COVID 19 has multidimensional effects affecting health and the economy, business, and education. Hence, collaboration is needed in adapting to the COVID 19 situation.
SBM ITB has several scenarios for adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic by collaboration. One of the SBM ITB scenarios in dealing with the COVID-19 situation is the flying together scenario. This scenario puts forward collaboration between several parties, such as the government, others universities, and industry. “What we are doing is how to collaborate with other parties,” emphasized Yos Sunitiyoso, a lecturer and researcher at SBM ITB.
It was explained by Yos Sunitiyoso, ST., M.Eng., Ph.D., through a panel discussion session at the 6th International Conference on Management in Emerging Markets (ICMEM) 2021, organized by SBM ITB, Friday (13/08/2021).
Yos Sunitiyoso added that one form of collaboration between SBM ITB, the government, and other universities is through the Merdeka Belajar program. In this program, SBM ITB developed a Technopreneurship Track, providing opportunities for all students in Indonesia to hone their technology-based business skills. In addition, SBM ITB cooperates with Imperial College London and Grantham Institute to conduct executive education programs.
Yos Sunitiyoso places great emphasis on the importance of collaboration, especially in today’s conditions. “These are all about collaboration,” he highlighted.
Prof. TPr.Dr. Jamalunlaili Abdullah, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Universiti Teknologi Mara, also has the same opinion as Yos Sunitiyoso. According to Jamalunlaili, universities need to collaborate, such as collaboration with industry and with fellow universities, one of which is collaboration in holding webinars to disseminate knowledge.
Furthermore, collaboration is needed in the educational aspect and in the context of facing global problems. Prof. Ajai Gaur, Ph.D., Vice Chair Department of Management and Global Business Rutgers Business School, Newark and New Brunswick, invited all researchers to solve global problems through research by collaboration. “Asian scholars need to collaborate to solve these problems,” Highlighted Ajai.
In terms of business, to overcome the challenges and survive during this pandemic, Ir. Ahmad Yuniarto, PG. Dip, the President Director of PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy, and Dr. William P. Sabandar, the President Director of PT Mass Rapid Transportation Jakarta (MRT), also voiced the importance of collaboration. Ahmad Yuniarto explained that in carrying out the transformation on the MRT, they put a lot of emphasis on collaboration, such as collaboration with telecommunication companies in providing more accessible services for MRT passengers during COVID 19. “Collaboration is vital in our transformation process. We cannot move alone; we need other parties to collaborate,” said Ahmad Yuniarto.
In Pertamina’s business, William P. Sabandar added that the transformation of Pertamina into the leader in Indonesia’s energy transition to be more innovative and environmentally friendly could not be separated from collaboration with various parties.
To collaborate effectively during the current pandemic, Prof. Ian Williamson, the Dean at the University of California, Irvine – The Paul Merage School of Business, offered some advice. He suggested that, in collaborating, it is crucial to voice, empathize, and trust. In addition, we should also see inclusion as a necessity to lead in the virtual world.
