Yogyakarta, June 20th 2026 – Educational staff of the Graduate School (SPs) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) participated in a karawitan training activity held on Friday, June 20th 2026. This activity is part of the institution’s efforts to preserve traditional Javanese arts and culture while strengthening camaraderie within the workplace.
The karawitan training was conducted with great enthusiasm and involved educational staff from various units within SPs UGM. The participants not only learned techniques for playing the gamelan but also gained an understanding of the cultural values embedded in karawitan, such as harmony, cooperation, discipline, and mutual assistance.
The activity was guided by Mas Yuwono, a student in the PSPSR Program at the UGM Graduate School, who has experience in the field of karawitan arts. Using a communicative and interactive approach, Mas Yuwono introduced the fundamentals of karawitan to participants, creating an enjoyable and accessible learning environment.
The karawitan training, according to the participants, served as a means to develop interests and talents and also as a way to relieve stress after daily work activities. In addition, the program strengthened social relationships among employees with closer interaction in a positive cultural setting.
Cultural preservation activities such as karawitan are in line with Gadjah Mada University’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cultural heritage while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, this activity contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) through lifelong learning and the strengthening of cultural literacy, as well as SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting the preservation of cultural heritage as part of sustainable community development. Furthermore, the activity supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by creating opportunities for positive social interaction and promoting participants’ mental health and overall well-being.
The regularly conducted karawitan training activities made SPs UGM hopes to continue fostering appreciation for local culture while strengthening the spirit of togetherness within the university community. This initiative represents a tangible contribution of higher education institutions toward preserving Indonesia’s cultural sustainability amid ongoing societal change.
(Surono)