Java Institute
The fact that Java is one of the most populated islands in the world is undeniable. With its 130 million inhabitants dwelling in 134,045 km2, the density of the island reaches 1,026 people/km2. Beside its enormous population, the island has its long history of civilisation. It can be traced from its archaeological sites, as well as surviving cultures such arts, astronomy, agricultural system, trading routes etc. As a case in point, the oldest Homo erectus ever discovered outside Africa is unearthed in Java. It is estimated that this species, known as Man of Java, lived around 1,8 million to 50,000 years ago. Java is a volcanic island wherein many volcanoes resides. One of the most active volcanoes is Mount Merapi (2,968 m). The topography of Java featured with its hills, highlands, and mountains make it perfect for the cultivation of agriculture, especially paddy or rice fields. Interestingly, Java is the site where coffee was firstly introduced and planted in the region in 1699. The vital position of Java is also recorded in its history where it has been the centre of the mighty kingdoms for ages, starting from those of Hindus to the Moslems. They did give nuances to the births of diverse cultures such as, literary works, architecure, musics, dances and many others. In the colonial era, the island continued its vital function as the centre for the Netherlands Indische Company, the Dutch, as well as the British to control the surrounding islands in the (Indonesian) Archipelago. And in the present, Java still plays a vital role in many aspects of Indonesian politic, economy, culture, etc. Therefore, many people come to the island for various purposes. Unsurprisingly, the island has to bear 63% of the total population of the country. It can be seen especially in fast growing urban centres where most population concentrates as result of the natural growth and migration. The facts above do show the magnitude potentials of Java in the past and the present. Yet, at the same time it also brings forth a great deal of complex problems ranging from environmental destruction, poverty and food shortage, clean water shortage, crimes, unemployment, health and sanitation as well as social imbalance between Java and other islands. Should they all be carelessly handled, then, the destiny of the island with its inhabitants will be in jeopardy. Studies on Java have eventually been conducted for a long time. To name from many, a book by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, History of Java (1817), was the most important work of the nineteenth century's scholars intending to study Java. Though it is a work of more than two hundred years ago, it is still relevant for the present. After Raffles, studies on sociology and anthropology of ethnics living in the island such as those of Clifford Geertz, of Zoetmoelder, and many other scholars emerged quite intensely in the dusk of the twentieth century. Yet, such comprehensive and novel studies then are hard to find in the following years. Accordingly, Soegijapranata Catholic University as a leading university in Semarang, the capital city of Central Java Province, feels obliged to give solutions and recommendations to the complex problems of Java Island. Therefore, a research institute, under the name - Java Institute is established. It is a research institute that carries out studies on Java as a spatial, ecological, social, economical, and cultural entity and resource. Through the research institute, Soegijapranata Catholic University opens and enhances both interdisciplinary and mono-disciplinary studies on Java from diverse aspects.