The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada held its matriculation program for new students on August 11–15, 2025. The program brought together students from across Indonesia as well as international participants enrolled in the double degree track. Some students joined online as they were attending scholarship release activities in their home countries.
Throughout the five-day program, students received a range of materials designed to strengthen their readiness for academic life at MURP. Sessions covered UGM’s core values, academic writing and the use of AI, essential studio skills, and analytical approaches in urban and regional planning. The program also emphasized the importance of understanding multiple spatial scales (neighborhood, city, and region),and introduced students to spatial analysis tools.
A key highlight of the program was the introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related spatial applications, which form a crucial foundation for planning practice. Through these sessions, students learned about digital mapping, spatial data analysis, and the use of technology to support evidence-based decision-making in urban and regional planning.
Beyond technical aspects, the program also highlighted the role of planning in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students were encouraged to see how planning practice contributes to global targets, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This perspective helps them connect sustainable development, environmental governance, social equity, and the improvement of community well-being.
The matriculation program serves as an academic bridge for students from diverse backgrounds, including those without prior training in planning. It is expected to foster shared understanding, encourage collaboration, and integrate academic values with professionalism and sustainability as students embark on their journey in urban and regional planning at UGM.
