UNPRI Faculty of Economics Holds Public Lecture "Developing Local Potential through Innovation and Local Wisdom" with the Mayor of Gunungsitoli, Sowa’a Laoli, S.E., M.Si.

Collaboration Between Campus and Local Government for Sustainable Local Development

UNPRI, Medan – The Faculty of Economics at Universitas Prima Indonesia (FE-UNPRI) has once again demonstrated its commitment as a leading faculty under a national superior and socio-technopreneurship private campus. This was realized through a Public Lecture themed “Developing Local Potential with Innovation and Local Wisdom” on Saturday (22/11/2025) at the 10th Floor Main Hall, UNPRI Sampul Campus, attended by over 500 students.

The lecture featured the Mayor of Gunungsitoli, Sowa’a Laoli, S.E., M.Si., as the keynote speaker, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fajar Rezeki Ananda Lubis, S.E., M.S.M. (Dean of FE UNPRI). The event was officially opened by UNPRI Vice Rector III, Refi Ikhtiari, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D, representing the Rector of UNPRI, Prof. Dr. Chrismis Novalinda Ginting, M.Kes., AIFO-K.

In his remarks, Vice Rector III emphasized that UNPRI is currently a rapidly growing private university with an "Unggul" (Superior) institutional accreditation. UNPRI is the only private university in Indonesia entrusted to organize the most Medical Specialist Education Programs (PPDS) and holds the only Psychologist Professional Program in Sumatra. Synergy with local governments, such as Gunungsitoli City, is a strategic step in supporting the achievement of SDGs 4, SDGs 9, SDGs 17.

Mayor Sowa’a Laoli explained the “Great Gunungsitoli” vision, which rests on five priority programs: health, resilient human resources, a brilliant economy, bureaucratic integrity, and solid infrastructure. He stressed that development must be rooted in social capital and local wisdom. Flagship products such as Kepok banana cultivation and signature Nias batik, which have penetrated international markets, are clear evidence of regional potential when managed with innovation.

As a concrete commitment, the Gunungsitoli City Government is establishing a strategic partnership with UNPRI through research and scholarship support for 100 young people from Gunungsitoli. It is hoped that this synergy between public policy and academic research will produce drivers for regional development who are adaptive and culturally grounded.

The event concluded with a Tortor dance performance by UNPRI Creative students and the presentation of a Ulos shawl as a symbol of respect. UNPRI's educational innovation continues to prepare graduates who are competent at a global level while remaining firmly rooted in local wisdom.

Want to be part of a superior campus with extensive networks in government and industry? Visit the official UNPRI website at www.unprimdn.ac.id for information on enrollment and other attractive scholarship programs. (YD/YanDjuna/Marketing Communications UNPRI).

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