UNAIR NEWS – Head of SDGs Center Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Bayu Arie Fianto SE MBA PhD was officially elected as the National President of SDGs Centers in Indonesia. Bayu was selected through the proposal of regional representatives in the SDGs Center Communication Forum themed: “The Strategic Role of SDGs Center in Accelerating the Achievement of SDGs”. The forum was held in Jakarta, Wednesday-Thursday, May 29-30, 2024.
Bayu explained that the National SDGs Communication Forum served as a preparatory platform for establishing the national SDGs management structure. The forum was attended by leaders from various university SDGs Centers across Indonesia, along with representatives from each region’s SDGs Center.
“I was elected through a regional proposal mechanism. So, there were 6 regions and 7 formators were chosen. Of the 7, 3 formators were chosen,” Bayu explained.
Direction of SDGs
At least 51 representatives of SDGs centers from different universities participated in the national communication forum. Bayu revealed that the forum discussed the role of regional support through SDGs. Strengthening cooperation among SDGs centers, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), and other stakeholders was also discussed at the national forum.
“The discussion is more about the role of the SDGs Center in assisting the regions, especially in the Regional Action Plan (RAD). As well as cooperation between fellow SDGs Centers, strengthening relations with Bappenas, and other stakeholders related to SDGs,” he explained.
Institutional strengthening
Then, Bayu said that in order to optimize its strategic role in achieving the SDGs, it is necessary to invest in institutional strengthening. Therefore, strengthening by adding branches or establishing new SDGs centers is also his plan as the President of National SDGs. It also supported the broad achievement of SDGs in Indonesia.
“With me elected as President of the National SDGs, there is a plan to strengthen the institution by expanding the establishment of new SDGs Center, capacity building, and cooperation,” said Bayu.
He also emphasized that every point of the SDGs is important to be realized. However, Bayu sees that Indonesia is still lacking on the social and economic pillars. “All pillars are important. However, because Indonesia is still lacking in the social and economic pillars, we can focus more on those two pillars,” he said.
Expectation
UNAIR, as one of state universities, always making efforts to make an impact on society and be a pioneer to achieve SDGs. Through our programs and innovations, we hope to bring a good reputation to UNAIR.
“We hope that it can bring a good name to UNAIR, because this is the first time UNAIR is elected as the President of the SDGs Center in Indonesia. Also, it can bring more impact to UNAIR because we are leading 51 other SDGs centers and will continue to grow, including PTN-BH, BLU, work units, as well as those under the Ministry of Religion, and private sector, including polytechnics, “he concluded.
Author: Syifa Rahmadina
Editor: Feri Fenoria
