Yogyakarta, 1/7/2025 – The 4th International Seminar on Malay-Javanese Studies (SEMEJA 2025) was officially opened at the University Club of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) on July 1, 2025. The seminar brought together academics, researchers, and cultural observers from Indonesia and Malaysia. The opening ceremony commenced solemnly at 8:30 AM, starting with a prayer, followed by welcoming speeches from various dignitaries, including the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM and the Director of the Institute of Malay Civilization (ATMA) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

In his welcoming address, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM, expressed his appreciation for the presence of all participants and partners from UKM, particularly ATMA. He emphasized the importance of continuing scientific collaboration that had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This seminar serves as a strategic platform to delve into the historical, cultural, linguistic, and civilizational ties between the Malay and Javanese communities. UGM believes that Malay-Javanese studies provide significant benefits in strengthening international academic networks and preserving our shared cultural heritage,” said Prof. Setiadi.

He also highlighted that this seminar is not only relevant for cultural and historical experts but also for academics from various fields who wish to develop scientific perspectives rooted in local and regional identities. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting quality education and fostering global partnerships.

This year, SEMEJA IV focuses on how cultural heritage can play a role in community empowerment and strengthening regional integration. The issues raised include language, arts, and culture; leadership and regional integration; heritage preservation as a catalyst for community development; strengthening heritage and sustainable development; and social solidarity through cross-border cultural cooperation.

With an inclusive theme and approach, SEMEJA IV is designed to foster meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic cooperation among academic institutions, local communities, and stakeholders from Indonesia and Malaysia. The seminar marks an important milestone in the efforts to preserve Malay-Javanese culture and create a shared space for academic integration and local values at both regional and global levels.

The opening ceremony also featured a cultural performance of Javanese dance by Ratnatraya, an art student organization from the Department of Javanese Language and Literature at UGM. This was followed by an inaugural speech by YBhg. Dato Haslina Abdul Hamid, the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of National Unity, and a keynote session led by Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra from UGM’s Graduate School.

The seminar is scheduled to last for two days, July 1 and 2, 2025, featuring a variety of scientific discussion sessions, community forums, and cultural performances. The presence of stakeholders from both countries is expected to pave the way for closer and more sustainable academic and cultural collaborations.

As part of the seminar’s commitment to the SDGs, particularly in education in developing countries, the event aims to leverage technology and cultural insights to enhance educational outcomes and community engagement. By fostering global partnerships, SEMEJA IV seeks to create a collaborative environment that empowers communities through shared knowledge and cultural understanding.

In conclusion, SEMEJA 2025 not only serves as a platform for academic discourse but also as a celebration of the rich cultural heritage shared by the Malay and Javanese peoples. The collaborative efforts between UGM and UKM exemplify the potential of academic partnerships in addressing global challenges while promoting local identities and cultural preservation.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) successfully held the “Conference on Locality, Ontology, and Environmental History” on June 25-26, 2025, at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, UGM. This event served as an interdisciplinary academic discussion platform aimed at re-evaluating how locality and traditional knowledge can contribute to global environmental issues, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as education for sustainability, air quality, climate change, and ecosystem preservation.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Mimi Savitri, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of collaboration between academics and communities in re-examining the relationship between humans and nature from local and ontological perspectives. This collaboration is crucial for addressing pressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable practices.

The event also featured welcoming speeches from Farabi Fakih of the UGM History Department and Prof. Diana Suhardiman from KITLV, who highlighted the significance of integrating local wisdom into contemporary environmental discourse. Their insights underscored the need for a holistic approach to understanding the intricate connections between culture, history, and the environment.

The conference included six thematic discussion panels, covering a wide range of issues from climate change, water and land management, power and environment, local knowledge, urban social movements, to historical reflections on the Cretaceous period and the Anthropocene. These discussions aimed to bridge the gap between scientific research and local practices, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability.

For instance, the first panel showcased studies on climate adaptation based on the spiritual-ecological practices of farmers in Playen, Gunungkidul, as well as the management of the Wonosadi Customary Forest. These case studies illustrated how traditional practices can inform modern environmental strategies, contributing to the SDGs related to climate action and ecosystem preservation.

Meanwhile, the fifth panel addressed the issue of urban segregation in Yogyakarta, which has shifted from racial divides to competition for access to water resources. This discussion highlighted the critical need for equitable resource management in urban settings, emphasizing the role of local communities in advocating for their rights and environmental justice.

Overall, the conference served as a significant platform that brought together science, activism, and local wisdom, embodying the spirit of decolonizing knowledge in addressing the global environmental crisis. By fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, the event aimed to inspire innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability and the well-being of both people and the planet.

The success of this conference reflects UGM’s commitment to advancing education for sustainability and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling climate change and enhancing air quality. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, initiatives like this are essential for cultivating a more sustainable future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Javanese as one of the cultural riches of the Nusantara has regained its living space through the creativity of the younger generation. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held an unusual final semester exam. In the Creative Spoken Javanese course, students were challenged to create a short film in Javanese, as a form of preserving and reactivating regional languages ​​amidst the current of modernization.

Three groups of students successfully produced three short films titled Cumawis, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta?, and Pitutur Kinasih. Each film contains a story full of meaning and depicts the dynamics of contemporary Javanese society with the mother tongue as its main medium.

The film Cumawis presents a narrative about the struggles of a simple family in facing a financial crisis, leading them to deeper problems. The film Cumawis can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CqL_lC2bg. Meanwhile, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? raises the inner conflict of a student named Cinta who is faced with a choice between loyalty to friendship, demands of the organization, and the turmoil of personal feelings. Anggit Galuh, as Galuh’s character in this film, explained that the film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? was inspired by the film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (AADC) by adjusting the concept of the setting, cast, and plot of the story without leaving its essence. The film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZ3BgXgmfY. As for Pitutur Kinasih, it presents a reflective journey of the character Alfon who tries to rise and rebuild his life after experiencing a misfortune. The film Pitutur Kinasih can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4Byr1uH4k. 

This creative approach provides space for students to not only hone their oral language skills, but also to understand the cultural context and local values ​​contained in learning Javanese. Mr. Bima S. Raharja, S.S., M.A., the lecturer of the Creative Spoken Javanese course, emphasized that language is not only learned, but also brought to life, optimized, and appreciated through a creative process. 

This activity reflects the spirit of supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), especially point 4th on Quality Education and point 17th on Partnerships for the Goals. In this context, collaboration between educational institutions and students creates real contributions to the preservation of regional languages.

Language is the identity and soul of a nation. Therefore, maintaining the existence of the Javanese language also means maintaining the sustainability of Javanese culture itself. Through film media, the younger generation is invited to make Javanese a living, relevant, and ever-evolving language. Such efforts need to receive attention and support from various parties so that Javanese remains an active part of the lives of Indonesian society.

[Javanese, Language and Literature, Maysa Putri Fatihah]

Yogyakarta, June 24, 2025 – The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially signed a collaboration agreement with HOMSEA (History of Medicine in Southeast Asia) to co-host The 10th International Conference on the History of Medicine in Southeast Asia. The symbolic signing ceremony was held at Soegondo Hall, FIB UGM, with the Deans of FKKMK and FIB in attendance.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., Dean of FIB UGM, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to host such a significant international gathering and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in understanding the historical roots of health systems. Representing FIB UGM, Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. served as the Person-in-Charge (PIC) of the event, actively coordinating the collaboration with HOMSEA and FKKMK UGM.

Held under the theme “The History of Medicine in Colonial, Post–Colonial, and Global Worlds,” the four-day conference takes place from June 23 to 27, 2025. The event began with a Pre-Conference Workshop on June 23, followed by the main conference sessions from June 24 to 26, and concludes with an optional Historical Hospital Tour on June 27.

This year’s conference addresses several vital subthemes

• Health, Medicine, and Decolonization,
• Community Health vs Medical Specialization,
• Connections and Differences within Southeast Asia,
• The Anthropocene from a Southeast Asian Perspective,
• Medicine, Ethics, Politics, and the Sustainable Development Goals,
• and Climate Change and Environmental Degradation.

Founded in 2005 by Prof. Laurence Monnais (University of Montreal) and Dr. Rethy Chhem (former Executive Director of the Cambodia Development Resource Institute), HOMSEA has served as a platform for scholars and practitioners to share insights and research on the history of health and medicine in the region.

To foster inclusivity, HOMSEA continues to provide travel bursaries and waived conference fees for participants from countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These bursaries are made possible through support from institutions including the Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Pluralism, the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV), and the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre.

This collaborative effort is expected to strengthen the development of research on the history of medicine in Southeast Asia and contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of equitable and sustainable global health systems.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, June 19, 2025 – The Department of Cultural Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a heartfelt retirement ceremony for Dr. G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A., a distinguished academic whose career has profoundly shaped the landscape of education and cultural studies in Indonesia. The event served as a moment of appreciation and reflection on a journey marked by dedication, critical thinking, and cultural advocacy.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a commemorative book consisting of thirty essays contributed by Dr. Lono’s colleagues and students. These writings represent a tapestry of reflections, thoughts, and shared experiences, serving as both an intellectual tribute and an emotional homage to his enduring influence.

The ceremony also featured artistic performances from students and faculty members, adding a vibrant and celebratory tone to the evening. The first performance—a dangdut remix song performed by students—paid tribute to Dr. Lono’s pioneering work in elevating dangdut as a serious subject of academic inquiry. For him, dangdut was not merely entertainment but a habitus—a cultural form that embodies the joys and struggles of everyday life.

“Dangdut is all about broken huts, sharing one plate of food, poverty… but it’s danced to, not cried over,” he remarked during the talk show segment.

In the same session, Dr. Lono shared insights into his early days as a lecturer and his involvement in a national NGO in Semarang in 1986. There, he led a community empowerment program through urban microfinance, a grassroots initiative that enhanced the economic resilience of urban communities. His work directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The final and closing act of the event was a dramatic performance of Reog Ponorogo, collaboratively staged by students and lecturers. The performance revisited Dr. Lono’s in-depth research on this traditional art form within the framework of performance anthropology. This act was not just symbolic, but a living embodiment of the cultural practices he explored, taught, and preserved throughout his academic career.

Beyond the performances, Dr. Lono’s commitment to bringing popular culture—such as dangdut and reog—into academic spaces illustrates his advocacy for contextual and critical education. His approach embodies the spirit of SDG 4: Quality Education, promoting inclusive, relevant, and culturally responsive learning systems.

Alumni from the class of 1995 also attended the event, presenting a symbolic gift through their representative, Ani Himawati. This gesture reflected the deep emotional connection shared between Dr. Lono and generations of students he mentored and inspired.

Dr. Lono’s retirement does not mark the end of his contributions but rather a continuation of his intellectual legacy. His work lives on not only in academic texts but also in music, folklore, and the everyday stories he transformed into meaningful knowledge. His legacy will continue to inspire critical awareness and cultural sensitivity for years to come.

[Public Relation of FIB, Alma Syahwalani]