On Monday, 14 August 2023, the Department of History Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM successfully held an Interdisciplinary Critical Heritage Study Conference in Indonesia at Ullen Sentalu Museum, Kaliurang, Sleman. The conference aimed to develop a critical heritage curriculum and open cooperation between museums, communities, and cultural activists in heritage utilisation.

The conference was divided into four panels that were conducted separately. The first panel carried the theme “Heritage in Practice”. Acting as presenters in this panel were Grace Leksana, an academic and historian from the State University of Malang; Kate McGregor, a historian from the University of Melbourne; Restu Gunawan, Director of Development and Utilisation at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research; and Bambang Widodo, Chairman of the DIY Musea Deliberation Board (BARAHMUS DIY). In this panel, they discussed topics on the commodification of colonial heritage, the practice and theory of interdisciplinary approaches, and heritage preservation practices.

The second panel raised the theme “Decolonisation and Repatriation”. Tular Sudarmadi, UGM academic and archaeologist; I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation; and Daud Aris Tanudirdjo, UGM archaeologist discussed topics on the difference between return, repatriation, and resitution; microhistory approach in heritage studies; and museum decolonisation.

The third panel was themed “Performing Heritage”. Sumarsam, a lecturer at Wesleyan University and Eri Sustiyadi, Head of the Collection, Conservation and Documentation Section, discussed the topic of intercultural encounters in the development of puppetry and the practices of presenting heritage through museums.

Finally, the fourth panel raised the theme “Heritage in Contestation”. Marieke Bloembergen, a historian from Leiden University; Sukma Putri, activist of the Malam Museum Community, and Sektiadi, UGM archaeologist, discussed the topics of epistemic violence against heritage, discussion practices through communities, and the transformation of museum identity in line with decolonisation efforts.

Monday, 14 August 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) held a meeting with the Joint Secretariat of Mitra Praja Utama. The meeting was held in the Leadership Conference Room, Poerbatjaraka Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM with the aim of signing a cooperation agreement regarding the MBKM programme. Mitra Praja Utama Joint Secretariat is a forum for provincial cooperation in Java and Bali that aims to solve various development problems with their regional potential. This time the Joint Secretariat of Mitra Praja Utama collaborates with the UGM Department of Archaeology to conduct action research on cultural heritage.

The signing was carried out by Dr Suwarno, M.M. in his capacity as Executive Director of the Joint Secretariat of Mitra Praja Utama, Dr Mahirta, M.A. as Head of the UGM Department of Archaeology, and Prof. Dr Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si. as Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The goal is to ensure a seamless future collaboration that will yield benefits for both parties and the community at large.

The Department of History at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) recently hosted its annual Summer School, which was a significant achievement after last year’s event had to be held virtually due to the pandemic. This year, the Department of History organized the 1st Summer School on Environmental History in Indonesia, a timely and important topic given the current global focus on environmental issues. The Summer School was held offline for the first time since the pandemic, from 31 July to 7 August 2023.

The event was inaugurated by the Head of the Department of History, Dr Abdul Wahid, who delivered a welcome address to the participants. Following Dr Wahid’s remarks, Dr Farabi Fakih provided opening remarks that set the tone for the week-long program.

This year’s Summer School has a theme that is very close to Indonesian society, especially in a post-pandemic world that is increasingly loudly voicing issues regarding the environment. In collaboration with WALHI and BKI Journal / KITLV, this activity invited thirteen speakers from renowned universities and institutions. The universities and institutions involved included the University of Queensland, Universiteit Leiden, National University of Singapore, FIAN Indonesia/ Samdhana Institute, WALHI/Friends of the Earth Indonesia and of course several speakers from Gadjah Mada University.

The summer school programme was a diverse and enriching experience, with participants hailing from various countries and fields of study. Notably, attendees came from Germany, Singapore, and Indonesia. The programme was structured with both in-class and out-of-class activities. Within the classroom, participants engaged in stimulating discussions with speakers over a period of four days. Outside the classroom, the group embarked on field trips to a number of fascinating locations, including Siung Beach, Watukodok Beach, Al Imdad Islamic Boarding School, and Kali Code Garden. This well-rounded and immersive experience allowed participants to broaden their perspectives and gain valuable insights into different cultures and fields of study.

The summer school event was closed with project presentations from each group on 6 August 2022. Some discussions also took place quite intensely. In the end, the summer school participants managed to complete the series of activities well and optimally.
The success of this summer school event certainly cannot be separated from the committee who worked both in front and behind the scenes. The committee from the Department of History UGM is composed of a combination of teaching staff, education staff, alumni, and several undergraduate students.

Globalization has brought both positive and negative impacts on Indonesia. While it offers an abundance of information, it also poses challenges to the preservation of national cultural values such as manners. This concern led to the organization of the 19th Nusantara Manuscript International Symposium titled “Strengthening Indonesianness Through Nusantara Manuscript Studies” by MANASSA and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Gadjah Mada. The symposium aimed to address the importance of studying Nusantara manuscripts in reinforcing the country’s identity and cultural values.

The Nusantara Manuscript International Symposium (SIPN) is an annual event that has been organized by the Nusantara Manuscript Society (Manassa). The primary objective of this event is to provide a platform for both domestic and international scholars to delve into the latest findings in the field of Indonesian manuscripts. Dr Munawar Holil, S.S., M.Hum., the Chairman of Manassa, expressed in the opening ceremony of the XIX International Symposium of Nusantara Manuscripts (SIPN) that the symposium attracts researchers of various levels, from juniors to seniors, and serves as an ideal venue for the sharing of knowledge and experiences. Varies from various levels of expertise, from juniors to seniors, and serves as an ideal venue for the sharing of knowledge and experiences.

This year’s International Symposium on Nusantara Manuscripts will be held offline and online for two days on 7-8 August at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The 19th Nusantara Manuscripts International Symposium, entitled “Strengthening Indonesianness through Nusantara Manuscript Studies”, is expected to reinforce the role and function of Nusantara manuscripts as a national identity amidst the current globalisation.

The symposium is divided into eight discussion panels: (1) Cross-Cultural Phenomenon in Nusantara Manuscripts; (2) Digital Humanities and Nusantara Manuscript Studies; (3) Nature and Nusantara Manuscripts; (4) Ethnoscience for Nusantara Manuscript Studies; (5) Nusantara Manuscript Studies and Sustainable Development Issues; (6) Preservation and Conservation of Nusantara Manuscripts; (7) Reportage, Rumours, and Hoaxes in Nusantara Manuscripts; (8) Nusantara Manuscripts and Creative Industries.

Further information about SIPN XIX can be found at http://www.manassa.id.

On Monday, July 31, 2022, a meeting and welcoming event was held for parents and guardians of new students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The event was conducted in both offline and online formats, with attendees gathered at the Auditorium Lt. VII Gd. R. Soegondo FIB UGM and through the Zoom platform. The Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., and his staff were present at the meeting.

During the event, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si. assured parents that they need not worry about the economic burden of their children’s education. The faculty is committed to providing solutions, such as providing laptops for students who require them. Furthermore, Universitas Gadjah Mada offers many scholarship opportunities.

The meeting also included a discussion session between parents and the Faculty. The vice deans emphasized that parents need not worry about the safety of their children while studying in Yogyakarta, particularly at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The faculty takes preventive measures, such as providing education on various aspects, to protect its students from sexual violence and bullying. If any unwanted incidents occur, the Faculty will provide assistance and support.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the numerous academic and non-academic activities offered by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Students can join Student Semi-Autonomous Bodies or Student SMEs to develop their soft skills. There are also research opportunities to collaborate with the Faculty’s lecturers. The faculty supports the MBKM (Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka) program, as well as internships, summer courses, and study abroad, which can be converted into credits. The faculty has collaborations with various partners, both nationally and globally. The most important goal of the faculty is to encourage its students to complete their studies within four years.

In conclusion, the Faculty emphasized the importance of parental support for the success of their children in both academic and non-academic aspects. Parents are encouraged to provide guidance and support to their children to achieve academic excellence and graduate on time.