by Ma Chung University Public Relations / 6 March 2026 / Published in Machung
Translated from the original news story here

Double Wins

The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Ma Chung University has once again achieved a proud milestone. This achievement spans not only local and regional levels but also the international stage. Two FEB students, Dorothy Srikandi Halim and Genoveva Mari, successfully brought honor to the campus by winning the Best Presenter award at The Fifth International Conference on Economics, Business and Social Sciences (5th ICEBUSS), organized by the Islamic University of Malang on February 4, 2026.

This international conference was attended by participants from 13 countries across five continents, with a total of 115 research papers presented. Themed “Global Opportunities for Sustainable Economics: Digital Transformation and Human Development for Responsible Innovation,” the event served as a forum for academics and researchers to share ideas regarding sustainable economics in the era of digital transformation.

Dorothy, a student from the Digital Business Accounting Study Program (class of 2022), succeeded in becoming the Best Presenter in the Sustainable Finance Track. She presented a paper titled “Environmental Innovation as a Channel Between ESG and Profitability.” The focus of this study is to explain how ESG functions in practice, using environmental innovation as a link between ESG and financial performance, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia where ESG implementation is often still symbolic.

This was no ordinary research. The study was developed alongside a team consisting of Tarsisius Renald Suganda, SE, M.Si, Ph.D, CRA, CIC, CNNLP, CMNNLP, CMA, CPFA; Probowo Erawan Sastroredjo, SE, M.Sc, Ph.D.; and Boymurodov Farrukh Farkhod ugli, a Ph.D. Candidate.

“The results of this study show that ESG indeed enhances environmental innovation and corporate profitability. Environmental innovation is proven to have a positive impact on profitability, although the effects occur gradually,” Dorothy explained.

According to her, innovations such as energy efficiency, eco-friendly technology, waste management systems, emission reduction, and corporate operational transformation are capable of creating long-term economic value when ESG is truly translated into concrete action.

Meanwhile, a similar achievement was reached by Genoveva Mari, a student of the Master of Innovation Management Study Program, who became the Best Presenter in the Leadership Track. Together with her team—Muhammad Miftah, Shallomita Nathania Abadi, Nadya Maharani Widyawati, and Prof. Dr. Pieter Sahertian, M.Si.—she presented a paper titled “Innovation Leadership as the Foundation of the Future Village Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.”

The research discusses how innovation leadership has a positive influence on creating adaptive spaces and increasing market orientation.

“If we want to encourage entrepreneurship in a region, we need innovative leaders, organizational support, and appropriate government policies,” Mari stated.

She added that their research offers novelty by demonstrating that innovative leadership has a significant influence on village entrepreneurship ecosystems, such as BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) and cooperatives, which serve as spaces for business actors to network, experiment, and produce measurable innovations.

The results of this research contribute to the academic community in producing research relevant to societal needs. Dorothy and Mari also hope their research findings can provide a positive impact for various parties.

“Hopefully, the results of this research can provide beneficial implications for regulators, companies, and the community,” Dorothy said.

Keys to Becoming Best Presenters

Dorothy shared three main keys to becoming a best presenter at an international conference. First, building a critical argument rather than just following trending topics. Second, understanding the story behind the data—not just the numbers, but why the research matters to investors, regulators, society, and the environment. Third, practicing presentation skills as a means to convince decision-makers, rather than simply reading off slides.

Mari added that confidence during a presentation is also vital and can be built by mastering the research content, working solidly within a team, and receiving support from supervisors—noting that they received full support from their supervisor, Prof. Pieter Sahertian.

A strong academic culture is also a key factor at Ma Chung University. Faculty support, the strengthening of research culture from an early stage, and opportunities for international exposure serve as the foundation for students to compete on the global stage.

“The role of Ma Chung University is very significant in creating a research ecosystem for students through collaboration between lecturers, students, and external parties within the context of community service,” Mari explained.

This achievement simultaneously affirms Ma Chung University’s commitment to producing graduates who not only understand classroom theory but are also capable of critical thinking, conducting serious research, and having the courage to perform in international academic arenas.