As one of the agendas of the 2024 Summer Course Program organized jointly by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Victoria University (VU), and Institut Seni Yogyakarta (ISI), a general lecture was held on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The lecture took place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Siti Baroroh Building, Room 201, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

This lecture was delivered by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., an expert in traditional Indonesian puppetry. Dr. Rudy presented highly engaging material on various types of wayang, such as wayang kulit and wayang golek. He explained the philosophical meanings contained in each character, the performance methods, and much more.

Dr. Rudy’s discussion attracted significant attention from the participants, especially the students from VU. They asked many questions about wayang, such as whether wayang golek and wayang kulit can be performed together, whether wayang stories must be taken from religious or cultural stories or can be created to follow contemporary developments, and so on.

In addition to providing theoretical explanations, Dr. Rudy also gave the lecture participants the opportunity to handle wayang puppets directly. He even demonstrated how to perform with wayang, making the lecture atmosphere more lively and interactive.

This event not only provided new insights for the participants about wayang art but also strengthened their understanding of Indonesian culture. This general lecture became one of the highlights of the summer course program and is expected to increase interest and appreciation for traditional arts among international students.

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, representatives from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences participated in a calligraphy workshop as part of the International Association for Asian Studies (AAS) in Asia 2024 conference. The representatives included Maulita Shinta Maharani and Aulia Muchtarom. The workshop took place in the atrium of Building B of the Faculty of Philosophy at UGM, Yogyakarta, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM WIB.

The event began with a round table discussion featuring calligraphy experts from various cultures, including Islamic, Javanese, Chinese, and Korean calligraphy. This discussion provided deep insights into the history, techniques, and philosophies behind each type of calligraphy, enriching the participants’ understanding of calligraphy art from different cultural perspectives.

Following the discussion session, participants enjoyed a communal lunch, which served as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and share experiences among participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. The event then continued with a hands-on calligraphy practice session, where participants were divided into four classes based on their chosen type of calligraphy: Chinese, Islamic, Javanese, and Korean.

Each class was guided by expert instructors who provided direct mentorship to the participants. The participants were taught various basic to advanced techniques in creating calligraphy and understanding the philosophical meanings behind each stroke of ink. Through this activity, participants were encouraged to realize that calligraphy is not just beautiful writing but also a form of self-expression that requires heart and soul in its creation.

The workshop attracted participants from various countries, creating a diverse and enthusiastic learning environment. The participation of representatives from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM in this event demonstrated their commitment to fostering international relationships and enriching cultural understanding through the art of calligraphy.

The event concluded with a group photo session and a coffee break, where participants had the chance to converse informally and strengthen social networks. This calligraphy workshop not only provided technical and artistic knowledge but also introduced participants to the profound philosophies behind each calligraphy stroke, teaching that art should be done with the heart.

As part of the series of activities in the summer course program organized by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), Victoria University (VU), and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (ISI), a public lecture on the Indonesian Diaspora was held. This lecture took place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Siti Baroroh Building, Room 201, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (GMT+7).

The public lecture featured Dr. Arifah Arum Candra as the keynote speaker. Dr. Arum is an expert in diaspora studies with extensive experience and in-depth research on this topic. In her lecture, Dr. Arum discussed various aspects of the Indonesian Diaspora, including its history, challenges, and contributions in various countries.

Throughout the event, participants consisting of students from UGM, VU, and ISI Yogyakarta were very enthusiastic about the presentation. They not only listened attentively but also actively participated in the discussion sessions that were conducted in a conducive manner. Many participants asked questions and shared their views on various issues discussed, creating an interactive and vibrant atmosphere.

Dr. Arum also encouraged participants to understand the importance of the diaspora’s role in national development and how the younger generation can be more actively involved in strengthening ties with the diaspora community. The ongoing discussion demonstrated the participants’ keen interest in delving deeper into the topic of diaspora and finding ways to contribute to this global network.

This public lecture is an important part of the summer course program aimed at enriching students’ understanding of various global issues and providing a more profound learning experience. The summer course program itself is a collaboration between FIB UGM, VU, and ISI Yogyakarta, focusing on interdisciplinary and international learning.

With the conclusion of this public lecture, it is hoped that participants will take away valuable knowledge about the Indonesian Diaspora and apply it in their academic and professional lives. This lecture also strengthens academic cooperation between the three institutions and provides a meaningful learning experience for all parties involved.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is proud to host the prestigious international conference “Association for Asian Studies in Asia 2024” (AAS-in-Asia). The conference takes place over three days, from Tuesday, July 9th to Thursday, July 11th, 2024, and is attended by approximately 1,400 participants from 43 countries.

On this occasion, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM serves as one of the main venues for various panel discussions and academic presentations. As a center for cultural and humanities studies, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM provides adequate facilities to support the smooth running of this international conference.

The “Association for Asian Studies in Asia 2024” conference brings together academics, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines interested in Asian studies. With participation from 43 countries, this conference offers an extraordinary opportunity to share knowledge, research findings, and perspectives on various important issues related to Asia.

Over the three days, conference participants attend various panel sessions discussing topics such as politics, economics, culture, history, and social issues in Asia. These discussions are led by leading experts in their fields, providing in-depth insights and valuable new perspectives.

In addition to panel discussions, the conference also includes other sessions such as interactive workshops. Participants have the opportunity to interact directly with speakers and fellow attendees, expanding their academic and professional networks.

This conference not only serves as a platform for sharing knowledge but also introduces the beauty and cultural diversity of Yogyakarta to international participants. As a city of culture and education, Yogyakarta offers a rich experience in history and tradition, adding value to the conference.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), hosted the opening of the summer course program held at the University Club UGM. This program is a collaboration between UGM, Victoria University (VU), and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (ISI). The event took place on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB.

The event began with a warm welcome from Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM. In her speech, Dr. Mimi expressed her hope that this program would serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, skills, and culture among students from the three universities.

Following Dr. Mimi’s remarks, the event continued with a presentation from representatives of Victoria University. They provided an overview of the film project that participants will work on during the program. This presentation was intended to inspire and guide participants in developing their creative ideas.

Next, representatives from ISI Yogyakarta delivered a presentation on the technical aspects of filmmaking. This presentation covered various technical aspects such as shooting, editing, and production. With this technical briefing, participants were expected to understand and master the skills required in the filmmaking process.

After the presentations, there was a traditional dance performance by Sastra Oebah featuring the Birawa Girjita dance. All participants were captivated by the performance.

The event concluded with a discussion and a communal meal held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. This activity provided an opportunity for participants to get to know each other and discuss their projects informally. Additionally, the communal meal served as a moment to strengthen the relationships among students from the three universities.

In this program, participants from UGM, VU, and ISI were divided into several groups. Each group will collaborate to produce a short film as the output of this activity. Through this collaboration, students are expected to develop practical skills in filmmaking while enriching their cultural and academic insights.

This summer course program is expected to serve as a tangible example of successful and sustainable international collaboration, providing significant benefits for all participants and the institutions involved.