UNAIR NEWS – Alumni of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continue to make significant contributions across strategic fields such as academia, healthcare, and government. Many hold key roles in shaping national public policy. One of them is Andie Megantara, Ph.D., who currently serves as Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment.
Career path
Born in Surakarta and raised in Situbondo, East Java, Megantara completed his primary and middle school education in the small town before moving to Solo for high school. His academic journey led him to the Faculty of Law (FH) at UNAIR in 1988. While a student, he was active in campus organizations, including serving as Chair of students’ Table Tennis club, where he successfully organized a national championship in 1992.
After graduating in 1993, Megantara pursued a master’s degree at Universitas Gadjah Mada. He began his professional career in 1996 as a civil servant candidate at the Ministry of Finance. Four years later, he received a doctoral scholarship at Nanzan University in Japan, focusing on Economics. His interdisciplinary background in law, finance, and economics has since become a valuable foundation in shaping public policy.
Upon completing his doctoral studies, Megantara chose to return to public service through the Ministry of Finance. He started at the Financial Education and Training Agency (BPPK) and later moved to the Fiscal Policy Agency. He went on to lead the Center for Economic and Financial Policy (2006–2008) and the Center for Macroeconomic Policy (2008–2012).
In 2013, he was appointed Assistant Deputy for Fiscal Affairs at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, later serving as Head of the Planning Bureau until 2021. He then joined the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (PMK), where he served as Deputy for the Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement (2021–2023) and later as Secretary of the Ministry (2023–2024). Since October 2024, Megantara has held the position of Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment.
Leader’s perspective
For Megantara, leadership in government is not defined by academic achievements alone but also by communication and managerial skills. “A perfect GPA of 4.00 is not enough. What truly matters in the workplace are communication skills, the ability to build relationships, and leadership,” he said.
Despite the demands of bureaucracy, he makes a conscious effort to maintain work-life balance. “I always try to set aside at least one day during the workweek to leave the office before 6 p.m.,” he added.
As an active member of the UNAIR Alumni Association (IKA UNAIR), Megantara highlights the importance of alumni in strengthening the university’s reputation. He believes UNAIR’s image can be further elevated by showcasing the success of its graduates.
“If alumni occupy important positions but their achievements are not recognized, how will the public know the university’s quality? People need evidence, not just rankings,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Megantara hopes UNAIR will bring forward more public figures as role models for the next generation. “Alumni must work in synergy with the university, not in isolation. That way, UNAIR’s branding will grow stronger and gain broader recognition,” he concluded.
Author: Nur Khovivatul Mukorrobah
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
