Students from the Japanese Language and Culture (BKJ) Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had the opportunity to participate in the 22nd Kanji Cup, organized by the Consulate-General of Japan in Surabaya on October 4, 2025, and held at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA). This national-level competition was attended by hundreds of participants from various universities and schools across Indonesia, including UI, UNDIP, UNSOED, UNAIR, UNIBRAW, UNESA, as well as several high schools and vocational schools in East Java.

The BKJ UGM delegation departed for Surabaya on October 3, 2025, with full support from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, which provided accommodation and logistical assistance throughout the event.

This year’s Kanji Cup was divided into two categories: shokyuu (beginner) and chuukyuu (intermediate). Each category consisted of three stages — preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds. In this competition, BKJ UGM sent six student representatives. Two students competed in the shokyuu category and reached the preliminary stage. Meanwhile, four other students took part in the chuukyuu category, divided into two teams. Team A reached the preliminary stage, while Team B advanced to the semifinals, gaining valuable experience throughout the competition process.

The participation of BKJ UGM students in the 22nd Kanji Cup reflects their enthusiasm and active engagement in improving their Japanese language skills. Through this competition, students not only honed their abilities but also learned about teamwork, healthy competition, and building broader connections and insights.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid

Yogyakarta, October 17, 2025 – The Indonesian Culture and Language Learning Service (INCULS), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), has officially opened registration for the Regular Program – Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. This program offers international students the opportunity to explore Indonesia through its language, arts, and traditions, right in Yogyakarta, a city renowned as the cultural and educational heart of the nation.

The program, which will take place from February 16 to June 19, 2026, is designed to provide a learning experience that focuses not only on language skills but also on cultural understanding. Through this initiative, INCULS contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), by providing inclusive access to language and cultural education for learners from around the world.

Students are placed according to their language proficiency levels, ranging from Beginner (A1, A2) to Advanced (C2.1, C2.2). The curriculum covers reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary, delivered through interactive methods that connect classroom learning with real-life communication.

Beyond classroom activities, participants are invited to experience Indonesia more deeply through various cultural enrichment programs, such as Batik workshops, Gamelan (traditional music) classes, and visits to cultural and historical sites around Yogyakarta. Through these cross-cultural experiences, the program also supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by fostering intercultural understanding and strengthening international friendships.

INCULS additionally offers elective courses such as Indonesian Culture, History and Politics, Tourism, and Translation, allowing students to broaden their academic perspectives based on their interests. At the end of the semester, participants will receive an official certificate and academic transcript, which can be transferred to their home universities.

Through collaboration with various international institutions and participation from students across the globe, INCULS also advances SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering cross-cultural learning environments that enhance global understanding of Indonesia while strengthening international academic networks.

Registration for the Regular Program – Even Semester 2025/2026 can be completed online via admission.ugm.ac.id/registration. Further information is available at bit.ly/INCULSHowtoApply and bit.ly/INCULSBrochure

With the spirit of “At INCULS, language meets culture, and learning becomes a journey of discovery,” UGM invites international students to join and explore the richness of Indonesia’s language, culture, and humanity. ✨

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM,  Alma Syahwalani]

Monday, October 6, 2025 – What if development did not have to repeat the same failed models?

This question is the main premise of the book Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia: Alternative Practices from the Grassroots and Social Movements. On Monday, October 6, 2025, the Department of Anthropology held a soft launch of the book Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia: Alternative Practices from the Grassroots and Social Movements. This book is the result of collaboration between a number of researchers who highlight various social, political, and geographical contexts in the Southeast Asian region. Through various field studies and theoretical reflections, this book places alternative development as its main focus, while inviting readers to reimagine the meaning of progress from the perspective of communities that have often been marginalized in mainstream development discourse.

Furthermore, the authors also invite us to question the perspective that limits people’s experiences within the framework of the nation-state. The division of regions such as “Southeast Asia” is in fact inseparable from the excesses of colonialism, which sought to compartmentalize social and cultural spaces into separate entities. Through this lens, Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia not only discusses alternative forms of development, but also how we can reimagine cross-border relationships—both historical and cultural—which are in fact a vital source for the emergence of grassroots development practices.

At the book’s soft launch on Monday, two of its authors, Ananeza P. Aban, PhD Researcher from Ghent University, and Jose Monfred C. Sy, PhD Researcher from the University of Hong Kong, were present to give a brief presentation on the outline of the book and the main topics discussed. Both highlighted how local initiatives and social movements in various Southeast Asian countries can become forms of alternative development that seek to break away from colonial formats and renegotiate power relations in the global context.

This event also provided a space for participants to revisit the concept of development, which has been dominated by global perspectives and mainstream economic policies. Through this launch, the authors hope to open a broader conversation about the future of development in the region, how grassroots experiences can be a source of inspiration for a more inclusive and sustainable direction of development, and encourage researchers to participate in documenting local development practices—especially in Southeast Asia.

[Antropologi Budaya, Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha]

Yogyakarta, October 9th, 2025 – Students from the Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), are actively participating in the Al-Istiqama International Arabic Public Speaking Competition 2025, an international Arabic speech contest organized by the Omani Research and Studies Centre in collaboration with Istiqama Academy and the Arabic Debate Club. This prestigious event, held under the theme of nurturing eloquence, leadership, and global understanding, gathers high school and university students from around the world to showcase their Arabic communication skills.

The competition features two stages: the online qualifying round, where participants submit a 3–5 minute speech video by October 10, 2025, and the semi-final and final rounds, which will take place on November 7, 2025, at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Contestants will address one of several themes, such as “Education and Innovation as Our Path to Leadership” and “The Role of Youth in Building a Peaceful Future.” Winners will receive total prizes amounting to RM 20,000 (approximately USD 4,700).

The Arabic Study Program at UGM provides full support for its students joining this competition. The department organizes intensive coaching sessions, helps students record and edit their competition videos, and provides academic and technical assistance to ensure the best possible preparation. This initiative reflects the program’s dedication to encouraging students to hone their public speaking, linguistic, and intercultural communication skills on the international stage.

Through this participation, UGM continues to foster an environment that empowers students to represent Indonesia in global academic and cultural arenas while embodying the values of confidence, eloquence, and collaboration. The Arabic Study Program’s support for this event also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—by promoting global educational collaboration and student empowerment through language and culture.

[Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, 4 October 2025 – The Arabic Student Association (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) warmly welcomed the Arabic Literature Student Association (HIMASA) from Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) during their comparative study visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event aimed to strengthen academic and organizational ties while fostering collaboration and friendship between student associations.

The SANJUNG program was attended by all representatives of IKMASA UGM’s 2025/2026 management board from each department, accompanied by IKMASA Chairperson Candra Solihin. Meanwhile, the HIMASA UNPAD delegation, consisting of around 60 members, was led by HIMASA Chairperson Moch Cahya Kurnia.

The event began with welcoming remarks from both organization leaders, followed by presentations of work programs from each department and division. The participants then engaged in focused discussion sessions organized into small groups, each consisting of one to two departments, allowing for deeper exchanges of ideas and experiences. The program concluded with a documentation session held in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building.

This visit served not only as a platform for sharing organizational best practices but also as a meaningful step toward building lasting partnerships and academic collaboration among Arabic student associations across Indonesia.

Author: Department of External Relations of IKMASA