UGM Library and Archives received a visit from the Head of the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), Dr. Mego Pinandito, along with his delegation, at the UGM Archives meeting room on Wednesday (Jan. 28). During the visit, the Head of ANRI and the Head of the UGM Library and Archives discussed strengthening the role of archives as sources of knowledge, plans for collaboration, and the use of digital technology in information services.
Dr. Pinandito explained that ANRI’s visit to UGM aimed to review archival management practices and explore UGM’s archival potential. He expressed hope that UGM could serve as a model for other institutions in developing and implementing sustainable archival governance.
“We hope that UGM can become an example for other institutions, considering the number of its units, its long history, the diversity of its study programs, and its alumni, all of which constitute an extraordinary archival asset. Therefore, we seek to strengthen cooperation between UGM and ANRI,” he explained.
During the discussion, Dr. Pinandito also expressed interest in establishing several collaborative initiatives to develop a master’s program. According to him, the program’s development would be flexible and could be hosted by various faculties based on specific needs.
“The development can be jointly discussed, whether from archival studies, data science-based management, or the utilization of archival content,” he said.
ANRI also highlighted the critical importance of archive digitization. It is expected that UGM will actively participate in the national archival network in the future national capital (IKN).
“Going forward, UGM is expected to demonstrate its commitment to supporting data that are preserved within the national archives,” said the Head of the UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman.
Surachman welcomed ANRI’s visit as an effort to strengthen cooperation and discussed the organization of the International Symposium on Digital Records and Archives (ISDRA), with UGM proposed as the host institution.
“There is a plan for UGM to host an international symposium,” he stated.
Surachman noted that ANRI expects UGM to continue developing and strengthening its archival collections. These collections are considered to have high strategic and historical value and could be used collaboratively as a primary source for ANRI’s initiative to establish the Nusantara Cultural Archives Repository.
“UGM possesses a substantial archival collection, including important materials such as the Bung Hatta collection, which we hope can be collaborated on as a primary source for ANRI in establishing the Nusantara cultural archives repository,” he said.
In addition, ANRI encouraged UGM to expand its collaboration with the Yogyakarta Special Region Library (DIY Library) to compile the nation’s collective memory. This collaboration is expected to present an extensive historical narrative by highlighting prominent national figures.
“ANRI also encourages UGM to work with the DIY Library to jointly build the nation’s collective memory and bring forward historical figures, such as dr. Sardjito,” Surachman explained.
Conversely, UGM expressed its hope that ANRI would support human resource development through various education and training programs.
“It is hoped that UGM will be able to organize training programs for archival officers by inviting resource persons from ANRI to share their expertise in archival management,” he said.
Head Surachman added that, in the near term, the most immediately realizable program is the development of the nation’s collective memory by preparing source manuscripts on selected themes.
“In the short term, we will begin uncovering manuscripts and archives that can be used to compile the nation’s collective memory,” he added.
In the long term, the cooperation will focus on sustainable archival curation to ensure that historical value is preserved and widely accessible.
Author: Zabrina Kumara Putri
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian