Stefani Adelia Tiurma Mukti from the Department of Archaeology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with Fadel Ilham Dzulkarnain from the Multimedia Engineering Technology program at Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), has introduced an innovative framework for cultural heritage preservation. Presenting at the interdisciplinary iCAST-SS 2026 conference held in Surabaya on October 9–10, 2026, the duo unveiled their research titled “From Prediction to Preservation: An Explainable AI and WebGIS Framework for Simulated Archaeological Heritage Conservation in Trowulan, Indonesia.” Their study focuses on the historical Trowulan site in East Java, a vital zone containing the grand remains of the ancient Majapahit Kingdom, proposing a digitally simulated approach to its ongoing conservation planning.

This interdisciplinary research merges Explainable AI (XAI) and Web-based Geographic Information Systems (WebGIS) to transform conventional archaeological mapping into transparent and precise spatial predictive models. By utilizing Explainable AI, the framework ensures that machine learning predictions are fully interpretable, giving experts clear insights into the environmental and historical factors driving the model’s outputs. Simultaneously, the WebGIS platform serves as an accessible digital interface that visualizes spatial analysis in real time. This synergy successfully bridges the gap between traditional archaeological spatial context and advanced computational data handling, offering a highly communicative tool for heritage management.

Although currently structured around a simulated environment, this pioneering research opens up new avenues for modernizing cultural site management across Indonesia. The findings set the foundation for future field validation and algorithmic refinements, aiming toward real-world applications that can assist policymakers and conservationists in making data-driven decisions. Through their participation in iCAST-SS 2026, Stefani and Fadel demonstrate the powerful potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration—uniting the humanities with technology—to effectively address the complex challenges of preserving cultural heritage in the modern era.

Author : Muhammad Irsyad
Photo Credits: Stefani Adelia Tiurma Mukti

Seven delegations from Iwate University, Japan, accompanied by Professor Anders Carlqvist, visited Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, on Monday, September 21, 2026. The visit was part of the Iwate University delegation’s academic activities to explore the cultural heritage of Yogyakarta. During the visit, Dr. Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A., delivered a lecture entitled “Preservation and Maintenance of Historical Sites in and around Yogyakarta.” The lecture was held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. WIB and was also attended by several 2nd year Archaeology students at UGM. The lecture discussed efforts to preserve and maintain historical sites in Yogyakarta and its surrounding areas. The activity provided the delegation with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of various aspects of historical heritage preservation while broadening their perspectives through an academic approach. The visit not only strengthened academic relations between UGM and Iwate University but also provided an opportunity for students and delegates to communicate and broaden their cross-cultural perspectives in the field of archaeology.

Author: Josephine Kirana Nareswari

Yogyakarta, September 3, 2026 — The S1 Archaeology Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held “LinkedIn Ready: Build Your Professional Presence Before You Graduate” on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Auditorium, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event was aimed at S1 Archaeology students, particularly those from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, as part of the program’s efforts to prepare students for the professional world.

The workshop featured Mohammad Genta Mahardika, S.E., M.B.A., Lecturer at the Department of Economics and Business, Vocational College, UGM, as the speaker. Designed as a practical career workshop using a Build Along Workshop approach, the event enabled participants not only to learn about LinkedIn but also to directly build and optimize their own profiles during the session.

The session introduced students to the importance of building a professional presence while still at university, particularly by presenting their experiences, competencies, interests, and achievements through LinkedIn. One of the key points emphasized was the importance of developing a clear professional identity through an effective profile, professional connections, and a professional photo.

The speaker also discussed strategies for creating a LinkedIn profile that effectively represents an individual, including setting student status, identifying career goals, developing a headline and About section, and selecting an appropriate profile and cover photo. Participants were encouraged to showcase their individual experiences and work, including academic assignments and projects, as a way to demonstrate their progress and competencies.

Beyond profile building, the workshop also covered strategies for expanding professional networks. Participants were encouraged to begin by connecting with fellow students in the same field before expanding their networks to students, alumni, and professionals from other fields. LinkedIn can also be used to identify mentors and establish professional relationships with clear purposes. This is in line with the workshop’s focus on developing professional networks and utilizing LinkedIn for career development opportunities.

The event continued with the LinkedIn Building Workshop and LinkedIn Profile Sprint, where participants directly updated and completed their LinkedIn profiles based on the materials provided. This hands-on approach was a key component of the workshop, allowing participants to immediately apply what they had learned.

Through LinkedIn Ready, the S1 Archaeology Study Program UGM hopes to encourage students to establish their professional presence before graduation and make greater use of LinkedIn as a platform for professional networking and career development. The workshop represents one of the program’s efforts to equip students with relevant skills and prepare them for the professional world.

Author: Muhammad Irsyad
Photo credit: Nadhifa Nurrahmi Hasna

The Archaeology Student Association (HIMA) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Underwater Archaeology (ABA) Division, conducted an Open Water Training as part of the development of students’ diving skills. The training was held for six days, from July 23 to 28, 2026, in Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java, with Sentra Selam Jogja serving as the supporting instructor. During the training, participants practiced diving in open water to apply the skills they had learned in previous training sessions.

The Open Water Training was a further stage in the diving learning process, providing students with direct experience in adapting to marine conditions. The activity also supported the development of students’ skills in observation and documentation in underwater environments related to archaeological studies, while also providing an opportunity to obtain diving certification. Through the Open Water Training, HIMA UGM aims to improve the skills and field experience of members of the Underwater Archaeology Division while preparing students to take part in underwater archaeological research and maritime studies.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo Credits: Ramadhani Alifi Cahya Saputra dan Sentra Selam Jogja

YOGYAKARTA – To prepare competitive graduates ready to enter the professional world, the Undergraduate Program in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully organized the Career Path & Career Readiness Series 2026. Spanning two comprehensive sessions in late July, this series of events was specifically designed to broaden perspectives on career opportunities while equipping students with practical skills to navigate the job recruitment process.

The preparatory program commenced with an online session titled Archaeo Connect: Alumni Career Talks on Saturday (25/7). This inspiring session featured three distinguished alumni of the UGM Archaeology Undergraduate Program: Cindi Shandoval, S.Ark., Candrika Ilham, S.Ark., and Dimas Luthfi, S.Ark. Guided by UGM Archaeology student Insqa Visia Spiritualita Holistica as the moderator, the three guest speakers shared captivating insights into their diverse career journeys.

Various professional pathways for archaeology graduates were thoroughly explored during this session, ranging from cultural heritage-based entrepreneurship and heritage consultancy to corporate museum management. Through their success stories, the alumni advised students to continuously enrich their experiences, expand their professional networks, and hone their competencies as early as possible during their university years.

The series then continued on Monday (27/7) with an offline Career Readiness Session. Hosted by Sheba Nur Majjid as the Master of Ceremonies and moderated by Khariza Erfani, this tactical session featured Tita Anwar, M.Psi. as the guest speaker.

In this second session, students did not merely listen to theoretical presentations; they acquired technical knowledge on drafting competitive curriculum vitae (CVs), strategies for building personal branding, and effective tips for conquering various stages of job interviews. To provide a comprehensive and realistic overview, students were also actively engaged in recruitment simulations and various case studies.

Through the Career Path & Career Readiness Series 2026 initiative, the UGM Undergraduate Program in Archaeology hopes that students will have a more directed career roadmap upon graduation. The synergy between cross-professional alumni and career development practitioners is expected to serve as a learning space that not only broadens horizons but also boosts the confidence of UGM Archaeology students in taking decisive steps toward their future careers.

Author: Muhammad Irsyad