East Kalimantan, Febuary 8–14, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) research team conducted fieldwork in East Kalimantan to examine socio-cultural transformation and environmental justice in the context of Indonesia’s capital relocation project, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN).

Recognizing that the implications of the new capital extend beyond its administrative boundaries, the team has expanded the locus of research to encompass East Kalimantan more broadly. This approach enables a deeper understanding of interconnected processes affecting communities, ecosystems, and governance structures across the province. read more

Yogyakarta, Febuary 3, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) hosted a discussion forum with the AInsightGeo research team as part of an interdisciplinary dialogue connecting geospatial innovation with socio-economic development in Southeast Asia. The forum was held under the CESASS Chat series, titled “GeoSpectra: AI-Based Geospatial Modelling for Rooftop Photovoltaic Assessment and Property Tax Valuation in Indonesia”, and explored the role of AI-based geospatial modeling in addressing urban sustainability challenges. read more

Yogyakarta, January 28, 2026 — The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) organized a multidisciplinary discussion involving scholars from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, reaffirming the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in responding to contemporary social and technological challenges.

The discussion highlighted the growing interconnection between technology and society, emphasizing that technological innovation both shapes and is shaped by social, political, and cultural contexts. Addressing complex regional and global issues therefore requires collaborative approaches that integrate technical expertise with social and political analysis. read more

On September 12, 2025, Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) successfully hosted the CESASS-CHAT #3 in a hybrid format, held at the Indonesia Room, CESASS UGM. The session featured Jauza Rifa Abdurrafi, a student of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham. Delivering a presentation titled “Talent Migration and Economic Growth in Indonesia: Balancing Brain Drain, Brain Gain, and Institutional Capacity,” Jauza shed light on the realities of Indonesian migration and its significance for the nation’s future development. read more

Yogyakarta, August 21, 2025 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) took part in the Acicis NGO Fair 2025 at the front area of the Margono Building (Greenland), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. Organized by the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (Acicis) and supported by the Australian Government, the annual fair brought together leading organizations across Yogyakarta to introduce internship and volunteer opportunities to local and international students. read more

Information has become a crucial asset in a globalised world order, speed and consistent transmission of information have become vital for a thriving digital economy. To facilitate this global flow of information, subsea communication cables connect every continent in a vast network. Current estimates suggest subsea cables transmit more than 95% of internet traffic, facilitating USD $10 trillion in financial transactions every day in the US financial sector alone (Brock, 2023; Goodman & Wayland, 2022). Additional research has stressed an increased cable manufacturing effort by several nation states, coupled with tense bidding for cable project contracts and the designation of placements, which disrupt the interests of other parties (Noor, 2024, p. 7-8). Arguably, this tense situation opens a new dimension to the ongoing security dilemma between regional superpowers in Southeast Asia, with uncertain and perhaps harmful outcomes. The fragility of these cables with their vital communication and electricity transmission capacity, will leave them as exposed desirable targets in conflict scenarios. I will additionally analyse two factors to consider from a global competition context: market driven interests and state driven interests. read more

Nusantara, August 11–16, 2025 — A field survey was conducted in IKN (Nusantara Capital City) for the 2025 Fundamental Research scheme under the topic: “Smart Innovation and Waste Management Systems to Support the Implementation of a Smart City in Indonesia’s New Capital.”

The 2025 Fundamental Research Team is led by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. (Head of the Regional Development Program, Master of Geography UGM, and Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies UGM), with research members Prof. Dr. Eko Haryono, M.Si. (Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Geography and Head of the Doctoral Program in Environmental Science) and Ir. Agus Prasetya, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. (Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering). read more

Yogyakarta, July 24, 2025 — The GEO-PW Webinar Series of IKN Regional Development #6 and Focus Group Discussion with the theme “The Continuation of Nusantara Capital City Development: Strengthening and Limiting Aspects” was organised by the Regional Development Study Interest, Master of Geography UGM, supported by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM).

The Head of IKN Authority, Dr. (H.C.) Ir. H. M. Basuki Hadimuljono, M.Sc., Ph.D., delivered a presentation followed by an FGD by the Chief Researcher of Research Collaboration Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., with a team consisting of Prof. Ir. Dana Indra Sensuse, M.LIS., Ph.D. (UI RKI Partner Researcher), Dr.techn. Wikan Danar Sunindyo, S.T, M.Sc. (Partner Researcher of RKI ITB), Prof. Dr. Galuh Syahbana Indraprahasta (Partner Researcher of BRIN), and Assc. Prof. Dr Khoo Suet Leng (Partner Researcher Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia), Prof. Dr Khin Khin Soe (Partner Researcher Sagaing University of Education, Myanmar). read more

Yogyakarta, July 22, 2025 — Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM), attended a meeting upon the invitation of Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA., Vice Rector for Education and Learning at UGM. The meeting was held with delegates from the Department of Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures (SEALC) at National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan.

The NCCU delegation consisted of Prof. Dr. Chao Chin-Chi (Acting Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literature & Chair of the SEALC), Prof. Dr. Jiang Cuifen (Director of the Chinese Language Teaching Centre), Dr. Silvia Rehulina Ginting (Assistant Professor of the SEALC & Head of Indonesian Language and Cultures Study Program), and Mr. Yuan Ting Lim (Operations Manager of the Center for Southeast Asian Socio-Cultural Studies in the Department of Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures). The meeting was also attended by Dr. Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.S., Ph.D., Head of the Subdirectorate of International Collaboration. read more

Yogyakarta, July 21, 2025 — A strategic meeting between the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) and the Department of Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures of National Chengchi University (SEALC NCCU), Taiwan, took place at CESASS UGM.

CESASS was represented by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. (Director), Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. (Head of Research, Education, and Cooperation Division), Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto (Head of Program and Publication Division), and Dr. Arif Akhyat, M.A. (Affiliated researcher with an expertise on history of Southeast Asian Studies). SEALC NCCU was represented by Prof. Dr. Chao Chin-Chi (Acting Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literature & Chair of SEALC), Prof. Dr. Jiang Cuifen (Director of the Chinese Language Teaching Centre), Dr. Silvia Rehulina Ginting (Assistant Professor and Head of the Indonesian Language and Cultures Study Program), and Mr. YuanTing Lim (Operations Manager of the Center for Southeast Asian Socio-Cultural Studies). read more