Bantul, April 1, 2026 – The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta has officially opened its Master's Degree Program in Design as a strategic step in strengthening higher education in the fields of art and design. The opening of this program has been granted permission through Decree of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 176/B/O/2026 concerning Permission to Open a Master's Degree Program in Design at ISI Yogyakarta in Bantul Regency. The decree, established on March 5, 2026, confirms that the Master's Degree Program in Design at ISI Yogyakarta meets the minimum accreditation requirements and is eligible to be implemented. Furthermore, this program is obligated to meet national higher education standards and report on its academic implementation periodically to the relevant ministry.
New Milestone in Design Education at ISI Yogyakarta
The opening of this Master of Design Program is an important milestone in the development of design scholarship at ISI Yogyakarta. This program is expected to meet the needs of advanced education based on research, innovation, and strengthening design practices that are relevant to global developments, without leaving behind local roots and Indonesian cultural values.
The Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at ISI Yogyakarta, Muhamad Shohahuddin, S.Sn., M.T., stated that the opening of this program is the result of a long academic development process with a future orientation. “This Master's program in Design is not merely an addition to an educational level, but a strategic step to strengthen the position of ISI Yogyakarta as a center for the development of adaptive, collaborative, and globally competitive design knowledge,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of integration between design fields to address the complexity of contemporary design challenges. “We encourage a cross-disciplinary approach that connects product design, visual communication, interior design, and media, thereby generating more contextual and impactful innovations,” he added.
Master's Degree in Design Program Implementation Socialization
As part of the initial implementation phase, the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) of ISI Yogyakarta held a socialization event for the implementation of the Master of Design Program on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM Western Indonesian Time at the Ajiyasa Building, 1st Floor of FSRD ISI Yogyakarta. This event was attended by lecturers from various study programs, namely Media Design, Visual Communication Design, Product Design, and Interior Design. This cross-study program attendance affirms that the development of the Master of Design Program is designed collaboratively.
The appointed Master of Design Program Coordinator, Dr. Rahmawan Dwi Prasetya, S.Sn., M.Si., stated that this initial phase focuses on aligning academic vision and curriculum implementation readiness. “This socialization is an important momentum to harmonize understanding among lecturers regarding the program's direction, from curriculum structure, learning approaches, to the research schemes to be developed,” he explained. He also added that this program is designed to respond to the increasingly complex developments in design practice. “We want to create a learning space that is not only conceptually strong but also relevant to current professional practice and the dynamics of the creative industry,” he expressed.
Collaboration as a Foundation for Development
The socialization forum took place as an open dialogue space that brought together various scientific perspectives in design. The discussions that unfolded showed enthusiasm and a shared commitment to building a quality master's program. This collaborative approach is expected to become the main foundation for program development, as well as strengthen an inclusive and transdisciplinary academic ecosystem.
Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
As stated in the ministerial decree, the organization of the Master's Program in Design is under the responsibility of the institution's leadership and must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. This reflects ISI Yogyakarta's commitment to maintaining educational quality and ensuring the sustainability of the program through continuous evaluation.
Towards Wider Impact
With the official opening of the Master's Program in Design, ISI Yogyakarta further strengthens its position as a center of excellence for art and design education. This program is expected to produce graduates, research, and innovations that are not only academically excellent but also provide real contributions to society, culture, and the creative industry.
Reference: Decree of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 176/B/O/2026 concerning the Opening Permit for the Master's Program in Design at ISI Yogyakarta in Bantul Regency
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