Dean of FEB: AI Becomes a Core Competency in the Digital Business Program
The Medan City Government, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Daerah Kota Medan (BRIDA), and Ikatan Wanita Pengusaha Indonesia (IWAPI), in collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), organized the Medan Coding Competition 2026. One of the featured activities was a mini talk show themed “Medan Youth Ready to Become Drivers of the Digital World.” The event took place on Friday (May 8) at the UMSU Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
The mini talk show featured three speakers: Fadia Putri from the North Sumatra Representative Office of Bank Indonesia, Julian from the Rupiah Currency Management Division of Bank Indonesia, and UMSU academic and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Radiman.
UMSU Rector Akrim was represented by Vice Rector III Rudianto, who officially opened the event. In his remarks, he emphasized that universities have a major responsibility to prepare students for rapid technological change.
“This event is not merely ceremonial, but a momentum to build a digital ecosystem among students,” said Rudianto.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities, government institutions, and industry sectors.
“The participation of academics, Bank Indonesia, and student communities demonstrates that digital transformation must be carried out collaboratively,” he explained.
According to him, today’s students have tremendous opportunities to become key players in Indonesia’s digital economy.
“Students today should not only become job seekers, but must also be prepared to become innovators and creators of digital solutions for society,” he stated.
He expressed hope that similar activities would continue to provide students with learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
“If activities like this continue, students will become increasingly prepared to face a rapidly changing job market,” he added.
Earlier, Acting Chairwoman of the Medan City IWAPI Branch and Head of BSTI UMSU Yoshida Sary emphasized in her committee report that digital transformation has become an essential need for entrepreneurs, especially women-led MSMEs.
“In this digital era, business actors, particularly women entrepreneurs, must be able to adapt to technological developments and understand digital literacy,” she said.
She explained that the Medan Coding Competition 2026 was held over two days, beginning with a digital education talk show and continuing with a coding competition at UMSU.
“This activity is truly intended to support the empowerment of women-led MSMEs through digital education,” she added.
According to her, the collaboration between IWAPI, the Medan City Government, BRIDA, and UMSU represents a concrete example of cross-sector synergy in building a technology-based economy.
The mini talk show was moderated by Anggiasari Lubis. Fadia Putri presented a session on “Digital Payment System Transformation Through QRIS.” Meanwhile, Julian discussed the national campaign promoting love for the rupiah amid the growth of cashless payment systems. Finally, Dean of FEB UMSU Radiman discussed the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the Digital Business Study Program and the role of academia in developing a digital generation.
Dean of FEB UMSU: AI Becomes a Core Competency in the Digital Business Program
During the session, Radiman explained the role of higher education institutions in developing digital human resources.
He stated that UMSU has officially received approval to establish a Digital Business Study Program designed to align with industry needs.
“This new study program is highly promising if the curriculum is truly aligned with the demands of the workforce,” he said.
He emphasized that the university is currently developing an industry-based curriculum.
“We are designing a curriculum that connects academic theory with real-world practice when students enter the workforce,” he explained.
According to him, Digital Business students must master more than just economic theories.
“Whether we like it or not, Artificial Intelligence must be integrated into the curriculum because it is a future necessity,” he stated.
He also stressed the importance of combining business knowledge with information technology skills.
“If Digital Business is housed within the Faculty of Economics and Business, then approximately 70 percent of the curriculum will focus on business and 30 percent on information technology,” he explained.
He added that future learning methods at the university would prioritize practical implementation rather than purely theoretical instruction.
“Many students currently learn content creation independently. In the future, all of that knowledge will become part of structured courses with clear guidance and strategies,” he said.
Radiman expressed optimism that graduates of the Digital Business program would have strong career prospects.
“Digital Business is a highly promising field because much of the knowledge is directly relevant to the needs of today’s workforce,” he concluded.
The event was also attended by Dean of FIKTI Al-Khowarizmi, Head of the Student Affairs Bureau Abdurrahman Zuhdi, representatives of IWAPI, members of BRIDA, representatives of Bank Indonesia, GenBI students at UMSU, and 600 participants of the Medan Coding Competition 2026.
