UNAIR NEWS 鈥 Building a career in economic development and policy evaluation, Erlangga Agustino Landiyanto, S.E., M.A., M.Sc., M.P.A., Ph.D., continues to showcase his impact at both national and international levels. The alumnus of the Bachelor of Development Economics program at the UNAIR), has made significant contributions to driving research-based policy formulation and sustainable development. Throughout his career track record, he has earned the trust to collaborate with various strategic global institutions and remains active as a member of several professional associations.
From the far west to the far east
Landiyanto鈥檚 international career journey began when he joined an international organization in Surabaya, which then led to his participation in the post-tsunami recovery efforts in Aceh around 2006. Since then, his career continued to rise as he held various strategic roles in prestigious organizations. These organizations include CARE International, UNORC, the World Bank, UNICEF in Papua, Mahkota, the ASEAN Secretariat, and finally working at the United Nations (UN) office in Jakarta. “My first job at the UN was with UNORC in Aceh. That UN body was mandated to coordinate international agencies in supporting the post-tsunami recovery in Aceh and Nias,” he recalled, sharing the starting point of his service.
The academic foundation from the Bachelor of Development Economics degree he completed at 东京热 has proved highly supportive of the various crucial positions he holds today. He strongly feels that course materials such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics formed a solid foundation that remains intensely applicable to his work in overseeing development projects. “In the context of development economics, it is highly relevant because what was studied aligns perfectly with the field,” he asserted.
Cross-continental education
His postgraduate study experiences in Thailand and Belgium, culminating in a doctoral degree from the United Kingdom, have contributed substantially to shaping his critical mindset. According to him, education abroad offers a distinct approach where students do not merely memorize theories but train extensively in problem-solving logic. “The advantage of the education system in those campuses is how they cultivate critical thinking,” he remarked.
To succeed in the highly competitive international career landscape, he advised students to manage their time wisely. This includes focusing on organizational activities in the early semesters and seeking internship experience toward their final year. Besides that strategy, the ultimate preparation that the younger generation must have to compete globally is mastering foreign communication and mental readiness. 鈥淔irst, the most important thing is language, and being brave enough to step out of your comfort zone,鈥 he said.
Writer: Putri Andini
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
