The annual conference, “Sebelas Maret International Conference on Digital Economy (SMICDE),” returned in 2025. This year, SMICDE is organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), in collaboration with the Center for Fintech and Banking (UNS Fintech Center), supported by the Indonesia Endowment Funds for Education Agency (LPDP) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The event featured two keynote speakers and five invited speakers.

The 2025 SMICDE, carrying the theme “Towards Digital Future: New Challenges in Global Economics,” also serves as the venue for the Declaration of Consortium on SDG 8: “International Association of Studies on Economic Growth and Development in Emerging Markets.” The declaration was signed by representatives from UNS, University of Akron (USA), Harvard University & University of Messina, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Chung Hua University Taiwan, Asia Pacific University Malaysia, University of Malaya Malaysia, Taylor’s University Malaysia, University of Buckingham UK, and Ostim Technical University Turkey.

The declaration marked the beginning of a shared commitment among higher education institutions to advance collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and academic partnerships, fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in line with SDG 8, while strengthening cooperation between academia, government, industry, and society. With this declaration, the 14 universities pledged to enhance collaboration and drive collective action for a better and sustainable future.

This commitment was highlighted by Prof. Dr. Fitria Rahmawati, SSi., MSi., Vice Rector for Academic and Research Affairs of UNS, representing the Rector of UNS, in her welcoming remarks.

“Hopefully, this declaration will not only remain as a ceremonial statement, but also a concrete commitment to advancing SDG 8, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all. UNS will take an active leadership role, not merely as a member, but also coordinating and leading activities within this network to ensure that this collaboration yields meaningful impact. Let us work together to advance the achievement of the SDGs in developing countries,” she emphasized.

The Dean of FEB UNS, Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., in his remarks during the event, also emphasized the need of producing tangible contributions, beyond academic insights.

“We are honored to host a meeting that brings together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world. We believe that cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration is crucial in addressing today’s digital challenges. Through this conference, we hope to encourage knowledge exchange, best practices, and partnerships that will contribute to advancing digital innovation for global prosperity,” he stated.

Held at Swiss-Belhotel Solo on September 3–4, 2025, this year SMICDE featured the Sebelas Maret International Workshop on Economic Growth and Development in Emerging Markets on its opening day. The workshop hosted nine speakers and five discussants who presented interactive academic discussions in various topic regarding economic growth and SDG’s.

This workshop, along with the SMICDE conference, reflects the active role of Universitas Sebelas Maret in accelerating the achievement of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as highlighted in Prof. Irwan Trinugroho, S.E., MSc., Ph.D., QCRO., Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, Internationalization, and Information of UNS, remarks.

“UNS has been designated as one of the universities to accelerating the achievement of SDG 8. The expectation is for this association to serve as a hub for researchers, particularly those focusing on studies related to economic growth and emerging markets. Hopefully, this two-day conference will be a productive and valuable session for both participants and speakers,” he stated.

On the second day, Prof. John W. Goodell (University of Akron, USA) and Prof. Bruno S. Sergi (University of Messina & Harvard University) delivered keynote speeches titled “The New Belief Finance” and “DESI and the Progress on Digital Development in Europe.” In addition to the keynote sessions and plenary discussions, SMICDE 2025 also served as a platform for more than 70 selected articles presented in parallel sessions.

Awards for best papers were given to five selected articles across three categories. For the Master’s (S2) category, the award went to Bimo Saktiawan from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) with his article entitled “When Diversity is High, Can it Avoid Ethical Breaches? The Impact of Board Gender Inclusion on Greenwashing Practices.”

In the Doctoral (S3) category, the award was presented to Ika Swasti Putri from Universitas Sebelas Maret for her article entitled “CEO Characteristics, Popularity Level, and Climate Change Disclosure: Evidence from the Energy & Basic Materials Sectors in Indonesia.”

Three awards in the Faculty Member and Researcher category were granted to: “Asymmetric Risk Premium in the Digital Asset Market” by Berlian Karlina (Universitas Indonesia) awarded the Best Paper 3; “Does Islamic Financial Development Drive Energy Transition in OIC Countries: The Role of Institutional Quality” by Rahmat Heru Setianto (Universitas Airlangga) with Best Paper 2 award; and “Does Playing by the Rules Pay-off? Market Conduct & Performance in Indonesia’s Life Insurance Sector” by Ahmad Danu Prasetyo (OJK Institute), is selected as the First Best Paper.