The Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FAS UI) awarded the title of Adjunct Professor to Professor Lee Burns, Honorary Professor, Graduate School of Government, from the University of Sydney. Adjunct Professor is a title for international colleagues of FAS UI who have significant academic contributions in various academic and non-academic cooperation between FAS UI and partner universities. The award was presented at a conference ceremony held online last Monday (22/11/21).
The effort was made to strengthen cooperation between the University of Sydney and UI, especially FAS UI. This activity is also a form of appreciation for Prof. Lee Burns’ academic contribution in his collaboration with the FAS UI academic community. Officially, Prof. Lee Burns has become part of the FAS UI family.
Dean of FAS UI Prof. Dr. Chandra Wijaya, M.Si., M.M., in his welcoming speech hoped that the collaboration can help Indonesia in answering various taxation challenges in the future.
“The key characteristics of digital companies, such as the tendency to monopolize, reliance on network effects, user participation, and user-generated content make taxation issues widespread and challenging. These challenges require a comprehensive understanding of the international taxation context. With Prof. Lee Burns’ experience, we believe the collaboration between UI and the University of Sydney can enhance academic discussions in the field of taxation, responding to these challenges, especially related to international taxation issues and cross-border transactions,” said Chandra.
In his inaugural speech, Prof. Lee Burns said that he was grateful and thankful for the award. According to him, this is one of the best cooperation journeys with Indonesia.
“Indonesia as a large country that also has a large digital economy community has another potential from equality-based taxation. Especially Indonesia as a G20 country, and other economic potential. Therefore, Indonesia has a unique and strategic position and role. The right new taxing right is needed to be applied so that equality can be maintained from all aspects, jurisdiction, economy, and others,” he said.
He also added that taxation of the digital economy is on one hand a potential, but on the other hand a complex challenge. “Mainly, it is contextual to the culture, values, economic conditions, and industry characteristics of each country. So there will be a lot of discussions that develop from various aspects,” said Prof. Lee.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Faculty Senate and FAS UI FAS Administration Lecturer, Dr. Ning Rahayu, M.Si., expressed her pride, and hoped that Prof. Lee Burns’ joining the FAS UI family could enrich discussions and share sustainable taxation knowledge.
“It is hoped that the Department of Fiscal Administration will develop further in terms of science and can increase the acceleration of international scientific publications. This is in line with the dynamics of global change which causes the dynamics of taxation knowledge itself,” Ning said.
Lee Burns is the fourth professor to be awarded the title of Adjunct Professor by FAS UI. He specializes in international and comparative tax law. Lee has been a contributor to the leading comparative tax work, Tax Law Design and Drafting. He has written many papers and articles on international tax and also has experience in advising the Australian Treasury and the Board of Taxation on the reform of Australia’s control of foreign companies regime.
