These include the limited time of demographic bonus, the impact of climate change, the global economic slowdown, the threat of new pandemics, and disruptions caused by artificial intelligence.

In response to these challenges, the director-general urged universities to collaborate with industries and communities to support the government’s programs in ensuring the success of national development. 

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem that allows the community to experience the results of research and innovation from universities,” he said at the national workshop and sharing session titled “Synergy of Law Faculties: The Role of Sustainable Community Service” held at the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM), Thursday (Feb. 6).

Dr. Adziman then explained the priority programs and plans that the president and vice president are currently developing through Asta Cita. 

He emphasized that government programs and innovations developed by universities should reach and benefit the public.

He explained that the ministry no longer focuses on product-based research but has shifted toward challenge-based research, encouraging multidisciplinary interactions to solve societal problems. 

Research topics include artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, food and health technologies, transportation and infrastructure, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. He highlighted that current contributions are focused on solving social and socio-economic problems. 

“We can contribute, and the community can express what is needed,” Dr. Adziman hoped.

The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of UGM, Dr. Arie Sujito, said universities have an obligation to engage in community service in addition to providing education and conducting research. 

This is reinforced by Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, which mandates implementing and realizing the tri-dharma for universities. 

“I hope education’s mission is to enlighten the nation; therefore, ideally, the research results we have and the teaching supported by practical activities based on experience should inspire and provide benefits,” he stated.

He further explained that downstream is not only focused on industries but also on skills and knowledge gained to address issues in society. 

As a result, the social sciences and humanities, particularly law, can ensure that education, teaching, practice, and research can benefit society as a shared responsibility.

Furthermore, Dr. Sujito emphasized that universities can never be neutral because they are always grounded in human values, justice, and welfare. 

This is where law plays its role as a tool to translate the vision of community service to address societal issues. 

“Law should not make people fearful but rather bring them closer,” he concluded.

The Secretary of the UGM Directorate of Community Service, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, presented the achievements of UGM’s community service activities conducted through DPKM. One form of this service is carried out through the Community Service Program (KKN). 

“Primarily, it is the implementation of KKN, community service at Universitas Gadjah Mada, which has been initiated since 1971 and, to this day, remains a compulsory course at the university,” he explained.

Dr. Santosa added that every year, UGM sends an average of around 8,900 students across Indonesia, with the distribution covering 35 provinces, over 100 regencies, and more than 500 villages nationwide. 

“We also focus on border areas,” he said.

In implementing work programs, Dr. Santosa mentioned that KKN activities are directed to use research methods, even if simple. 

He also explained that the directorate publishes a community service journal four times yearly. 

“Community service activities can be turned into research,” Dr. Santosa added.

As a form of service, KKN aims to benefit communities so that the region or community becomes more independent. 

Dr. Santosa explained that to achieve this, the directorate employs strategies to improve community quality, which include interdisciplinarity, broad impact, program downstream, partnership models, thoroughness and sustainability, research-based approaches, and outcome-based approaches. 

“Coordination, collaboration, and publication are key,” he concluded.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel University Research Aimed at Solving National Issues pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This program culminated in the Riuk Raya Moa Arts and Cultural Festival, held on Saturday (Jan. 25) at Gerdarsi Beach. The festival was the highlight of a series of cultural appreciation events aimed at promoting local arts.

Azzan Nasrullah, KKN-PPM UGM coordinator, explained that the festival aimed to preserve the culture and customs of Moa Island, particularly in Klis and Nyama. In addition to protecting the culture, the festival aimed to introduce Moa Island to a broader audience and attract tourists. 

“This festival is not just for the KKN-PPM UGM students but for the people of Klis and Nyama. We are proud and happy to be part of this grand event,” Nasrullah stated in a press release on Thursday (Feb. 6).

He emphasized Moa Island’s vast potential, especially in Klis and Nyama, from food to local customs. 

The event included various activities such as traditional dance performances by elders and students, MSME exhibitions, poetry readings, storytelling, song performances, and a drawing contest. 

“All these programs have been a valuable experience for UGM participants and the people of Moa Island. The unique and distinctive customs and traditions must be preserved indefinitely,” he added.

Fadli Kasim, the field supervisor for KKN-PPM MA008, also expressed pride in the festival’s success. He appreciated the involvement of all community elements, from the people of Moa Island to the local government, in making the Riuk Raya Moa Festival successful.

“The KKN-PPM students have become emotionally connected with the community, showing deep care for local wisdom. Alhamdulillah,” he said.

Agustinus L. Kilikily, Deputy Regent of Southwest Maluku, commended the students for helping preserve the region’s arts and culture while enhancing local human resources. 

He noted that the Riuk Raya Moa Festival, part of the team program, is a medium for exploring and promoting cultural values rich in local wisdom. 

“Indonesia is a country of diverse cultures, inherited from our ancestors, but our younger generation often neglects this heritage. It’s essential to raise awareness of the importance of cultural preservation,” Kilikily said.

He hoped that the festival would inspire the government and the community to work together to preserve the culture of Southwest Maluku. 

He also suggested that the festival become an official and continuous agenda. 

“The Education and Culture Department should act as a facilitator in preserving culture and traditions to prevent them from disappearing,” he added.

Author: Tiefany 

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Students Hold Riuk Raya Moa Cultural Festival in Southwest Maluku pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

According to her, almost all countries that have transitioned from middle-income to high-income status began by focusing on the development of applied sciences.

She acknowledged that the development of vocational education aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s four directives for the Red and White Cabinet. 

“There are directives regarding job availability; measurable productivity; food, energy, and water security; and technology as an investment in human education. I believe the fourth directive is well-suited to vocational education,” the deputy minister explained after her visit and talk show at UGM’s Vocational College (SV UGM) on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

She further elaborated on the government’s strategic steps to enhance the quality of vocational education while bridging the gap between academia, industry, and government. 

Referring to President Prabowo’s vision, she emphasized the importance of fostering strong connections among these sectors. 

Every ministry and institution plans to facilitate collaboration to address national challenges.

However, Professor Christie acknowledged the existing stigma in society, which views applied sciences as second-class education. 

Despite the elimination of the Directorate General of Vocational Education within the Ministry of Higher Education, the government remains committed to elevating the quality of vocational education to be on par with bachelor’s degree programs.

The decision to eliminate the directorate general was based on the principle of general relativity rather than special relativity. 

“The hope is that vocational and academic education will no longer be compartmentalized but treated equally. We aim to foster this in creating a science and technology ecosystem,” she explained.

According to Professor Christie, the absence of a Directorate-General for Vocational Education does not mean vocational and polytechnic education lacks government support. 

On the contrary, it aims to change the public’s perception, establishing vocational education as equivalent to general academic education. 

“The government wants to ensure that the development of applied sciences can address national issues,” she said.

When asked about research developments in higher vocational education, Professor Christie emphasized the need for applied and fundamental research to progress together. 

Both are crucial in solving current problems while anticipating future challenges. 

She believes that researchers should not focus on whether their work is applied or fundamental but rather on what problems they aim to solve. 

This, in turn, will determine the strength of research commercialization from the academic sector. 

“Applied research is like low-hanging fruit, easy to pick and highly sought after by industry and society. However, the industry, government, and academia are currently disconnected,” Professor Christie remarked.

Dean of SV UGM, Professor Agus Maryono, admitted that vocational higher education in Indonesia still lags behind bachelor’s degree programs. 

“We certainly hope for government initiatives to improve the quality of vocational education,” he said.

He noted that there is still a perception that vocational education is inferior to fundamental education, making it less appealing to industries and the public. 

In reality, the development of applied sciences is essential. 

“To improve quality, we need adequate resources. That’s why we at SV UGM have been working to build bridges with industry,” he concluded.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel Deputy Minister Stella Christie Aims to Eliminate “Second-Class” Stigma in Vocational Education pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This agreement was formalized in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia and UDST President Dr. Salem Bin Nasser Al-Naemi on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, conducted online.

Rector Emilia stated that this collaboration covers education, research, and community service. 

Both parties agreed to bridge research and academic collaborations in health sciences, computer technology, information technology, engineering, and health management in education and research.

On this occasion, Rector Emilia emphasized that the collaboration would focus on programs involving faculty and students through joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, and cultural exchange programs. 

She also invited UDST to collaborate in developing halal product testing to support halal certification for food and cutting-edge health research. 

“UGM is actively developing halal certification for food, as well as research on pharmaceuticals and health technologies,” she said.

Dr. Al-Naemi expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership. 

He also emphasized that future collaborative programs should involve students from both institutions actively. 

“We are excited about establishing a long-term collaboration, not only between the two institutions but also between the two countries, Qatar and Indonesia,” he explained.

Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, Dean of the UGM Faculty of Geography, mentioned several potential areas for collaboration, including student exchange programs and joint research with a focus on health and certification, as well as the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity technologies. 

“Both of these will be research topics that will be examined not only from a technical perspective but also in terms of their social impact,” he said.

Author: Jelita Agustine  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM and UDST Qatar Collaborate on Halal Product Testing and Health Technology pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr. Destha Titi Raharjana, a researcher at the UGM Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar), stated that the Terban area has the potential to develop a culture-based tourism village. 

He believes that Cik Di Tiro Street, connected to the Kota Baru area, could serve as an interesting storyline for a tourism package. 

“By exploring the historical potential, we can create opportunities and add value to tourism,” he said in a statement sent to journalists on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

Dr. Raharjana is optimistic about Terban’s development as a historical tourism area, especially after its designation as a Cultural Village, which could strengthen the area’s cultural identity. 

He mentioned that Terban still preserves various cultural traditions, such as Ruwahan, Rejeban, Saparan, and Merti Belik, all of which should be identified and packaged as cultural products for Terban event calendars.

Husni Eko Prabowo, Head of the Tourism Resource Development Department at Yogyakarta City Government, said his office is supporting the development of tourism resources in Terban. 

There is currently only one tourism village in Baciro in the Gondokusuman District. He is committed to facilitating public ideas for tourism development. 

“Our priority is adding more tourism villages and strengthening local commitment. After the village is established, what happens next? We know Terban already has a tourism awareness group (pokdarwis). Let’s work with pokdarwis to encourage the development of local champions to seriously promote Terban as a tourism village,” he explained.

Diandra, a UGM Community Service Unit YO-175 team member, is leading a program called ‘Terban Sadar Wisata: Independent Tourism Development for the Village.’ 

She explained that the team is working to support the development of tourism based on the creative economy. 

“Terban has various historical potentials that should be explored and introduced to the current generation,” she said.

To boost tourism development, Diandra mentioned that the KKN students successfully compiled a tourism profile book to serve as a reference for developing tourism potential. 

“We hope that what we’ve done can serve as a foundation for further tourism development in Terban, including strengthening the collaborative institutions already in place,” she added.

Diandra hopes that the programs executed by the KKN students will continue through community initiatives and be further developed by future KKN teams.

Terban Village Head, Sigit Kusuma Atmaja, highlighted several historical buildings in Terban. 

According to him, these buildings have interesting historical stories. 

One example is the Police Post Office located north of Gramedia, which was once the headquarters of the Indonesian Army. 

“This former Haji Salim’s house is now a Bumbu Desa restaurant,” he explained.

He mentioned that he had received a visit from the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL), who was interested in the Navy’s history. 

According to some sources, the Navy’s headquarters was once located in Terban. 

The Galuh Hotel, located east of SMA 9, was a Navy hospital.

In 2024, Bappenas also conducted similar research, sending a team to study the origins of the National Economic Council. 

“The Panti Rekso Putro building was once considered the birthplace of Bappenas. Dr. Yap’s eye hospital was one of the most advanced eye hospitals and a reference for eye treatment from various regions, including overseas,” Atmaja said.

He added that the people of Terban have mapped out various strategic plans for developing tourism in the area, including educational-based tourism that showcases Terban’s rich historical heritage and digital promotion of culinary tourism. 

“We have a lot of potential. Not only for developing tourist attractions, but Terban also has many young people who have had the opportunity to intern in hospitality, which helps improve skills within the community,” he concluded.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM Community Service Students Develop Terban Area as a Cultural Tourism Village pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This was discussed during a workshop titled ‘Internal Communication Guidelines’ organized by the UGM Secretariat on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Multimedia Room 1, UGM Central Office. 

The workshop featured four experienced media practitioners: Tirta Mandira Hudhi, MD, Winda Pratiwi, Farchan Noor Rachman, and Mohamad Ryan Saputra.

Mohamad Ryan Saputra, speaking on the Media Appearance Application, explained several media communication channels, including press releases, press conferences, media interviews, articles and opinions, social media, and media kits. 

When these communication channels are well-managed, an institution can effectively convey information to the public, enhance transparency, address sensitive issues, and communicate its programs or innovations. 

“This also helps in managing communication crises,” he said.

During a crisis, several key steps ensure information is delivered accurately, such as coordinating with relevant parties, prioritizing data transparency for agreed-upon matters, and responding quickly to minimize the chances of misinformation from other sources.

He also emphasized the importance of having a spokesperson to communicate information clearly and competently. 

“Using various owned media platforms to share the same information provided to journalists ensures that other media and the public have accurate reference points,” he added.

Farchan Noor Rachman, speaking on Publicity Handling and Government Relationships, highlighted five key principles in media communication: transparency, which calls for clear and honest information; consistency, maintaining a stable narrative across platforms; responsiveness, addressing media inquiries and public concerns quickly; empathy, understanding the audience’s perspective and concerns; and proactivity, anticipating potential issues and preparing responses in advance.

Meanwhile, Tirta Mandira Hudhi, MD, on the topic of Building Community Relationships, emphasized the importance of establishing strong relationships with stakeholders to build trust, as such relationships can strengthen collaboration. 

“A positive reputation attracts new partners and sustains existing relationships,” he explained.

Winda Pratiwi, in her topic, Setting the Communication Officer, stated that PR practitioners today must be strategic in delivering knowledge-based information. 

She urged PR professionals to avoid making careless comments or creating content that might foster negative affirmations among the public. 

“On social media, there are both positive and negative affirmations. Negative affirmations can lead to cyberbullying, so don’t use your thumbs recklessly. Hence, the campaign ‘We listen and we don’t judge’ was launched,” she concluded.

Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu, UGM’s University Secretary, expressed his hope that this workshop would help PR practitioners better understand the crucial role of public relations and implement it in real-world scenarios, especially when facing communication crises in the era of advanced information and communication technology.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM Workshop: Effective Communication Key to Managing Reputation pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The rise in temperatures and unpredictable rainfall due to extreme weather has made road construction more prone to damage.

Dr. Ikaputra, Head of the UGM Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral UGM), emphasized the need for strategies to adapt transportation infrastructure to climate change.

He pointed out the importance of developing innovative materials and construction methods to enhance infrastructure durability. 

“Some actions can be taken, such as using climate-resistant materials, applying water for cooling during hot weather, reducing road replacement periods, managing traffic, especially heavy vehicles, and setting standards for pavement design and vehicles,” Dr. Ikaputra said during a webinar on Environmentally Friendly Road Pavement and Climate Change Adaptation on Thursday (Jan. 23).

However, he added, implementing these strategies is not easy due to the significant funding required for research and development. 

“It takes time and money. Additionally, political and institutional obstacles, such as conflicts of interest and limited institutional capacity to adopt new technologies, also present challenges,” Dr. Ikaputra explained.

He stated that Pustral UGM is committed to making real contributions to addressing this challenge through interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Academics, practitioners, and policymakers are working to share knowledge on best practices from countries like Slovakia, which has successfully implemented innovative technologies such as High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) and Porous Asphalt. 

“We hope today’s discussion will inspire the application of similar technologies in Indonesia,” he said.

According to researchers, innovative solutions to enhance road durability include using eco-friendly materials like nanocomposites, Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technology, and climate-based design methods. 

This approach not only strengthens infrastructure resilience but also supports environmental sustainability.

Meanwhile, Dr. Latif Budi Suparma, a Pustral UGM expert and Chair of the Master’s Program in Systems and Transportation Engineering, explained that environmentally friendly infrastructure aims to minimize environmental impacts, such as resource use and pollution, while also addressing social effects on communities.

Environmentally friendly infrastructure, he said, aims to extend infrastructure lifespan and reduce maintenance needs. 

“Some examples of eco-friendly road pavements include using recycled materials to minimize waste, permeable pavements to reduce runoff and improve water quality, biogenic asphalt technology to reduce CO2 emissions during production, and warm mix asphalt, which requires lower temperatures and energy during processing,” he explained.

Dr. Suparma acknowledged that climate change affects pavement directly and indirectly. 

Rising temperatures can directly reduce road quality, while changing rainfall patterns can affect road surface and stability, particularly in clay soil or areas with high groundwater, increasing flood risk. 

“Indirectly, climate change reduces road surface quality, potentially affecting safety and increasing vehicle usage but reducing speed. This can also lead to increased traffic noise,” he concluded.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo: Harian Terbit

Artikel Extreme Weather Makes Road Construction Vulnerable to Damage pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This leadership training, aimed at professors from various national universities, focuses on enhancing the commitment to dignified and innovative education.

Since last year, The Altitude has been joined by over 50 professors from Indonesia to improve leadership capacity in a Training of Trainers (ToT) format. 

This year’s session focused on leadership and collaborative innovation in industry and technology. The UGM Professors’ Board (DGB UGM) provides a platform for professors to share knowledge and transform students.

Chair of DGB UGM, Professor Muhammad Baiquni, stated that The Altitude is a significant step for UGM and national universities in contributing to human, economic, and national development. 

The meeting also strengthens the position of professors as the highest academic rank. 

“Hopefully, the innovations and dedication of professors will pave the way for scientific advancements,” Professor Baiquni said.

He emphasized the importance of leadership based on the concept of “Astha Brata,” meaning “Earthbound Leadership,” which involves resilience, courage, and balance. 

“We need to be resilient and courageous while maintaining balance and providing guidance,” he explained.

Regarding innovation development, Professor Sang Kompiang Wirawan, Secretary of the Directorate of Business Development at UGM, mentioned that UGM promotes transformation and innovation by building a teaching, research, and socio-entrepreneurial university. 

These are realized through the Science Technopark program initiated by UGM in 2018.

“We aim to focus on environmental and social issues,” Professor Wirawan said.

He emphasized that innovation should develop organically, not solely for profit. Initially, the Science Technopark had no dedicated location, but it had a strong concept, which was later realized in the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM), further strengthening UGM’s commitment.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Collaborates with Professors to Promote Dignified and Innovative Education pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The project involved planting mangroves with the participation of the local community on Sunday (Jan. 26).

The mangrove planting initiative, part of efforts to address the impacts of climate change, was attended by Arman, a local figure from Terapung Village known as a researcher and botanist.

Both students and the community eagerly anticipated his presence as he provided direct support and technical guidance. 

“Of course, his presence is to guide us in the mangrove planting process, making it more effective and sustainable,” said Fauzan Aldi, a member of the UGM team from the Agrocomplex cluster.

Aldi explained that the UGM Agrocomplex team’s observations revealed that the mangrove condition along the coast of Terapung Village faces serious challenges and is at risk of environmental degradation. 

Although various parties have carried out mangrove planting before, many plants have not survived. 

“Many plants failed to survive due to improper methods, such as polybags being left in the plants. This caused many mangroves to fail to grow and become damaged,” Aldi explained.

For this activity, the UGM student team used a more planned approach to replace damaged mangroves and add new seedlings. The aim was to restore the coastal ecosystem and protect the area from abrasion.

This activity also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents, particularly the younger generation. 

Children from Terapung Village who participated in the mangrove planting activity received direct education on the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems for the future. 

“We ensured that all seedlings were planted without polybags, and the planting areas were adjusted to the characteristics of the local coastal environment,” said Aldi.

Arman appreciated the efforts of the UGM students and thanked the UMB team for joining this activity. 

“This initiative will leave a lasting legacy. Five to ten years from now, the mangroves planted today will become a habitat for various marine life in Terapung Village,” said Arman.

With great optimism, Arman hopes that the mangrove planting activity will be the first step in building a community-based environmental resilience system in Terapung Village. 

He also hopes that this approach can serve as a model to be implemented in other coastal areas.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo by: UGM KKN-PPM Buton Team

Artikel Concrete Action to Combat Climate Change: UGM KKN Students Plant Mangroves in Central Buton pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Organized by Yogyakarta’s cultural figures and artists, this symposium also marked the completion of Hilmar Farid’s term as Director General of Culture from 2015 to 2024, elaborating on his contributions to cultural work. 

The symposium served as a space for reflection on the achievements and lessons from previous cultural efforts and was an important step in determining the strategic direction of Indonesia’s culture in the future.

The event was attended by Yogyakarta Governor and King of the Yogyakarta Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Hilmar Farid (Director General of Culture 2015-2024), cultural figure Butet Kartaredjasa, artist Nasirun, and many others. Several speakers also presented their reflections on culture.

On this occasion, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X expressed his thoughts on a new Indonesian culture, which should be progressive and civilized. 

“Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation,” said the Sultan.

He highlighted the urgency of building a visionary culture through the concept of the New Indonesian Culture, which intertwines with the grand idea of archipelagicism. 

He explained that this concept connects traditional roots with the energy of renewal for the future of the nation, a vision that combines local wisdom with the dynamics of the times for the benefit of the Indonesian people. 

“In this context, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika should not just be a slogan but a cultural strategy that is translated into public policies,” emphasized the Sultan.

According to him, history has taught that living in multiculturalism, with tolerance and mutual respect, can be a source of progress. In Spain, Andalusia was a symbol of harmonious coexistence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Knowledge and culture flourished at that time because everyone learned from other cultures. History also shows that the integration of various cultures and nations is inevitable in the history of Nusantara.

The Sultan also discussed cultural plurality, emphasizing the great benefits when cultural plurality becomes intertwined, creating a reciprocal cultural richness. 

“Beyond that, we will also be able to carry out development plans with as little distortion, suspicion, and misunderstanding as possible,” he explained.

In the Sultan’s view, the New Indonesian Culture is a vision of a progressive and civilized Indonesia. Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation. 

All of this must be developed from values that flow through society’s veins.’ Forgetting ethnic and cultural values and indigenous communities will only result in an Indonesia that grows without soul or identity. 

“In the end, we will not achieve constructive, visionary, anticipatory, progressive, critical, and sustainable cultural development,” he added.

In addition to the cultural oration from Sri Sultan, other cultural figures and artists also delivered their orations. 

Nirwan Dewanto reminded the audience of the meaning of archipelagicism as a productive movement that builds. Other speakers included Charles Toto, Titah AW, Afrizal Malna, Premana W. Premadi, Bambang Sugiharto, Farah Wardani, and Nia Dinata.

The formulation team for the Arkipelagis: Cultural Reflection Symposium outlined several key points in a forum that lasted until the afternoon. 

One of the points made was that supporting and improving cultural work in Indonesia is just as important as preserving or advancing cultural sites. 

It is important to rebuild contextual awareness of traditional knowledge as a relevant solution to addressing today’s sustainable development challenges.

Cultural funding should be expanded to include cultural journalism to bridge public awareness of arts and culture issues and strengthen the dialogue between society, cultural actors, and policymakers. 

The advancement of culture must be based on inter-material perspectives, non-violence, and inclusivity.

The urgency of a cultural strategy must always be emphasized. Specifically, this means formulating a direction for culture. 

Indonesia’s cultural direction, with archipelagic awareness, will strive to avoid the trap of merely reinforcing identity and instead pursue improving the quality of its culture, expanding cultural indicators, and seeking positionality in the world through cultural diplomacy.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Hosts Cultural Reflection Symposium, Discusses Cultural Work as Bridge for Diplomacy pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.