Merauke, Indonesianews.co.id
The academic atmosphere at Universitas Musamus (Unmus) Merauke felt remarkably different this week. For three consecutive days, from October 5 to 7, 2025, the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Unmus hosted a distinguished guest Prof. Dr. Agung Dharmawan Buchdadi, M.M., Ph.D., a Professor from the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ). His visit was part of a Visiting Scholar Program, combined with a Workshop and Public Lecture that brought vibrant academic engagement to the Unmus community.
This event marked a continuation of the academic partnership between FEB UNJ and FEB Unmus established last year. During his visit to Merauke, Prof. Agung and his academic team from UNJ Dr. (Cand) Khairun Nisa, M.M shared valuable knowledge and experience through three main agendas: a training session on Systematic Literature Review (SLR) article writing, a public lecture for students, and a coaching clinic on academic article development.
Enhancing Lecturer and Student Capacity through Intensive Training
The first day began with a Training on Systematic Literature Review (SLR) Writing, dedicated to the lecturers of FEB Unmus. In this session, Prof. Agung delivered an indepth explanation of the SLR concept, structure, and stages starting from topic formulation, literature search strategies using reputable databases, to thematic analysis and interpretation of research findings.
The session was highly interactive, allowing participants not only to gain conceptual insights but also to engage in hands on practice using literature analysis software. The enthusiasm of participants was evident, especially during the Q&A session, where many lecturers took the opportunity to consult directly with Prof. Agung about their ongoing research.
Prof. Agung highlighted the importance of the SLR method in modern academia.
“A Systematic Literature Review is not just a method of writing; it represents a structured, evidence based scientific way of thinking. It serves as a solid foundation for lecturers to produce research with both academic and practical contributions,” he emphasized.
Artificial Intelligence and Academic Ethics Take Center Stage in the Public Lecture
On the second day, the program continued with a Public Lecture themed “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education, Research, and Academic Management Ethics in the Digital Era.” The event, held at the Student Activity Center Building, was attended by hundreds of students from various study programs, along with lecturers and academic staff from Universitas Musamus.
In his presentation, Prof. Agung explained how artificial intelligence has become an inseparable part of education and research. He described AI as an intelligent partner capable of accelerating data analysis, automating writing processes, and assisting lecturers and students in conducting research more efficiently. However, he also reminded the audience of the importance of integrity, originality, and ethical responsibility in using AI.
“Technology can assist us, but it must never replace academic ethics. AI should be viewed as a tool, not a substitute for human reasoning. Our task as academics is to ensure that technology strengthens quality, not undermines integrity,” said Prof. Agung firmly.
Coaching Clinic: Empowering Lecturers to Compete Globally
The third day served as the highlight of the program with the Coaching Clinic on Academic Article Writing. During this session, lecturers who participated in the SLR training presented their draft research articles directly to Prof. Agung. Each participant received detailed feedback regarding article structure, theoretical framework selection, data usage, and strategies for publication in reputable journals.
The atmosphere was both intensive and inspiring. Many participants admitted that the session gave them a new perspective on how to structure and refine their manuscripts.
“Previously, we often struggled to start and organize articles according to international journal standards. The guidance from Prof. Agung truly broadened our understanding,” shared one of the participants.
Beyond providing technical writing skills, the coaching clinic also boosted lecturers’ confidence to compete nationally and internationally in the field of research and publication.
The Faculty of Economics and Business Unmus Appreciates the UNJ Delegation
Throughout the program, Mr. Semuel Batlajery, S.E., M.Si., Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Musamus, accompanied the entire series of activities. In his remarks, he expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the presence of Prof. Agung Dharmawan Buchdadi and the UNJ delegation in Merauke.
“The visit of Prof. Agung and the team from Universitas Negeri Jakarta is a great honor for us. They not only brought advanced knowledge and the latest research methods but also a spirit of collaboration and inspiration for the entire academic community at Universitas Musamus,” said Mr. Batlajery.
He added that the event served as an important momentum for FEB Unmus to continue developing and strengthening its academic competitiveness at the national level.
“We are truly grateful, as this program opened new insights for both our lecturers and students. The engaging discussions and direct mentorship from Prof. Agung have greatly motivated our lecturers to write and publish more confidently. We sincerely hope that our collaboration with UNJ will continue, especially through joint research and broader knowledge exchange,” he added.
This Visiting Scholar Program plays a vital role in Universitas Musamus’ mission to enhance academic and research capacity in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in the 3T regions (frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped areas). Through collaborations with leading universities such as UNJ, sustainable knowledge and experience transfer can be fostered.
The partnership between UNJ and Unmus demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening the quality of higher education in Indonesia. This synergy not only deepens inter-institutional relations but also represents a concrete step toward building an inclusive and adaptive educational ecosystem in the digital era.
