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

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, a cooperation contract was signed between BKPSDM Balikpapan City and CESASS UGM. The signing ceremony was attended by the Head of Personnel and Human Resource Development Agency of Balikpapan City, Purnomo M., S.Sos., M.M., along with department heads, staff members, and team leaders of each project.

The principal agreement documents/contract documents include:

1. “Procurement of Preparation of Studies Related to the Readiness of Implementation of Talent Management and HR Management in the Balikpapan City Government” led by Dr. Ratminto, M.Pol. Admin.
2. “Procurement of Preparation of Technical Guidelines for Civil Servant Achievement Assessment in the Balikpapan City Government” led by Dr. Ambar Teguh Sulistiyani, M.Sc.
3. “Procurement of Compilation of Competency Gap Analysis and Qualifications of Employees and their Follow-Up Plans” led by Prof. Dr. Wahyudi Kumorotomo, M.P.P.
4. “Procurement of the Preparation of Career Patterns for Civil Servants in the Balikpapan City Government” led by Dr. Bagus Riyono, M.A.
5. “Procurement of Preparation of Studies Related to Preparation of Plans for Mid-Term Employee Requirements Based on Type of Position in the Balikpapan City Government” led by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T.

The discussion sessions between participants from BKPSDM Balikpapan City and each of the team leaders went lively. The end goal of the collaborative efforts is to improve the overall employee performance and human resource management in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan. read more

Looking Back, Peering Forward: A Journey of Reflection and Anticipation

On the 17th of July, the Center for Southeast Asia Social Studies conducted the first CESASS Talk Series with the topic of Urban Future Development in Southeast Asia. There are four speakers for this Talk Series, The Director of CESASS UGM, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., CESASS Researcher, Dr. Arif Akhyat, M.A., Secretary of Asian Urban Research Association, Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania, Prof. George Pomeroy, Ph.D., AICP and Senior Lecturer at Vietnamese-German University and Organizing Team of 16th Asian Urban Conference, Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong, moderated by CESASS Researcher, Drs. Muhadi Sugiono., M.A.. The event was conducted online through Zoom, with over 40 participants joining eagerly. read more

On Monday, the 17th of July, the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) held opening sessions for the SEA-Gate program of Tamkang University, Taiwan. Prof. Jian Bang-Deng and Dr. Chiu Chun-Ta (teachers) and eight students: Liao Chia-Yu, Chao Wei Chu, Peng Guan Lin, Ciou Shan Rou, Hsieh Ting He, Hsiao Ching An, Wu Yai Ting, and Liu Yu An, participate in the SEA-Gate program at CESASS to learn Southeast Asian studies and  Indonesian culture and language in particular. read more

On the 17th of July, the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies conducted the first CESASS Talk Series with the topic of Urban Future Development in Southeast Asia. The online event was conducted through Zoom with over 40 participants in attendance. The event featured four speakers: the Director of CESASS UGM, Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., CESASS Researcher, Dr. Arif Akhyat, M.A., Secretary of Asian Urban Research Association, Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania, Prof. George Pomeroy, Ph.D., AICP, and Senior Lecturer at Vietnamese-German University and Organizing Team of 16th Asian Urban Conference, Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong. The session was moderated by CESASS Researcher, Drs. Muhadi Sugiono., M.A. read more