(FEB NEWS) The Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR), hosted an insightful guest lecture on the topic “Technological Upgrading and Labour Market”, featuring Dr. Marta Ulbrych from the Cracow University of Economics, Poland. The event was held on May 14, 2025, at Miendrowo Hall and was attended by students, lecturers, and academic staff.
The lecture explored the profound impacts of globalization, digital transformation, and successive industrial revolutions on the labor market and the competencies required for the future of work. Dr. Ulbrych’s presentation offered a critical overview of the global transition from Industry 1.0 to the emerging Industry 5.0 paradigm, emphasizing the need for human-centric, resilient, and sustainable industrial models.
Key topics discussed included:
- The shift from deindustrialization to reindustrialization in a digital context
- The distinction between digital transformation and basic digital upgrades
- The influence of megatrends such as climate change, resource constraints, demographic transitions, and technological advancement on labor and industry
- The growing importance of collaboration between humans and machines in shaping the future workplace
Dr. Ulbrych underlined the urgency of aligning technological progress with inclusive and sustainable economic goals, calling for a reassessment of industrial policies that accommodate both environmental responsibility and social equity.
In addition to the lecture, Dr. Ulbrych engaged in one-on-one and group consultation sessions with students and faculty members on May 14 and 15. These sessions provided deeper discussions on the implications of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, particularly on how digital innovation can be steered to promote sustainable development and social inclusion.
The guest lecture and consultation sessions were part of FEB UNAIR’s continued commitment to enriching academic discourse and equipping students with global perspectives on the dynamic intersections of technology, labor, and economic transformation.
This guest lecture not only enriched academic insights but also strengthened international collaboration between Universitas Airlangga and the Cracow University of Economics as part of a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development. Through cross-border dialogue and knowledge exchange, the event fostered opportunities for joint research and the integration of sustainability principles into economic education. It also demonstrated the vital role of higher education in driving inclusive digital transformation and promoting human-centered development—aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of quality education, decent work and economic growth, and innovation and infrastructure.
