Yogyakarta, Saturday, 24 October 2026 — Welcoming Party 2026 was held as the opening event of the Abhiseka 2026 series, introducing new students of the Undergraduate Archaeology Study Program, referred to as Arkeologi Muda, to academic and non-academic life within the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event provided an opportunity for new students to build connections, strengthen their sense of community, and become familiar with archaeological values as they begin their academic journey.
Carrying the overarching theme “Dharmasagara Ratnakara,” interpreted as an ocean that holds treasures of knowledge, Welcoming Party 2026 featured Maritime Archaeology as its main theme. This theme introduced Arkeologi Muda to the broad scope of archaeological studies, which extend beyond land-based remains to encompass human life and activities in aquatic environments. By portraying the ocean as a space that holds valuable knowledge and experiences, the event encouraged new students to broaden their perspectives, nurture their curiosity, and explore the diversity of approaches within archaeology.
The Welcoming Party 2026 program consisted of two main activities: a morning talk show and an evening gathering. The talk show featured Muslim Dimas Khoiru Dhony, an Archaeology alumnus from the 2015 cohort, who shared his knowledge and experiences in Maritime Archaeology. The session offered Arkeologi Muda an introduction to the application of archaeological methods in maritime studies while providing insights from a practitioner with experience in the field. A question-and-answer session followed, allowing participants to engage in discussion and explore the topics presented in greater depth.
The evening program focused on welcoming the new students and strengthening connections across student cohorts. It opened with a drama performance titled “Jejak di Ujung Samudera” (Footprints at the Edge of the Ocean), presented by the 2026 cohort of Arkeologi Muda. Representatives of senior student cohorts then delivered welcoming remarks, providing an opportunity for students from different generations to get to know one another. The event concluded with musical performances by Mikat Hima and Djamblis Explorers, bringing the evening to a lively close.
Through Welcoming Party 2026, Arkeologi Muda were introduced not only to their academic environment and the diverse fields of archaeological study but also to the importance of building meaningful connections with fellow students. The event marked the beginning of their academic journey, encouraging them to broaden their knowledge, develop new perspectives, and grow together within the Archaeology community.
