Agatha Saputri, a lecturer at the Department of Accounting Education, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), has officially earned her Doctorate in Education after successfully defending her dissertation before the examination board on Monday (11/11/24). Her dissertation, titled “Development of MOMA (Money Management) Learning Media to Improve Financial Literacy of Vocational High School Students”, focuses on efforts to enhance students’ financial literacy through engaging learning media based on Android technology.

The examination board consisted of Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes. (Chair), Dr. Drs. Arif Rohman, M.Si. (Secretary), Prof. Dr. Edi Purwanta, M.Pd. (Promotor), and Prof. Dr. Siswanto, M.Pd. (Co-Promotor). In addition, Prof. Dr. Amir Mahmud, S.Pd., M.Si. from Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) served as Examiner 1, and Prof. Dr. Endang Mulyani, M.Si. as Examiner 2. The open defense was also attended by fellow lecturers from the Department of Accounting Education, faculty leaders, and Agatha’s family.

In her research, Agatha developed MOMA, an Android-based educational game designed to deliver financial literacy content and tiered exercises. Based on feasibility tests conducted by media experts, material experts, and instrument experts, MOMA was deemed feasible and effective in improving students’ financial literacy, as evidenced by the results of ANOVA testing. Feedback from both teachers and students also confirmed MOMA’s practicality and ease of use in accounting classes.

This achievement also reflects a meaningful contribution to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The effort to strengthen financial literacy through the MOMA learning media aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, by supporting innovation in vocational education. It also resonates with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by equipping young people with crucial financial management skills. Furthermore, Agatha’s accomplishment as a female lecturer earning a doctoral degree implicitly highlights the advancement of SDG 5: Gender Equality, by showcasing the active role of women in academia and research leadership. Her work demonstrates that technology-based educational innovation can serve as an effective strategy to enhance human resource capacity and support sustainable development. (fdhl)