FIB Unud Hosts the OCSEAN 2025 International Conference

Denpasar – The Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University (FIB Unud), proudly hosted the 2025 International Conference of Oceanic and Southeast Asian Navigators (OCSEAN) at the Widya Sabha Mandala Auditorium, FIB Unud, Sudirman Campus, Denpasar, on Monday (21/7/2025). This event was officially opened by the Rector of Udayana University and organized through a collaboration between the English Literature Study Program of FIB Unud and OCSEAN's European and partner institutions.

In his opening remarks, Dean of FIB Unud, Prof. I Nyoman Aryawibawa, SS., MA., Ph.D., expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee for their efforts and emphasized that it was an honor for FIB Unud to serve as the host of this important event. He further stated that the OCSEAN project holds great significance for three main reasons: first, its role in strengthening international academic collaboration; second, its focus on documenting endangered languages, especially those in Eastern Indonesia; and third, its contribution to historical reconstruction through in-depth linguistic research. Although there are no written records of the languages in this region, documented lexical evidence and studies on language contact can help reconstruct historical patterns of human migration and ethnic interaction. For these reasons, he affirmed strong support for the conference and its objectives.

Representing OCSEAN, Professor Marian Klamer from Leiden University noted that the conference brought together participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Papua New Guinea, Estonia, Australia, and several other countries. Attendees came from diverse backgrounds and experiences to explore topics in anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, genetics, and beyond. She highlighted the importance of this platform for collaborative dialogue and shared research.

Meanwhile, the Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, ST., Ph.D., in his speech, gave a brief overview of Udayana University, which was established in 1962. He emphasized that OCSEAN is a unique and important initiative that brings together multiple disciplines—linguistics, archaeology, literature, genetics, among others—to better understand the rich and complex heritage of the Oceanic and Southeast Asian region. Several academic staff from Udayana University have actively participated in this collaboration through summer schools in Uppsala, Sweden, and Tartu, Estonia, as well as secondments in Bristol, United Kingdom. These meaningful experiences have not only enhanced the expertise of Udayana’s faculty but also serve as a testament that OCSEAN is more than just a network—it is a thriving community dedicated to advancing knowledge through international cooperation.

Udayana University has expressed full support for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Cultural Innovation, which aims to preserve and document cultural traditions, languages, rituals, arts, and knowledge at the local, regional, and national levels. The centre also seeks to inspire cultural innovation by encouraging new and creative ways to express and apply culture. These efforts are intended to be relevant to today's society and future challenges. The centre will support interdisciplinary research and promote engagement with local communities.

"I believe this centre will play a vital role in promoting cultural studies and fostering innovation rooted in tradition," stated the Rector of Udayana University.

On this occasion, the Rector also extended his sincere gratitude to the OCSEAN Consortium for their continued support, particularly through research grants under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Agreement No. 873207, which have significantly benefited Udayana’s academic staff and expanded their research capacity. The Rector expressed his hope that Udayana University will continue to actively engage in collaborative research within the OCSEAN community.