I. DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS STUDY PROGRAM IN BRIEF

Metaphorically speaking, the Study Program in Development Economics is like the captain of a ship, who will determine the direction of a country’s economy. This program is concerned with all the foundations or conceptual frameworks in economics (micro and macro) and analytical abilities, both qualitative and quantitative. It also deals with the branches of economics such as public economics, institutional economics, international economics, monetary economics, regional economics, mineral economics and so forth. Development economics is an increasingly interesting course worth taking, particularly with the establishment of free trade regions between countries (AEC, AFTA, ACFTA, APEC, etc) as well as the world free trade (WTO). Economic development in developing countries has also recognized the role of Development Economics in the formulation of politics and the solution of problems encountered by a country in efforts to achieve a higher level of prosperity. Economics is also used as a basis of analysis in the process of building economic democracy through the implementation of regional autonomy.

II. HISTORY

When it was established in 1993, this program was originally called IESP (Study Program in Economics and Development Studies). In 2003, however, in compliance with the Decision of the Directorate General of Higher Education, it was renamed EP (Development Economics). The program welcomes upper secondary school leavers who wish to become effective and reliable economists with the competency to analyze microeconomic and macroeconomic issues, as well as the ability to make the right decision from a choice of several alternative solutions.

III. GRADUATES’ COMPETENCIES

Concentration: Mineral Economics

Students are taught to have the ability to analyze the economic aspects of natural resources (specifically mineral resources), such as the environmental impact, management of mineral resources, and policies in mineral resources.

Employment opportunities: government agencies in the field of natural resources management, mining companies, and analysis of investment in the mining industry.

Concentration: Finance and Banking

Students are taught to have the ability to analyze the monetary aspects of an economy, banking, government finances, and the capital market.

Employment opportunities: government agencies in the field of financial management, banks and non-bank financial institutions, analysis of the capital market, and financial consultancy.

Concentration: Regional Planning and Development

Students are trained to have the ability to analyze the economics aspects of the development of a region, development financing, sectoral policies, monitoring, and environmental impact.

Employment opportunities: government agencies in the field of development planning and management, consultancy and research.

IV. SUPPORTING LABORATORIES

MACROECONOMIC AND BANKING LABORATORY

This laboratory is intended to sharpen students’ analytical and technical abilities in solving macroeconomic and banking problems. They are guided to have an understanding of macroeconomic behavior from macroeconomics data, simulation of macroeconomic policies, banking behavior from banking data, analysis of stock prices, and analysis of interests. This laboratory is supplemented with a mini-bank and a network of collaboration with a number of private banks.

      MICROECONOMIC AND SMALL-SIZE ENTERPRISE LABORATORY

This laboratory is designed to provide students with analytical and technical abilities in solving problems in microeconomics and small-size enterprises. Students are guided to have a good understanding and skills in carrying out analysis of business feasibility, market opportunities, investment and credit feasibility, financial analysis, break even point (BEP), and enhanced entrepreneurial abilities. This laboratory establishes cooperative arrangements with a number of small-and medium-size enterprises in the province of Central Java and DIY (Special Region of Yogyakarta).

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS LABORATORY

This laboratory is designed to train the ability to apply quantitative and qualitative methods in economic analysis. Students are guided to understand and practice a number of tools of economic analysis such as input output analysis, econometric analysis, and computable general equilibrium (CGE).

V. PLUS POINT

The Development Economics study program is part of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta that has been devotedly engaged in education since 8 October 1959, and is actually a living monument of all the veterans of freedom fighters. Apart from the competency in their chosen concentration, the alumni of the Development Economics study program inherit the moral values of freedom fighters. The system, the instruments, and the teaching/learning process are oriented towards producing graduates with a personality characterized by discipline, tenacity, creativity, excellence, and nationalistic orientation.

VI. STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Student activities of co-curricular nature are organized under the HMI (Department Students’ Association). Its activities include scholarly reasoning/academic events (discussions, contests of scientific works, visits to institutions), and social events, giving more emphasis on academic pursuits. Activities related to development of interests and talents are arranged under UKM (Student Activities Unit). The University has 23 student activities units that include, among others, arts, soccer, volley, and choir. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to gain work experience (and receive remuneration/pocket money) from research activities conducted by PPE (economic study and development).

VII. FACULTY MEMBERS

Note:

*    Pursuing a doctoral program

VIII. FACULTY  MEMBERS’ ACHIEVEMENTS

IX. CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAM

Below are the research and community service activities conducted by the Study Program in Development Economics:

Branch Office of Bank Indonesia, Yogyakarta

Routine activities:

• Survey on Retail Sale 2009-2010 (three-monthly)
• Survey on Retail Sale 2011-2014 (monthly)
• Survey on Price Monitoring 2009-2014 (weekly)

Occasional:

1. Survey on the behavior of the setting of prices of manufactured products.
2. The impact of ACFTA on the economy in DIY (Special Region of Yogyakarta).
3. Feasibility study of the establishment of Regional Credit Insurance Firms (2010).
4. The factors affecting the low LDR of banks in DIY (2012).
5. Survey on Students’ cost of living in DIY in 2012 (2012).

PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (Civil National Capital Provision)

1. Capacity Development Program for small- and medium- size industries in Imogiri, Bantul DIY (2010).
2. Capacity Development Program for small- and medium- size industries in Magelang, Central Java (2012).
3. Monitoring of a palm sugar project in Pacitan (2013).
4. Monitoring of a Rempeyek (crips, thin chips) project in Pelemadu (2013).

Bureau for the administration of the economy and natural resources in DIY

1. Analysis of the establishment of Regional Credit Insurance Firms in DIY (2011).
2. Study of BUKP (Rural Credit Provision Corporation) in DIY (2012).
3. Analysis of capital participation in the Regional State-owned Public Enterprise.
4. Analysis of the formation of BLUD (Regional Public Service Agency); i.e.              Co-operatives and small- and medium- size enterprises (2013).
5. Analysis of the formation of BLUD, i.e. Work Unit of Rotating Funds Management (2013).