The Information and Public Relations Program at the Vocational School of Diponegoro University once again organized an international academic forum discussing the role of archives as sources of information and knowledge for society. The event, attended by 162 participants, featured Dr. Van Kim Hoang Ha presenting on the topic “Archives as Sources of Information and Knowledge: A Comparison of Vietnam and Indonesia.”
In her presentation, Dr. Van Kim Hoang Ha explained that archives are not merely administrative documents, but also constitute collective memory, cultural heritage, and the foundation for a nation’s knowledge development. Both Vietnam and Indonesia share significant documentation traditions that are vital for preserving national identity in the digital age.
“Archives are memory, archives are power, archives are heritage, and archives are the foundation of societal knowledge,” stated Dr. Van Kim Hoang Ha.
She also compared archival forms in both countries, ranging from royal documents and digital archives in Vietnam to ancient manuscripts, lontar manuscripts, and colonial archives in Indonesia. According to her, both nations face similar challenges, particularly in preserving the integrity of documents and expanding access to information in the digital age.
The discussion was moderated by Arravi Rizal Firmansyah, who highlighted the differences in the nature of archives in Vietnam and Indonesia, both in terms of form and management systems. Nevertheless, both countries share the same view regarding the importance of archives for national identity.
“Vietnam and Indonesia have different archival characteristics, both in terms of form and management systems. However, both share a common view regarding archives as a source of knowledge as well as a part of the cultural identity of society,” said Arravi Rizal Firmansyah.
Through this forum, students are expected to gain a broader understanding of the importance of archives in cultural preservation, the advancement of knowledge, and digital transformation in the Southeast Asian region.