[Yogyakarta, 29 September 2023] — On Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada held CESASS Talk Series 2, Part 2: “The Narrative and Construction of ASEAN Identity”. The hybrid seminar featured an Indonesian diplomat, Monica Ari Wijayanti, M.A., a representative from the Directorate of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia.

The seminar delved into the dynamic realm of ASEAN identity and its significance in today’s evolving global landscape. Here are some key highlights from the event: read more

Thursday, September 21, 2023, the “International Webinar on Smart Cities: Toward Indonesia Smart 2045 The Second National Forum” was held, in collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works & Housing and UN Habitat, together with the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event was attended by Edlam Yemeru, Ph.D. (Chief of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch – UN Habitat), Dwi Elfrida Martina (Ministry of Communications & Informatics), Ir. Zevi Azzaino, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Head of Center for National Infrastructure Development – Ministry of Public Works & Housing), Thana Chirapiwat, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor – Silpakorn University), Ismawaty Nur (Head of Agency of Communications & Informatics of Makassar City), Agus Tri Haryono, S.T., M.T. (Head of Development Planning Agency at Sub-National Level of Yogyakarta City) as speakers. Acted as speaker and discussant, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. (Head of CESASS UGM) and moderated by Erike Brigitha Malonda, B.A. (Chief Executive Officer – ASECH). read more

[Yogyakarta, Indonesia] – On September 4, 2023, the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) brought together scholars, experts, and enthusiasts for an enlightening session of the CESASS Talk Series #2 part 1. Held in sync with the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, this discussion delved into the heart of ASEAN identity and unity.

Dr. Piti Srisangnam, the Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, served as the speaker, captivating the audience with his presentation on “The Narrative and Construction of ASEAN Identity.” The discussion was moderated by Dr. Luqman Nul Hakim, a CESASS Researcher and accomplished International Relations Lecturer. read more

Introducing a multi-disciplinary research team on The Internationalisation of Higher Education in Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan lead by Prof. Ming-Sheng Wang (NCCU, Taiwan), Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto (CESASS UGM, Indonesia & NCCU, Taiwan) & Prof. Naoki Umemiya (Sophia University, Japan). This research team is working in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. (CESASS UGM), Dr. Ir. R. Wahyu Supartono (MMPT UGM) and Dr. Falikul Isbah (Fisipol UGM).

It is a 2 year research project aiming at comparing similarities and differences on how each universities in this three countries incorporate the government policy on internationalization of higher education (HE) onto their faculty level. The project is funded by NCCU in strengthening academic cooperation between the university and UGM. read more

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) UGM received a visit from Prof. Sanderein Verstappen from University of Vienna. Director of CESASS UGM, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. accompanied by Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. and Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto warmly welcomed her.

They discussed potential collaborations one among others is about research project on the practice of cycling in Indonesia in relation to environmentally, economically and socially sustainable future. read more

Through Indonesian Collaborative Research/Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia (RKI) activities, which are research activities from three universities, namely UGM as Principal Researcher with Team Leader Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T, as well as UI and ITB as Partner Researchers have carried out field activities in East Kalimantan on 1-5 August 2023. This RKI research activity carries the research title “Application of Metaverse Technology, Digital Twins and the Smart Sustainable Concept Urban Development to Support Urban Future and Urban Governance in the National Capital of the Archipelago, Indonesia”, supported by the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) UGM for administrative management and a forum for researchers and assistants at UGM in carrying out this research. Data collection activities in the field were carried out on 01-05 August 2023 through in-depth interviews with the Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation of the IKN Authority Agency and with the Regional Head of North Penajam Paser Regency as well as Focus Group Discussions with Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) in Balikpapan City, and Penajam Paser Utara Regency, and Samarinda City. Field activities were also carried out in IKN (Capital City of the Archipelago), namely observations at the Titik Nol IKN and the Minister’s Landed House Construction area and Worker Residential Area (KHP) as well as the surrounding area and FGDs with the local community. read more

The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) was honored to welcome esteemed guests from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Dr. Nor Suzylah Sohaimim, Director of the Research Institute for Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore; Assc. Prof. Dr. Naim Ajis, Deputy Dean of the Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government; and Dr. Rosfaraliza Azura, Senior Lecturer at the School of Government, engaged in a fruitful meeting with CESASS.

Joining the event from CESASS were Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto (CESASS Head of Publication, Program, and Workshop), Prof. Dr. Purwo Santoso, M.A., Ph.D. (Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics, UGM), Dr. Fauzan (Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics, UPN), and Agung Satriyo Nugroho, S.Si., M.Sc. (Faculty of Geography, UGM). read more

Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) UGM is one of the study centers involved in the Study of Planning and Mapping of Digital Ecosystem Solutions Needs in Tojo Una-Una Regency which was organized by BAKTI Ministry of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia and Universitas Gadjah Mada. CESASS UGM research team consists of Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T. as Lead Researcher and Head of CESASS UGM, Amandita ‘Ainur Rohmah, S.Sc., M.Sc. and Azis Musthofa, S.Si. as Assistant Researcher. The phase I of data collection activities were carried out on 22-29 July 2023. The FGD activities were held on Monday, 24 July 2023 at the Lawaka Hotel, Ampana Kota, Tojo Una-Una Regency and was attended by 45 participants from various regional apparatuses, representatives of the private sector, academics, and community groups in the Tojo Una-Una Regency. The FGD activity was opened by Assistant II for the Economy and Development of the Regional Secretary of Tojo Una-Una Regency. Apart from carrying out the FGD activities, both of UGM Research Team and BAKTI also carried out field observations on the conditions of BTS and IA (Internet Access), as well as in-depth interviews regarding the use of internet access for the education, health and government sectors in various regions including Togean Island. Observation activities and in-depth interviews also target Culinary SMEs and Tourism SMEs. Furthermore, data collection was also carried out by carrying out in-depth interviews with relevant regional officials in Tojo Una-Una Regency. read more

On Wednesday (26/07), Centre for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) UGM received a visit from Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) Chapter of Universitas Islam Indonesia. The students learnt about the Study Centre in UGM and internship opportunities offered by CESASS. 

Located in the Indonesian Room, 2nd floor of the Centre, Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto, CESASS researcher, gave a presentation on the CESASS profile. The session was followed by a question and answer session.

“We are very open to young scholars who want to get engaged to social issues on Southeast Asia through our programs here, to learn how we conduct research as well as how we disseminate our research analysis” said Dr. Ita. read more

Ms. Kira Tabunova, ASEAN Center representative of MGIMO University, Russia, visited CESASS UGM for a week. On behalf of CESASS’ director, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si.,M.T., CESASS’ Head of Research, Journal and Cooperation Division, Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. warmly welcomed her.

The cooperation between MGIMO and CESASS started in September 2022 when four students from MGIMO’s Graduate Program of International Relations joined an internship program at CESASS. This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova during the MMAT 2023 Summer Course Program, entitled “Southeast Asia in the Russian Perspective.” read more