CESASS IUP Global Gateway (CIGG) students are taking their academic journey beyond borders as they embark on an exciting series of university visits to some of Southeast Asia’s leading higher education institutions.

Following a week-long academic engagement at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Indonesia, the students continued their regional learning experience with visits to five prominent universities: National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaya (UM), and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). read more

Yogyakarta, September 17, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) presents a new conversation on academic and bilateral collaboration with Prof. Elo Süld, Director of the Center for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Tartu, Estonia.

The visit explores the evolving relationship between Estonia and Indonesia and what it reveals about the future of cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia or EU and ASEAN.

The discussion examines how Indonesia is becoming an important gateway for Estonia’s engagement with Southeast Asia and ASEAN, going beyond traditional bilateral relations. It explores Estonia’s approach to small-state diplomacy and opportunities for cooperation in areas including digitalization, innovation, trade, security, and education. read more

Yogyakarta, September 28–October 2, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) hosted SIT Study Abroad Indonesia for a five-day program on “Arts, Religion, and Social Change,” held from September 28 to October 2, 2026. Based at CESASS and across the UGM campus, the program brought together U.S. university students and UGM student buddies. It combined six thematic seminar lectures, Indonesian language classes, cultural activities, site visits to Borobudur and Prambanan, and a closing interfaith discussion with UGM students. The program demonstrates the value of academic exchange, intercultural understanding, and meaningful interaction in an increasingly interconnected world. read more

Yogyakarta, September 22, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) hosted its regular CESASS Talk #57, titled “Indonesia-Iran Cultural and Intellectual Relations: Historical Foundations, Contemporary Challenges, and Future Horizons”. Held in a hybrid format at the Indonesia Room, CESASS UGM, and via Zoom, the session featured Dr. Yahya Jahangiri, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the guest speaker. The session was moderated by Dicky Sofjan, M.A., MPP., Ph.D., from the UGM Graduate School. read more

Yogyakarta, September 17, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) held its 56th CESASS Talk co-organized with the  Department of International Relations, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Featuring Prof. Elo Süld, Head of the Centre for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Tartu, the talk explored bilateral relations between Indonesia and Estonia and their connection to the broader relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  read more

Bandung, September 12–13, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) participated in the Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program (SEASREP) Chain of Centers (CoC) Meeting.

The meeting brought together representatives from Southeast Asian Studies and ASEAN Studies centers and institutions from across the region, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and other participating countries. The meeting was led by Prof. Dr. Maris Diokno, SEASREP’s Excecutive Director, Dr. Maitrii Aung-Thwin, and Dr. Abdul Wahid, SEASREP Board of Trustees. read more

Yogyakarta, September 7, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) hosted its regular CESASS Talk webinar, focusing this time on the issue of transboundary haze in the ASEAN region. The discussion brought together two experts on haze and environmental governance: Dr. Arifudin, S.P., M.P. from the Center for Peatland and Disaster Studies at Universitas Riau, and Drs. Martinus Nanang, M.A. from the Center for Humid Tropical Forest Studies and Rehabilitation at Universitas Mulawarman. read more

Yogyakarta, August 13, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) welcomed Prof. Ekmel Geçer from Marmara University, Turkiye. Prior to his visit to CESASS, he had delivered a lecture at the Faculty of Psychology UGM, where he engaged with students and academics on matters of shared academic and regional interest.

Reflecting on his first visit to Indonesia, Prof. Geçer expressed his appreciation for the country’s remarkable potential. He noted that, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, endowed with abundant natural resources and a member of the G20, Indonesia possesses significant strategic, economic, and human potential. read more

Yogyakarta, August 10, 2026 — Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed Prof. Edo Han Siu Andriesse from the Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences, Seoul National University (SNU), for an initial meeting to explore opportunities for academic and research collaboration between the East Asian Centre, Seoul National University, and CESASS UGM.

The meeting provided an opportunity for CESASS to introduce its academic and research activities, as well as its ongoing efforts to foster interdisciplinary research and strengthen academic networks across Asia. Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto, Head of the Program and Publication Division at CESASS, highlighted the Centre’s commitment to advancing collaborative research and facilitating academic exchange, particularly in areas related to Southeast Asian studies. read more

Yogyakarta, August 6, 2026 — What drives Vietnam’s rapid economic transformation and enduring stability? This core question defined CESASS Talk #54, themed “Vietnam Outlook: Past, Present, and Future Trend,” featuring Dr. Nguyen Hoang Phuong of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, and moderated by Dr. Muhammad Rum.

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Reform

During the session, Dr. Phuong highlighted that Vietnam’s development is grounded in the decisive leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and its capacity for consistent, long-term policy execution. Under the CPV’s strategic vision, the Đổi Mới policy successfully established a Socialist-oriented market economy, combining political stability with dynamic economic modernization. read more