The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the organization of the Asia Theories Network (ATN) Workshop 2026, presents an international academic forum bringing together leading scholars from Asia, the United States, and Europe to discuss the paradoxes of globalization and disconnection in the digital era. The event will take place from May 22–24, 2026, in Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Carrying the theme “Globalization and (Dis)Connectivity,” the workshop highlights various issues concerning the transformation of identities, communities, and institutions in an increasingly digitally connected world. Participants are invited to discuss how digital and cultural networks not only foster global integration but also generate new forms of social isolation and disconnection within contemporary society.

ATN Workshop 2026 will also feature interdisciplinary dialogues involving the fields of literature, education, politics, and cultural studies. Academics and researchers will explore a range of contemporary issues, including digital social movements, coalition politics, decolonial discourse, digital well-being, and Anthropocene-related issues concerning the relationship between humans and the environment. The combination of global and local perspectives in each session serves as one of the workshop’s major strengths, including discussions of regional cases such as Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement and media controversies in Indonesia.

In addition to the academic forum, participants will also have the opportunity to experience the cultural richness of Yogyakarta through various cultural activities, including temple visits, traditional performances, and local culinary experiences. These activities aim to introduce Indonesian culture to the international academic community while strengthening cross-cultural exchange among nations.

The organization of the Asia Theories Network Workshop 2026 also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education through the strengthening of international academic collaboration and the development of critical scholarly discourse, SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities through intercultural dialogue and global-local perspectives, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through international academic cooperation among researchers, educational institutions, and intellectual communities from various countries.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, May 16, 2026 – At Pondok A. Salam Kalimasada in Pakem, Sleman, Yogyakarta, a new chapter of Matragama became more than merely an organizational agenda. It transformed into a gathering space for people who believe that literature still needs to be nurtured collectively. Since 6:00 PM WIB, people arrived one by one, bringing voices, stories, laughter, and memories. They sat on woven mats in the cold night air, while the dim light in the corner of the lodge made every conversation feel more intimate. The event was attended by the extended Matragama family from various generations, doctoral students of Humanities Studies, and invited guests from Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, American Studies, Linguistics, History, Anthropology, and various circles within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM.

Since its establishment in 2022 under the leadership of Billy, Matragama has continued moving forward through a relay of generations. Leadership was then continued by Awan in the second generation, and now enters a new phase with Brian steering the third generation. That evening marked a sign that the relay had not stopped. Amid the cold air of Pakem and the warmth of conversations beginning to grow, Matragama seemed to be rediscovering its flame.

The head of Matragama, Giandra Febrian Haidar, opened the event in a calm yet confident tone. In his remarks, he expressed hope that literature would not remain confined to classrooms alone, but would also grow in gathering spaces, through long nights, and among people who still wish to listen to one another.

The Head of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature, Aprinus Salam, was also present and delivered warm remarks. Before the students and invited guests, he emphasized the importance of organizing and building communities as part of intellectual and cultural processes. According to him, literature cannot live in isolation. It grows through encounters, conversations, and collective work. Aprinus also stated that Pondok A. Salam Kalimasada could serve as a venue for literary and artistic activities—an open house for anyone wishing to keep the pulse of culture alive.

After the opening session, warmly guided by Pute as the host, poem after poem began to be recited. Short stories were brought to life through voices. Under the theme Little Candles at the Foot of Merapi, moments of silence felt deeply meaningful, as though everyone was gathering something from within themselves. The readers appeared one after another: M. Iqbal Saputra, Romzul Falah, Awabeen Samsuding, Ella Manikam, Nuzul Ilmiawan, Islahudin Muhammad, Khatibul Umam, and several invited guests. They did not merely read poetry, but also shared anxieties and inner experiences with the audience.

At times, the sound of crickets slipped between the poetry readings. Some listeners bowed their heads in silence as the poems were recited. Then a light drizzle fell gently, as though helping preserve the calm and warmth of the night. As the rain grew heavier, some participants slowly moved to the terrace and inside the lodge while continuing to listen attentively. Words continued floating through the night air, mingling with the cold winds from the slopes of Mount Merapi and the aroma of coffee and boiled soybeans wafting from the lodge.

In between sessions, M. Iqbal Saputra, a committee member from the technical division, shared his reflections on the importance of literary appreciation nights such as this. According to him, events like the launch of Matragama are something that should exist amidst the turbulence of changing times. He said that poetry, storytelling, and even simple discussions are efforts to become whole human beings again—to see life from various perspectives and then determine one’s path, whether through writing, action, or perhaps simply through a smile.

One of the evening’s most captivating moments came through a dramatic reading by Luthfi, a doctoral student in Humanities at UGM. The dramatic performance transformed the text from mere writing into a moving body, a pulsating voice, and emotions vividly alive before the audience’s eyes. The invited guests were swept into the intimate yet energetic atmosphere.

In the middle of the appreciation night, Rini Febriani Hauri read her short story titled The Three Deaths of Dayang Temulun in a calm and rhythmic voice. The climax of the event came when Rini’s short story was discussed collectively. The discussion was moderated by Giandra, featuring Ricky Yudhistira Nasution, a doctoral student in Humanities at UGM, as the speaker. The short story, which won Second Place in the 2025 International HB Jassin Award, was explored through the lens of magical realism—a landscape where bodies, earth, trees, mist, and memories coexist without rigid boundaries between the real and the supernatural. The discussion unfolded warmly. It examined how literature operates within collective memory, myth, the body, and human history. Participants listened enthusiastically; some remained silent in contemplation, while others immersed themselves in endless interpretive possibilities.

The night grew later, yet no one truly wished to leave. After the entire series of events concluded, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Some people sang together, while others chatted freely, joked, and shared long laughter. Some sat in circles discussing books and literature, while others simply enjoyed the night while exchanging unfinished life stories beyond the formal forum. It was there that Matragama truly felt alive—not in banners, event schedules, or ceremonial formalities, but in encounters and conversations that continued glowing deep into the night.

Several invited guests from various departments and communities within UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences also shared reflections and hopes for Matragama. Representatives from Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, American Studies, Linguistics, History, and Anthropology expressed hopes that inter-organizational bonds would continue warmly. They also wished for Matragama to have a long life and remain consistent as a shared space for nurturing literature, art, and culture.

At the foot of Merapi that night, literature appeared like little candles—not grand, but enough to keep the warmth of encounters and conversations alive. The drizzle still fell softly as people slowly began leaving Pondok Kalimasada one by one.

Author: Rini Febriani Hauri

On the afternoon of March 12, 2026, at the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Gaffari Rahmadian invited the Master’s class Paradoxes of Market and Development to examine the relationship between humans and non-humans in development discourse through a new perspective. Drawing on Giorgio Agamben’s philosophy of potentialities, Dr. Gaffari developed this concept to analyze the relationship between humans and nature within narratives of development.

For many policymakers and corporations, “potential” is a powerful term often paired with promises of job creation, increased foreign exchange, and economic progress. However, through Agamben’s lens, Dr. Gaffari challenged this logic. Potential, he argued, is not something static or merely a “resource waiting to be extracted.”

“Potential is a capacity or force—present in both objects and humans—that has not yet been realized into something actual,” he explained. He further emphasized that potential also includes the capacity not to realize itself. This is where true freedom lies—when communities possess potential yet refuse to be governed by systems that seek to exploit it, that is where they are genuinely free.

After the presentation, the classroom atmosphere became more dynamic. Graduate students immersed themselves in a deep discussion, unpacking various real-world cases and connecting Agamben’s theoretical framework with the socio-political realities they observe.

Author : Daiva Keefe
Photo : Dr. Des Christy

Yogyakarta, May 13, 2026 – The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Master’s Program and the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a national seminar. The seminar was titled “The US-Israel vs. Iran Conflict in the Middle East: Impact and Attitudes of Arab States.” It took place in the Soegondo Building, rooms 407-409, and featured three distinguished speakers: Agus Hidayatullah, Lc., M.A., Moh. Nur Salim, Lc., M.Sc. from the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and Nikmatur Rahman Chaniago, S.S., M.MECASt. from the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, Iran. The event was conducted in a hybrid format. Nur Salim attended in person, while the other two speakers joined online. The seminar began with remarks from KBTT professor Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and from the head of the Department of Intercultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum.

The first session was delivered by Moh. Nur Salim, Lc., M.Sc., who emphasized that the US-Israel vs. Iran conflict is not simply a battle between two camps, but a global issue with extraordinary impact. He also stated that China has great potential to mediate peace between the US, Israel, and Iran. Following Nur Salim, Agus Hidayatullah, Lc., M.A., presented the next session. He discussed the impact of the war on Egypt’s economy and diplomacy, while its impact on Indonesia included soaring energy prices and the safety of thousands of Indonesian citizens in the Middle East. As a member of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, he explained that the Indonesian Embassy plays a role in repatriating Indonesian citizens from various affected countries to Indonesia. Concluding the speaker sessions, Nikmatur Rahman Chaniago, S.S., M.MECASt., stated that the people of Tehran face a sociopolitical reality far more complex than media narratives suggest, demonstrating resilience through long-standing political stoicism. The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran’s role amidst geopolitical isolation is to protect Indonesian citizens by handling cases involving detained ship crew members and facilitating humanitarian aid.

The event concluded with a closing statement from the moderator, a souvenir presentation by the Head of the Master’s Program in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., and a group photo. The main takeaway for Middle Eastern Cultural Studies students is to ground academic analysis in humanitarian perspectives, emphasizing real-life experiences over purely geopolitical narratives. This approach ensures our understanding goes deeper than surface-level conflict.

Penulis: Jesisca Amanda Florantika

The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program held a curriculum meeting on March 9, 2026, in Room 111 of the Soegondo Building, as part of its efforts to strengthen academic quality and improve learning. This meeting involved the Head of the Study Program, lecturers, and the program administration. The curriculum meeting aimed to review the curriculum’s alignment with scientific developments, the needs of the workplace, and evolving global challenges. Furthermore, this forum also served as a means of evaluating the implementation of the previous curriculum to ensure that the learning process within the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program is increasingly relevant, adaptive, and high-quality.

The meeting discussed various important aspects, including course titles, course structure, graduate learning outcomes, teaching methods, and strengthening student competencies. Curriculum updates are considered crucial so that graduates not only possess a strong academic understanding but also are able to more comprehensively address the needs of society and the development of Middle Eastern cultural studies. The Head of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program stated that this curriculum meeting is a strategic step to ensure that the direction of the study program’s development remains aligned with the vision of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Through constructive discussions, it is hoped that the resulting curriculum will provide a strong foundation for producing superior, critical, and competitive graduates. This activity also reflects the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program’s commitment to maintaining the quality of higher education through continuous evaluation and renewal. With this curriculum meeting, the study program is expected to continuously improve academic quality and make a tangible contribution to the development of science and civilization.

Author: Jesisca Amanda .F