YOGYAKARTA – The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta once again reaffirms its position as an art higher education institution that not only excels in education and creative works but also provides a tangible impact on society through the implementation of the MBKM (Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka) Impactful Campus Program for the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. Through the Karawitan Department of the Faculty of Performing Arts (FSP), this program offers an experience-based learning model that brings together higher education, industry, and society in a collaborative ecosystem.
The program, which will take place from February to May 2026, is implemented through a strategic partnership with Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, SMKN 1 Kasihan Bantul, and Grand Hotel de Djokja. This activity, equivalent to 20 academic credits, provides students with the opportunity to directly implement their *karawitan* (Indonesian traditional performing arts) competencies within the context of education, creative industries, and cultural preservation.
The Head of the Karawitan Department, FSP ISI Yogyakarta, Dr. Sn. Asep Saepudin, S.Sn., M.A., explained that the Impactful Campus MBKM Program is part of the transformation of arts education that positions students as cultural agents and drivers of social change.
“Through this program, students not only learn to apply the knowledge gained on campus, but also hone their professional, pedagogical, and social skills within the community. More importantly, they become part of the effort to preserve the nation's culture through tangible, impactful practices,” he said.
During the program, students engage in various activities that bridge traditional arts with the needs of the workforce and society. They not only fulfill an educational function through the transfer of gamelan knowledge but also actively play a role in introducing Javanese cultural values to a wider public. These experiences become essential provisions in building graduates' competencies that are adaptive, professional, and relevant to the times.
The success of this program received appreciation from partners. General Manager of Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel I Gede Sujana, Human Resources Manager Ignatius Herditanto, Head of SMKN 1 Kasihan Bantul Agus Suranto, S.Pd., M.Sn., and General Manager of Grand Hotel de Djokja Andreas Kahl conveyed their appreciation for the students' contributions during the program. They assessed that the collaboration between universities, schools, and the industry is a strategic step in building relevant learning while also benefiting the community.
The collaboration also shows how traditional art can be present contextually in various public spaces. At the Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, for example, the Impactful Campus MBKM Program runs in parallel with Independent Work Practice (PKM) which is participated in by 10 students from the Karawitan Department. The synergy between these two programs opens up broader opportunities for students to develop their artistic and professional skills in a real work environment.
As the culmination of their activities, MBKM and PKM students from the Javanese Arts Department of FSP ISI Yogyakarta organized a Workshop on the Preservation of Javanese Traditional Culture, Yogyakarta Style, at the Pendapa Agung Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel on June 8, 2026. The workshop featured various expressions of Javanese culture, ranging from the Nawung Sekar Dance performance to a Uyon-uyon musical presentation, which was warmly received by invited guests and the public.
This activity proves that higher education institutions for the arts have a strategic role as centers for knowledge development, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Through the direct involvement of students in public spaces, art is positioned not only as an aesthetic expression but also as an instrument for education, cultural diplomacy, and national character building.
The program implementation is supported by the Cooperation Section of the Karawitan Department, managed by Setya Rahdiyatmi Kurnia Jatilinuar, M.Sn., with the guidance of lecturers Dr. Bayu Wijayanto, M.Sn., Suhardjono, M.Sn., and Anon Suneko, M.Sn. The presence of these supervising lecturers ensures that the entire learning process is directed and achieves optimal results for both students and partners.
Through the MBKM Impactful Campus Program, ISI Yogyakarta continues to strengthen its role as an art higher education institution capable of meeting community needs while preserving Indonesia's cultural heritage. Collaboration between the campus, the education sector, industry, and the community is a crucial foundation for providing art education that is relevant, innovative, and has a broad impact on national cultural development.
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