Universitas Gadjah Mada is elected as one of the recipients of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Protector Award 2012 from Governor of the Province of Yogyakarta Special Region. The award is presented to UGM for its effort in preserving and maintaining cultural heritage, in this case the Main Office building of UGM.
Similar award is also granted to other buildings, Santo Yusup Hospital in Boro - Kulon Progo, and Rumah Indis on Jalan Mawar 12 Baciro, also the Braholo Cave in Gunung Kidul. All of these are grouped in the provincial category.
Rully Andriardi from Cultural Agency in the province said that in 2012 there were 13 nominations based on proposals from regencies or municipalities. After assessment by a team of jury consisting of Prof. Dr. Inajati Adrisijanti (professor of Archeology of UGM), Dr. Ir. Arya Ronald (Architecture Engineering and Planning UGM), and Ir. Yuwono Sri Suwito (Deliberation Board for Cultural Heritage), the four buildings were declared the winners.
“The criteria for assessment are related to management, functional accordance and architectural values,” he said after giving the award at the Leadership Room of UGM on Wednesday (26/12) representing Head of Cultural Agency of Yogyakarta.
The originality of the building inaugurated on 19 December 1959 in terms of structure and component is well preserved. Since the beginning until today it serves as the building for university central administration. “Despite changes to structure, the jury considers that such changes are still controllable whilst the originality is maintained,” he explained.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., was proud that the Main Office was named one of cultural heritage 2012. “We are indebted to the Sleman regency government that had proposed it as cultural heritage and the Yogyakarta provincial government that had declared it a cultural heritage. This is certainly a pride for UGM,” he described.
Pratikno explained that UGM has made a policy to conserving some buildings on the campus. “This is in line with UGM’s commitment in affirming its intention to become a cultural centre,” he said.