SURAKARTA — The 2nd National Congress (Musyawarah Nasional / Munas) of the Indonesian Cultural Studies Association (Asosiasi Kajian Budaya Indonesia – AKBI) was successfully convened on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta. The Doctoral Program (S-3) in Cultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UNS, proudly served as the host and organizing institution for this pivotal nationwide academic gathering.
Unanimous Re-Election of Chairperson for 2026–2029
During the plenary deliberations, all university delegates unanimously re-elected Dr. Yuliawan Kasmahidayat, M.Si. as the Chairperson of AKBI for the 2026–2029 tenure. A senior academic from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Bandung and an alumnus of the Cultural Studies Doctoral Program at Universitas Udayana, Dr. Yuliawan previously presided over the association’s founding tenure.
In his accountability address, Dr. Yuliawan highlighted the foundational milestones accomplished during the inaugural term (2023–2026), which included the association’s formal legal establishment, institutional anthem, official website, inter-university collaborative networks, and recurring national and international symposia.
Establishment of Cultural Certification Body & LAMHUM Integration
Looking ahead, AKBI outlined high-impact initiatives aimed at bridging academic research with cultural industry standards. A foremost priority is the establishment of a Professional Certification Board (LSP) in Culture and Cultural Tourism under the Indonesian National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP) framework to certify the competencies of cultural studies graduates.
“This professional certification initiative ensures that cultural expertise gains industry recognition and makes a direct, practical impact on Indonesian cultural heritage and tourism governance,” stated Dr. Yuliawan.
Member of the AKBI Supervisory Board, Prof. I Nyoman Darma Putra, M.Litt. (Coordinator of the Cultural Studies Doctoral Program at Universitas Udayana), praised the congress’s outcomes and emphasized the imperative of higher education quality assurance.
“Let us make AKBI our collaborative home to work and advance professionalism in impactful Cultural Studies education. Furthermore, AKBI must take an active leadership role within the Independent Humanities Accreditation Agency (LAMHUM) to elevate the accreditation status and academic standards of cultural studies programs across Indonesia,” affirmed Prof. Darma Putra.
Commendation for Host Program S-3 Cultural Studies FIB UNS
Prof. Darma Putra extended heartfelt appreciation to Prof. Dr. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D., Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Cultural Studies at FIB UNS, and the organizing committee for the exceptional hospitality and conference facilities. The congress was prefaced by a welcome reception and dinner at UNS Tower on Thursday evening (15/10/2026).
The 2nd National Congress convened in a hybrid format, drawing over 100 scholars and institutional members spanning Sumatra, Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi. The successful event reinforces the pivotal role of S-3 Cultural Studies FIB UNS as a national nexus for critical cultural discourse and policy leadership.
