Makassar, November 5–6, 2024 — The Seminar and Final Monitoring-Evaluation (Monev) of the Indonesian Collaborative Research (Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia, RKI) for 2024 took place successfully at Hasanuddin University, Makassar. The event commenced with an opening speech from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, followed by parallel monitoring and evaluation sessions.
Representing Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., Head of the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS), actively participated in the seminar and Monev sessions. Prof. Rini serves as the lead researcher for the RKI project, collaborating with partner researchers from Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the University of Yangon, Myanmar.
During the event, Prof. Rini presented the research project titled “Creative, Innovative, and Smart Sustainable City Concept for Capital City.” The study emphasizes sustainable urban development strategies, combining creative and innovative approaches with smart technologies to address the challenges of developing the new capital city, Nusantara. This collaborative research underscores the significance of multidisciplinary and international cooperation in achieving sustainable urban growth.
Apart from the seminar and Monev sessions, participants were invited to a field trip on 6 November 2024 to explore two significant sites in Makassar. The first destination was the Rammang-Rammang Karst Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized natural wonder renowned for its unique geological formations and biodiversity. The second stop was the CPI (Centre Point of Indonesia) area, a key development project symbolizing Makassar’s urban transformation and commitment to sustainable city planning.
The field trip provided participants with an opportunity to connect their research insights with real-world examples of urban and environmental management. Amandita Ainur Rohmah, S.Si., an RKI research assistant, also took part in both the Monev sessions and the field trip, contributing valuable support to the ongoing project.
The Seminar and Final Monev not only highlighted the progress and achievements of the RKI research but also fostered meaningful discussions among academics, policymakers, and practitioners. Through events like these, CESASS and its partners continue to advance research collaboration and contribute to innovative solutions for regional and national development challenges.