Two academics from Universitas Indo Global Mandiri (IGM) will serve as speakers and present their research at the 2026 International Virtual Course: Sustainable Small Island Development in Medan and Samosir Island, scheduled for June 26–30.
The two speakers—Dr. Tien Yustini, SE., M.Si, and Prof. Darius Antoni—will offer strategic perspectives on strengthening local economies and reforming digital governance in rural and island regions.
At the forum, Dr. Tien Yustini will analyze strategies for building a resilient, inclusive, and green island economy amid the threats of global climate change. Her presentation will focus on the integration of sustainable tourism, the blue economy, and renewable energy, as well as the optimization of local cooperatives based on indigenous knowledge to overcome infrastructure and investment constraints. Cross-sectoral synergy among the government, academia, and the private sector is considered the key to preserving ecosystems without sacrificing the cultural identity of local communities.
“Small island regions are highly vulnerable to environmental degradation, so the economic interventions we propose must be based on the local ecosystem’s carrying capacity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Darius Antoni will present the “DESA” model as a key prerequisite for realizing inclusive and sustainable digital public services. Drawing on field research in South Sumatra, he emphasized that rural digital transformation must not merely focus on the adoption of technological devices but must also address improvements in governance.
This model’s framework integrates four key components: drivers, collaborative coordination, a collaborative ecosystem, and high-quality public services. A robust information technology infrastructure is certain to strengthen basic services such as education, health care, and civil registration. “Technology will be a useless tool if it is not accompanied by sound governance and solid collaboration among stakeholders at the village level,” he concluded. (andhiko ta)
