Yogyakarta, January 28, 2026 — 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.
By bringing together engineers, sociologists, international relations scholars, and other academics, CESASS seeks to encourage more inclusive, socially responsive, and context-sensitive technological development. This approach aligns with CESASS’s broader mission to promote interdisciplinary research, policy-relevant knowledge, and meaningful community engagement across Southeast Asia.
In collaboration with the Department of Geodetic Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) and the Department of Sociology and International Relations (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences), the discussion addressed two strategic themes. The first examined ASEAN and the South China Sea from multidisciplinary perspectives, while the second focused on sustainable tourism and the role of technological interventions. Both sessions demonstrated how integrated academic perspectives can produce more comprehensive analyses and grounded solutions.
Through initiatives such as this multidisciplinary forum, CESASS continues to strengthen academic collaboration and contribute to informed dialogue on pressing regional and global issues.
