Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a media gathering attended by university leaders, UGM’s organs and units, senior media representatives from Yogyakarta, and members of FORTAKGAMA (UGM Campus Journalist Forum) on Tuesday (Apr. 23) at the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM).
The event aimed to strengthen the relationship between UGM, GIK, and the media while also introducing GIK and its upcoming programs to the public. As a strategic partner, the media is expected to serve as an essential bridge in disseminating GIK’s innovative initiatives to the wider community.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia stated that since its launch in December 2024, GIK UGM has catalyzed change within academic and public spheres. In just six months, more than 6,500 students from eight faculties and the Vocational College (SV UGM) have participated in GIK’s interdisciplinary programs designed to address contemporary challenges through cross-sectoral collaboration.
“In 2025, GIK UGM is strengthening its commitment through three core pillars: Education, Arts & Culture, and Innovation & Downstream. These pillars serve as the foundation for realizing its vision to become a leading hub for innovation and creativity at the national, regional, and global levels,” said Professor Emilia.
She expressed hope that the media gathering would become a platform for long-term strategic collaboration between GIK UGM and media professionals to disseminate the center’s innovative programs to the public. Through such partnerships, Professor Emilia believes GIK’s initiatives will have a broader societal impact and inspire innovation across the country.
Dr. Alfatika, Director of GIK UGM, added that one of the center’s flagship interdisciplinary initiatives is the Talent Development Class (TDC), a collaborative program with industry partners. In 2025, the program will run from August to November, targeting active UGM students.
In addition to sharpening both soft and hard skills required in today’s workforce, TDC is designed to help students build a professional portfolio that supports their future careers.
“This program continues the spirit of the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka (Freedom to Learn–Independent Campus) policy, which emphasizes hands-on learning and cross-sector collaboration. Combining academic perspectives and industry expertise, TDC is designed not only as a learning space but also as a platform for self-development and enhancing youth competitiveness in today’s dynamic job market,” she said.
In the field of arts and culture, Dr. Alfatika explained that GIK also contributes to preserving Yogyakarta’s cultural heritage through Ketoprak Warga, a traditional theater performance involving local residents.
The 2024 event attracted over 250 attendees and will return in August 2025. GIK will also host an inclusive art exhibition for artists with disabilities, titled I’m Possible, in collaboration with the Indonesian Autistic Persona Foundation (YPAI) in May. Another initiative, Chapter Jogja x GIK, a partnership with the Jogja Art Fair (JAF) to support Yogyakarta as a hub for contemporary art, is set to take place in June.
“In our efforts to unite academic research, technological innovation, and societal needs, GIK UGM is implementing several key programs, including GIK Corner, Inovokasia, and the Global Innovation and Future Technologies Summit (GIFTS). These programs turn ideas into practical solutions with meaningful social impact,” she added.
Shortly, GIK UGM will launch the activation of its green open space, Pine Forest GIK UGM, through the Friday Afternoon Celebration (PJS) program on Apr. 25, 2025. This program will be held regularly on the last Friday of each month in the Pine Forest area.
Besides serving as a green space activation, PJS will also support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly student-owned businesses, by providing a platform to showcase a range of products, including food and beverages, as well as services.
“We want to emphasize that GIK UGM is not merely a physical space but an ecosystem for ideas and collaboration. The media plays a crucial role in amplifying the message and impact of GIK’s programs,” Dr. Alfatika concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie