Starting the first lecture on Introduction to Economics, the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Ph.D., conveyed the importance of studying economics and building character for new students of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) on Monday, August 26. As an alumni of FEB UI, Sri Mulyani congratulated the selected new students and said that it was a privilege because, for her, FEB UI has an extraordinary role in Indonesia.
“You are privileged because you were selected as FEB UI students. I hope that you can start your first day of college by sowing seeds of not only pride, but also responsibility,” said Sri Mulyani, who was greeted with applause from the new students present at the Soeria Atmadja Auditorium, FEB UI.
In her presentation, Sri Mulyani threw a question to the new students of FEB UI about ‘Why should we study economics?.’ In principle, she said that economics is how to manage a ‘household’ that has many needs. Every household must make decisions with the existing income, resources owned, costs incurred, and so on.
“If the country’s household is more advanced, perhaps relatively rich but will still make decisions about what its resources should be used for. Poor countries usually have minimal household income but many needs. So, making decisions becomes more complicated. So, economics is the science of managing a household. It’s actually about making decisions,” said Sri Mulyani.
Therefore, according to her, students should be very grateful to get Economics lessons at FEB UI. By studying economics in a basic way, students will be trained to make rational economic decisions. The goal is clear that in the economy it is hoped that fair and prosperous conditions will be created. This goal is the ideal of all countries. She said, in managing the economy of a country, a system is always sought that is considered the most appropriate in realizing the welfare of the people in that country.
Furthermore, she said that economics is real, cool, and fun. Basically, economics must be simplified with various models. So that students or the community who study it do not have difficulty and get many benefits. Therefore, for her, economics is an incredibly important science, because it can be applied in many ways.
“I tell you, whatever your profession is, you will definitely be taught good values. If you have to do something, do it wholeheartedly, that is part of integrity. As students, you continue to build good character, it will be carried over until you become a great person. Continue to hold good principles because that is your currency that cannot be traded,” said Sri Mulyani.
The event was moderated by the Acting Dean of FEB UI, Arief Wibisono Lubis, S.E., M.F.M., M.Sc., Ph.D. According to him, learning economics and business at FEB UI accompanied by the formation of ethical character is one of the efforts in creating human resources with high integrity. “Regarding character building, where it is emphasized that friends must maintain integrity,” said Arief. He added that presenting alumni figures who can be role models such as Sri Mulyani will strengthen the motivation to learn about economics and business, as well as the spirit of maintaining the integrity of FEB UI new students.
