Dalam rangka promosi dan mengukuhkan Antropologi ULM yang baru berdiri, pihak program studi menghubungi Anna Tsing untuk memberikan dukungannya.
Melalui email yang dikirim Tony Rudyansjah, ia membalas dan menyambut baik hadirnya program ini. Ia menekankan bahwa Antropologi ULM memiliki peran strategis dalam memajukan kajian budaya, masyarakat, dan lingkungan, khususnya di Kalimantan.
Dalam testimoninya, Anna Tsing menyoroti pentingnya lulusan antropologi dalam berbagai bidang profesional, termasuk kebijakan publik, pelestarian budaya, advokasi sosial, sektor non-profit, hingga industri korporasi. Dengan berkembangnya Banjarmasin sebagai pusat pertukaran budaya di Asia Tenggara, ia meyakini bahwa mahasiswa Antropologi ULM akan memiliki peluang luas untuk berkontribusi baik di tingkat lokal maupun global.
Berikut dukungan dari Anna Tsing melalui email kepada Tony Rudyansjah.
I am excited to welcome the new Anthropology Department at ULM, a significant step forward in advancing education, research, and career development in the field of anthropology. This program will foster academic excellence and also opens a world of opportunities for its graduates in a wide range of professional fields.
As a discipline, anthropology asks big questions and teaches careful skills to bridge cultures, histories, and human experiences. Graduates of this program will possess a deep understanding of human societies, behavior, and cultures, making them valuable assets in today’s globalized world. The department is poised to equip students with critical thinking, research, and analytical skills that are in high demand across multiple sectors.
Career pathways for graduates will extend far beyond traditional academic roles. With a degree in anthropology, students can pursue careers in government and public policy, where they can advise on cultural preservation, human rights, and social justice. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter the non-profit sector, working with organizations dedicated to community development, humanitarian aid, and cultural exchange. The corporate world also offers career options in consumer research, marketing, and organizational management, where anthropological insights into human behavior are invaluable.
Additionally, Banjarmasin's growing role as a hub for cultural exchange in Southeast Asia provides an exciting backdrop for students to engage in local and international opportunities. By collaborating with museums, heritage sites, research institutes, and local communities, students will have the chance to apply their knowledge and contribute meaningfully to preserving and understanding diverse cultures.
The establishment of this department is a forward-thinking move that ensures graduates will be equipped not only with a solid academic foundation but also with the practical skills and experience necessary to excel in a broad range of career opportunities. I fully support this exciting new initiative and look forward to seeing how it will shape the future of anthropology in Banjarmasin and beyond.
Anna Tsing
Professor of Anthropology
University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
Dukungan dari akademisi sekaliber Anna Tsing semakin memperkuat posisi Program Studi Antropologi ULM dalam membangun kajian akademik yang berakar pada realitas lokal Kalimantan sekaligus memiliki relevansi dalam konteks global. Kehadiran serta kontribusinya tidak hanya menegaskan pentingnya studi antropologi di wilayah ini, tetapi juga membuka peluang kolaborasi akademik yang lebih luas dengan institusi penelitian, organisasi masyarakat, dan jaringan ilmuwan di tingkat nasional maupun internasional.
Dengan fokus kajian pada transformasi sosial, budaya, dan lingkungan, Program Studi Antropologi ULM berupaya menghasilkan riset yang tidak hanya bermanfaat bagi dunia akademik, tetapi juga berdampak nyata bagi masyarakat. Dukungan dari Anna Tsing menjadi legitimasi penting dalam mengukuhkan Antropologi ULM sebagai pusat kajian yang unggul dan berdaya saing global, sekaligus menegaskan peran vital antropologi dalam memahami perubahan sosial dan menjawab tantangan keberlanjutan di era modern.