In recent years, FISIP Undip has built an increasingly strong partnership with Nagoya University in the implementation of the tridharma of higher education. This September, FISIP once again had the honor of welcoming Visiting Professor Christian Otchia, an Associate Professor in Economic Development at the Graduate School of International Development, with regional expertise in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos.

As a visiting professor, Prof. Christian Otchia engaged in several activities aimed at advancing the tridharma of higher education and contributing to Undip’s academic achievements. One of his key activities was a public lecture held on September 23 in the Senate Meeting Room of FISIP. On this occasion, Prof. Otchia presented his research conducted with doctoral students. The study discussed the cross-country spillover effects of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policies developed by the government of Laos. By utilizing granular satellite data (DMSP) and applying a difference-in-difference method strengthened with a regression discontinuity design model, the researchers found that the SEZ policy in Laos had not only a positive impact on the country’s economic growth but also produced a positive spillover effect up to 15 km across the border in Thailand.

The previous week, Prof. Otchia also had the opportunity to visit Bandungan, which has been identified as a potential site for Nagoya University’s Overseas Fieldwork (OFW). This program aims to provide students with first-hand experience of real development issues in developing countries. It also enables students to understand the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing practical development challenges.