Yogyakarta, 13 September 2024–The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM held a series of events to launch the 69th Anniversary of the Faculty on Friday (13/9). This year, the anniversary theme is “Strengthening Social Initiatives in Response to the Decline of Democracy, Digital Disruption, and Climate Crisis”. As an opening, the Faculty invited the academic community to participate in various interesting activities to strengthen friendships.
The theme of this anniversary was chosen based on three flagships or the main focus of the Faculty in encouraging national progress. Through her speech, the Vice Dean for Research and Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni, Fina Itriyati, Ph.D., emphasized the meaning behind the 69th Anniversary theme. “Through this anniversary, we take a theme that aligns with the UGM anniversary theme, so there is a spirit of democracy in it. I think this is one of the efforts to help guard democracy and other issues such as climate change,” she explained.
Fina also expressed her concern about the current democracy issue. UGM, especially the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, has a big responsibility to oversee the implementation of democracy, which is currently facing polemics. Fina hopes that the campus will be a place for academics to conduct research or develop academics and education and to provide action to the community.
The anniversary launch began at 07.00 with a healthy gymnastics event. All education staff looked enthusiastic about joining the gymnastics, followed by breakfast. Furthermore, the opening continued with implementing the Tumpeng Competition for the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences work units. In this competition, participants must decorate and beautify tumpeng with existing materials. Each unit of Fisipol UGM sent 4-5 people who competed in creativity and cooperation to win attractive prizes.
In addition to healthy gymnastics and tumpeng competition, Fisipol UGM collaborates with MSMEs to create a Market Day and Anniversary Bazaar. A total of 15 brands have been selected from 93 applicants who will open a stand at the Market Day event. Some sell various foods and drinks, such as bakpia, sushi, proltape, and Jogja souvenirs. Meanwhile, the Anniversary Bazaar presents MSMEs made by the nation’s children that are nuanced archipelago and environmentally friendly. All booths were crowded with students and the academic community of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM. The committee provided door prizes in the form of free vouchers worth twenty-five thousand rupiahs that can be spent at Market Day by participants who get them.
“We hope this anniversary celebration is not just a celebration but also able to change our behaviour and make us care more about the environment,” said Fina. According to her, UGM’s agenda for building awareness of environmental issues such as climate change can be implemented at university events. Habits such as reducing the use of plastic, bringing drinking bottles, and saving energy will be very meaningful in the future.
For 69 years, Fisipol UGM has focused on responding to issues of democracy, digital transformation, energy transition, and green society. This commitment is realized by organizing discussions, policy frameworks, and community service. The 69th Anniversary of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM series will also be complemented by panel discussions with political figures and observers, sports week, and a book launch in December.
Implementing the Faculty’s 69th Anniversary is a form of implementing the 16th Sustainable Development Goal, namely, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.