The Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held an Open Senate Meeting as the pinnacle of its 58th Anniversary celebration. The solemn event was attended by members of the academic community, alumni, and invited guests. The program began with the Dean’s report, delivered by Prof. Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, S.S., M.Hum., followed by a scientific oration by Dr. Sonjoruri Budiani Trisakti, and continued with a recognition ceremony for retired lecturers as well as the awarding of trophies to the winners of the 2025 Philosophy English Competition (PEC).
In her report, the Dean highlighted that the Faculty’s long journey is a legacy full of meaning. She recalled that the Faculty traces its roots to the founding spirit of Universitas Gadjah Mada, which was marked by the establishment of the Faculty of Literature, Pedagogy, and Philosophy. Officially inaugurated on January 23, 1951, the Faculty eventually underwent various transitions until, on August 18, 1967, it was formally established as the Faculty of Philosophy.
“This is the moment we commemorate and celebrate as a new phase of spirit, a marker of perseverance and unyielding resilience,” she remarked.
She further explained that this year’s Anniversary carried the theme “Open Science: Democratizing Knowledge, Empowering the Marginalized.” According to her, the theme is not merely an academic discourse but also an ethical and practical calling. She emphasized that knowledge must be increasingly open, inclusive, and just, driven by two agendas deeply rooted in philosophy: the democratization of knowledge and the empowerment of marginalized communities. This vision aligns with the pursuit of epistemic justice and the mission of making knowledge an instrument of liberation, empowerment, and social transformation.
The event continued with the scientific oration delivered by Dr. Sonjoruri Budiani Trisakti, titled “Open Science and Scientific Truth.” She spoke about the global Open Science (OS) movement as an effort to democratize knowledge, enhance transparency, and empower marginalized groups through open access to research, data, and public participation. However, she also cautioned that claims of scientific truth must be guided by ethics and honesty, as science is not entirely free from paradigms and the consensuses of scientific communities, as Thomas Kuhn has noted.
The Open Senate Meeting also served as the stage for awarding the winners of the 2025 Philosophy English Competition (PEC), a platform for students to sharpen critical reasoning, communication skills, and their passion for philosophy.
Through this commemoration, the Faculty of Philosophy reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining academic traditions, advancing liberating knowledge, and strengthening its commitment to consistently stand on the side of humanity.