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. read more

Yogyakarta, June 23, 2025 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) officially opened the 2025 Summer Course Program with the theme “Smart City, Digital Transformation and Society in Southeast Asia”. The opening ceremony was held at 09.00 AM (GMT+7) in a hybrid format—online via Zoom and onsite at the Indonesia Room, 2nd Floor, Pusat Antar Universitas (PAU) Building, UGM.

The program was officially opened by the Director of CESASS UGM and Program Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., who also delivered welcoming remarks. In her remarks, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. expressed her appreciation to all the summer course speakers, who are colleagues from 12 countries: Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, China, Germany, Finland, Romania, Nigeria, the Netherlands, the United States, and Brazil. She also acknowledged the contributions of domestic colleagues from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Indonesia (UI). Appreciation was extended to the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM for providing a grant that facilitated the successful organization of this summer course for the second consecutive year. The Faculty of Geography UGM was also recognized for its collaboration and support. The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Muhammad Kamal, S.Si., M.GIS., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Geography UGM, and Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Director of Partnerships and Global Relations. Several speakers of the program were also present and had the opportunity to share a few words with the participants. read more

Nusantara, June 10–14, 2025 — In the framework of the Indonesian Collaborative Research (RKI) 2025 with lead researcher Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. (UGM) and partner researchers from UI, ITB, BRIN, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Sagaing University of Education Myanmar, the team carried out field work in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN). The research is titled “The Continuation of Nusantara Capital City Development: Strengthening and Limiting Aspects.” Activities included FGDs and surveys, visits to the Nusantara Technology House, ASN Flats, Garuda Palace, Plaza Bhineka (IKN Point 0), and OIKN Office. The team was also invited by the Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Dr. (H.C.) Ir. H. M. Basuki Hadimuljono, M.Sc., Ph.D. to meet at his office. read more

Yogyakarta, June 3, 2025 — CESASS Talk Series #5 was held online, featuring Dr. Tufan Kutay Boran from the Department of Area Studies, Social Sciences University of Ankara, Türkiye, who delivered a presentation on “How Indonesian Political Parties and Islamic Organizations Influence Foreign Policy Making”. The session was moderated by Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto, guiding the discussion and Q&A with participants from diverse academic backgrounds, including international young scholars. read more

Yogyakarta, May 19, 2025 — A presentation focusing on the intricacy and geopolitical importance of underwater sea cables in Southeast Asia was conducted at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM). The presentation was conducted by Cameron Regan, an International Relations student at the University of Queensland.

Recent events regarding underwater cable malfunctions in areas such as the South China Sea and Java Sea inspired the presentation’s research focus. Specifically, the political and economic impact of these malfunctions in the Southeast Asian and Indo-Pacific spheres of influence. Underwater fibre optic cable systems provide approximately 95% of the worlds’ internet connectivity, ensuring split-second speed of financial transactions and a functional digital economy worth immeasurable value. This means those states which manufacture and regulate these cables in international waters can manipulate encrypted global communication networks.  read more

Yogyakarta, May 19, 2025 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a presentation by Zoe Pearce, an Asian Studies student at the University of Western Australia. The presentation covered the topic of sustainable energy transition in Indonesia, with the help of Australian Aid programs.

Zoe explored the relationship the two countries have, with Australia and Indonesia being neighbours and close allies, Indonesia’s current plans for a sustainable energy transition, the countries’ challenge in meeting current goals, and finally, initiatives and government programs where Australia and Indonesia are working together to achieve this sustainable energy transition. The presentation outlined the current Australian government program KINETIK, which is being employed in Indonesia to help foster solutions and promote a sustainable energy transition in Indonesia. read more

Yogyakarta, January 20, 2025 — The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a delegation from the Asian School of Business (ASB)-MIT Sloan School of Management, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melati Nungsari, Faculty Director of the ASEAN Research Center. Accompanying her were Ms. Shre Maha Manohar, Research & Communications Executive, and Ms. Fatimah Zahra Ros’azam, Research Associate. The visit marks a significant step in fostering academic exchange and exploring collaborative opportunities between the two institutions. read more

Bali, January 14–16, 2025 — The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held the 17th International Asian Urbanization Conference (IAUC). The conference, themed “Rethinking Sustainable Urban Development and Urban Futures in the Digital Age,” took place at Prime Plaza Hotel Sanur, Bali. The IAUC was chaired by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Director of CESASS UGM. The event was supported by the Asian Urban Research Association (AURA) and the Faculty of Geography UGM. It attracted significant international academic attention, with a total of 59 abstracts, 31 presenters, and 6 participants from 9 countries: Indonesia, the United States, Germany, Romania, France, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, and Taiwan. read more

Yogyakarta, January 10, 2025 — Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Head of Centre for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) UGM, became a speaker at the Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) Program UGM, ACICIS, and Monash University. She delivered the material “Urbanisation, Smart City, and Cases of Indonesia (IKN and Kali Code)”.

The event was attended by students and lecturers from Monash University.

Yogyakarta, 19 December 2024 — The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) warmly welcomed Prof. James Robson, Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute (HYI), and Dr. Ruohong Li, Associate Director of HYI. The visit marked a strategic step for HYI, which has primarily focused on East Asia, to expand its academic connections and initiatives to Southeast Asia. HYI is a prestigious institution supporting academic development in the Social Sciences and Humanities across Asia. It hosts Visiting Scholars and Fellows through its funded research programs at Harvard University. read more