Yogyakarta, 24/4/2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A. as a Professor in the field of History. The inauguration ceremony was held at the UGM Senate Hall and attended by members of the academic community, family, and guests from various institutions.

In his inaugural speech entitled “Has Political Independence Transformed the Concepts of Colonisation and Decolonisation of Knowledge in Higher Education?”, Prof. Agus Suwignyo asserted that Indonesia’s political independence has indeed transformed these concepts, although the changes have not unfolded in a linear or progressive manner.

“Eight decades after the Proclamation of Independence, we have yet to witness a thorough and systematic decolonisation of knowledge within our universities,” said Prof. Agus. He stressed that while Indonesia is politically independent, the domain of knowledge and its production continues to be overshadowed by unresolved colonial legacies.

In his speech, Prof. Agus also drew attention to how criticisms of academic institutions have emerged as early as the era of President Soekarno. He quoted Soekarno’s statement: “I detest all this juridical formalism; I detest all this intellectualism,” which reflects the tension between politics and intellectualism. A similar tension, according to Prof. Agus, resurfaced six decades later in President Prabowo Subianto’s remark: “There are these professors who are so smart, yet they disagree. I’m puzzled. Are they clever or foolish? I don’t know. Maybe their minds are sharp, but their hearts can’t feel.”

These two statements, though separated by 64 years, reveal an enduring scepticism toward the role of intellectuals in the political power structure. Prof. Agus argued that such scepticism hampers genuine efforts at decolonising knowledge, as academic independence is often constrained by ideological interests.

The ceremony concluded with congratulations and best wishes for Prof. Agus, in the hope that he will continue to contribute to the development of critical and timely historical scholarship, especially in advancing a more substantial decolonisation of knowledge in Indonesian academia.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 11/2/2025 – The Department of History at Universitas Gadjah Mada will hold a national seminar titled ‘Chinese-Javanese Cultural Hybridity in Indonesian History.’ The event will take place in the Auditorium Room on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building, from 13.00 to 15.00 WIB. The seminar aims to explore the rich cultural diversity that has shaped Indonesian history, with a particular focus on the interaction between Chinese and Javanese cultures.

The seminar will feature three prominent speakers: Prof. Dr. Sugeng Priyadi, M.A., Prof. Dr. Bambang Purwanto, M.A., and Prof. Dr. Rustopo, M.A. Each speaker will present their unique perspective on the cultural hybridity that emerged from the historical interactions between Chinese and Javanese communities in Indonesia. This topic is particularly relevant in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasise the importance of cultural diversity and inclusion.

Following the presentations, there was a Q&A session where participants could interact with the speakers and delve further into the topics discussed. This interactive segment aimed to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas among participants, thereby increasing understanding of cultural diversity in Indonesia.

The seminar is open to the public, and all interested individuals are invited to attend. This is a valuable opportunity for students, researchers, and anyone interested in Indonesian history and culture to gain insights from leading experts in the field. By participating in this seminar, participants will contribute to the broader discourse on cultural diversity and its significance in achieving the SDGs.

In conclusion, the seminar ‘Chinese-Javanese Cultural Hybridity in Indonesian History’ promises to be an enlightening event that highlights the importance of cultural diversity in shaping Indonesian identity. It serves as a reminder of the rich historical interactions that continue to influence contemporary society and the need to embrace and celebrate this diversity for a more inclusive future.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 11/2/2025 – The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a significant book discussion titled ‘The Opium King of Yogyakarta: Memoirs of Kho Ho Sing 1823-1878.’ The event took place in the Auditorium Room on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building, attracting a diverse audience interested in cultural history and the complexity of cultural diversity in Indonesia.

The discussion featured three prominent speakers: Dr Abdul Wahid, M.A., Dr Leonard C. Epafras, and Dr Sri Margana. Each speaker provided a unique perspective on the life and legacy of Kho Ho Sing, a pivotal figure in the history of Yogyakarta, whose memoirs reflect the hybrid cultural identity of the Chinese and Javanese communities in Indonesia.

Afterwards, the discussion was rounded off with a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to interact with the speakers. One of the interesting questions was about the relationship between Kho Ho Sing and the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. The speakers explained how Kho Ho Sing’s relationship with the sultanate reflects the intricate ties between different cultural groups in Yogyakarta.

The event not only highlighted the historical significance of Kho Ho Sing but also emphasised the broader theme of cultural diversity in Indonesia. It served as a reminder of the importance of recognising and celebrating the various cultural influences that have shaped this nation.

As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting cultural diversity, this discussion aimed to encourage a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s multicultural heritage. The speakers encouraged the audience to appreciate the rich cultural exchanges that have taken place throughout history.

In conclusion, the book discussion on ‘The Opium King of Yogyakarta: Kho Ho Sing’s Memoir 1823-1878’ was a successful event that brought together academics, students and cultural enthusiasts. The event provided valuable insights into the hybrid cultural identities that define Indonesia and emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity in contemporary society.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, September 30, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a farewell lecture for Prof. Dr. Phil. Vincent Houben, a distinguished professor of Southeast Asian history and society, on Monday morning at the 7th Floor Auditorium of Soegondo Building. The event was attended by students in general, especially UGM history students, as well as Prof. Houben’s fellow lecturers.

In a lecture entitled “Area History in the Age of (De)globalization – a Retrospective and Prospective View,” Prof. Houben discussed the dynamics of regional history in the context of globalization and deglobalization, highlighting how these changes affect historical understanding. In his presentation, he invited students to reflect on the historical journey that has been taken and the challenges that will be faced in the future.

Prof. Houben recounted his academic journey, which began with the study of Indonesian history and Indonesian language at Leiden University from 1980 to 1987. He then continued his career as a lecturer in Indonesian history at Leiden from 1986 to 1997, before entering the maturity phase of his career by becoming a professor at Passau University and Humboldt University until 2022.

This event was a valuable opportunity for students to learn directly from the experiences and insights of an academic who has contributed greatly to the study of Southeast Asian history. With the spirit of sharing knowledge, this farewell lecture is expected to motivate students to continue to explore and develop the field of history in Indonesia. FIB UGM will always remember Prof. Houben’s contribution and wish him all the best for his next journey in retirement and future projects.

The Open Senate Meeting in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM was successfully held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. In the event, one of the lecturers and students of the History Department of FIB UGM won awards as outstanding lecturers and outstanding students. The lecturer is Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A. and a History student class of 2020, namely Dinda Nabila.

When interviewed, Dinda Nabila revealed that she felt very grateful for the award that had been given to her. “Alhamdulillah, of course grateful. If you think back a little, I tried many things and of course it wasn’t always smooth. A lot of the behind-the-scenes process is tiring. But with all that, I can cherish every process. But, other than that, I felt like I don’t deserve it, because, yes, there are many friends who are cool and deserve this too,” said Dinda.

Dinda also gave a message to her friends and juniors to keep appreciating every process that is being passed, especially the lecture process. She said, “trust your process, no matter how fast or slow. As long as you have dreams and faith, you’ll get it at your right time. So, from now on, don’t think too much over things you can’t control, just focus on what you can and do your best!”