Manchester, October 11th 2024─Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada, together with Ashoka University, Mahidol University, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, University of Manchester, University of Melbourne, University of Nairobi and University of Toronto, who are members of the Global Humanities Alliance held a “Global Humanities Alliance Launch Event” on Friday, October 11th 2024. Taking place at Alliance Manchester Business School, Booth St W, Manchester M15 6PB, the event was the official launch of an international partnership, the Global Humanities Alliance (GHA), between 8 universities worldwide. The launch event was also marked by the official signing of a letter of intent from each university representative as a form of commitment to active involvement in the GHA.
The Global Humanities Alliance (GHA) is a collaboration that contributes to the social-humanities disciplines to respond to various developments, challenges, and dynamics in current world affairs. The main focus of the alliance is research and teaching programs that address global issues, engage diverse perspectives from around the world, and bring together academics and students in critical and crucial discussions.
“This alliance is based on the concern and anxiety among the member universities in strengthening social-humanities studies in responding to various developments, as well as how the issue of social-humanities disciplines position themselves in broader debates in various countries to make a more tangible contribution from social-humanities science,” said Wawan Mas’udi, the Dean of FISIPOL UGM. To achieve these goals, there is an aspiration to expand GHA membership to be more global by focusing on the universities in the Global South.
“This collaboration is an effort to improve education, research, and innovation in various fields. By connecting with a wider audience, we can encourage a more impactful exchange of knowledge and ideas for solutions,” said Alex Mihailidis, Associate Vice-President for International Partnerships, the University of Toronto.
GHA was initiated in 2021, believing that bringing together the different and complementary strengths of alliance members can positively address major global challenges and demonstrate the real contribution of social sciences and humanities in the world. GHA’s activities are focused on four main themes: public humanities focusing on inclusive communities, sustainability and climate change, decolonization of knowledge, and digital transformation.
“Being part of GHA is an important step for us to strengthen collaboration in research and teaching on humanities. So, I am confident that this partnership will have a meaningful impact on society,” said Nuntamon Kutalad, Deputy Director for International Relations and representative of Mahidol University.
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UGM, as one of the GHA members, has a commitment to actively cooperate and will welcome the GHA meeting at the Universitas Gadjah Mada next year, to discuss and formulate solutive initiatives to face global challenges.
“With this opportunity as part of the GHA, we ensure to enhance our mission as a university not only in facing challenges in Indonesia but also the challenges facing the world today,” explained Wawan Mas’udi. The contribution of FISIPOL UGM through GHA as an international alliance with other world universities is under the commitment of FISIPOL UGM to strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development.
More about GHA can be accessed on the following page.