Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Prof. Ir. Jero Wacik mentioned that Yogyakarta is stated as safe to visit after Merapi eruptions. The recent eruption inevitably caused many negative impacts in various sectors, including tourism. It caused the cancellation of many tourism visits to several places in Yogyakarta. “Now, Jogja is safe to visit again. So, welcome back to Jogja!” he said in the press conference of WISDOM 2010 closing ceremony on Wednesday (8/12) in Grha Sabha Pramana UGM.
Limited concept and theory of architecture descriptively and normatively make the practice of urban planning in Indonesia adapt to Western concept and theory. As a result, the existing design of architecture still does not fulfill suitability and characteristics of Indonesian people who are specific and heterogenic. “This situation encourages the development of architecture theories based on phenomenon of city architecture which develops in Indonesia,” said Ir. Djoko Wijono, M.Arch., at UGM Graduate School, Wedenesday (16/2) in his open doctoral exam.
In maintaining his dissertation The concept of Saged: Architecture Spirit of Small Town, Djoko Wijono said that city architecture is an entity of human work on the abstract to the concrete in the form of configuration of cross-geometric and functional space. It is an incidenta product, but meaningful for the community both in physical elements or natural ones which have been modified.“ This is the practical consequence of the forum of city community, including private and state ones which last daily, regularly, and periodically, which are the practical application of prevailing customs which are interpreted practically from the values in the power of the concept of saged,” Djoko explained.
Jero added that the implementation of WISDOM 2010 initiated by UGM is one appropriate way to build the trust again.
Similar opinion was also delivered by Executive Director of UNWTO, Dr. Marcio Favilla, and Director of UNESCO Regional Asia Pacific, Prof. Hubert Gijzen, Ph.D. Both of them also promoted to the world community that Indonesia is ready to be visited by tourists from all over the world.
Initiating Local Wisdom Based Curriculum Development
Meanwhile, UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng, Ph. D, who was met after the event said that the WISDOM event can revive various educational functions to create more qualified human life. “Through education, knowledge finds outstanding context for the betterness of humankind,” he said.
After WISDOM, the Rector continued, UGM will develop comprehensive, holistic and integrated curriculum. “Therefore, we plan to develop local wisdom based curriculum,” he ended.