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

Students from the Class of 2025 of the Undergraduate Archaeology Study Program, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a field study for the Archaeological Ethics and Policy course on May 13, 2026, at Barong Temple and Dawangsari Stupa. The activity was guided by Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., M.A. as part of a direct learning experience designed to introduce students to the practical implementation of archaeological ethics and cultural heritage preservation policies. During the field study, students observed the condition of the sites, the management of the heritage area, and the restoration processes that had been carried out on the cultural properties. Through on-site explanations and discussions, students were encouraged to understand that heritage preservation involves not only technical restoration work, but also ethical considerations related to historical values, cultural significance, and the long-term sustainability of archaeological sites.

This field study became an important opportunity for students to connect theoretical knowledge from the classroom with real practices of cultural heritage management in the field. In addition to deepening their understanding of ethics in archaeological research and preservation, the activity also encouraged students to become more aware of the various challenges involved in protecting cultural heritage sites, ranging from conservation issues to their role and utilization within society. Through this experience, students are expected to gain a broader perspective that archaeology is not only concerned with studying the past, but also plays a significant role in preserving cultural identity and safeguarding Indonesia’s historical heritage for future generations.

[Archeology, Muhammad Irsyad]

In an effort to expand its international academic network and enhance human resource capacity, the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from the Project Assistant of ERC DEAGENCY. This visit, which also involved a scholarly exchange with affiliates of the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), serves as a concrete step by the faculty in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting was not merely an academic gathering but was also filled with discussion and sharing experience sessions involving the part-time staff of the Department of Anthropology.

The presence of these student staff members is crucial, considering they are the operational backbone who manage the department’s daily needs, ranging from social media, websites, graphic design, and information dissemination, to event organization, data management, and the library. Through this discussion space, they gained global exposure and practical learning outside the classroom. New insights regarding international standards in department management directly improved their professional competencies in digital communication, design, and managerial fields. This empowerment is a tangible manifestation of creating an inclusive and productive working environment on campus, while also serving as valuable preparation before they enter the professional workforce.

Furthermore, the exchange of information regarding data management and information dissemination encourages the creation of a more transparent, accountable, and effective department governance system. This cross-border dialogue between the UGM FIB Department of Anthropology, ERC DEAGENCY, and the University of Ljubljana is a manifestation of a global partnership that is essential for the sustainable transfer of academic knowledge. Through this synergy, the department hopes to continue optimizing the role of student staff not only as technical support but also as a driving force for service innovation to realize an educational institution that possesses integrity, is globally competitive, and delivers a positive impact on the academic community.

Author: Puspita Nindya Sari