Semarang, July 16th, 2025 — The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Diponegoro University once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation. This time, FISIP UNDIP hosted Professor Mitsuhiko Kataoka from the Graduate School of Business, Rikkyo University, Japan. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance research collaboration and knowledge exchange among higher education institutions across countries.
The visit was officially opened by the Dean of FISIP UNDIP, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., who emphasized the importance of building strategic research-based partnerships between FISIP UNDIP and Rikkyo University. “We warmly welcome Prof. Kataoka as part of FISIP’s expanding global academic network. Intellectual exchanges like this are essential for improving the quality of research and education, especially in the areas of social and economic policy that have wide-reaching impacts,” stated Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin.
In his research presentation titled “Mancession vs. Shecession: Gender Disparities During COVID-19 in Indonesia,” Prof. Kataoka shared his findings based on data from the 2020 National Labor Force Survey (SAKERNAS). He explained how the COVID-19 pandemic affected male and female workers in Indonesia differently. Using logistic regression and Unconditional Quantile Regression with Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, the study found that job loss was more prevalent among men (mancession) due to structural discrimination, while income reduction was more common among women (shecession) due to their vulnerable characteristics.
This public lecture also showcased the integration of advanced quantitative approaches in the study of economic and labor policy, while opening up academic discussions on the importance of gender-sensitive policy interventions.
The event was attended by lecturers, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as researchers from various disciplines within FISIP UNDIP. It concluded with a lively Q&A session and a group photo. The enthusiastic and in-depth discussions throughout the session reflected a strong interest in gender equality and social justice in the context of post-pandemic economic recovery.
Through this visit, FISIP UNDIP and Rikkyo University are expected to continue exploring further collaborative opportunities, such as joint research, visiting lectureships, and student and faculty exchanges. Such international collaborations stand as concrete proof that higher education plays a central role in responding to global challenges in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
