Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Are you interested in pursuing a master's degree but haven't decided on the right program yet? At the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), there is a unique master's program that combines various business disciplines with environmental sciences, namely the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management. Let's learn about the benefits of this program!

This program, under the Master of Management (MM) program at FEB UGM, offers a comprehensive education to prospective students. It is a full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, conducted intensively over 18 months within 2 years. The uniqueness of this program lies in the combination of business disciplines such as finance, marketing, strategy and business ethics with environmental sciences such as forestry, agronomy and engineering.

"This program focuses on understanding environmental problems and solutions through a multidisciplinary approach and practical case studies," explained Prof. Amin Wibowo, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., Head of the Master of Management (MM) Study Program at FEB UGM Yogyakarta Campus, on Friday (October 4, 2023) at the MM Yogyakarta Campus.

Amin further explained that the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program is designed to train competent candidates for critical positions in government and business that are expected to lead economic development towards sustainability. This program also reflects the faculty's response to global climate change, affecting various life aspects.

Students pursue the master's program while maintaining close contact with business and government organizations through internships, guest lectures by practitioners, and capstone research. Students also benefit from a strong alumni network developed in various countries worldwide. Since its launch in February 2023, the program has worked with partners such as the University of Agder (UiA) - Norway, the ASEAN University Network (AUN), and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds the program to support education and learning in sustainability management.

Amin mentioned that students enrolled in the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program will study the analysis of economic-ecological systems and the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders. Students will also learn about corporate and public social responsibility.

"Graduates will receive a dual degree: an MBA from UGM and a M.Sc. from UiA," he explained.

Another advantage of the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program is that students not only study at UGM but also have the opportunity to consult with UiA professors while writing their thesis.

Interestingly, the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program is a fully funded scholarship program. Each student will receive approximately USD 17,000 during their studies, covering all tuition fees, travel, and living expenses for the 18-month study period.

The ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program has graduated in two batches. Batch 1 ran from February 2021 to January 2023 and graduated 23 students from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The second batch started in September 2022 and will run until July 2024, with 24 students from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Norway. Intensive discussions are underway for the third cohort.

"The ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program is unique because very few educational institutions offer a master's program focused on sustainability. The students come from ASEAN countries and Norway, with a dual degree awarded upon completion," he added.

Students will take the Sustainable Business Strategy course (in collaboration with Harvard Business School Online) before moving on to concentration courses. The ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management program offers two concentrations. The first concentration includes marine and coastal management, energy resources management, and urban planning and management. In contrast, the second concentration focuses on food security and sustainable agriculture, climate change law and greenhouse gas mitigation, and forest and conservation management.

Implementing the ASEAN Master in Sustainability Management Program is a testament to FEB UGM's commitment to a sustainability-conscious campus. Through various programs and initiatives, FEB UGM continues strengthening its position as a leading business school that educates future business leaders on sustainability.

Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum 
Related link https://asean-sustainability.mba

Sustainable Development Goals