The UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM) hosted a ‘walk’ event attended by UGM leadership on Friday (Jul. 11) morning.
This activity became a significant moment to strengthen friendship among leaders and introduce GIK’s increasingly dynamic new face.
Participants gathered at Joglo GIK before traversing a specially designed route that circled all innovation zones.
Executive Director of GIK UGM, Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini, revealed that the event aimed to introduce the evolving and transforming new face of the hub.
“GIK is now not only a physical space but also a symbol of UGM’s transformation in supporting cross-sector collaboration and creativity,” Dr. Dini revealed.
Besides being a healthy physical activity, GIK utilized this moment to provide an exclusive preview to deans, directors, and leaders of UGM’s central offices.
The walking route took participants through the student center stairs, spiral walk, up to the rooftop, and the north view deck.
Leaders were invited to directly experience GIK’s new, more open, and interactive atmosphere.
“We want to give an exclusive preview to the deans, rectors, vice-rectors, and also directors to see GIK directly, especially since the Jogja VW Festival is currently underway, which will open to the general public tomorrow morning,” Dr. Dini explained.
Dr. Dini also acknowledges this walk as part of the opening series for the Jogja VW Festival, a classic car exhibition event that this year chose GIK as its new location.
The festival features dozens of exhibitors from various regions, even from abroad, to showcase their best automotive works.
This simultaneously proves GIK’s readiness as a public space suitable for hosting large-scale events.
She mentioned that GIK’s unique architecture and spatial flexibility are major attractions for event organizers.
“Some major events in Jogja are getting saturated because they use the same venues, and GIK is being considered as a new venue with many artistic advantages,” Dr. Dini said.
Furthermore, Dr. Dini stated that activities like this walk are planned to become a routine agenda held once every two months.
Thus, each walking moment can also feature the latest developments in GIK’s facilities and exhibition content.
According to Dr. Dini, this continuity will foster a sense of ownership and a spirit of exploration for the UGM academic community.
Dr. Dini hopes that GIK can become a dynamic place, serving as a space for movement, thought, and collaboration.
“Hopefully, this can become a routine activity, maybe not every month, but once every two months, so the atmosphere keeps changing and everyone can see new things in each activity,” she said.
Not only for UGM’s internal community, GIK is now opening itself as an exhibition space for artists and creative industry players from various regions.
Last June, GIK collaborated with ArtJog to hold an art market gallery exhibition as part of efforts to bring art closer to the public on campus.
After the Jogja VW Festival, GIK is also scheduled to host Yogyakomtek, a technology and computer exhibition, at the end of next September.
She mentioned GIK as a place for experimenting with ideas and forms that can adapt to various creative ecosystems.
“We designed this building to support national and international-scale exhibitions. From painting to cars, then computers, everything can be tried here,” Dr. Dini concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie