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, 13/2/25 – The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada has successfully held a public lecture entitled “Beyond the Point of No Return: The Re-Emergence of Indonesian Debates and Concepts of the Return of Cultural Objects” on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Soegondo’s Auditorium Building.

The public lecture was opened with remarks from the Head of the UGM Department of History, Dr. Abdul Wahid, who emphasized the importance of academic studies in the context of repatriation. The large number of Indonesian artifacts brought to the Netherlands was often accompanied by coercion. This is evidenced by the strengthening of momentum in the post-1949 era, especially in the 1970s, centered on the Dutch perspective, which tended to marginalize Indonesian voices on the issue.

Documentation of UGM Department of History, Muhammad Faisal Adnan

The session featured Dr. Sadiah Boonstra, a historian and curator from CultureLab Consultancy who is also an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She said that this public lecture was part of her repatriation research program in Indonesia. The research aims to examine more deeply the issue of returning cultural objects that historically originated from Indonesia, but are now in museums in the Netherlands.

In her lecture, Dr. Sadiah Boonstra highlighted the latest developments regarding the return of Indonesian artifacts, including the steps taken by the Royal Family of the Netherlands in returning a number of historical items to Indonesia. However, she also explained that museum collections in the Netherlands cannot be arbitrarily transferred, but must first be offered to other public institutions before being returned to their country of origin.

“The repatriation process is not simple. There are various legal and procedural challenges that must be met, especially since each country has its own regulations when it comes to the transfer of museum collections,” said Dr. Sadiah Boonstra.

Along with the increasing awareness of the importance of returning historical artifacts to Indonesia, this public lecture is expected to be a spark for academics and stakeholders to continue fighting for Indonesia’s rights to its cultural objects scattered in various parts of the world.

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

Yogyakarta, 14/2/25 – In order to assist exchange students regarding their study plans at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit together with the Academic Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Coordination Meeting for Exchange Student Study Plans in the Multimedia Room of the Margono Building on Friday, February 14, 2025 which was attended by Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Participants of the FIB Dean Consortium throughout Indonesia and Abroad.

This activity began with remarks from the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum. who conveyed warm greetings to the students present and also ensured that each student no longer had obstacles to their study plans at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada in this semester. In addition, Mrs. Ningrum also conveyed the various activities that can be participated in by exchange students, such as traditional dance, gamelan, batik, and many more which are coordinated in the Semi-Autonomous Student Organizations of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

After discussing student activities, the session continued with a presentation on course selection procedures by the Academic Team of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session was conducted with the involvement of one of the student exchange participants from Japan, Takeru Homma, who was willing to volunteer in the practice of course selection.

In addition to listening to the explanation from the Academic Team of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, all students who attended also seemed enthusiastic to build networks among each other with small talk about their origin and views on UGM and Yogyakarta. Hopefully, the Coordination Meeting of the Exchange Student Study Plan will be a positive step in strengthening the relationship between students and faculty, as well as opening opportunities for them to get to know more about the culture and student activities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

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

Yogyakarta, 5/2/2025 –Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada received a study visit from SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Soegondo’s Auditorium Building on the 7th floor. The study visit was attended by 200 participants consisting of students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan.

The study visit began with a speech from SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan represented by Drs. Khoerudin, M.M., Chairman of PCM Sawangan, who revealed that this study visit was one of a series of Goes to Campus, P5 Project, and Napak Tilas Muhammadiyah activities in Yogyakarta. In his speech, he also expressed a hope for his students to be able to get to know more and make Gadjah Mada University a part of their future.

The activity continued with a video profile of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, followed by a presentation of material about the Faculty of Cultural Sciences by representatives from the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. and Swety Firmanti, S.Sos. In their presentation, they explained the history, study programs, student activities, and entry points that can be taken by students to continue their education at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In the middle of the presentation session, there was a quiz and question and answer session which was followed by students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan with great enthusiasm. Several questions ranging from how to get accepted at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada to how the living conditions, customs, and culture in the Universitas Gadjah Mada environment were also conveyed by students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan.

With the end of the interactive and enthusiastic question and answer session, the activity continued with a group photo. The hope is that this study visit will become a valuable momentum for students of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan to better understand the world of lectures, especially at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Hopefully, this experience can be a motivation for them in planning their academic future and building enthusiasm to continue pursuing knowledge in college.

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

Yogyakarta, 23/1/2025 – The third day of the 20th International Conference of the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM20) was held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. A series of agendas on the third day included plenary sessions, Ignite State, various parallel and virtual sessions, and closing.

The agenda on the last day began with a plenary session entitled “Multidimensionality in Urban Displacement and Knowledge Production”. The plenary session discussed the paradigm shift in studies and practices related to forced migration where the knowledge of refugees is increasingly recognized as an important source of information. Refugees are no longer simply seen as objects of research, but as witnesses with valuable life experiences, and can even position themselves as partners in the production of knowledge related to forced migration.

In the context of this discussion, some refugees no longer live in camps under the supervision of humanitarian agencies, but settle in urban environments and interact with diaspora communities, fellow refugees, and even local communities so that the role of international organizations such as UNHCR and IOM becomes less dominant, while refugee-led organizations become increasingly important. Recognizing refugees’ knowledge can change the way refugees are perceived and policies related to refugee issues. The discussion session also explored the new perspectives that can emerge with this approach and how more inclusive knowledge production methods can reshape the relationship between researchers and research subjects.

After the plenary session, there was an “Ignite State” session that discussed the leadership role, creativity, and achievements of refugee youth in developing community-based initiatives. In recent years, refugee youth have shown remarkable resilience of innovation in addressing various issues faced by refugee communities. However, their efforts still need further attention in the global discussion on displacement and migration.

Through this one-hour session at IASFM20, young leaders are given the space to share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in running community-based programs. The main objective of the session is to amplify the voices of refugee youth and showcase the tangible results of their initiatives. In addition, the session also aimed to change the narrative of refugees from being a vulnerable group to innovative and independent agents of change.

The 20th IASFM International Conference at Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakata is not only an academic event, but also a space for researchers to share their experiences and demonstrate their active role in creating solutions for the international community. With refugees’ knowledge and leadership increasingly recognized in forced migration issues, the conference emphasized the importance of a more inclusive and collaborative approach in refugee-related research and policy.

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