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

From left to right: Agustinus Aryo Lukisworo, S.Sos., M.A., Dr. Dhyah Ayu Retno W., S.Sos, M.Si., Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto, and Satria Adya Firhansyah, S.I.P.

Yogyakarta, July 18, 2025 — The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for journal collaboration between the organizing committee of the Conference on Media, Communication, and Sociology (COMICOS) 2026, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, and IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies took place at the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM). read more

Yogyakarta, July 10, 2025 — Smart City, Digital Transformation, and Society in Southeast Asia Summer Course Program 2025, organized by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM), was officially concluded. The closing ceremony took place in a hybrid format, held both online via Zoom and on-site at Indonesia Room, 2nd Floor, Pusat Antar Universitas (PAU) Building, UGM.

This closing ceremony marked the end of a 15-day program that welcomed 73 participants from 17 countries, who engaged in lectures, discussions, and fieldwork focusing on the intersection of digital innovation and urban development in Southeast Asia. read more

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