(FEB NEWS) Surabaya, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 — The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) held a Public Lecture with Saiful Islam, SE, MBA, Ph.D., Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) of East Java Province, with the theme "The Government's Fiscal Role in the Economy and Welfare of the People of East Java."

The activity, which took place in the Fadjar Notonagoro Hall, FEB UNAIR, became an important forum for the academic community to understand the function of fiscal policy as an instrument for driving the economy and improving public welfare.

The Form of Academic and Practical Collaboration

The event opened with remarks from the Dean of FEB UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Rudi Purwono, who expressed his appreciation to the East Java Provincial DJPb Regional Office for their collaboration. In his remarks, Prof. Rudi explained that the synergy between FEB UNAIR and the East Java DJPb is part of an effort to strengthen the implementation of the Independent Learning and Independent Campus (MBKM) program, particularly in the development of internship programs, fiscal research, and student entrepreneurship.

"Through this collaboration, students not only gain practical experience in the workplace, but can also contribute to research and public policy that impacts society," said Prof. Rudi.

He also added that FEB UNAIR is preparing to establish a collaborative research institute with the Ministry of Finance, which will be a forum for developing data-based fiscal research and empirical studies.

Signing of Cooperation Agreement During Public Lecture

As part of a series of activities, a Student Internship Cooperation Agreement (PKS) was signed between FEB UNAIR and the East Java Provincial Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) Regional Office.
The agreement was signed directly by Prof. Dr. Rudi Purwono, Dean of FEB UNAIR, and Saiful Islam, SE, MBA, Ph.D., Head of the East Java Regional Office of DGT.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the bridge between higher education and state financial management institutions.

The signing was witnessed by the management of FEB UNAIR, officials from the East Java DJPb Regional Office, and students participating in the public lecture, which was then followed by a group photo session as a symbol of commitment to ongoing collaboration.

Fiscal Understanding for Public Welfare:
In a public lecture, Saiful Islam presented a comprehensive perspective on the government's fiscal role as a driving force for the economy. He emphasized that fiscal policy not only serves to maintain economic stability but also plays a role in reducing poverty, strengthening public purchasing power, and ensuring equitable development across regions.

"The Ministry of Finance has two primary roles: as fiscal manager and as state treasurer. Both are focused on how state revenues and expenditures can be managed effectively for the greatest prosperity of the people," he explained.

In his presentation, Saiful Islam also outlined public finance theories from Keynes, Musgrave, and Rosen, and outlined data on the 2025 State Budget realization as of September, which showed East Java's economic growth at 5.23 percent, a poverty rate of 9.5 percent, and a Human Development Index (HDI) of 75.35.
He also explained various subsidy policies and social protection programs that help maintain public purchasing power and stimulate regional economic activity.

Interactive Discussion and Future Hopes

The Q&A session was interactive, with students and alumni raising critical questions on current fiscal policy issues. Topics covered included the allocation of the state budget for national infrastructure, the impact of global economic policies on Indonesia, the new government's budget priorities, managing the state budget surplus in East Java, and the role of Islamic social finance, such as zakat and waqf, in supporting government fiscal policy.

Responding to this, Saiful Islam explained that fiscal policy always faces a dilemma of prioritizing development needs and the country's fiscal sustainability. He emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and synergy between the government, private sector, and civil society in achieving equitable prosperity.

"The younger generation needs to understand that every fiscal policy carries choices and consequences. Therefore, the involvement of academics and students is crucial in providing research- and data-based input," he said.