The Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI) held the peak celebration of its 86th Dies Natalis on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Auditorium of Building IV, FIB UI, Depok. Carrying the grand theme “Kampus Budaya: Weaving the Threads of Diversity, Cultivating Humanity,” the celebration highlighted the cultural richness of Sumba as a symbol of diversity that FIB UI has continuously preserved through education, research, and community service.
The event was attended by UI leadership, including the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, and the Vice Rector for Human Resources and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, as well as former deans of FIB UI and representatives from strategic partners. The presence of these figures reflects strong trust in FIB UI’s contribution to the development of humanities and culture in Indonesia.
The celebration opened with the Ofalangga Dance from Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which was historically performed to welcome heroes returning from the battlefield. Today, the dance serves as a form of respect for educators and cultural figures who dedicate themselves to enlightening the nation. In addition to Ofalangga, Flobamora in Poetry and Song was also presented, expressing narratives of longing and diversity from the communities of Flores, Sumba, Timor, and Alor—Flobamora—representing Indonesia as a diverse archipelagic nation.
The Dies Natalis celebration this year has been ongoing since August 2025 as a series of continuous activities reflecting inclusivity and broad participation from the entire academic community. The series began with the launch of the Dies Natalis logo and theme. The logo features horse motifs, mamuli, and the characteristic Sumbanese colors—red, white, black, and yellow—which are not only visually appealing but also hold values of courage, fertility, wisdom, and enlightenment. Key activities within the series included a Studium Generale by retired professor, the Dean Cup sports competitions, Sumba Cultural Symphony featuring cultural figures from NTT, academic writing workshops, and alumni Homecoming, Fun Run, and Fun Walk to promote campus solidarity and well-being. Through this series, the Dies Natalis serves as a momentum to reinforce FIB UI’s identity as a healthy, open, cultured, and globally competitive campus.
FIB UI presented a number of awards to members of the academic community and educational staff who have demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, research, and community service. These awards serve as a form of recognition for their dedication to maintaining educational quality and advancing the role of the humanities with real impact.
The tumpeng cutting ceremony symbolized gratitude for the 86-year journey of FIB UI as a home for cultural knowledge in Indonesia. On this occasion, the Dean of FIB UI, Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum., accompanied by the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, Dr. Untung Yuwono, S.S., presented pieces of the tumpeng to UI leadership and former Deans of FIB UI, namely the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., the Vice Rector for Human Resources and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si., Head of the Academic Senate of FIB UI, Prof. Mina Elfira, Ph.D., Dr. Adrianus Laurens Gerung Waworuntu, Prof. Ida Sundari Husein, and Prof. Noerhadi Magetsari.
In a congratulatory message delivered via video, the Vice Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Bima Arya Sugiarto, conveyed a strategic view regarding the urgency of the humanities in Indonesia’s development. He emphasized that as the nation enters the global era with a vision toward Indonesia’s golden peak in the next two decades, development cannot rely solely on economic figures, statistics, or investment, but must be grounded in strong human values. He stressed that FIB UI is a strategic institution in safeguarding and nurturing the principles of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika amid technological disruption and identity crises that threaten national unity. His message aligns with the grand theme of the Dies Natalis as an invitation to position campuses not merely as spaces for knowledge production but as ecosystems of values—where dialogue is upheld, diversity is cared for, and culture becomes a liberating force.
The Rector of UI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., expressed appreciation to FIB UI, which, since its establishment, has become a center of knowledge that fosters critical thinking, cultural dialogue, and human values. The theme Weaving the Threads of Diversity, Cultivating Humanity, is considered highly relevant to the current national context. The Rector also expressed hope that FIB UI will continue to be a center of excellence in culture and the humanities capable of guiding the nation through identity crises, ethical challenges, and technological disruptions. UI is committed to strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration so that FIB UI can play an even greater role in providing solutions that are relevant and grounded in a humanistic perspective.
In his report, the Dean of FIB UI presented achievements throughout the past year. FIB UI has reaffirmed its position as the top institution in Indonesia in the field of Arts and Humanities based on the QS World University Rankings 2025, Scimago Institutions Rankings 2025, and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. These accomplishments serve as concrete evidence that FIB UI continues to innovate, engage globally, and contribute significantly to national development.
Throughout 2025, FIB UI recorded various achievements in academics, research, and student affairs. In curriculum development, FIB UI has revised the curricula of 15 Undergraduate Programs and expanded student mobility by sending 47 students abroad and receiving 649 international students. The commitment to lifelong learning has been strengthened through the launch of 23 MOOCs and the production of 36 open-access content materials. The Fast Track program has grown significantly, with 23 participants, while quality assurance has improved accreditation results, with 18 programs now rated Excellent. Research productivity has increased with IDR 2.6 billion in external research funding, international publications exceeding targets, and 49 intellectual property rights successfully produced. Community engagement also recorded a significant valuation increase to IDR 4.697 billion through collaborations with various national partners. In addition, 28 research groups actively carried out innovative projects and secured internal and external funding.
In student affairs, FIB UI students continued to score remarkable achievements at national and international levels, including in languages, arts, and sports. Collaboration efforts expanded with 177 partnerships, including 52 international partners from 17 countries, enabling mobility of lecturers and students across continents. Public sentiment and global competitiveness were strengthened through communication strategies such as e-newsletters, website updates, and digital information services. In human resource development, FIB UI fostered an ethical, healthy, and disciplined work culture and recorded the graduation of six lecturers from doctoral programs. General services showed significant improvement through strengthened infrastructure, digital transformation, renewable energy implementation, and health facilities, contributing to three consecutive years of ranking second in UI’s Sustainable Faculty Awards.
These achievements were further strengthened by winning 1st place in the 2025 Integrity Zone Award as proof of commitment to clean governance, transparency, and excellent service.
The Chair of the 86th Dies Natalis Committee, led by the French Studies Program, Airin Miranda, stated that the successful organization of the celebration series was made possible by the support of many parties, especially contributions from partners who participated in the activities. At the peak celebration, FIB UI received support from PT Plataran Indonesia, KEA, ILUNI FIB UI, Mandiri InHealth, BTN, BNI, LBI FIB UI, IKAPI, Redbull, Cosmotech Multi Mandiri, and PT Kawahmedia Pustaka.
In addition, during sports events such as the Dean Cup, HumanioRun, and FIB UI Homecoming, FIB UI also received support from PT Karya Sentosa Unggul, PT Line Solusi Sukses Mandiri, CV Rumah Cetak Tombo, PT Tiga Kunci Utama, PT Graha Persada Anugrah, PT Prana Baskara, CV Gede Kreasi Mandiri, CV Tri Jaya, PT Arya Putra Cipta Persada, and Ibu Acen. Equal appreciation was given to Mitra Keluarga Hospital, Le Minerale, Trijee, Decathlon Pondok Indah, Khaf & Tavi, Sesegeritu, Gudhas, Rumah Zakat, and Fit Hub, who contributed to making the 86th Dies Natalis celebration festive and meaningful.
The peak celebration of the 86th Dies Natalis of FIB UI is not only a reflection of a long history but also a declaration of commitment to strengthening the role of the humanities in public policy, expanding international networks, becoming a center of excellence for Indonesian culture, and producing works and research relevant to the future of the nation. Through the spirit of “Weaving Diversity, Nurturing Humanity,” FIB UI is ready to continue serving the nation’s journey toward a more just, civilized, and dignified future. (Trans-CA)
