Yogyakarta, Indonesia – The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) held its annual Summer Course, “Meneliti dan Mengajar Asia Tenggara” (MMAT) 2024. This year’s theme, “Social Transformation in Contemporary Southeast Asia,” underscores the program’s commitment to addressing critical social dimensions in Southeast Asia aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on quality education, as well as goals 5 through 17.
Held from July 16 to 26, 2024, the summer course adopts a hybrid format, combining in-person and online sessions. The program is organized in collaboration with prestigious institutions including the Center for Southeast Asian Socio-Cultural Community Studies at National Chengchi University (NCCU), the Department of Education and Future Studies at Tamkang University, and Mahidol University.
The opening program, held on July 16, 2024, featured welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Director of CESASS UGM, Dr. M. Falikul Isbah, the Coordinator of this year’s program,and Prof. Jian-Bang Deng from Tamkang University, representing Cesass international partner, and Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Apt., Director of DKRG UGM.\
The class was opened by Prof. Anthony Reid from the Australian National University, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture on “Why Southeast Asian History Matters?” His presentation set the stage for a series of lectures that delve into various aspects of social transformation in the region. MMAT 2024 features other 15 international lecturers covering a broad spectrum of topics related to Southeast Asia’s contemporary social landscape. Highlights include:
- Dr. Luqman-nul Hakim (Universitas Gadjah Mada) – Indonesian in ASEAN: The Quest for Autonomous Regional Order.
- Dr. Muhammad Rum (Universitas Gadjah Mada) – ASEAN Fractured Approaches to Global Political Crises: The Case Study of Thai Re-engagement Policy towards Myanmar Junta.
- Dr. phil. Vissia Ita Yulianto (Universitas Gadjah Mada and National Chengchi University) – Southeast Asian Students and Migrants in Taiwan.
- Dr. M. Falikul Isbah (Universitas Gadjah Mada) – Employment and Digital Economy in Southeast Asia.
- Prof. Dr. Naoki Umemiya (Sophia University) – International Cooperation in Higher Education in Southeast Asia.
- Prof. Yuzuru Shimada (Nagoya University) – “Authoritarianism” in the Post-authoritarian Indonesian Society and Constitutional Politics.
- Prof. Gu Bo Kyeung (Busan University of Foreign Studies) – Korea’s KASI Strategy and Indonesia-South Korea Relations.
- Prof. Jian-Bang Deng (Tamkang University) – Southeast Asian Migrants Workers in Taiwan.
- Prof. Dr. Michaela Haug (Freiburg University) – Environmental Issues in Southeast Asia Today.
- Prof. Syuan-Yuan Chiou (National Chengchi University) – Between Faith and Work: Indonesian Female Migrant Workers’ Adaptation to Religious Life in Secular Taiwan.
- Assoc. Prof. Minako Sakai (University of New South Wales) – Key Enabler for Financial Sustainability in Philanthropic Foundations: Fostering Social Enterprises.
- Kanchina Yingyot, Ph.D. (Mahidol University and National Chengchi University) – The Influence of Politics on Thai Culture.
- Dr. Le Thi-Nham (National Chengchi University) – Performance Evaluation of Bilateral Economic Cooperation between Taiwan and Southeast Asian Countries under New South Bond Policy: Past, Present, and Future.
- Dr. Mari Mulyani (University of Oxford) – “Participation” and “Social Learning”: How do local communities adapt to environmental change and achieve social transformation?
- Ronald M. Castillo, M.A. (University of Santo Tomas) – Contemporary Politics in The Philippines.
Accordingly, this year’s program features esteemed international lecturers from eight countries: Australia, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. Student participants come from different universities and countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States of America, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Italy.
CESASS are grateful to the support from the Directorate of Partnership, Alumni and Global Initiatives Universitas Gadjah Mada for their continues support.
For more information, please visit the MMAT 2024 Summer Course Program page at https://ugm.id/InfoMMAT2024SocialTransformation.
About CESASS UGM:
The Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is a leading research center dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of Southeast Asia. CESASS UGM conducts research, provides academic programs, and promotes knowledge exchange to deepen understanding of Southeast Asia’s diverse cultures, societies, and development challenges.
About UGM:
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is a prestigious university located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to community engagement. UGM strives to nurture global-minded scholars and leaders who will contribute to the advancement of society.
Writer: Ichlasul W. Wicaksana
Pusat Studi Sosial Asia Tenggara UGM
pssat@ugm.ac.id
(0274) 589658