Yogyakarta, 19-21 Mei 2025 —Indonesia is widely recognized as an archipelagic country. According to the Geospatial Information Agency, by 2024, the number of islands in Indonesia had reached 17,360, varying in size, location, socio-cultural systems, and natural as well as human resource potential. As territorial units, these islands are both separated and united by the sea—whose area is even larger than the landmass itself. This fact illustrates that the tendency toward fragmentation may be stronger than that of unity. As a unitary state, Indonesia exists within a constant tension between sameness and diversity, unity and potential disintegration. Therefore, the state must pay serious attention to its islands. It is for this reason that the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), continues to be emphasized by the government through various educational institutions and civic doctrinal efforts.

In response to the urgent need to address Indonesia’s existence as an archipelagic state with complex island-related issues, the Doctoral Program in Humanities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, opened the year 2025 with an international lecture series. The program invited three internationally recognized scholars in island studies to teach and deliver lectures as part of a comprehensive event entitled Critical Island Studies Summer School, themed “The Land, The Sea, and The State.” The invited scholars included Maria Luisa Torres Reyes, a full professor and Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Alex Taek-Gwang Lee, professor of philosophy and cultural studies and founding director of the Centre for Technology in Humanities at Kyung Hee University, South Korea; and Faruk, professor at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, specializing in literary sociology with a focus on cultural and island studies. The event took place from May 19 to 21, 2025, in Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

On the first day, the program commenced with an introductory presentation on Critical Island Studies (CIS) by Prof. Maria Luisa Torres Reyes and Prof. Alex Taek-Gwang Lee. Prof. Reyes—affectionately called “Bu Lulu” during her stay in Indonesia—explained that Critical Island Studies was established in 2019 at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. Its core focus is to observe and critique island-related studies, particularly in the Asian region.

On the second and third days, the program continued with lecture sessions from four keynote speakers. On Day 2, Prof. Reyes presented a lecture titled “The Sama Bajau: The Nomadic Space/Place Between ‘Laut’ and ‘Pulo’,” followed by Prof. Faruk’s presentation entitled “The Sea, Nomad, and Capitalist.” On the final day, Prof. Toshiya presented an abstract titled “What is the Speculative and Archipelagic Turn in the Recent Tonality of Human Sciences?” which was then followed by the final lecture delivered by Prof. Alex titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Ecological Catastrophe.”

Guided by a moderator, the event did not merely consist of lectures but also featured engaging discussions with the participants. The entire Critical Island Studies (CIS) Summer School concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA, Vice Rector for Education and Teaching at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Doctoral Program in Humanities]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — The Doctoral Promotion Open Examination of Dr. Ronidin was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session took place in the Multimedia Room, 2nd Floor of the Margono Building, at 10.00 AM (WIB). This academic agenda marked the culmination of his doctoral journey in the Humanities Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In this open examination, Dr. Ronidin defended his dissertation entitled “The Expression of Minangkabau Tabedo in Novels by Minangkabau Authors Post-PRRI to the First Half of the New Order: A Genetic Structuralism Study.” The examination was supervised by Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum. as Promoter, and Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum. as Co-Promoter, and chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si.

This dissertation delves deeply into how the historical events of the PRRI (Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia) and the political transition during the early New Order period shaped cultural expressions and worldviews of Minangkabau authors through the medium of novels. Utilizing Lucien Goldmann’s genetic structuralism approach, reinforced by Lotman’s narrative theory, this research demonstrates how the Minangkabau tabedo worldview—characterized by difficult and dilemmatic social conditions—is reflected in literary texts.

The study examines five novels by Minangkabau authors: Dari Puncak Bukit Talang by Soewardi Idris, Panggilan Tanah Kelahiran by Dt. B. Nurdin Jacub, Saraswati Si Gadis dalam Sunyi by A.A. Navis, Warisan by Chairul Harun, and Bako by Darman Moenir. These novels depict the realities of Minangkabau society post-PRRI, amidst state hegemony and the shifting of traditional values, such as the role of the maternal uncle in the matrilineal system, the role of religion, and the relationship between the village and the diaspora.

Dr. Ronidin emphasizes that the Minangkabau tabedo phenomenon emerges as a representation of the tension between traditional values eroded by political realities and modernity introduced from external influences. In these novels, complex social realities are metaphorically portrayed through characters and narrative relationships, structurally reflecting the sociological conditions of Minangkabau society during that era.

This open examination not only affirms Dr. Ronidin’s intellectual capacity as an academic but also contributes significantly to Indonesian literary studies, particularly in understanding literature as a mirror of a society’s socio-political dynamics.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 10/4/25 – The big family of Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a syawalan event on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Margono Djojohadikusumo Building (Greenland) of FIB UGM. The event, which took place from 08.00 to 11.30 WIB, became a gathering place and strengthened the togetherness of the academic community after the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1446 H.

A series of events were officially opened at 09.00 WIB by Dr. Robi Wibowo, S.S., M.A. and Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. as Master of Ceremony (MC), followed by the recitation of the Qur’an by two UGM Arabic Literature students, namely Azka Dihya Khaliffa and Risma Nur Isnaini which added to the solemnity of the atmosphere. The Dean of Faculty of Arts UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., also gave a warm welcome and expressed his appreciation to the committee and all invited guests who attended.

One of the important moments in this year’s syawalan is the introduction of new lecturers and education staff (tendik) which shows the spirit of inclusiveness and kinship within the Faculty. This moment became a warm initial introduction for the new family members of FIB UGM.

The wisdom of Syawalan was delivered by Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A., who gave a deep reflection on the meaning of syawalan as a means of introspection and renewal of social relations followed by the distribution of door prizes to invited guests which added to the lively syawalan event and created a festive atmosphere and full of surprises.

The series of events were closed with a prayer led by Dr. Mutiah Amini, M.Hum and continued with hospitality and a meal together which further strengthened the togetherness between the academic community of FIB UGM in a family atmosphere.

With this event, Syawalan FIB UGM 1446 H is not only an annual routine, but also an important moment in strengthening the values of togetherness, knowledge, and kinship within the Faculty.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 22/1/2025 – The second day of the 20th International Conference of the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM20) was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. A series of agendas on the second day included public lectures, plenaries, various parallel and virtual sessions, and a welcome by the Resilience Development Initiative Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF).

Department of Anthropology UGM Documentation

The first agenda on the second day was a public lecture entitled “The Urban Perspective on Forced Displacement” delivered by Prof. Dr. Stephen Cairns, an academic from Monash University Indonesia who has expertise in urban and architectural studies at the Soegondo’s Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Prof. Dr. Stephen Cairns has conducted several studies focusing on the overlap between architecture, urbanism, and environmental sustainability with a strong emphasis on Southeast Asia. Prof. Cairns has contributed extensively to urban studies, particularly in understanding city dynamics in the context of climate change and sustainability.

Before continuing with the coffee break session, there was a plenary session with the topic “Reflection on the (Re)conception of Urban Displacement and the Right to the City”. The plenary session began with the presentation of the material “Cosmological Markings and Erasures: The Politics of Heritage, Gentrification and Displacement in Yogyakarta’s Kraton” which examines a study on the reconstruction of the fort wall around the Yogyakarta Kraton area. There are three main elements discussed in the delivery of presentations at this plenary. First, the reconstruction is related to economic development based on tourism. Second, planning and development have been characterized by observations to create and recreate the authenticity of the built environment. Third, the project appeals to the authorities because the Sultan, the sovereign leader of the Province and owner of the land that used to be palace grounds, is respected and known for his kindness in terms of public housing.

The second presentation was delivered by Marco Kusumawijaya, a professional and activist in the fields of architecture, environment, art, cultural heritage, planning, and urban development. He delivered a presentation titled “Gentrification + Suburbanization = Ab-urbanization” which discussed the population shift from depleting city centers to increasingly dense suburban areas in several small, medium, and large cities in Indonesia. The current trend, driven by neoliberal gentrification and suburbanization, is resulting in “ab-urbanization”, urbanization “away from the city” that is getting further and further away without boundaries.

In the last presentation, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wiwandari Handayani, a professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, explained that land subsidence in several major cities along the north coast of Java reaches 15 cm per year because it is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to him, this pressure is exacerbated by the rapid urbanization taking place in Java, where it is recorded by the Central Bureau of Statistics that 56.10% of Indonesia’s population inhabits Java in 2021. This double pressure exposes northern coastal residents to higher threats. However, despite these challenges, migration or mobility has not emerged as a solution to address environmental risks for communities living in coastal areas.

With the end of the series of public lectures and plenary sessions on the second day of the 20th IASFM International Conference at Gadjah Mada University, it is hoped that participants will increasingly realize the complexity of the challenges faced by communities affected by forced migration in urban areas. The various perspectives raised, ranging from gentrification, environmental change, to the right to the city, emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach in finding sustainable solutions. This conference is not only a space for exchanging ideas, but also a momentum to strengthen collaboration between academics, practitioners, and policymakers in designing more inclusive and equitable strategies for affected communities.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 23/1/2025 – The Department of Cultural Anthropology Universitas Gadjah Mada together with the Resilience Development Initiative Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF) has successfully organized a series of activities for the 20th International Conference of the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM). This prestigious conference was held for three days, from Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to Thursday, January 23, 2025.

The conference invites researchers and individuals with lived experience of (forced) migration, policy makers, and practitioners working with (forced) migrants to build a space for reflection, knowledge exchange, and discussion around forced displacement and urban management in the spirit of GCM, GCR, and NUA to improve urban planning and response to forced displacement and to strengthen the network of academics, practitioners, and decision-makers under IASFM to share knowledge and experiences on international forced displacement in urban contexts and to screen issues of concern for future collaborative research, especially in the context of the Asia Pacific Region.

The opening ceremony took place on the first day on the second floor of Grha Sabha Pramana Building which began with remarks from the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., who also warmly welcomed the arrival of participants who came from all over the world. The next remarks were also delivered by the Director of Resilience Development Initiative Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF), Dr. Elisabeth Rianawati, IASFM President, Dr. Veronica Fynn Bruey, and IASFM 20 Executive Chair, Dr. Akino Tahir and Dr. Realisa Darathea Masardi.

On the first day, there was also a presentation on international migration and forced displacement in the Southeast Asian region by the keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, M.A., professor of national security research and strategic issues in Indonesia. Then, a plenary session related to the “Global Agenda for International Migration” delivered by Prof. Ranabir Samaddar, Dr. Sripapha Petcharamesree, and Prof. Susan Banki also added to the insight of the participants who attended. In addition, various main programs were also held in the classroom of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The next keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Stephen Cairns, a professor from Monash University Indonesia who specializes in urban and architectural studies, also presented on urban perspectives on forced displacement on the second day. In addition, there was also a plenary session on “(Re)conception of Urban Displacement and the Right to the City” delivered by Prof. Wiwandari Handayani, Marco Kusumawijaya, and Dr. Tular Sudarmadi, M.A. Both agendas were held in the Auditorium Room on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

On the third day, the last plenary session related to “Knowledge Production on Urban Displacement” was delivered by Prof. Itty Abraham, Dr. Silke Lange, and Baqir Bayani in the 7th floor Auditorium Room of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Then, in the same room, the second Ignite State agenda was also held which discussed “Refugee-Led Community Impact: Youth Stage”. In addition, various main programs were also held in the classroom of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada as on the first and second days.

By inviting researchers and individuals with experience in the field of forced migration, policy-making, and practitioners, the conference is expected to strengthen networks between academics, practitioners, and decision-makers, especially in the context of the Asia Pacific region.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]