Yogyakarta, July 5, 2025 — As part of the Smart City, Digital Transformation, and Society in Southeast Asia Summer Course Program 2025, the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) organized an on-site session featuring Assoc. Prof. TPr Dr. Khoo Suet Leng from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
Held at the Indonesia Room, Prof. Khoo delivered a session titled “Creative City”, in which she critically discussed how cities in Southeast Asia have the potential to develop into creative cities, particularly by leveraging technological advancements. She highlighted how creativity and innovation can play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable urban environments.
Following the lecture, participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste engaged in a fieldwork that brought the smart city concept into a real-world context. The field trip focused on four core themes: smart tourism, smart economy, smart branding, and smart culture. The itinerary included visits to Prambanan Temple to observe tourism innovation and Kotagede to explore silver craft-based small enterprises. The day concluded with a group dinner to experience Yogyakarta’s cultural richness.
Reporter: Mellyana Nungki Pramitha