Maranatha University Confers Professorship on Visual Language Expert in Art, Design and Media
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG – Maranatha University Bandung confers professorship on lecturer Ariesa Pandanwangi in the field of art, design and media with specialisation in visual language. The conferment took place at the Prof Surjadi Auditorium this week, increasing the number of professors on the campus.
In her inaugural address, Prof Ariesa spoke on the theme “Visual Language, Global Challenges, and Protection in the Creative Industry”. She underscored the importance of safeguarding visual language as a cultural identity amid the rapid currents of globalisation and the development of modern visual culture.
According to Ariesa, the younger generation is now more familiar with global visual symbols than with local visual culture. She noted that this trend could threaten the sustainability of Nusantara’s cultural heritage if not anticipated.
She also introduced a contemporary batik based on traditional Sunda stories from the ancient manuscript Bujangga Manik. The work was developed with industry partners to possess both cultural value and economic value.
“Local culture is not an obstacle to progress, but a source of creativity capable of creating jobs and improving the welfare of society,” Ariesa said.
Rector of Maranatha Christian University, Prof Frans Umbu Datta, stated that Ariesa is an academic who consistently produces research and creative works in the field of arts and culture. “She is the pride of the campus and one of the very rare art professors in Indonesia,” he said.
According to him, the presence of a professor plays an important role in enhancing research quality, driving innovation, and strengthening collaboration with industry. Frans added that this achievement is also related to improvements in the university’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU), including the quality of human resources in teaching staff, international scientific publications, and industry cooperation.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Maranatha Christian Higher Education Foundation James Martin Aryadi Budiman assessed that the rise in the number of professors shows that private universities can compete domestically and internationally.