The West’s hegemony in social and humanities sciences that swept over various aspects of knowledge in Indonesia has diminished Indonesian genuine thoughts. The robust hegemony because of scientific globalization and liberalization makes Indonesian people not having sovereignty in science in their own country, which is actually rich with the values of local wisdom but which is stuck in the middle of the journey.
Concerned of this condition, Deans, Vice Deans and administrators of Centers of Study from the social-humanities cluster are making critical efforts to build Indonesian science which has national identity. "Up to now, many scientists in Indonesia have been influenced by Western ideas as happened in Faculty of Psychology," Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Cooperation and Alumni from the Faculty, Drs. Helly Prayitno Sutjipo, M.A., said at UGM on Wednesday (18/1) at a meeting of the scientists.
Similar opinion was delivered by the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Prof. Dr. Pratikno. He argued that the hegemony of science also occurs at Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. He assessed this Faculty is too much infiltrated or subverted by Western ideas so it does not have its own science sovereignty. "Therefore, it is important to revolutionize learning agenda based on national cultural values in the social sciences and humanities. This is considered urgent to do, because the era of globalization and openness should be able to turn Indonesia into a nation that can lead the world, armed with original knowledge of the Indonesian nation," he said.
The concern raised by Social Humanities cluster emerged from problems in social sciences development. The development should be sensitive to science politics. The review of the curriculum includes the value of scientific struggle, while the pyramid image shows the struggle value is interpreted in the Tri Dharma motto of University. "It is time to talk about the support system, so majors in our Faculty are invited to speak about the basic values which should be fought for by each department. For example, what missions are owned by the Department of International Relations, after they have been found, the support system will give support. It is time for us to do political subversion in education," Pratikno said.
According to Pratikno, education is not merely a problem of knowledge, but it is expected to encourage students to have the ambition to become global leaders, the ambition to become leaders in the context of the region, also in terms of learning tolerance.
Drs. Heri Santoso, M. Hum from Center for Pancasila Studies assessed all joining the Socio-Humanities cluster meeting has the same worry. They have the same homework, including in how the Social Humanities cluster should be developed at UGM, research methods, the framework of action that can be done as well as publications. "At this time, social theory in Indonesia is still very minimal, so it’s time for UGM to do something. Our task in this cluster is documenting social problems and special problems of the social sciences, formulating social humanities development for Indonesia," Heri added.
Also present at the meeting were Prof. Dr. Sumijati AS (Chairman of the Social Humanities Cluster), Hermin Indah Wahyuni, Ph.D (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences), Prof. Baiquni (Center for Tourism Studies), Dr. Amir Ma’ruf, M. Hum. (Vice Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences), Dr. Arqom Kuswanjono (Vice Dean of Faculty of Philosophy), Dr. Novi Sitti Kussuji Indrastuti, M. Hum. (Center for Korean Studies), Dra. Sri Djoharwinarlien, S.U. (Center for Women’s Studies), Aiman Mobiu, S.T. (Center for German Studies), Wulansari, S.S. (Center for Pancasila Studies), Hastangka, S. Phil. (Center for Pancasila Studies), Hendro Muhaimin, S. Phil. (Center for Pancasila Studies) and Agung Saras Sri Widodo, S. Sos. (Center for Pancasila Studies).