Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Ambassador of Austria, Dr. Klaus Wolfer, and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Prof. Dr. Marwan Asri, M.B.A, officially closed the activities of ASEA UNI-NET Summer University in collaboration between the Masters in Management Program (MM) Universitas Gadjah Mada and Wirtschafts Universitat (WU) Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, on Friday (29/7).

The closure is marked by the handing of certificates to as many as 20 students of economics and business from WU and 15 students from UGM who have conducted international research on consumer behavior in Indonesia. The event was held from 11-29 July 2011 by spreading 4900 questionnaire and visiting some SMEs and enterprises in Yogyakarta.

Prof. Dr. Marwan Asri, M.B.A, asserts that the research collaboration conducted by WU and UGM students can increase knowledge and experiences for students about marketing research and consumer behavior, particularly about the behavior of consumers in Indonesia. "Obviously, (there is) a lot of memorable experiences for students during the discussions, lectures, and various activities during the event," said Marwan in the Faculty’s club.

Marwan adds that the participants during the three weeks are required to attend lectures that are delivered by mentors from MM, discussion as well as research in the field. Each participant also exchanged experience about the culture and consumer behavior of people in Europe and Indonesia.
On that occasion, Marwan also explained that the cooperation undertaken by WU and MM UGM is a win-win cooperation. UGM’s MM program is one of the largest business schools in Indonesia. “MM Program has 2300 students, the largest business school in Indonesia," he said.

Ambassador Dr. Klaus Wolfer said that ASEA UNI-NET Summer University is part of the student exchange cooperation between Austria and Indonesia that lasted for more than 20 years. In fact, he explains, several professors from UGM pursued their education in Austria. "We want cooperation relations to be stronger with the presence of UGM collaboration with universities in Austria," he said.

Student exchanges between Indonesia and Austria according to Klaus Wolfer other than enrich each other knowledge and culture also support the program to use environmentally friendly products to support the global climate change awareness. "Knowing more business attitude and environment, by knowing from cosmetic products, organic products that are environmentally friendly," he said.

Seen attending the event were lecturer and representative from WU, Stefan Wiesel, program director of MM, Prof. Dr. Lincolin Arsyad, and the Indonesian Consul to Austria, Sugiharto Soeleman. [Marwati/UGM]