The lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic in the economic sector is that we need to empower or further optimize the sectors that are Indonesia’s strength. According to the National Industrial Economy Committee (KEIN), there are at least four areas that form the backbone of Indonesia’s current and future economy. Namely the fields of agribusiness/agro-industry, maritime affairs, tourism and digital marketing.

“The fields of agribusiness or agro-industry and maritime affairs are the core mandate of IPB University. Not only that, the field of tourism and digital marketing, of course, cannot be separated from the core competences developed at IPB University because of the rise of tourism with environmental themes (ecotourism) as well as digital-based agricultural trade. So it is not an exaggeration if IPB is expected to be the locomotive of the nation’s economy,” said Sutrisno Bachir, Chair of the 2016-2019 KEIN when attending the workshop with the theme “2020 Economic Reflections and 2021 Economic Projection” held by the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM), IPB University last weekend.

In addition, according to him, IPB University has Human Resources (HR) who are able to formulate policies and also compile a roadmap for the nation’s economic development.

In order for the economy to grow positively, the implementation of strict health protocols is a necessity because in this pandemic era economic recovery will depend heavily on restoring global public health. In reviving the Indonesian economy, the role of the state needs to be strengthened to balance the dominance of the private sector or owners of capital. This is very necessary to create equitable social welfare or reduce social and economic inequality in society,” he added.

For this reason, the state must carry out its role to nourish the market so that the market can become an instrument for building a healthier economy. The economic system also needs to be developed in a more humane way by providing large space for human action (or people driven) at various levels.

On this occasion, the Dean of FEM IPB University, Prof. Dr. Nunung Nuryartono, presented “Reflections on FEM 2020 and Plans for 2021”. Prof. Nunung conveyed the achievements of the 2018-2020 FEM and the 2021 FEM Plan which contained the implementation of education, research and community service.

“The achievement of FEM performance cannot be separated from the performance set by IPB University in the performance contract between the Chancellor and the Dean of FEM. The work contract includes stakeholders (75.33 percent), financial (100 percent), research and academic excellence (73.96 percent), internal business processes (87.47 percent) and capacity building (41.59 percent),” he explained.

“Supporting facilities in the form of rooms for postgraduate students, cafeterias and other facilities will be provided in 2021 to create a more conducive learning and teaching situation, “he said. Apart from Sutrisno Bachir, this activity also presented Prof. Didin S Damanhuri (Professor of FEM IPB University) and Fery Gunardi (GM Botani Square Mall). (IAAS/ELS)