Mataram, July 28, 2025 — The Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Mataram (FEB Unram), officially opened the matriculation program for new graduate students on Monday, July 28, 2025. The event began at 2:30 PM WITA with a public lecture titled “Finding the Gap of Research: AI–Researcher Collaboration”, presented by Prof. Sunu Widianto, SE., M.Sc., Ph.D., an expert in research methodology and artificial intelligence.

This public lecture was attended by new students from the Master of Management, Master of Economics, Master of Accounting, and Doctoral in Management programs, along with the program managers and faculty members of the FEB Unram graduate school. The event was formally opened by the Dean of FEB Unram, Dr. Ihsan Ro’is, ST., M.Si.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Ihsan Ro’is emphasized the importance of equipping graduate students with strong research foundations and adaptive thinking, especially in facing methodological challenges in the digital era. He highlighted that understanding and leveraging AI is no longer optional but essential in enhancing the quality of academic research.

During his lecture, Prof. Sunu Widianto elaborated on how AI should be seen not as a threat to researchers but as a collaborative tool that enhances the precision, productivity, and analytical depth of research processes.

“Artificial Intelligence is not the enemy of researchers—it is a partner that sharpens precision, enhances productivity, and supports analytical depth in research,” said Prof. Sunu.

The session was marked by high engagement from participants, who actively responded, asked questions, and participated in insightful discussions with the speaker. The topic was deemed highly relevant, especially in navigating today’s increasingly interdisciplinary research environment.

Following the lecture, the event continued with the official matriculation program for the Master of Management, Master of Economics, and Master of Accounting programs. Program managers from each department delivered presentations outlining the academic structure, research focus, and expectations for new graduate students.

This event marks a strategic first step in cultivating a research culture that is adaptive to technological developments, while introducing new students to the dynamic academic environment of FEB Unram as it moves toward national and global research excellence.

Editor: Chandra Priyadi
Photographers: Heni Sepira