The Faculty of Economics and Business, Yogyakarta State University (FEB UNY), welcomed an international academic atmosphere through a Guest Lecture delivered by Dr. Melanie Hassett, lecturer at the Management School, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Held on Thursday, 13 November 2025, the event brought together more than 150 FEB UNY students at the FEB UNY Theater Room.

The session opened with remarks from Dr. Ponty Sya’banto Putra Hutama, M.Si., Ak., CA., Coordinator of the Undergraduate Accounting Program, who represented the Dean of FEB UNY. Dr. Ponty emphasized that this activity strengthens international exposure for students and supports FEB UNY’s commitment to global academic engagement. The event was also attended by FEB UNY lecturers and the Public Relations & International Partnership Division.

Before delivering her main lecture, Dr. Melanie Hassett introduced the University of Sheffield and the city where she resides. She explained that Sheffield is a centrally located city in England with a population of more than 500,000, around 10% of whom are students. Known significantly as the “home of football,” Sheffield has a rich historical influence on the development of modern football. She also encouraged FEB UNY students to consider pursuing further studies at the University of Sheffield and highlighted opportunities for international academic collaboration.

In her lecture titled “The Dynamic Landscape of International Business: Trends, Drivers, and Sustainability,” Dr. Hassett presented the foundational concepts of International Business (IB) and the driving forces behind globalization. These included technological advancement, the liberalization of trade and investment, and the rising significance of multinational enterprises. She also discussed contemporary shifts in globalization, including supply chain regionalization and geopolitical fragmentation, illustrating the growing interplay between globalization and de-globalization trends.

Her presentation concluded with an in-depth discussion on sustainable international business, addressing how global firms incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Hassett emphasized that understanding sustainable strategy is essential for navigating an interconnected yet increasingly volatile global environment.

The question-and-answer session was lively, with students enthusiastically seeking insights about global career prospects, international strategy, risk management, and study opportunities in the UK. Their engagement reflected strong interest in global economic issues and the relevance of international exposure for future professional development.

This guest lecture directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through international learning enrichment; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through strengthening student readiness for globally competitive careers; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through fostering international academic collaboration between FEB UNY and the University of Sheffield. This initiative underscores FEB UNY’s commitment to developing globally competent, sustainability-oriented future leaders. (fdh)