EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Students of the Islamic Economics Study Program at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) participated in the Sharia Economic Forum 2026, organized by Metro TV in collaboration with the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF). The national forum served as a strategic platform for discussions addressing the challenges, opportunities, and policy directions for the development of Indonesia’s Islamic economy and halal industry amid intensifying global competition.
Held in February 2026, the event brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry practitioners. Prominent national figures attended as speakers, including Nasaruddin Umar, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), Anggito Abimanyu.
In their presentations, the speakers highlighted the current state of Indonesia’s Islamic economy and the country’s significant potential to become a global hub for Islamic economic development.
Anggito Abimanyu emphasized the crucial role of the state in strengthening governance within the Islamic finance industry through integrated and competitiveness-oriented policies. He cited the merger of Islamic banks under the Association of State-Owned Banks into PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk (BSI) as a strategic initiative that has successfully reinforced the position of the national Islamic banking sector. According to him, the development of the Islamic economy must extend beyond discussions of halal and haram aspects; it must generate economic value added, expand financial inclusion, and build an accessible and inclusive ecosystem for the broader community.
The participation of UPNVJ Islamic Economics students in this forum forms part of the study program’s practice-based learning strategy. The Head of the Islamic Economics Study Program at UPNVJ, Fadhli Suko Wiryanto, S.Pd., M.Si., CDIF, explained that student involvement in national forums aims to broaden their policy perspectives while strengthening their professional readiness.
“We expect our students not only to excel theoretically, but also to understand industry dynamics and public policy firsthand. This forum provides a concrete illustration of how the Islamic economy is developed through cross-sector collaboration,” he stated on Thursday (February 19, 2026).
One of the student participants expressed that the discussions offered new perspectives on the challenges facing the development of Indonesia’s Islamic economy. The student emphasized the need for adaptive and competent human resources capable of bridging academic interests, industry demands, and public policy considerations.
The active participation of students in the Sharia Economic Forum 2026 underscores UPNVJ’s commitment as a State Defense Campus to preparing graduates who are responsive to strategic national issues. Through contextual learning directly connected to policy practice, UPNVJ fosters the emergence of globally competitive Islamic economics professionals who contribute meaningfully to strengthening Indonesia’s Islamic economic ecosystem.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
