Yogyakarta, May 13th 2024─The passing of the 2024 elections does not necessarily mean the end of political contestation in Indonesia. The many phenomena during the elections have drawn criticism from various parties, including academics and political observers. The Department of Politics and Government invited Arief Budiman, Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) for the 2017-2021 period, and Bambang Eka Cahya Widodo, Chairman of the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) for the 2008-2012 period, to a public lecture on Monday (6/5).
Yogyakarta, May 6th 2024─The world is experiencing a triple planetary crisis that includes climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Various efforts have been made to address these issues, one of which is by adopting circular economy principles in business and daily activities. However, the understanding and implementation of circular economy is still limited to the business sphere. Responding to this, the Institute of International Studies (IIS) UGM together with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) through UNDP Indonesia and Bappenas organized a workshop entitled Mainstreaming Circular Economy for Transformative and Sustainable Change as an effort to mainstream circular economy principles to the grassroots level on Monday (6/5) at the Mandiri Auditorium, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
Yogyakarta, May 3rd 2024─Responding to the need for integrated Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) implementation in various agencies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM through Center for Digital Society (CfDS) established cooperation with the Regional Government of West Sulawesi Province. Through a meeting held on Friday (3/5) in the Dean’s Conference Room, the two further discussed the implementation of SPBE Internal Policy, SPBE Governance, SPBE Management, and SPBE Services. Especially, referring to the regulations enacted and the challenges faced in the implementation of the fulfillment of the SPBE index as a whole.
Yogyakarta, May 2nd 2024─Every country has its own population age cycle. Indonesia will experience a demographic bonus in 2030-2040. After that, the age of the old population will increase. This phase will make the country have to bear a greater burden than when the majority of the population was in productive age. To find out the right steps to handle this, the Department of Social Development and Welfare (PsDK) of FISIPOL UGM held a webinar entitled “Elderly Friendly Cities: Creating an Inclusive and Livable Environment for All Elderly” on Monday (29/4).
Yogyakarta, May 2nd 2024─Student Creativity Program (PKM) is a program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) for students to develop and apply their knowledge in society. This year, as many as 11 teams from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM have passed the PKM funding stage with various research titles. One of the teams led by Muhammad Faiq Fauzan from the Department of Social Development and Welfare (PsDK) conducted research in Panggungharjo sub-district, D.I. Yogyakarta.
There is an optimistic belief that the rapid advancement of digital technologies can foster a more inclusive societal landscape. However, the reality diverges from our optimistic expectations. Digital technology also serves as a catalyst for undemocratic tendencies. This is particularly evident as political actors leverage digital technologies as primary tools to achieve their goals, often disregarding democratic values. Various social media platforms, for instance, are utilized not solely for promoting certain political ideologies but also for disseminating misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, not all users of these digital platforms possess adequate digital literacy. Consequently, fake news and hate speech proliferate across mainstream platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. This proliferation has led to societal polarization and even conflict among opposing factions.
Yogyakarta, April 24th 2024─As one of the activities that is always anticipated, especially during the exam period, Fisipol UGM again provides free breakfast for students. As previously known, this activity has become a routine agenda at Fisipol UGM known as Fisipol Free Breakfast where the Faculty provides breakfast as a form of concern for students undergoing Semester Examinations. In addition, breakfast can provide adequate nutrition for students who are usually too serious and focused on thinking about their exams so that not a few students have to skip their breakfast, even though nutritional intake from breakfast can also help students in clarity of thinking, when compared to having to undergo exams in a state of rumbling stomach. Free breakfast for students is provided every morning during the Mid-Semester Examination (UTS) and Final Semester Examination (UAS) periods held at the Fisipol campus.
Yogyakarta, April 23rd 2024─Alumni of the Department of International Relations (IR), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) Universitas Gadjah Mada, Angelo Wijaya, became one of two UGM alumni who represented Indonesia at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum on April 16-18 at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States. Along with Angelo, Fajar Sidik Abdullah Kelana, an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering, was appointed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) along with two other Indonesian youth, as part of the official delegation of Indonesian youth supported by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York.
Yogyakarta, April 22nd 2024─Three study programs of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Universitas Gadjah Mada are included in the QS World University Rankings (WUR) by subject 2024. The three study programs are Public Policy Management (MKP) or Social Policies and Administration at rank 108, International Relations or Politics and International Studies at rank 156, and rank 206 occupied by the Sociology study program.
Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti, S.IP., M.PP., said she was proud of the achievement, but it was still a reminder for the management of the Faculty to continue to make continuous improvements. This is because the recognition from this international ranking agency can be taken into consideration to choose which aspects need to be improved. “This achievement can be a proud aspect, but also a kind of self-reflection on how we in the Faculty need to improve our quality and reputation better,” Poppy said in her statement to journalists on Friday (18/4).
Yogyakarta, April 18th 2024─Although the 2024 elections are over, the political contestation in Indonesia is still not over. The dynamics of this political year is an interesting topic to be examined by observers. The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM together with Deakin University and three other institutions collaborated in an International Conference titled “Populism, Digital Technologies and the 2024 Elections in Indonesia” which was held on April 17-18, 2024 in a hybrid manner.