Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), hosted an FGD (Focus Group Discussion) as the concluding part from the FEB UNS Sustainable Business Summit 2023 series. The FGD, hosted virtually through the Zoom Cloud Meeting, was conducted on Friday, October 27, 2023. Under the theme of “Fostering Excellence in Economics and Business Faculty: Achieving Global Reputation through Cultural Synergy and Engagement,” the FGD was carried out seamlessly.

FEB UNS Sustainable Business Summit 2023 invited four speakers with various focus areas, namely Yeshika Alversia, SE., M.Sc., Veronica Ken Adiani Windoe, Willy Bachtiar, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., and Anthony Hartanto. The FGD was attended by more than 10 faculty members, including the Vice Dean of FEB UNS, the Head of the Business Incubator Division of UNS Innovation Hub, and the organizing committees who had prepared the event.

The occasion began with a welcoming remark by Dr. Dwi Prasetyani, SE., M.Si., Vice Dean of Academic, Research, and Student Affairs. “We hope today’s meeting can goes amiably, communicative, and of course insightful. I believe this FGD is the beginning of a series of future activities in preparing for international accreditation through collaboration with other universities,” said Dr. Dwi in her brief speech.

The FGD began with the presentation from Yeshika Alversia, SE., M.Sc., as the Head of International Accreditation at FEB UI. Material entitled “The Role of International Accreditation in Improving the Quality and Reputation of Universities” was delivered on this occasion. Yeshika advised FEB UNS to take immediate steps for international accreditation. “International accreditation is carried out when the faculty has a consistent vision and mission, a passion for continuous improvement, international benchmarks, and creating International Quality Standards (World Class University),” she explained.

The session was followed by the second speaker, Willy Bachtiar, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., a Lecturer in Digital Communication and Media, IPB University. He delivered the material with the title “FEB UNS: World Class Branding in a Sustainable World,” the topic focused on the importance of branding in FEB UNS. “Branding in the faculty is very important because the faculty is also a brand that will have an impact on its international reputation,” said Willy.

After the second speaker session was over, the presentation session was immediately continued with the third speaker, Veronica Ken Adiani Windoe. Veronica who is often called ‘Kendi’ is a Brand Expert and Advisory Board for Indonesian Perhumas. Similar to Willy Bachtiar, Kendi also focuses on branding. In Kendi’s presentation, she identified and suggested suitable ways to apply FEB UNS rebranding. In addition, she also provides communication strategies to improve the reputation of FEB UNS in a more advanced direction on par with international standards.

The last material presentation session was delivered by Anthony Hartanto, Business Development Strategist at Suitmedia Digital Agency. Anthony presented the last material entitled “Being Academically Social.” According to him, in carrying out rebranding activities, FEB UNS can focus more on research journal activities. This is because the level of literacy in Indonesia is still relatively low.

After the first FGD session, namely the presentation of material by the four speakers, the next activity is the second FGD session. In this session, a discussion was held on the implementation of the FEB UNS rebranding plan. Carried on to the third FGD session, the formulation of the FEB UNS rebranding plan strategy was stipulated in building the established brand and positioning, as well as the branding policies necessary for the faculty’s needs. At the end of the event, Dila Maghrifani, S.E., B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., the FGD moderator, delivered the conclusion of the discussion.