As part of efforts to enhance the quality of teaching and faculty research, the Magister of Economics and Development Studies (MESP) Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, established an international collaboration with the Development Planning and Management Study Program, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia. The activity was conducted on 5 July 2024 at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

The objective of this international collaboration is to improve the quality of teaching and research for both faculty members and students of the MESP Study Program and the Development Planning and Management Study Program at USM. The planned activities include academic and research collaboration, such as mutual participation in thesis proposal seminars for graduate students and joint research initiatives between MESP faculty members and those of the School of Social Sciences, USM. These collaborative activities have been formally outlined in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by both parties.

The international collaboration activities were led directly by the Head of the MESP Study Program, Dr. Evi Gravitiani, S.E., M.Si., and supported by MESP faculty representatives, including Prof. Dr. Izza Mafruhah, S.E., M.Si., Dr. Suryanto, S.E., M.Si., Sarjiyanto, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., and Dewi Ismoyowati, S.E., M.Ec.Dev.