Vanya Putri Damayanti, a Master’s student in Architecture at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was among the selected participants in the UNESCO-NUS-SEU Field School 2025 themed “Cultural Heritage and Climate Change in Asia: Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation,” held in Nanjing and Yangzhou, China, from Sept. 20 to 28, 2025.
The program brought together students, lecturers, and practitioners from various Asian universities to discuss the conservation of cultural heritage in the context of climate change.
“Joining this field school was an extraordinary and valuable experience for me,” said Damayanti on Monday (Oct. 6).
Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Southeast University (SEU), the program gathered 29 students from seven universities across Asia, including UGM, Ritsumeikan University, Korea National University of Heritage, Universiti Malaya, and Silpakorn University.
Participants attended a series of thematic lectures, workshops, and field visits to historic sites, including the Grand Canal and Dongguan Garden Residences.
“Each session was truly insightful, delivered by professors and practitioners from various countries with diverse perspectives,” Damayanti shared.
The selection process was highly competitive, involving essay submissions and interviews, through which Damayanti was chosen to represent UGM. She explained that the experience broadened her understanding of risk management in heritage building conservation.
“This program has given me a wealth of new knowledge, perspectives, and international connections,” she said.
During the field school, Damayanti presented a case study on the Auspicious House, also known as the Liu Xiang House, located on Dongguan Street in Yangzhou.
Together with her international team, she conducted on-site observations, interviewed the house owner, and assessed the historical, social, and economic values of the building.
“We also created a disaster imagination game and carried out hazard and climate assessments to identify potential risks faced by the heritage site,” she explained.
The cross-cultural experience, Damayanti noted, was the most memorable aspect of the program. She learned to collaborate with peers from diverse countries and academic backgrounds, gaining insights into how local communities play a vital role in preserving their cultural heritage.
“These international discussions opened new perspectives on protecting heritage amid the challenges of climate change,” she said.
In addition to academic support from UGM, Damayanti received direct guidance from her supervisor, Dr. Laretna T. Adishakti, who also served as an instructor in one of the field school sessions on indigenous local knowledge.
According to Damayanti, Dr. Adishakti’s mentorship provided valuable guidance in understanding heritage issues from both academic and practical viewpoints.
“She not only offered academic direction but also served as a source of motivation and inspiration,” the student expressed.
For her, participating in the field school not only enriched her academic knowledge but also deepened her awareness of the importance of cross-country collaboration in cultural heritage conservation. She hopes the Asian Heritage Movement program will continue as a platform for knowledge sharing and local action.
“Heritage cannot live without the people within it. We must preserve it through shared awareness and participation,” she said.
As the Diajeng (Cultural Ambassador) of Yogyakarta and a Master’s student in Architecture, Damayanti is determined to apply her international experience to strengthen local heritage preservation efforts. She is currently conducting thesis research on the Kotagede heritage district in Yogyakarta.
“We can all start with small steps to protect and revitalize the cultural heritage we own,” she concluded.
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya