MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Provincial Government of North Sumatra has called on the Association of Indonesian Faculties of Economics and Business (Asosiasi Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Indonesia/AFEBI) to strengthen cooperation between universities and the government in support of regional development. Academic involvement is considered strategically important in unlocking economic potential, enhancing competitiveness, creating jobs and improving public welfare.
The appeal was delivered by
North Sumatra's Acting Regional Secretary, Timur Tumanggor, who conveyed a message from
North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution. The occasion was a dinner reception held as part of the 14th
AFEBI Congress 2026.
The event took place on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall at the North Sumatra Governor's Office on Jalan Diponegoro in Medan. It brought together numerous deans and senior representatives of economics and business faculties from universities across Indonesia.
In his address, Timur emphasised the importance of closer relations between university leaders and the government. He said the gathering was not merely an opportunity for personal interaction, but also a platform for developing partnerships that could make tangible contributions to regional development.
"I hope that today's gathering will further strengthen relations between university leaders and open up broader opportunities for cooperation between academia and the government," Timur said.
Unlocking
North Sumatra's Economic Potential
Timur explained that North Sumatra had abundant resources and considerable economic potential across various sectors. Agriculture, plantations, manufacturing, trade, tourism and the creative economy offered significant opportunities to drive economic growth across the province.
However, these resources and opportunities needed to be developed strategically so that they could generate more than just economic activity and deliver greater added value for the public. The government needed academic perspectives, research findings, innovation and policy recommendations from universities to make the most of the province's existing potential.
He stressed that economics and business faculties possessed relevant academic expertise that could help the government formulate regional development strategies. Academic research could provide an important foundation for economic policy decisions that reflected the needs and distinctive characteristics of individual regions.
"The key is to ensure that this potential creates jobs, strengthens competitiveness and contributes to a fairer distribution of prosperity among the population. That is why we regard universities, particularly economics and business faculties, as strategic partners of the government," Timur Tumanggor explained.
He was accompanied at the event by the Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Communication and Information Service, Erwin Hotmansah Harahap, and the Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare, Basarin Tanjung.
The partnership is intended to connect the government's needs with the academic capabilities of universities. As a result, research findings and academic knowledge should not remain confined to educational institutions, but should also be applied in addressing the economic and social challenges facing communities.
TIMUR TUMANGGOR PROMOTES COOPERATION BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND GOVERNMENT: North Sumatra's Acting Regional Secretary, Timur Tumanggor, calls on leaders of economics and business faculties to strengthen cooperation in order to make better use of regional economic potential, create jobs and improve public welfare. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
AFEBI Congress Provides a Platform for Academic Exchange
Beyond promoting institutional partnerships, Timur expressed his hope that the 14th AFEBI Congress 2026 would provide participants with valuable experiences and new insights. Deans and senior representatives of economics and business faculties from different regions are expected to use the forum to exchange ideas, expand their networks and establish new partnerships.
He also hoped that participants would take away positive impressions of
North Sumatra during their stay. The hospitality of its people, rich cultural heritage and diverse regional potential were expected to help raise the province's profile within Indonesia's national academic community.
Timur thanked all participants for their attendance and contributions to the congress activities. He expressed hope that the connections established during the gathering would develop into lasting friendships and long-term partnerships.
"Thank you for the presence and contributions of all participants. May our personal interactions further strengthen our relations, deepen our friendships and ensure that the cooperation established here delivers lasting benefits, particularly for the advancement of higher education and Indonesia's economic development, especially in
North Sumatra," Timur Tumanggor said.
In his view, closer relations between universities and the government represented an important step towards advancing higher education while accelerating economic development. The partnership was also expected to generate wider positive impacts, particularly by improving the quality of human resources and strengthening regional competitiveness.
UINSU RECTOR WELCOMES PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: The Rector of the State Islamic University of
North Sumatra, Prof. Nurhayati, acknowledges the
North Sumatra Provincial Government's commitment to education and its support for hosting the 14th
AFEBI Congress 2026. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
UINSU Rector Welcomes Provincial Government's Support
Meanwhile, the Rector of the State Islamic University of
North Sumatra (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara/UINSU), Prof. Nurhayati, expressed her gratitude to the
North Sumatra Provincial Government for providing the venue and hosting the dinner for participants of the 14th
AFEBI Congress 2026.
She said the attention shown by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution and Deputy Governor Surya towards the development of education deserved recognition. Government support for universities was an important element in creating an environment conducive to progress in education and development.
Nurhayati also described cooperation between educational institutions and the government as a positive step towards strengthening regional development. Through such partnerships, universities could make greater contributions by providing ideas, research findings and academic insights tailored to the needs of local communities.
The dinner was also attended by the Chairman of the AFEBI National Executive Board, Prof. Aurik Gustomo of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB); the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Independent Accreditation Agency for Economics, Management, Business and Accounting (Lembaga Akreditasi Mandiri Ekonomi, Manajemen, Bisnis, dan Akuntansi/Lamemba), Prof. Ina Primiana of Padjadjaran University (Unpad); and the Chairman of the AFEBI Research Institute, Prof. Irfan Syauqi Beik.
Numerous senior representatives of economics and business faculties from universities across Indonesia were also present at the event.
The participation of academics in the 14th AFEBI Congress 2026 in North Sumatra is expected to expand networks and strengthen cooperation between universities and government institutions. Sustainable partnerships offer an opportunity to develop evidence-based policies while making better use of the region's economic potential to improve public welfare. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala