Universitas Indonesia (UI) officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Ir. Mahjus Ekananda, M.M., M.S.E., as Professor in Macroeconomics at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). The event, led by UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., took place at Balairung UI, Depok Campus, on Wednesday, October 9, attended by academic officials and national figures.
In his inaugural speech titled “Perekonomian Global: Keselarasan Antara Kemajuan Teori dan Empiris” (Global Economy: Harmony Between Theoretical and Empirical Progress), Prof. Mahjus discussed the central role of understanding economic theory that is balanced with an empirical approach. “Macroeconomic theory at the intermediate level requires understanding the language of mathematics, reading graphs, understanding numbers and data,” said Prof. Mahjus. “However, without a sense of art and a deep understanding of life, this will be meaningless,” he added.
Prof. Mahjus also underlined the various challenges of the current global economy, ranging from high inflation and energy crisis, to the acceleration of digitalization. He highlighted the important role of rational expectations in economic policy. “I started my analysis with a method that greatly influenced my current way of life, I call it ‘rational expectations’,” he said. This concept, he continued, is the basis for economic actors in forming future projections logically and rationally.
Furthermore, he explained the Lucas Critique and the DSGE economic model approach which are important in the context of modern macroeconomics. “This model helps measure the impact of fiscal and monetary policies, and understand the economic response to external shocks,” said Prof. Mahjus regarding the DSGE model.
In the academic field, Prof. Mahjus has produced more than 16 books and various scientific works published nationally and internationally. As an academic who continues to contribute, he also often provides training to various institutions, including Bank Indonesia (BI), the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the Ministry of Finance.
He completed his undergraduate education in Computer Engineering at ITB, as well as various postgraduate studies in economics and management at UI and Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. With a strong academic background, he is known as a figure who has a critical and innovative economic view.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by a number of national figures, including a Member of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission, Dr. Eugenia Mardanugraha, and the Investment Committee of the Board of Commissioners of Pertamina Hulu Energi, Dr. Ir. Sigit Raharjo. The presence of these figures further added a special impression to the procession that marked an important milestone in Prof. Mahjus’ academic career.
