UNAIR NEWS – Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) had his open doctoral defense on Monday, October 7, 2024. The session was held in the Garuda Mukti Hall at UNAIR’s MERR-C campus, with both in-person and online access available through YouTube channels.
UNAIR Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE, MT, Ak, presided over the session, which included AHY’s dissertation advisor, Prof. Badri Munir Sukoco, SE, MBA, PhD, and a panel of examiners, among them former Indonesian Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, DEA.
In attendance were AHY’s father, former Indonesian President Prof. Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife Annisa Pohan, his brother Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, and other members of his family.
AHY pursued his doctoral studies in Human Resource Development at UNAIR’s Postgraduate School. His dissertation, titled Transformational Leadership and Human Resource Orchestration Toward Indonesia’s Golden Era 2045, was presented during the defense.
This open defense followed his successful closed-door doctoral examination, which took place on September 12, 2024. Despite his role as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), AHY fulfilled all academic requirements and completed his studies to earn his doctoral degree.
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) in a group photo after his open doctoral defense (Photo: PKIP UNAIR)
Indonesia Emas 2045 Vision
The session began with opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, followed by a question-and-answer segment. AHY confidently and clearly addressed all questions from the examiners, highlighting the original contributions of his research.
He pointed out that academic research can lead to real-world impact, noting that theories traditionally applied in organizational and corporate settings can be adapted to address national challenges. AHY stressed that achieving the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision requires a balance of optimism and realism.
“Common interest and common objective are essential to the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision. We must unite our efforts toward this common objective. Building optimism and adjusting to changing circumstances is key,” AHY stated.
Axis of Transformational Leadership
AHY, who is also Chairman of the Democratic Party, further explained the importance of transformational leadership. He emphasized that strong governance and adaptable leadership are crucial for overcoming regional disparities.
“Resources vary from region to region, and there are disparities among areas that we must address comprehensively. The government must lead with transformational leadership, which becomes essential as each region requires adjustments. A responsive and adaptive bureaucracy will solve many issues.”
The open doctoral defense proceeded smoothly and offered new perspectives on how transformational leadership can serve as a cornerstone for national progress. As Indonesia continues to evolve, the orchestration of resources must be aligned with technological advancements, local wisdom, and the country’s diverse landscape. At the conclusion of the session, AHY was declared a Doctor, having successfully met all academic requirements.
Author: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
