innovations developed by the FEB UGM Accounting Laboratory.

"The students not only learned about regional financial management, tax management, and business ethics but were also equipped with communication and business presentation skills," she explained.

She hopes that this training can support the development of education in Papua. In this way, the training can contribute to the community's welfare and the region's progress.

"Hopefully, this activity can initiate the development of better human resources in Teluk Bintuni," she hoped.

This intensive training is part of FEB UGM's efforts to achieve sustainable development in the education sector, especially in supporting education in Papua. This activity is expected to become a role model for other educational institutions to actively participate in developing education in remote areas of Indonesia, especially in Papua. This program is expected to produce more skilled and knowledgeable young people from Papua who can contribute significantly to developing their region and Indonesia.

Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum 

Sustainable Development Goals