In 1953 Prof. Dr. Soemitro Djojohadikusumo as the Dean of Faculty Economy of the University of Indonesia, established 2 research centers: Business Administration Seminar and Social Research Center, to support researches carried out by doctoral candidates in the school. In November 1953, the Social Research Center became the Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM FEUI, or “LPEM”). In 1956 the Business Administration Seminar merged into LPEM.
