The AAS is an academic organisation that supports the development of Asian studies and brings together academics, researchers, and educators from various disciplines. The event was also attended by the President of the Association for Asian Studies, Elora Shehabuddin, along with AAS leaders including Krisna Uk, Hilary Finchum-Sung, and Brandon Johnson. Their presence reflected the significance of the forum as a platform for fostering cross-regional dialogue and strengthening the foundation for education for sustainability across Asia.
During the forum, Prof. Wening Udasmoro participated as a discussant in the book launch session of Archipelagic Cinemas: Screening Southeast Asian Modernity, authored by Dag S. Yngvesson, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Nottingham Malaysia. Yngvesson is an academic and filmmaker whose research focuses on Southeast Asian cinema, media, and issues of history and cultural representation. His work exemplifies how scholarly inquiry can serve as a vehicle for empowerment, giving communities the tools to narrate their own histories and cultural identities.
The session, entitled “Archipelagic Cinemas: Screening Southeast Asian Modernity,” was held in a Roundtable & Book Launch format from 15:00 to 16:30 at the Auditorium A-13/MCB. It involved Dr. Furrukh Khan and Tajwar Awan from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), as well as an academic from Cambodia. The diversity of participants demonstrated a shared commitment to equality in knowledge production, ensuring that perspectives from across Southeast and South Asia are represented in global academic discourse.
The discussion focused on the development of cinema in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, and its relationship to modernity and the socio-cultural dynamics of Southeast Asia. These conversations highlighted how film serves as a vital medium for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, allowing societies to document their histories, traditions, and evolving identities through visual storytelling.
Prof. Wening Udasmoro’s involvement in the forum expanded UGM’s contributions to cross-national scholarly dialogue, particularly in the development of humanities and social sciences studies. Her participation reflects a broader effort to promote education for sustainability by integrating cultural and historical perspectives into academic curricula and research agendas that address the long-term challenges facing the region.
This participation aligns with the objectives of the CHSS 2026 project to strengthen international academic networks and broaden the engagement of Asian scholars in global knowledge exchange. By facilitating such collaborations, the project actively advances empowerment among underrepresented scholars, providing them with platforms to share their research and contribute to international debates on culture, media, and society.
Through these collaborations, UGM also encourages the exchange of perspectives on Southeast Asian cinema, history, and culture while reinforcing the contribution of Indonesian academics to international scholarly conversations. This reflects a dedication to cultural heritage preservation, as cinematic and academic explorations of the region’s past help ensure that future generations can access and appreciate the rich traditions of Southeast Asia.
The engagement of UGM scholars in forums such as the AAS also reinforces the importance of equality in academic representation, particularly for scholars from under-represented regions. By creating spaces where diverse voices can be heard, the CHSS 2026 project and UGM’s leadership contribute to a more inclusive and equitable global academic landscape.
Moving forward, UGM’s continued leadership of the CHSS Indonesia Hub is expected to foster deeper collaborations among scholars across Asia, promoting education for sustainability, empowerment, and the preservation of cultural heritage through interdisciplinary research and international dialogue. The success of this participation in the AAS 2026 forum serves as a testament to the transformative potential of academic exchange in building a more connected and culturally aware global community.
Contributors: Nada & Jusma, 2026
