SDGs 4: Quality Education
The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada is an academic environment with a focus on cultural studies. As one of the faculties that highly values cultural significance, it has gained interest from both local and international students. Each year, FIB welcomes over 100 international students from various countries. Some participate in exchange programs, while others are part of the INCULS program.
Interestingly, international students at FIB UGM actively participate in preserving and enriching Indonesia’s cultural heritage. One example is their adoption of traditional attire, such as batik and kebaya.
As one of Indonesia’s traditional clothes with profound philosophical meaning, kebaya is chosen by international students as an expression of their solidarity with Indonesia’s cultural identity.
The use of batik and kebaya by international students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, is not just an individual act. By wearing traditional Indonesian attire, they implicitly embrace the local culture, contributing positively to creating an inclusive and multicultural educational environment.
Alice Morgan, a student from Australia enrolled in the INCULS program, chose to wear kebaya and batik to attend batik course provided by the faculty. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, she expressed her deep appreciation for batik and its various motifs. At that time, she was accompanied by a friend from the United States who also, interestingly, wore batik and kebaya, even though she was not a student at FIB UGM. This serves as evidence that culture and art can serve as bridges that connect people from different countries and backgrounds.
