Yogyakarta, April 6, 2026 — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta has officially opened its Master's Degree Program in Design as a strategic step to strengthen higher education in the fields of art and design. The opening of this study program has obtained permission through the Decree of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 176/B/O/2026 concerning the Permit to Open the Master's Degree Program in Design at ISI Yogyakarta in Bantul Regency, which was established on March 5, 2026. This decree confirms that the study program has met the minimum accreditation requirements and is eligible to be implemented in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The presence of the Master of Design Program marks a new chapter in the development of design scholarship within the ISI Yogyakarta environment. This program is expected to meet the needs of further education based on research, innovation, and the strengthening of design practices relevant to global developments, while remaining grounded in local roots and Indonesian cultural values.
The Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at ISI Yogyakarta, Muhamad Shohahuddin, S.Sn., M.T., stated that the opening of this program is the result of a long-term academic development process oriented towards the future. According to him, the Master's Program in Design is not merely an addition to the educational level, but part of a strategic effort to strengthen ISI Yogyakarta's position as a center for design scholarship that is adaptive, collaborative, and globally competitive. He also emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary integration in design to address contemporary design challenges more contextually and impactfully.
As an initial follow-up, the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) of ISI Yogyakarta held a socialization event for the implementation of the Master of Design Program on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in the Ajiyasa Building, 1st Floor, FSRD ISI Yogyakarta. This event was attended by lecturers from several study programs, namely Media Design, Visual Communication Design, Product Design, and Interior Design. The involvement of these cross-program studies indicates that the program development is designed collaboratively from the early stages of implementation.
The appointed Master of Design Program Coordinator, Dr. Rahmawan Dwi Prasetya, S.Sn., M.Si., explained that the initial stage of implementation focused on aligning academic vision and curriculum implementation readiness. This socialization serves as a common space to synchronize the direction of program development, from curriculum structure, learning approaches, to the research schemes that will be built. The program is also designed to be not only conceptually robust but also relevant to professional practices and creative industry dynamics.
The socialization forum took place as an open dialogue space that brought together diverse scientific perspectives in design. The discussions that emerged reflected enthusiasm and a shared commitment to building a quality, inclusive, and transdisciplinary master's program. This collaborative approach is expected to become an important foundation in strengthening the design academic ecosystem at ISI Yogyakarta.
In accordance with the provisions of the ministerial decree, the implementation of the Master's Program in Design is under the responsibility of the institution's leadership and must be carried out in accordance with national standards for higher education and applicable laws and regulations. This affirms ISI Yogyakarta's commitment to maintaining academic quality and ensuring the program's sustainability through continuous evaluation.
With the opening of the Master of Design Study Program, ISI Yogyakarta further solidifies its role as a center of excellence for art and design education. This program is expected to produce graduates, research, and innovations that are academically superior, while also making real contributions to society, culture, and the creative industry.
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