Yogyakarta, 6/9/2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, successfully held the UGM Korean Literature Festival 2025 at the Purbacaraka Auditorium. The event took place from 09.00 to 11.30 WIB and featured a series of activities including a literature seminar, award announcement, and a talk show with Cursed Bunny author, Chung Bora.

The seminar opened with a presentation by Mrs. Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, one of the founders of the K-Lit UGM community. She shared the journey of K-Lit UGM from its early formation to its successful organization of various literary activities, including translation workshops and the first Korean literature festival in Indonesia.

Following this, Mrs. Febriani Elfida Trihtarani delivered a talk titled “Cursed Bunny: Between Horror, Magical Elements, and Social Issues.” She discussed how Chung Bora’s short story collection explores compelling narratives infused with horror, magical elements, and reflections of social issues in South Korea.

The event continued with the announcement of competition winners. In the Korean Literature Scientific Paper Competition, Az-Zahra Ahsana Amala won first place and received a prize of Rp3,000,000. Zahra also had the opportunity to present her paper titled “Analysis of Borderline Personality Disorder Tendencies in the Main Character of Lee Kkonnnim’s Novel Jugigo Sipeun Ai.” Second place went to Ajeng Adinda Putri (Rp1,500,000), and third place to Rizqi Hauna Nadhira (Rp1,000,000).

Meanwhile, in the Cursed Bunny Novel Video Review Competition, Bernadeta Dheswita Puspitasari won first place (Rp600,000), followed by Yosie Rizkha Amaf in second place (Rp450,000), and Jeanetta Gabriella Bangun in third place (Rp200,000).

All prizes were sponsored by the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, as a form of appreciation for student creativity. The organizers hope that this festival will not only serve as a platform for literary engagement but also inspire young generations to be critical, creative, and attentive to the development of Korean literature in Indonesia.

Author: Sherina Azmi A.

Yogyakarta, 15/9/2025 – The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, held an event titled “Expert Lecture on Philology: Transforming Ancient Manuscripts into Performing Arts.” The program took place at Room 709, R. Soegondo Building, FIB UGM from 09.00 to 12.00 GMT+7, and was also streamed live through the official YouTube channel Kanal Pengetahuan FIB UGM.

The lecture attracted not only students from FIB UGM but also international participants, including students from Osaka University, Japan. Some participants joined via Zoom, creating a vibrant and cross-cultural discussion. The presence of international students highlighted the global relevance of this topic and opened opportunities to promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage on an international stage.

The first speaker, Dr. R. Bima Slamet Raharja, M.A., a lecturer in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, delivered a theoretical framework of alih wahana (media transfer), moderated by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, M.A. Dr. Bima explained that alih wahana encompasses translation, adaptation, and the transfer of one art form into another. “A medium is like a vehicle—it carries ideas, feelings, and expressions,” he emphasized.

He further explained that alih wahana is inseparable from intermedia relations. Understanding the medium used to express ideas has significant implications for the study of art and media, ranging from expression, cinema, illustration, and visual poetry to remediation, adaptation, and multimedia practices.

Following this session, presentations by Anon Suneko, S.Sn., M.Sn., and Paksi Raras Alit, S.S., M.A., complemented the discussion by exploring the practical aspects of transforming ancient manuscripts into performing arts. Their insights bridged theoretical perspectives with contemporary artistic practices, providing students with new ways to connect classical texts to modern forms of cultural expression.

Beyond academic enrichment, the event strongly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in cultural preservation, quality education, and international cooperation. The involvement of international participants underscored the potential of transforming ancient manuscripts into performing arts not only as a form of heritage conservation but also as cultural diplomacy—strengthening Indonesia’s role in promoting its cultural legacy to the world.

Author: Candra Solihin

Yogyakarta, September 11, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) warmly welcomed a cultural visit from Osaka University, Japan, in an event filled with hospitality and the spirit of cultural exchange. Organized by the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, this program served as an important moment to strengthen international relations through deeper cultural understanding.

The event opened with a performance of Tari Sasanti Manghayu-hayu by students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Department. The dance, rich in symbolism, represented a gesture of welcome while highlighting Javanese traditional values of hospitality and harmony.

Head of the Department, Dr. Dra. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., expressed her pride in the continuation of this meaningful academic tradition.
“Looking at what has been accomplished over the years, this activity is extraordinary, especially for our students, as it provides invaluable experiences in interacting with both domestic and international students,” she remarked.

A warm response also came from Osaka University, represented by supervising lecturer Dr. Yumi Sugahara. She shared that student visits to Yogyakarta have been conducted since 2013, with an average of 30 students visiting FIB UGM every two years. This consistent collaboration reflects the strong commitment of both institutions to building cultural bridges that mutually enrich one another.

During the cultural presentation session, Osaka University students introduced various aspects of life in Japan. They presented summer traditions, showcased Japanese culinary specialties along with food sample-making techniques, and introduced both digital and traditional Japanese games. Additionally, they shared traditional toys and explained Japanese perspectives on religion and spirituality, offering participants deeper insights into the broader way of life in Japan.

This event was not only a platform for cultural exchange but also embodied the spirit of sustainable development as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The collaboration between FIB UGM and Osaka University underscores their shared commitment to providing inclusive and quality education (SDG 4) and fostering global partnerships for sustainability (SDG 17). Such exchanges provide students with opportunities to learn beyond geographical and cultural boundaries, shaping a young generation that is more open-minded, tolerant, and globally oriented.

Through this program, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again demonstrated its role as a hub for cultural and intellectual exchange, consistently encouraging international cooperation for a more sustainable and harmonious future.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

The  English Literature Study Program held an inspiring alumni talk titled Early Career Navigation: Aligning Your College Goals with Your Dreams. This event featured Indra Pradipa Yudha, better known as Andrew Yudha, an alumnus as well as the CEO and founder of Discovery English and Speakhub.id. He is also an English teacher, edupreneur, and content creator. This seminar was a valuable opportunity for students to gain insight into how to make the most of their college years as a stepping stone to future career success.

During the session, Andrew Yudha shared his personal and professional journey. He emphasized that success is not determined by how fast or slow the learning process is, but by consistency and perseverance throughout the process. Andrew also encouraged students to start with a fundamental question: “Why?”.

The discussion developed into various reasons for choosing to study English Literature, ranging from the desire to continue studying, become a teacher, improve English skills, to opening up wider career opportunities, building networks, gaining international experience, and enjoying the field of study. Not only that, Andrew also introduced a practical framework for life and career planning. He explained the Wheel of Lyfe concept, which divides life into three important aspects: Relationships, Health, and Wealth. This holistic perspective encourages students to balance all aspects of their lives, not just focus on professional ambitions.

Another interesting concept is finding the sweet spot in business opportunities. According to Andrew, the sweet spot lies at the intersection of three things: topics of interest, fields that people need, and markets that are of sufficient size. Various examples of passion-based business ideas were also presented, ranging from English, productivity, investment, fashion, to self-development. The students’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the event. The interactive discussion was lively, with various questions asked to the speakers. Andrew also emphasized the importance of learning from mentors, both paid and free.

The English Literature Study Program hopes this seminar will serve as an important foundation for students to align their academic goals with their career aspirations, as well as provide a clearer roadmap for navigating their future.

Yogyakarta, 1/9/2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has introduced an Entrepreneurship lecture led by Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., MP., IPU., ASEAN Eng. The lecture is designed to provide students with entrepreneurial insights focused on fostering innovative, impactful, and sustainable mindsets.

In its opening lecture, students were introduced to the scope of entrepreneurship, the urgency of cultivating young entrepreneurs in Indonesia, and their role in driving national economic growth. Referring to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the lecture highlighted how the limited availability of formal jobs must be balanced with the creation of new business opportunities, particularly among the younger generation.

The class also emphasized the philosophical differences between entrepreneurship and wirausaha (sociopreneurship). While entrepreneurship is often rooted in Western individualistic philosophy, the Indonesian concept of wirausaha underscores harmony between individual and community, aiming for broader social benefits.

Students were further equipped with knowledge of entrepreneurial psychological profiles, including self-confidence, results orientation, risk-taking, and future-oriented thinking. The Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle was introduced as a key strategy for building consistent and sustainable business practices.

As part of the interactive session, students worked in small groups to develop and present business ideas, focusing on identifying market opportunities, crafting business plans, and showcasing product innovations. These activities were designed to sharpen their teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while encouraging creative thinking.

Through this course, Arabic Study Program students are expected to cultivate creative and innovative mindsets while viewing entrepreneurship as a meaningful path to contribute to sustainable development. The program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah