Born in Blitar in 1943, Boediono emerged from a background in academic economics to occupy the office of the 11th Vice President of Indonesia. His trajectory within the Indonesian state apparatus involved navigating complex fiscal policy and central banking, punctuated by a series of high-level ministerial appointments and scholarly contributions to macroeconomics.
Academic Foundation
Boediono began his formal education at primary and secondary schools in Blitar before enrolling at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta during the early 1960s. He later relocated to Australia, graduating with an economics degree from the University of Western Australia in 1967. His postgraduate training included a master's degree from Monash University in 1972 and doctoral studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, which he concluded in 1979. Beyond his studies, he served as a research assistant at the Australian National University during the 1970s and maintained a long-standing role as a professor of economics at Gadjah Mada University, where he lectured on monetary policy.
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His career in government began with a position as deputy governor at Bank Indonesia, where he managed fiscal monetary policy from 1997 to 1998. Following this, he served as State Minister of National Planning and Development until 1999. In 2001, President Megawati Sukarnoputri appointed him Minister of Finance, a tenure during which the national economy experienced 4 percent growth in 2002. In 2005, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appointed him Coordinating Minister for the Economy. By 2008, he was elected Governor of Bank Indonesia by the People's Representative Council, a post he held until his selection as a vice-presidential running mate for the 2009 election.
Vice Presidency and Recognition
Boediono served as the 11th Vice President of Indonesia from 2009 to 2014. His career earned him various distinctions, including being named one of the 125 Influential People and Ideas by the Wharton School in 2007. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Western Australia, Monash University, and the Australian National University. His civilian decorations include the Star of the Republic of Indonesia 2nd Class, the Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna, and the Bintang Bhayangkara Utama, reflecting his sustained involvement in Indonesian civil and state service.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 February 1943, Blitar
- Citizenship: Indonesia
- Religion: Islam
- Education: Gadjah Mada University, Wharton School, Monash University
- Role: 11th Vice President of Indonesia (2009-2014)
- Career: Governor of Bank Indonesia, Minister of Finance
Questions readers ask
What academic subjects did Boediono teach at Gadjah Mada University?
He taught various courses on macroeconomics and monetary policy.
Which Australian universities granted Boediono honorary degrees?
He received honorary doctorates from the University of Western Australia, Monash University, and the Australian National University.
