Prof. Marcus Marktanner on UIII’s Campus and Indonesia’s Economic Prospects

June 5, 2025

Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Alfi Fauzilah

Depok, Indonesia – Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) recently welcomed Prof. Marcus Marktanner, Professor of Conflict Management and Economics at Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, USA, during his visit to the campus. Known for his expertise in development economics, Prof. Marktanner shared his impressions of UIII and offered insightful reflections on Indonesia’s economic landscape.

Prof. Marcus Marktanner is a Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia. “I’ve been visiting Indonesia regularly for the last 15 years, working in collaboration with a German political think tank that also operates here. Over time, I’ve grown fascinated by the country, its economy, and its prospects,” he said.

During his visit to UIII, Prof. Marktanner was welcomed by Prof. Dian Masyita, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), and Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim, University Secretary. He also discussed with FEB lecturers, including Teguh Yudo Wicaksono, Ph.D., Head of PhD in Economics program, and M. Luthfi Hamidi, Ph.D. Head of MA in Economics program, and few others.

On his first visit to UIII’s campus, Prof. Marktanner was visibly impressed. “I already checked it out online, but when I came here, everything seemed much bigger than what I had imagined,” he remarked. “The green spaces, the lake, the clean air—it feels like an oasis in Jakarta. The architecture is also strikingly different, with beautiful faculty buildings and a welcoming library.”

While praising the campus, Prof. Marktanner also reflected on Indonesia’s broader economic potential. “Indonesia clearly has tremendous development potential,” he stated. “But the key challenge is how to utilize it effectively. Education is critical, especially for the younger generation. If you compare educational attainment levels to countries like Singapore, South Korea, or Japan, Indonesia still has a lot of ground to cover.”

He emphasized the need for world-class education and a stronger focus on public health and economic diversification. “With the right political will, it’s possible to rebuild better schools, allocate more resources, and open up greater economic opportunities. Education, public health, and economic transition—particularly moving away from heavy reliance on coal—should be top priorities.”

Despite acknowledging the challenges, Prof. Marktanner remained optimistic. “Indonesia has tremendous potential. Other countries face challenges too, but it’s about focusing on the opportunities that lie ahead,” he concluded.

During his visit, Prof. Marktanner expressed hope to deepen his engagement with Indonesia, including the possibility of contributing as a visiting faculty member at UIII. “Maybe, if God wills, I can teach here one day,” he said with a smile.

As an international university, UIII prides itself on being a hub for global academic exchange. It welcomes students, lecturers, and scholars from around the world, fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment. UIII is committed to connect with distinguished academics and experts globally to enrich the educational experience for all.