Professor Dian Masyita Honored as a Changemaker in Empowering Communities

In a remarkable recognition of her contributions to Islamic finance and economic empowerment, Professor Dian Masyita, Ph.D., was recently honored as one of the recipients of the Tokoh Pemberdayaan 2024 award. The prestigious accolade was presented during the Public Expose 2025 event hosted by Rumah Zakat, a leading Indonesian philanthropic organization committed to social welfare and humanitarian initiatives.

The Tokoh Pemberdayaan award celebrates ten distinguished individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to uplifting communities and fostering happiness through their respective fields. Alongside Professor Dian Masyita, other awardees included prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. K.H. Noor Achmad, M.A., Muhammad Husein, Ir. Priyadi Sutarso, Bambang Suherman, Najwa Shihab, and dr. Gamal Albinsaid, M.Biomed. Their collective contributions span various sectors, from academia and media to social entrepreneurship and healthcare.

Professor Dian Masyita currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). A distinguished scholar in Islamic finance and banking, she holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Finance from Durham University, UK. Her academic journey also includes a Master of Engineering from the School of Industrial Engineering and Management at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and she was a STUNED awardee for the Executive Program in Financial Management at the Maastricht School of Management (MSM) in the Netherlands. Her expertise encompasses Islamic social finance, microfinance, system dynamics, banking, finance, cryptocurrency, and behavioral finance.

Throughout her career, Professor Dian has been a staunch advocate for integrating Islamic finance principles into sustainable development initiatives. Her research and practical contributions have paved the way for innovative financial models that empower marginalized communities, promote ethical banking practices, and strengthen the economic resilience of underprivileged populations. Her dedication to these causes aligns seamlessly with the mission of Rumah Zakat, making her a fitting recipient of the award.

Beyond individual accolades, the Public Expose 2025 event also featured the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Dr. K.H. Haedar Nashir, M.Si., the Chairman of Muhammadiyah organization, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to community empowerment and humanitarian work in Indonesia and beyond.

Additionally, 56 individuals, communities, and corporations were honored with the Happiness Awards for their collaborative efforts in spreading joy and improving lives.

As Rumah Zakat continues its mission of fostering positive change, the recognition of individuals like Professor Dian Masyita underscores the importance of academic leadership in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future. Her pioneering work in Islamic finance serves as an inspiration for future generations, demonstrating that the power of knowledge, when combined with a strong commitment to social impact, can transform lives and uplift entire communities.