DAY 1 – STUCOVIS

Starting from Monday (24/09) to Friday (28/09) yesterday, the External Relations department of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has held a Study Companion and Campus Visit, or commonly abbreviated as Stucovis. As the name suggests, Stucovis is an annual event involving members of BEM FEB UNAIR to visit BEMs of other campuses and various institutions in a number of big cities. Of course, this is not the first time Stucovishas been held. Previously, last year, Stucovis was held with a variety of destinations that were no less cool than now, namely the House of Representatives, PT. Astra International, CNN Indonesia, and BEM FEB Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta. This year,Stucovis is back to present several new destinations, including the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kemenko), Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), IDX, BEM FEB University of Indonesia, BEM FEB Diponegoro University, and PT. Sidomuncul, Tbk.

            Stucovis began a series of visits on Tuesday (September 25th) at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kemenko). Along with Dr. Edi Prio Pambudi (Assistant of the Monetary and Balance of Payments Department), members of the Faculty of Economics and Business (BEM FEB) were invited to explore various aspects of monetary economics in Indonesia, including experiencing the atmosphere of a presentation in an important meeting room at the Kemenko. The visit was relaxed; BEM FEB UNAIR members learned new information about the balance of payments and monetary policy, which was explained in detail. The event concluded with the distribution of small pieces of paper, on which BEM FEB UNAIR was asked to write down their hopes for the future of the Indonesian economy. Through this visit, BEM FEB UNAIR also had the opportunity to hand over an economic study bulletin by the Strategic Studies and Action Department (KASTRAT) of BEM FEB UNAIR.

            The second visit took place at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia. Here, BEM FEB UNAIR had the opportunity to exchange insights with BEM FEB UI. The visit began with presentations from the BEM Chairs, followed by a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) by department. Through FGD , members of BEM FEB UNAIR and BEM FEB UI were able to share experiences and information regarding their respective work programs. This is clearly very beneficial for BEM FEB UNAIR going forward, especially regarding the desire to continuously improve BEM FEB UNAIR's performance.

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DAY 2 – STUCOVIS

            On the second day, Wednesday (September 26th), the next visit took place at the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu). There, Mr. Achmad Budi Setyawan (Head of the Basic Assumption Projection Subdivision, Macroeconomic Policy Center, Fiscal Policy Agency) delivered a very useful presentation on the topic of "Economic Development, 2018 State Budget Performance, and 2019 Draft State Budget." His presentation was also accompanied by clear data and graphs to support the accuracy of the information. The visit proceeded very calmly; BEM FEB UNAIR members were free to ask questions, especially about current economic policies. The results obtained from this were new insights related to the risks and challenges of the global economy, how to improve Indonesia's balance of payments strategies, and explanations of current economic issues. Through this visit, BEM FEB UNAIR also had the opportunity to submit a study bulletin compiled by the Strategic Studies and Action Department (KASTRAT) of BEM FEB UNAIR.

            The visit then continued to the IDX (Indonesia Stock Exchange) , commonly known as the Indonesia Stock Exchange. In this modern building, members of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of FEB UNAIR received very useful information regarding the importance of investing, in this case, saving in stocks. Guided by one of the renowned speakers, Mr. William Surya Wijaya, as Head Analyst at PT. Asjaya Indosurya Securities, BEM FEB UNAIR received a detailed presentation on the activity of saving in stocks. Mr. William Surya Wijaya also expanded his material by relating it to current economic issues, from the fall of the rupiah against the dollar to the effects of politics on the economy. As usual, the question and answer session during the presentation was relaxed: BEM FEB UNAIR members took advantage of this useful opportunity to continue asking questions, making the duration of the question and answer session longer.

DAY 3 – STUCOVIS

            On the final day, Thursday (September 27th), Stucovis moved their visit to Semarang, Central Java. The first visit was held at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University. There, BEM FEB UNAIR had the opportunity to conduct a comparative study with BEM FEB UNDIP. The series of events took place similar to a typical inter-BEM visit. The BEM Chairs from each university were invited to make presentations, explaining their organizational structure and general work programs, before finally forming a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) per department. During the visit, the two BEMs were able to exchange ideas and information regarding their work programs. Of course, all of this happened with the hope of continuously improving BEM FEB UNAIR's knowledge so that it always grows for the better.

            At one o'clock in the afternoon, members of BEM FEB UNAIR then set foot atStucovis's, PT. Sidomuncul, Tbk. There, BEM FEB UNAIR was immediately warmly welcomed by Mrs. Hermin Esti Setyowati, as the Head of Public Relations. The BEM FEB members were then invited to tour around the PT. Sidomuncul factory, observing the complicated process of making herbal medicine, starting from selecting herbal plants that must meet the criteria, laboratory tests, to the packaging of the product itself. The tour did not stop at the factory, but was added to a short trip to the PT. Sidomuncul agrotourism, where BEM FEB was allowed to see the animal collection and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding garden. The peak of the visit then ended at their herbal medicine cafe. Here, the closing ceremony took place accompanied by a glass of PT. Sidomuncul product drink which was provided free of charge for BEM FEB UNAIR. Of course, during the question and answer session, BEM FEB UNAIR members did not stop asking their curiosity about PT. Sidomuncul.

            Thus concludes Study Companion and Campus Visit of BEM FEB UNAIR. Hopefully, through this series of events, BEM FEB UNAIR can gain broad insights that will later be useful for improving the performance of BEM FEB UNAIR itself. Not least in realizing the desire of students to be agents of change. See you at Stucovis 2019!