Depok, June 2, 2025 — The Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FIA UI), hosted a guest lecture featuring Dr. Datu Buyung Agusdinata, Associate Professor from the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU). The event, titled “Innovation for Sustainability and Sustainable Development Policy: Systems Thinking and Transdisciplinary Approaches”, took place at the EDISI 2020 Auditorium, 4th Floor of Building M, FIA UI.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from the Dean of FIA UI, Prof. Dr. dra. Retno Kusumastuti Hardjono, M.Si., who expressed her appreciation for Dr. Datu Buyung’s presence as a guest lecturer.

“FIA UI has great potential for developing collaborations, and we hope to continue expanding impactful joint activities that contribute to research development. Through today’s lecture, students are expected to understand that we are living in an era of climate change, and better prepare themselves—both in knowledge and action—to contribute to innovation in the field of sustainability,” stated Prof. Retno.

Facing global challenges such as the climate crisis, economic inequality, and environmental degradation, innovative and cross-sectoral collaboration approaches are becoming increasingly vital. The concept of sustainability is no longer confined to efficiency or conservation but has evolved into a systemic transformation involving all segments of society, scientific disciplines, and public policy.

A transdisciplinary approach—where academics and non-academic stakeholders work together to solve real-world problems—enables sustainability innovations that are not only technically effective but also socially inclusive.

“Innovation is a better and smarter path forward. Key innovations toward sustainability include Data Mining for Economic Growth, Inequality, and Environmental Impact; CSR; Consumer Perceptions & Environmental Justice in the Energy Transition,” explained Dr. Datu Buyung.

He further elaborated on other innovations for sustainability, such as Serious Gaming for the Conservation of Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Resources, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Stakeholder Interactions.

Understanding sustainability requires systems thinking: recognizing the elements, connections, and goals within a system. System transformation demands changes in values, regulations, institutions, and societal mindsets. This is a psychosocial process that requires unlocking human potential to care, engage, and drive change for a better future.

True progress also demands transdisciplinary collaboration—where cooperation between academics and non-academics can yield the most practical and impactful solutions.

Researchers working in transdisciplinary teams must develop collaborative skills, openness to new approaches, the courage to step out of their comfort zones, and readiness to embrace nonlinear processes. Both inter- and transdisciplinary approaches are key to generating relevant, impactful new knowledge.

The event concluded with a token of appreciation presented to Dr. Datu Buyung Agusdinata by Prof. Dr. Teguh Kurniawan, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, followed by a group photo session.