The pinnacle of the UNS Jawametrik 2025 Awarding Ceremony was held in conjunction with the Javanese Cultural Awards, taking place at the R. Ng. Yosodipuro Building, PUI Javanologi Pavilion, UNS, on Tuesday (3/6/2025). Among the distinguished attendees were the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc.; the Acting Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Fitria Rahmawati, S.Si, M.Si.; the Deputy Mayor of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, S.S., S.E., M.B.A.; the renowned gamelan maestro, Prof. Sumarsam, M.A., Ph.D.; the Head of PUI Javanologi UNS, Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D.; the Chair of the UNS Jawametrik Ranking Program, Prof. Ir. Ary Setyawan, M.Sc., Ph.D.; as well as the representatives of UNS Jawametrik award recipients.

Prominent UNS Figures Talk about the UNS Jawametrik and the Javanese Cultural Awards

Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo, the Head of PUI Javanologi UNS, explained that the UNS Jawametrik program has been held biennially since 2021, followed by 2023, and now in 2025. The program has successfully identified 164 national and international higher education institutions, the Javanese Cultural Art groups, and the cultural institutions from five continents actively developing the Javanese culture.

The Acting Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Fitria Rahmawati, stated that as part of its commitment to supporting the advancement of Javanese culture, UNS has initiated two flagship programs through the PUI Javanologi which are the UNS Jawametrik and the Javanese Cultural Awards. The Jawametrik program aims to objectively and systematically map and assess the integration of Javanese culture into various aspects of community life. It encourages cross-sector collaboration to create policies and work programs focusing on cultural strengthening. The program recognizes institutions actively promoting, protecting, and utilizing Javanese culture sustainably across the globe.

“Through the UNS Jawametrik program, we hope to establish a stronger, more relevant, sustainable Javanese cultural ecosystem. We also hope it will further strengthen the Javanologi’s position as a center of cultural knowledge and foster collaborations among educational institutions, government bodies, communities, and international partners to advance the Javanese culture as an adaptive and inspirational national identity on the global stage,” Prof. Fitria explained.

The UNS Jawametrik Ranking Program Chair, Prof. Ir. Ary Setyawan, M.Sc., Ph.D., explained the program’s purpose. He stated that it is designed to serve as institutional recognition. The recognition is given to universities that actively commit to preserving and developing Javanese culture. This commitment is reflected in implementing higher education’s threefold mission: teaching, research, and community service.

The UNS Jawametrik 2025 Ranking System and Its Recipients

The ranking process was carried out systematically and based on data. The first stage involved initial data collection through various open publications, resulting in data from 164 institutions of higher education, Javanese cultural art groups, and cultural institutions across five continents. The second stage involved voluntary data submissions from 50 institutions (25 domestic and 25 international). The third stage was a verification process examining the authenticity of supporting documents, the validity of cultural activities, and the institutions’ contributions to preserving Javanese culture. Based on this process, the Top 10 domestic and Top 10 international institutions were finalized.

Top 10 Domestic Universities according to the UNS Jawametrik 2025:

1. Universitas Sebelas Maret
2. Universitas Negeri Surabaya
3. Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
4. Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta
5. Universitas Negeri Semarang
6. Universitas Indonesia
7. Institut Seni Indonesia Surakarta
8. Universitas Gadjah Mada
9. Universitas PGRI Semarang
10. Universitas Diponegoro

Top 10 International Universities according to the UNS Jawametrik 2025:

1. Leiden University
2. Australian National University
3. Yale University
4. Wesleyan University
5. Monash University, Australia
6. National University of Singapore
7. University of Oxford
8. University of Limerick
9. University College Cork
10. Michigan State University

This award is a form of appreciation expected to strengthen cultural networks between universities and foster sustainable inter-institutional collaboration. “By upholding the spirit of academic cooperation and cultural awareness, UNS Jawametrik grows as a barometer and driving force in advancing Javanese culture nationally and internationally. We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to institutions actively promoting Javanese culture,” Prof. Ary Setyawan said.

Remarks from the Deputy Mayor of Surakarta

Deputy Mayor of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, S.S., S.E., M.B.A., praised UNS for initiating an award that motivates cultural practitioners and artists to continue creating and strengthening Indonesia’s cultural identity. As the batik capital, Surakarta bears a significant responsibility to preserve and develop the richness of Javanese culture. This award is both a hope and motivation for the younger generation and the general public to foster a deeper appreciation for Javanese heritage.

“I hope innovations in art and culture will emerge, nurturing pride in our noble heritage and enhancing the global competitiveness of Javanese culture. We also hope for stronger collaboration among the government, academics, artists, and cultural communities to endure cultural heritage over time. Let us together embrace the future with a spirit of preserving local wisdom values that unite and enrich Indonesia’s diversity,” Astrid concluded.

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The event also included pranatacara (Javanese master of ceremonies) training, aimed at enhancing skills in traditional speech and event hosting. The socialization was attended by 48 participants, primarily the youth and local neighborhood leaders of Sonorejo Village. This activity was supported by Dyah Yuni Kurniawati, S.Sn., M.Sn., the Field Supervisor (DPL) for UNS KKN Group 240.

The session featured Drs. Imam Sutarjo, M.Hum., a lecturer from the Javanese Literature Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UNS. The socialization aimed to raise awareness and involvement of the younger generation in preserving the Tatah Sungging puppet culture, an invaluable part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. Participants were educated on the history, crafting techniques, and philosophical values embedded in Tatah Sungging puppets.

“Through this event, we hope that the youth in Sonorejo will gain a deeper appreciation for local culture and actively participate in its preservation,” Pavita Safa, the Leader of UNS KKN Group 240, said in an interview with uns.ac.id on Wednesday (21/8/2024).

She emphasized the crucial role of the younger generation in ensuring the continuity of this cultural heritage so that it remains known and appreciated by future generations. In addition to the socialization, the pranatacara training received enthusiastic participation from attendees. The training was designed to teach public speaking skills, which are essential for formal and traditional events.

Participants learned the basics of pranatacara, including how to structure an event program, the use of refined and polite Javanese language, and the etiquette of hosting an event. The program was well-received and fully supported by the local community and government. Susilowati, S.E., the Secretary of Sonorejo Village, expressed her appreciation for the KKN UNS group’s efforts.

“I appreciate the efforts of the KKN UNS students who are working to preserve our local culture in Sonorejo through educational and beneficial programs for the community,” Susilowati, S.E. said.

Kesit, one of the participants, expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained from the event’s speakers, saying that he learned new insights that he had never encountered before.

With the conclusion of this event, it is hoped that the efforts to preserve the Tatah Sungging puppet culture and enhance pranatacara skills in Sonorejo will continue, driven by the local community, especially its youth.

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Reporter: R. P. Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post KKN UNS Group 240 Hosts Socialization on Tatah Sungging Puppet Preservation and Javanese Master of Ceremonies Training appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

This program is a series of the Summer Camp organized by the Technical Implementation Unit for International Cooperation and Services or International Office at UNS. The 30 participants included 15 students from Daito Bunka University, Japan; 7 students from Kokushikan University, Japan; and 8 international students from UNS hailing from Japan, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, and Timor Leste.

The first session featured a Karawitan class led by Takariadi Sapto Dibyo, a cultural enthusiast from PUI Javanologi UNS. He began by explaining the fundamentals of Karawitan and the musical piece that would be performed. The Summer Camp INHERIT 2024 participants appeared enthusiastic as they practiced playing the gamelan.

“In just one hour, the participants were able to grasp the melodies being played,” Takariadi Sapto Dibyo said.

The following session focused on Batik, taught by Dra. Tiwi Bina Affanti, M.Sn., and Apika Nurani S., S.Sn., M.Sn., both lecturers in the Textile Crafts Study Program at the Faculty of Arts and Design (FSRD) UNS, as well as peer group managers at PUI Javanologi UNS.

Tiwi provided a brief overview of Batik and the tools needed for the craft. The students then practiced drawing with a canting on pre-patterned fabric. The international students expressed great interest in learning about Batik and appreciated the hands-on experience, which covered the techniques from applying wax with a canting to dyeing the fabric, all within a 120-minute session.

Humas UNS

Reporter: R. P. Adji

Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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