Yogyakarta, June 2025 — Two students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have successfully been accepted into the Fast Track Bachelor’s–Master’s (S1–S2) Program at UGM. They are Fadisya Zata Amany and Raissa Aneswari, both from the 2022 batch.

The Fast Track program offers an opportunity for undergraduate students to continue to the master’s level and complete both degrees in a shorter period of time. Below are the reflections and messages shared by the selected students:

Fadisya Zata Amany
“Alhamdulillah, saya sangat bersyukur bisa diterima dalam program fast track S1–S2 di Universitas Gadjah Mada. Kesempatan ini menjadi awal baru lagi untuk terus belajar, memperluas wawasan, dan memperdalam keilmuan di bidang yang saya tekuni. Proses seleksi yang cukup menantang membuat saya banyak belajar tentang ketekunan, konsistensi, dan pentingnya persiapan yang matang. Saya berterima kasih kepada dosen-dosen, teman-teman dan khususnya kepada orang tua saya yang selalu memberikan dukungan serta semangat selama proses ini. Buat teman-teman yang lagi berjuang, jangan takut ambil kesempatan ya!”

Raissa Aneswari
“Jujur, awalnya nggak nyangka bisa lolos Fast Track. Waktu daftar, sempat ragu juga, jadi ya semangatnya nothing to lose aja. Tapi Alhamdulillah, bersyukur banget bisa dapet kesempatan ikut seleksi dan akhirnya lolos. Terima kasih buat dosen-dosen dan pihak prodi yang udah mendukung proses seleksi dan pengembangan kami. Juga makasih banyak buat teman-teman atas dukungan dan doanya. Semoga ke depannya makin banyak mahasiswa yang termotivasi buat terus belajar dan berani ambil tantangan baru.”

This achievement highlights the strong academic spirit and dedication of Korean Language and Culture students at UGM in pursuing continuous education toward postgraduate study.

Penulis: Nisa Khairuna Sabilla

Yogyakarta, 10/7/2025 – The Department of History at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), recently held a public lecture aimed at igniting intellectual enthusiasm and fostering critical interdisciplinary discussions. The event, titled “Decolonizing Photography Archives: Research Issues in the Colonial Era and Its Visual Documentation,” took place in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building and featured Dr. Martin Slama, a senior researcher from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, as the keynote speaker.

In his presentation, Dr. Slama unveiled the findings from the 1928-1929 expeditions conducted by Austrian and German scientists to the Dutch East Indies. This limnological expedition not only produced around 3,000 photographs highlighting the ecology of rivers and lakes but also meticulously documented the lives of local communities, capturing everything from traditional ceremonies and religious activities to daily routines. Notably, many of the images were taken using stereo photography technology, which provided a three-dimensional effect.

However, despite their significant scientific value, these photographic archives have remained exclusively stored in Vienna, Austria. The limited access to these images has been a central critique raised during the discussion: how can these photographs be recontextualized for the communities from which they were taken? How can they be transformed from mere colonial heritage into a window for social, cultural, and historical reflection?

Dr. Slama emphasized that mere digitization is not enough. He argued that a decolonization approach is necessary in presenting these digital archives, allowing local communities in Indonesia to access, understand, and reinterpret the images in today’s context. “These colonial photographs must be given new life, not just as visual objects, but as part of a narrative that involves the communities that were once their subjects,” he stated.

The discussion was dynamic and filled with enthusiasm. Faculty members, students, and academics from various fields actively engaged in questioning and dialogue, demonstrating the importance of the intersection between history, visuality, and archival ethics in post-colonial studies.

Through this public lecture, the Department of History at UGM not only opened an academic space for learning about the past but also challenged participants to think critically about the present and how colonial legacies can be reconstructed for a more just and inclusive future. The event highlighted the role of education in addressing historical injustices and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural heritage.

As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the decolonization of photographic archives is not merely an academic exercise but a vital step towards reconciliation and empowerment for the communities depicted in these images. By engaging with these archives, participants were encouraged to reflect on their own identities and histories, fostering a sense of ownership over their cultural narratives.

In conclusion, the public lecture served as a reminder of the power of education in shaping societal perspectives and the importance of reexamining historical narratives. The collaboration between scholars and local communities is essential in ensuring that the legacies of the past are not forgotten but are instead transformed into tools for education and social justice.

Yogyakarta, 10 July 2025 – Internship students from National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan, participated in the Kamis Pon Berbudaya (Cultural Thursday) event, a regular celebration held by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This activity is part of FIB UGM’s initiative to introduce international students to the values of Javanese culture particularly those rooted in the Special Region of Yogyakarta through participatory and educational approaches.

The NCCU students wore traditional batik attire and were accompanied by part-time staff members from FIB UGM’s Public Relations team, Alma and Candra. Through this event, they gained a deeper understanding of the meaning and philosophy of Kamis Pon in Javanese tradition, especially in the Yogyakarta context.

Alma and Candra explained that Kamis Pon refers to the convergence of Thursday (Kamis) and Pon, one of the five-day Javanese market cycles (pasaran). They also shared that previously, traditional dress days were observed on Kamis Pahing, commemorating the relocation of the Yogyakarta Palace from Ambarketawang to its current site. In 2024, however, the Yogyakarta Regional Government designated Kamis Pon as the official commemoration day of Yogyakarta’s founding, following Governor’s Circular No. 400.5.9.1/40 dated January 8, 2024.

This day carries strong symbolic meaning within Javanese society, particularly in the Kraton (palace) of Yogyakarta, where Kamis Pon is considered sacred. It is often used for spiritual activities, reflection, and cultural preservation as a form of respect for ancestors.

“This is something completely new for us—wearing batik on a specific day,” shared one of the NCCU students.

The active involvement of international students in this cultural activity aligns with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by promoting cross-cultural education and the safeguarding of intangible heritage.

By consistently organizing Kamis Pon Berbudaya, FIB UGM continues to foster an inclusive space for intercultural dialogue, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to learn from one another and build a broader understanding of cultural diversity.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

In a world where logic often reigns supreme, Pandhita, an Arabic literature student, believes that storytelling can evoke emotions that logic cannot reach. “When I played the role of a mother betrayed by her son, I saw the audience crying,” she states with conviction, her eyes gazing into the distance. For Pandhita, storytelling is not merely a performance or entertainment; it is a profound way to convey messages, stir emotions, and touch the human side that is often overlooked by rational thought. Her love for storytelling began in elementary school.

It was during a county-level storytelling competition that Pandhita first realized the power of a tale. Winning the competition was not the most memorable part; rather, it was the moment she understood how a story could make an audience laugh, ponder, or even shed tears. From that point on, storytelling transformed from a hobby into a life path that she believed could benefit others. She is convinced that imparting life values does not always require advice or counsel; light-hearted stories with deep meanings can be more readily accepted and absorbed. “Khairunnās anfa‘uhum linnās, the best of people are those who are beneficial to others,” she emphasizes, quoting an Arabic proverb that serves as her guiding principle in her work.

As she delved deeper into the world of storytelling, more doors began to open for her. Her storytelling skills led her to be trusted as a mentor in various fields, from the Arabic and English languages to general subjects. One of her most unique experiences was participating in a Korean storytelling competition, despite never having formally studied the language. Armed only with songs and dramas she had watched, she attempted to mimic the pronunciation and expressions, all in the name of broadening her horizons and learning a new language. This experience reinforced her belief that stories can serve as a medium for cross-linguistic learning.

Her ability to craft narratives and convey messages also made her a sought-after contributor to educational video projects. People entrusted her with the important task of delivering messages in a coherent, lively, and meaningful manner. However, one unforgettable moment was when she became a storyteller at a social event for children in marginalized areas. The audience may have been small, but when she performed the story of “The Crying Stone,” the room fell silent and emotional. “When I acted as a mother scorned by her child, I saw those children crying along with me. They were not just listening; they were feeling,” she recalls. It was then that Pandhita realized she was not just telling stories; she was bringing meaning to life.

This skill also led her into the professional world as a moderator and event host. For her, being an MC is not just about reading an agenda; it’s about creating an atmosphere, maintaining the audience’s enthusiasm, and keeping her own energy stable from start to finish. She combines narrative techniques with vocal modulation, light metaphors, and smooth transitions to make each segment of an event feel alive. In fact, storytelling once saved her during a high-pressure interview. When her mind went blank due to a question, she chose to respond with a narrative approach. “I simply told a simple analogy, packaging complex language into something straightforward and easy to understand, and the interviewer smiled,” she reminisces.

For Pandhita, storytelling is a bridge between the mind and the heart. She rejects the notion that storytelling is only for children. Instead, she believes that through stories, we can learn empathy, sensitivity, and social awareness. The world is filled with small yet meaningful things; we often just don’t take the time to see them. Therefore, she uses storytelling as a way to help others re-examine their lives from a warmer perspective. In various educational and motivational forums she attends, Pandhita always carries one important message: literacy and language are the keys to the future. “Unfortunately, many still overlook this,” she says softly.

When asked about her dreams, Pandhita confidently replies that she wants to create storytelling workshops open to everyone. A safe space where people can share their stories without fear of judgment. For her, storytelling is not about performing perfectly or impressively, but about honesty, courage, and self-acceptance. “Everyone has a story. And every story has power,” she asserts. She believes that being an inspiring person is not always about grand achievements; sometimes, it is enough to be a good listener or a sincere storyteller.

Yogyakarta, 10/7/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again marked an academic milestone through the doctoral promotion session held on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Arina Isti’anah, a lecturer and researcher in the field of linguistics, officially earned her Doctorate degree after presenting a dissertation titled Ecological Discourse Analysis in Indonesian Tourism Promotion.

Through a corpus-based ecolinguistic approach, Arina’s research examined the language strategies used in the promotion of Indonesian tourism, focusing on English-language content on the official website of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Her findings revealed that the narrative tends to overemphasize the physical environment—portraying Indonesia as an exotic tropical country rich in natural resources, yet isolated.

In her presentation, Arina revealed that tourism promotion practices are not only influenced by advertising genres but are also ideologically loaded, leaning toward neoliberalism and capitalism. The exploration of hidden islands and the glorification of natural beauty are wrapped in commodification and privatization, ironically under the guise of eco-friendliness.

Concluding her presentation, Arina emphasized that greenwashing has become a common pattern in tourism promotion. The “eco” and “green” labels often found in tourism campaigns do not always align with true ecological values. She also highlighted the need for further research on the Indonesian version of these texts and the translation strategies involved, including expanding the corpus and applying multimodal discourse analysis to enrich ecolinguistic discussion.

The doctoral promotion, held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, was attended by scholars from various disciplines, students, and colleagues from different institutions. Their presence witnessed Arina’s meaningful contribution to the development of ecolinguistics studies in Indonesia.

With this achievement, Dr. Arina Isti’anah is expected to continue her contributions to critical linguistic and ecological studies, inspiring the next generation of academics to explore how language functions as an ideological tool shaping people’s views of the environment.