Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), and the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Terbuka (UT), strengthened their collaboration in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through the signing of an Implementation Agreement (IA) on Friday (3 July 2026) at the Dean’s Meeting Room of FEB UNS. The agreement was signed by Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Dean of FEB UNS, and Dr. Meirani Harsasi, S.E., M.Si., Dean of FEB Universitas Terbuka.

The ceremony was attended by the Director of Universitas Terbuka Surakarta, a Special Advisor to the Rector of Universitas Terbuka, faculty members from FEB UNS, and lecturers from Universitas Terbuka. The IA follows a previously established Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between the two institutions and serves as the operational framework for collaboration in the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, encompassing education, research, and community engagement.

A key component of the agreement is the establishment of a collaborative class within the Doctoral Program in Economics (PDIE) at FEB UNS for faculty members from FEB Universitas Terbuka. In the initial phase, eight lecturers from Universitas Terbuka will pursue doctoral studies through this collaborative program.

The program will commence in the odd semester of the 2026/2027 Academic Year with a maximum study period of eight semesters. During the first two semesters, participants will complete coursework through collaborative regular classes held every two weeks on weekends, delivered through face-to-face and hybrid learning formats as agreed by both institutions. From the third to the eighth semester, participants will undertake dissertation supervision and academic examinations in accordance with FEB UNS academic regulations, with these activities available in an online format.

Aside from supporting faculty members’ doctoral studies, the two institutions also agreed to strengthen collaborative research between faculty members of FEB UNS and FEB Universitas Terbuka. This will be part of their efforts to enhance academic culture and improve the quality of scientific publications. The Implementation Agreement further stipulates that the collaboration will provide mutual benefits for both institutions. To facilitate its implementation, FEB UNS and Universitas Terbuka may develop additional Implementation Arrangements to regulate the technical aspects of the partnership based on shared needs and mutual agreement.

Through the signing of this Implementation Agreement, FEB UNS and FEB Universitas Terbuka reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the quality of higher education human resources by strengthening faculty competencies, expanding doctoral education opportunities, and promoting sustainable research collaboration.

The partnership also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through enhancing the academic qualifications of higher education faculty members, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions.