KAGAMA UGM, in collaboration with KAGAMA Batik and the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the 2026 National Batik Day Seminar on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Taking place at the Soegondo Auditorium, FIB UGM, the seminar carried the theme “Preserving Heritage, Nurturing the Future: Batik as a Cultural Identity and a Space for Innovation.” The event was organized to commemorate National Batik Day, which falls on October 2, 2026.

The event opened with a performance of the Golek Ayun-Ayun dance as a welcoming gesture to the guests in attendance. The event was made even more vibrant by a showcase of various types of batik from different regions, ranging from Jakarta batik to Madura batik. This series of activities served as an introduction to the richness of Indonesian batik motifs, the diversity of its traditions, and the cultural values embedded in this heritage.

The seminar featured Dr. Eng. Ir. Laretna Trisnantari Adishakti, M.Arch., a retired UGM lecturer and Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Heritage Cities Conservation and Management, as the keynote speaker. In her presentation, she explored various aspects of batik, including its history, local wisdom, and role in sociocultural movements and international relations diplomacy.

Dr. Eng. Ir. Laretna Trisnantari Adishakti, M.Arch., also highlighted the challenges of sustaining batik traditions amid changing times and emphasized the importance of developing sustainable preservation strategies. One of the key points she raised was batik’s role as a tool of diplomacy, both across the Indonesian archipelago and Southeast Asia, as well as on the global stage. Beyond serving as a cultural identity, batik also has the potential to support a regenerative economy—a system that not only generates economic value but also restores the environment, strengthens social and cultural life, and improves community well-being.

Following the keynote session, the seminar continued with a discussion moderated by Dr. Sulistyowati, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM. The seminar featured two speakers with distinct backgrounds and experiences: dr. CHR Sulistyono, M.Sc., FISQua, owner of Batik Nyah Kiok, which produces Lasem batik in Rembang, and Aji Setyowijaya, S.S., a Yogyakarta batik artisan who also specializes in batik tiga negeri, a traditional batik style combining influences from different regions.

In his presentation, dr. CHR Sulistyono, M.Sc., FISQua, explained the history of Batik Nyah Kiok and the development of Lasem batik, including the challenges involved in ensuring its continued survival. He noted that the existence of Lasem batik is closely intertwined with the customs and cultural practices of the communities that use it. Despite its strong historical and cultural significance, batik faces several challenges today. The declining number of artisans and limited generational renewal are issues that require serious attention. These conditions could hinder the continuity of the knowledge, skills, and batik-making traditions passed down from one generation to the next.

Meanwhile, Aji Setyowijaya, S.S., shared his experience of independently pursuing a career in batik. He emphasized the importance of paying greater attention to batik-making techniques and procedures, which he believes have not received sufficient consideration. According to him, batik preservation efforts should encompass the entire production process, including knowledge of the materials and tools used by artisans. Knowledge of production methods, material availability, equipment use, and technical skills must also be safeguarded to ensure that batik-making traditions continue to thrive. Attention to these production-related aspects is increasingly important in sustaining the livelihoods of batik artisans while creating opportunities for innovation without compromising traditional values.

Participants’ enthusiasm was evident in the wide range of questions and responses raised throughout the seminar. The discussions demonstrated that batik is not only an engaging subject from an aesthetic perspective but also a gateway to broader conversations about history, cultural identity, social practices, economic sustainability, and production challenges.

The 2026 National Batik Day Seminar broadened public understanding of batik’s role in Indonesian life, not merely as a cultural heritage, but also as a means of diplomacy, a source of historical knowledge, an economic opportunity, and a space for innovation. Its development must go hand in hand with community empowerment, including the empowerment of women, and environmental awareness, with artisans and communities recognized as essential parts of the batik ecosystem.

Through this seminar, the organizers invited the public to explore and preserve batik in its entirety, encompassing its motifs, philosophical values, knowledge, and skills passed down through generations. In this way, batik can be safeguarded not only as an expression of Indonesian cultural identity but also as a means of supporting community well-being and developing sustainably as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Writer : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, October 19, 2026 — Proud news comes from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Two students from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program, Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim (Class of 2024) and Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat (Class of 2025), have successfully qualified as participants in the 39th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS 39). This national-level scientific event will be held at Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, from November 2–7, 2026.

This achievement is the result of a long series of Student Creativity Program (PKM) implementations spanning approximately four to five months. Both students, along with their respective teams, navigated various stages, ranging from field research to the Student Creativity Program Progress Assessment (PKP2). Following this rigorous process, the announcement of qualifying for PIMNAS 39 marks a proud milestone for FIB UGM students.

Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim is a member of the Social Humanities Research Student Creativity Program (PKM-RSH) team, collaborating with students from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL). The team’s research is entitled “The Paradox of Cultural Revitalization: Local Community Strategies in Facing Retail Gentrification in Kampung Batik Kauman, Solo.” The study was conducted through field research to understand how local communities navigate social and economic shifts driven by retail development in the Kampung Batik Kauman area of Solo. Through this thorough research journey, Nasywa and her team successfully advanced their work to the PIMNAS 39 stage.

Meanwhile, Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat is part of the Exact Sciences Research Student Creativity Program (PKM-RE) team, collaborating with students from science and technology fields. The team developed research on utilizing rice straw as a raw material for hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries. Their research is entitled “Engineering the Structure of Nitrogen-Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Rice Straw with Graphite Waste Spacers to Enhance the Performance of Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes.” This research focuses on engineering structural materials derived from agricultural waste and graphite to boost the performance of sodium-ion battery anodes. Successfully passing the various PKM stages brought Dinaesy and her team to secure a spot at PIMNAS 39.

The success of these two students demonstrates that FIB UGM students have ample opportunities to contribute across diverse research fields, spanning both the social humanities and science and technology. The involvement of Anthropology students in both teams also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in developing innovative research that benefits society.

This achievement is expected to inspire other FIB UGM students to continue generating ideas, conducting research, and daring to compete at the national level. The entire academic community of FIB UGM extends its appreciation to Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim and Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat, along with their respective teams. May both teams navigate the entire PIMNAS 39 series smoothly and achieve the best possible results.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

Yogyakarta, September 22, 2026 – The Undergraduate Program in Korean Language and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has officially entered into a partnership with Silla Korean Tablehouse. This collaboration aims to provide special offers and facilities to support the welfare of the academic community, particularly students and faculty members within the department.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a ceremonial handshake between the Head of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM, Achmad Rio Dessiar, Ph.D., and representatives from the management of Silla Korean Tablehouse. This partnership is expected to create a positive synergy between an educational institution and Yogyakarta’s culinary and tourism sector.

Under this agreement, Silla Korean Tablehouse offers a special 20% discount on all à la carte menu items. This benefit is valid for one year during happy hours (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM WIB) from Monday to Thursday.

This exclusive offer is available to active students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program (batches 2023–2026) as well as active faculty members. To claim the discount, members of the academic community must present valid identification at the cashier upon transaction. Students are required to show their active Student ID profile via the SIMASTER application, while faculty members must present their active Faculty ID through the official university application.

Furthermore, this collaboration offers long-term benefits for the study program’s academic community. Students and faculty members who make their first transaction by showing their active ID will automatically be registered as Silla Korean Tablehouse Customer Members at no additional cost or registration fee.

Through this partnership, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM hopes to continue building mutually beneficial relationships with external partners while delivering tangible benefits to enrich the off-campus experience and convenience for its students and faculty.

Author: Salwa Aulia

The 2nd American Studies International Conference was held again at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) on September 10–11, 2026. Organized by the American Studies Study Program, the conference carried the theme “Global America: Exploring Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges”. Simply put, the theme examines America in relation to flows, borders, and cross-border exchanges.

In this conference, American Studies was not merely understood as the study of English language or American culture. The field serves as a multidisciplinary study covering culture, society, politics, technology, literature, environment, and America’s relations with the world. This was reflected in the diverse subthemes discussed, ranging from American Literature, American Transnational Culture, Politics in the US, Film and Media Studies, to Digital Lives and Virtual Realities.

The theme “Global America: Exploring Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges” also highlights exchanges that extend beyond national boundaries. For example, ideas originating in America can spread to other countries and be implemented or adapted to local contexts. In this framework, America is seen not just as a nation, but as a part of broader global processes involving culture, migration, digital media, the environment, and various other forms of exchange.

One of the presenters, Anna M. Gade from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States, presented a paper titled “What Does a Data Center Look Like? American Studies and Political Ecology of a Global Digital Landscape”. The presentation explored data centers as integral components of the global digital landscape. It pointed out that the digital world relies on physical infrastructure: behind digital services lie physical components such as servers, electricity, cooling systems, buildings, and other supporting facilities.

Through these discussions, the conference demonstrated that American Studies is not confined to American culture or domestic society, but also examines how concepts and phenomena related to America interact with the global community. Thus, American Studies provides a platform to understand America from multiple perspectives and observe how these relationships evolve in a global context.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]