The Islamic Economic Consortium continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the educational and professional ecosystem in the field of Islamic economics, particularly for master’s students in Indonesia. This consortium serves as a bridge that connects academics, practitioners, regulators, and the broader community, facilitating collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovations in the Islamic finance and economic sector.

Student involvement in consortium activities offers significant benefits, including access to the latest research, collaboration opportunities with Islamic financial institutions, and the enhancement of practical skills relevant to the professional world. Recognizing its importance, the Master’s Program in Islamic Economics at the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business in cooperation with Master Program’s Student Association (HMPM) hosted the Islamic Economic Consortium (IEC) on Friday, November 15, 2024, followed by a panel session featuring experts in a General Lecture themed “The Contribution of Islamic Finance to the SDGs: Supporting the Halal Industry in Developing Countries.”

The Islamic Economic Consortium included a scientific workshop attended by various universities, including Universitas Airlangga, Universitas Brawijaya, and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The public lecture featured international speakers such as Dr. Muhamad Abduh (School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam) and Dr. Leo Indra Wardhana, S.E., M.Sc., CFP (Vocational School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta). Dr. Muhamad Abduh, through his research, highlighted the importance of Islamic social finance instruments such as zakat, waqf, and infaq as foundational financial tools that can support the halal food sector, facilitating access to capital for halal food production, distribution, and food security projects. In addition, Dr. Leo Indra Wardhana, S.E., M.Sc., CFP provided an in-depth analysis through his empirical research on The Role of Islamic Banks in SDGs, noting that, overall, Islamic banks have provided less green financing compared to conventional banks, yet their probability of disbursing green financing is increasing over time. The empirical research presented by these speakers was particularly inspiring for students, influencing their thesis topics, methodologies, and the depth of their research.

Through the consortium, international collaboration is strengthened, expanding students’ perspectives on the challenges of Islamic economics across various regions, particularly in its role in achieving the SDGs and supporting the halal industry. This program encourages the exchange of ideas, cross-campus and cross-border approaches, and the development of innovative solutions tailored to global community needs.

With these contributions, the Islamic Economic Consortium and public lecture have established themselves as important platforms that not only connect students with the professional world but also encourage them to become agents of change in the inclusive and sustainable development of Islamic economics in the future. [Zy].