User:Ukozok

Prof. Uli Kozok is a German-born philologist, historian, and paleographer specializing in the languages, scripts, and cultures of Indonesia, particularly those of Sumatra. He currently serves as a professor and coordinator of the Indonesian-Malay Language Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures.  

Born on May 26, 1959, in Hildesheim, Germany, Kozok developed an early interest in Indonesian culture during a visit to Medan in North Sumatra. He pursued his academic studies at the University of Hamburg, earning his master’s degree in 1989 and his Ph.D. in 1994 with a dissertation focusing on Batak literature.  

Before joining the University of Hawaiʻi, Kozok was a lecturer at the University of Auckland in New Zealand from 1994 to 2001. His research encompasses a wide range of topics, including the paleography of Island Southeast Asia, the philology and oral literature of Sumatra (notably Batak, Kerinci, Rejang-Lebong, and Lampung), modern Indonesian literature, and the methodologies of language learning and distance education. 

Kozok is renowned for his work in preserving and studying ancient Indonesian manuscripts. He has been instrumental in the digitization and analysis of historical texts, such as the 14th-century Malay legal code Nitisarasamuccaya. Additionally, he has contributed to the development of digital fonts for traditional Batak scripts, aiding in the preservation and revitalization of these writing systems.  

Fluent in multiple languages, including German, English, Dutch, Indonesian, and Batak, Kozok has made significant contributions to the understanding and appreciation of Indonesia’s linguistic and cultural heritage. His work bridges academic scholarship and cultural preservation, making him a prominent figure in the field of Southeast Asian studies.