Universitas Bunda Mulia (UBM) welcomed its new students for the 2025/2026 academic year on August 11, 2025, with a comprehensive financial literacy education session led by FinHope. FinHope, a non-profit organization founded by Indonesian high school student Alicia Caitlyn Susanto, aims to equip young people with essential financial decision-making, investment, and social entrepreneurship skills.
The interactive session covered crucial personal finance management, early financial planning, and an overview of digital finance, including its associated risks and opportunities. Alicia Caitlyn Susanto emphasized the importance of establishing sound financial habits early in university life. The event also celebrated five winners of FinHope's Financial Planning Essay Contest, each receiving a 100% tuition scholarship. Beyond education, FinHope is actively engaged in rebuilding 100 livable homes for underprivileged communities in Maumere, Nusa Tenggara Timur, demonstrating a commitment to tangible social impact alongside financial education.
Research indicates that financial literacy significantly impacts students' personal financial management, with higher literacy levels correlating to better budgeting, saving, and debt avoidance. While demographic factors like gender and age show minimal effect, educational levels and academic disciplines are positively associated with financial literacy among Indonesian university students. Studies suggest that Indonesian university students' financial literacy levels are generally lower compared to those in countries like the US and Australia, underscoring the value of initiatives like FinHope's.