From July 6th to July 12th, 2025, SOI Asia’s EBA (Evidence Based Approach) project conducted a fieldwork program in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, hosted by Syiah Kuala University (USK).
16 students from the host and partner universities (UNHAS, ITB, USK, UNSRAT, Keio, UM, UCSM, UCSY, BUET, UPD, HUST and VNU-VJU) visited several locations in Banda Aceh learning with the EBA method, in order to explore the following issues:
Issues explored in this fieldwork:
- Preservation Challenges of Physical Artifacts: Physical artifacts in the Asia-Pacific often require on-site preservation, making relocation and study difficult. Their undocumented state and need for local safeguarding create logistical barriers to long-term protection.
- Threat of Neglect: Environmental damage and climate change pose serious risks to poorly maintained artifacts. With many in critical condition, proactive preservation is vital to prevent irreversible cultural loss.
- Need for Awareness: Lack of public and academic attention threatens the heritage of underserved regions. Increasing visibility and accessibility of information is key to building support and collaboration.
- Sustainability and Heritage Preservation: Digital preservation offers a sustainable solution for protecting and sharing cultural artifacts, enhancing access for research, education, and public engagement.
Learn more about this program: https://eba.soi.asia/portfolio/usk-2025/
