(FEB News) Friday, May 9, 2025 - The Islamic Economics Department of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Airlangga (Airlangga University) officially launched and reviewed a book entitled Sharia Banking: Theory, Practice, and Global Dynamics, in an Academic event held at the Hall of Cendrawasih, Ex -Pharmacy Building of UNAIR FEB. This event is a collaboration between FEB Unair and PT Rajagrafindo Persada, as part of a commitment in strengthening literacy and practices of Islamic finance in Indonesia.

The event was officially opened by the Chairperson of the Islamic Economics Department Feb Unair, Dr. Sulistya Rusgianto, SE., MIF, and Publisher Representative, Rusli Latukau, as the National Marketing Manager of PT Rajagrafindo Persada. The launch was also accompanied by symbolic handover of books from publishers to writers.

Three perspectives, one strong narrative

The three main authors of the book were present as resource persons, namely:

• Dr. Bayu Arie Fianto, SE, MBA - Head of the Islamic Economics S1 Study Program FEB UNAIR,

• Kindy Miftah, SE, M.Sc. - Vice President Maybank Syariah as well as Practitioner Lecturer,

• Noven Suprayogi, SE, M.Si., Ak. - FEB UNAIR lecturer and Islamic accounting expert.

The discussion was guided by FEB Airlangga University lecturer, Ida Wijayanti, Sei, Msei, who brought a dialogical atmosphere and aroused the enthusiasm of the participants, especially the students present.

Foster historical and philosophical awareness

In his presentation, Noven Suprayogi stressed the importance of understanding the roots of Islamic banking history. "This system is not conventional banking," he said, "but was born from the long history of Islamic civilization who rejected usury and placed justice as the main value." He also explained the role of Islamic banks as "the heart of the sharia economy" which is the driving force of the growth of other halal industrial sectors.

Overcoming the theory and practice gaps

Meanwhile, Kindy Miftah raised the importance of the ability of students to link Islamic economic theory with industrial practices. He said that many graduates of Islamic economics still had difficulty understanding the technicals of Islamic banking products. "Students must be able to distinguish between products and contracts. Products such as savings or financing are the same, but the Sharia contract is what makes it different," he explained. According to him, this book is here to bridge this understanding as well as responding to the dynamics of regulations and contemporary issues that continue to develop.

Data -based comprehensive references and case studies

Bayu Arie Fianto stated that this book was the result of two years of intensive collaboration between academics and practitioners, reinforced by research, the latest data, and student contributions. "This book not only answers the academic needs of students and researchers," he said, "but also presents operational insight for industrial practitioners, including aspects of regulatory updates and case studies of mergers, acquisitions, to interest-based vs non-interest-based banking practices."

Bayu also added his concern for students who began to depend too much on AI in compiling scientific papers. He hopes this book can be a real guide to bring up critical thinking and novelty in research.

Synergy of Academics - Practitioners for the Future of Sharia Economy

This event is not just a book launch, but it becomes a meeting room for ideas between the academic world and Islamic financial practices. Active participants also get the opportunity to win free book prizes in the games and question and answer sessions.

In addition to enriching academic literature, the launch of this book also reflects the commitment of FEB Unair in supporting the sustainable development agenda. Through strengthening Islamic financial literacy and providing applicative references for students, researchers, to industry players, this event also encourages the creation of an inclusive, fair, and value -based financial system. Collaboration between academics and practitioners in the preparation of this book is a tangible form of higher education in building a strong economic ecosystem and is oriented towards social sustainability and business ethics.

With this launch, FEB Unair emphasized that its role as a center for adaptive scientific development of the challenges of the times, and is committed to being the front guard in forming an inclusive, relevant, and global competitive Islamic economic ecosystem.