The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Fisipol UGM) hosted the 2025 Global Humanities Alliance (GHA) Annual Meeting from Sep. 30 to Oct. 2, 2025. The Global Humanities Alliance (GHA) is an international consortium comprising eight higher education institutions worldwide, uniting to promote an inclusive, reflective, and cross-cultural approach to the humanities. Fisipol UGM is among the founding institutions and key initiators of the alliance.
The series of GHA events opened with a roundtable discussion titled “GHA Roundtable on International Collaboration and Launch of the GHA Website”, held at the 4th Floor Auditorium of Fisipol UGM on Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025.
The session brought together representatives from eight partner universities to share best practices in fostering international collaboration.
The eight panelists representing the member universities included Associate Professor Mitul Baruah (Ashoka University), Amy Burton (The University of Melbourne), Professor Jacqueline Dutton (The University of Melbourne), Dr. Anne Kamau (University of Nairobi), Dr. Wawan Masudi (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Professor Valeria Palanza (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Assistant Professor Narongdej Phanthaphoommee (Mahidol University), Professor Mariana Mota Prado (University of Toronto), and Professor Angie Wilson (University of Manchester).
The discussion reflected on each institution’s approach to partnership, shared insights on building effective collaboration, and highlighted the benefits of global engagement within the GHA network.
Dean of Fisipol UGM, Dr. Wawan Masudi, stated that the faculty emphasizes two main aspects in its international collaborations: research excellence and innovation in teaching and learning.
“For research excellence, we (Fisipol) have identified three priority areas: climate change and sustainability, social inclusion and equality, and digital and data transformation,” he explained.
In terms of strategic partnerships, Fisipol UGM also aims to establish long-term, well-structured collaborations with universities worldwide.
“We believe that this partnership will open new opportunities for UGM and could serve as a model for stronger global collaboration. We also aspire to achieve an international reputation that contributes to advancing Indonesia toward becoming a developed nation by 2050,” said Dean Masudi.
During the same session, other panelists shared their institutions’ strategies for conducting international collaborations.
Professor Mariana Mota Prado from the University of Toronto emphasized that a university’s engagement in international collaboration can strengthen the academic community, guided by four main pillars.
The first pillar is providing global opportunities for students through mobility programs and international collaborative classes.
The second pillar focuses on joint research with international partners, facilitated through workshops and shared research funding.
Furthermore, the third pillar, as explained by Professor Prado, involves postgraduate training and development through joint educational placements, double-degree programs, and international visiting graduate student initiatives.
“And lastly, but equally important, is the reason we are all gathered here today, to build strategic alliances through international networking,” she added.
Professor Angie Wilson from the University of Manchester emphasized that all parties involved in international collaboration must share common values and mutual understanding.
This, she said, ensures that collaborations contribute positively to institutional growth.
“In discussions like these, what first comes to our minds is the idea of shared values. Universities must ensure that their partners are willing to engage in dialogue, because the essence of shared values is co-producing knowledge,” said Professor Wilson.
Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to strengthen the GHA network, represented by four member universities: Professor Angie Wilson (University of Manchester), Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Professor Jennifer Balint (University of Melbourne), and Professor Mariana Mota Prado (University of Toronto).
Additionally, a Student Exchange Agreement was signed between UGM and the University of Melbourne. The agreement was formalized by Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, Vice-Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships at UGM, and Professor Jennifer Balint from the University of Melbourne.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Salwa