UNAIR NEWS — Erwandi Hendarta, SH, LL.M., MBA, an esteemed graduate of Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Law (FH UNAIR), has once again brought recognition to his alma mater through a series of notable achievements.
On January 22, 2025, Hendarta was officially appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board representing the professional sector at the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, by Presidential Decree. That same year, he was named one of Indonesia’s Top Lawyers and honored as an Indonesia Legal Icon by Asia Business Law Journal, in recognition of his accomplishments and leadership in the fields of business and financial law. He was previously included in the Top 15 M&A Lawyers in Asia by Asian Legal Business, a Thomson Reuters publication.
These achievements, Hendarta noted, were the result of a rigorous process. The selection for the INA Supervisory Board involved multiple high-level state institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, and required candidates to undergo a comprehensive and highly selective evaluation process.
Keys to global legal excellence
In an interview, Hendarta emphasized that excelling at both national and international levels requires two key elements: capacity and capability. Capacity, he explained, is the drive to continue learning and broadening one’s perspective, while capability is built through hands-on experience and the application of knowledge in practice.
“Think of capacity as a cup—the larger the cup, the greater your ability to learn and remain curious, which in turn enhances your capability,” he said.
Role of UNAIR’s legal education
With over three decades of experience in the legal and financial industries, Hendarta credits UNAIR’s Faculty of Law for providing a solid educational foundation. He highlighted the importance of mastering core legal subjects such as civil law, corporate law, and capital markets, all of which were taught in a structured and thorough manner at UNAIR.
However, Hendarta also pointed to the need for a more interdisciplinary approach in today’s legal education. He urged that future legal professionals be equipped not only with legal knowledge but also with a basic understanding of finance and technology.
“Legal expertise alone is no longer enough. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, individuals with a single skill set may be replaced by machines. But those who can think across disciplines will remain essential,” he concluded.
Author: Rosali Elvira Nurdiansyarani
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
