Yogyakarta, 13 January 2026 – Galuh Febri Putra underwent an Open Doctoral Promotion Examination at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Tuesday. In the examination held in the Multimedia Room of the Soegondo Building, Galuh defended his dissertation entitled Sexual Narratives in Motinggo Busye’s Novels from 1967 to 1969: A Study of Political Aestheticization, which analyzes literature as a medium of critique against power during the New Order era.

In his dissertation, Galuh examines the works of Motinggo Busye published in the early New Order period, specifically Tante Maryati (1967), Perempuan Paris (1968), and Cross Mama (1969). The study is rooted in the political context of Indonesia in the 1960s, when the government exercised strict control over freedom of expression in literature and media to support political and economic stability.

Galuh explained that the sexual narratives in Busye’s works go beyond mere entertainment. Instead, he argued, sexuality functions as an aesthetic strategy to disrupt mainstream literary patterns that tended to be repetitive and aligned with dominant ideology. “The sexual narratives in Motinggo Busye’s novels are used as a form of resistance against the New Order political system and as a means of raising readers’ social awareness,” Galuh stated during the examination.

The research outlines three primary focuses: the role of sexual narratives as an intervention in the New Order’s storytelling politics; the auratic effects these narratives produce in building class consciousness; and the role of such narratives in creating deautomatization of repetitive erotic literature of that period. Galuh employs the theory of political aestheticization to explain how literature can lose critical power when trapped in mass production devoid of social substance.

In his analysis, Galuh shows that Motinggo Busye incorporated criticism of patriarchy, capitalism, and authoritarianism through his portrayal of characters’ sexuality. Sexuality is thus positioned not only as a symbol of social tension and class conflict, but also as a medium to challenge state control over bodies and morality. This approach distinguishes Busye’s works from other erotic literature of his time, which generally prioritized sensation without social reflection.

The study’s findings also reaffirm the relevance of literary studies in interpreting Indonesia’s socio-political dynamics. By contributing theoretically to the development of sociological approaches to literature and political aestheticization, this dissertation is expected to serve as a reference for researchers and authors who view literature as a productive space for critique.

The open examination concluded with an emphasis that literary scholarship remains deeply connected to efforts to build critical societal awareness. Through re-reading past literary works, academic inquiry contributes to preserving collective memory, fostering freedom of thought, and nurturing cultural practices that support a more just and sustainable social life in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, January, 9, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of the international accreditation assessment by ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute). The event marked an important milestone for FIB UGM in its continuous efforts to enhance educational quality to a level recognized globally.

ACQUIN is an international accreditation agency based in Bayreuth, Germany. This accreditation evaluates the quality of higher education institutions based on European standards, covering aspects such as curriculum design, academic governance, human resources, and supporting learning facilities. By achieving ACQUIN accreditation, the accredited study programs are recognized as having met international higher education quality standards and as being on par with universities in Europe.

A total of 12 study programs at FIB UGM have officially obtained ACQUIN international accreditation, namely Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Indonesian Language and Literature, Tourism, History, Arabic Literature, English Literature, as well as the Master’s Programs in Anthropology and History.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all members of the academic community who contributed to the international accreditation process. He emphasized that this achievement was the result of collective efforts involving lecturers, educational staff, students, and the support of university leadership.

The success of FIB UGM in attaining ACQUIN international accreditation is in line with the university’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG ****4: Quality Education, through the provision of inclusive, high-quality, and globally recognized higher education. In addition, this achievement also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening international cooperation and recognition in the fields of education and culture.

The thanksgiving ceremony concluded with a communal meal as an expression of gratitude and a means of strengthening solidarity among the academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January 8, 2026 – In an inspiring workshop titled “Current Multidisciplinary Publication Directions and Strategies in Arabic Language and Literature,” Anna M. Gade, Ph.D., an Islamic Studies expert from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared new insights for Arabic Literature academics. The event commenced with opening remarks by Mimi Savitri, Ph.D., Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, followed by a brief presentation by Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M. Hum., who introduced the latest developments in Arabic Literature research and Middle Eastern Culture.

In her presentation, Dr. Gade offered a new perspective on how Arabic Literature can command a vast presence in the global academic arena. More than just an observer, Dr. Gade highlighted the immense initiative and untapped potential within the field. Her primary point focused on a fundamental transformation in constructing scientific narratives: researchers must have the courage to move away from purely descriptive writing and shift toward sharp, critical analysis.

According to Dr. Gade, articles that merely paraphrase texts without engaging with social reality often struggle to penetrate high-reputation journals, such as those indexed in Scopus. She said that “Analysis is crucial because it must stem from real cases.” 

Throughout her career in producing various scholarly works, Dr. Gade has implemented two key strategies. The first is broadening the research scope through comparative studies, the second is sharpening the focus by deeply dissecting a specific linguistic or literary phenomenon. Interestingly, she demonstrated that Arabic Literature is not solely about grammar or pure aesthetics, but serves as a bridge to other disciplines, including law, sociology, and international relations. Dr. Gade’s message was clear: the sharper our analysis of the language’s depth and the bolder we are in stepping beyond traditional boundaries, the greater our contribution will be to the advancement of global knowledge.

Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida

Five students from the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), recently completed an internship at the Sleman Regency Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The program spanned approximately three months, running from mid-September to the end of November 2025. This initiative provided students with the opportunity to hone both the hard and soft skills essential for their future careers. Their responsibilities were diverse, encompassing administrative management, archiving, public service, and event reporting.

To maximize their learning experience, the students were divided into two sections based on their specific areas of focus. Three students were assigned to the Madrasah Education Section, while the other two were placed in the Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren) Education Section.

This internship offered valuable insights into the operational mechanisms and procedures within government and educational institutions. Furthermore, it allowed the students to bridge the gap between their academic knowledge and real-world practical application.

Author : Sheila Adriani

Yogyakarta, January, 7, 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Farewell and Welcome Ceremony for Faculty Officials, which was accompanied by the signing of the official handover documents for Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs. This event marked an important moment in ensuring leadership continuity and strengthening institutional governance oriented toward improving educational quality and sustainable institutional development.

The event commenced with the signing of the official handover documents, symbolically represented by the outgoing and incoming Heads of Departments. The handover and signing were carried out by the Heads of the Departments of Anthropology, Archaeology, Language and Literature, and History, reflecting a shared commitment to continuing the academic leadership relay within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

In his remarks, Drs. Sudibyo, M.Hum., expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support of the entire academic community during his previous term of office. He conveyed his hope that the new leadership would further enhance the faculty’s performance and strengthen FIB’s role in delivering high-quality higher education. On the same occasion, Drs. Sudibyo congratulated the newly appointed officials and offered his apologies for any shortcomings that may have occurred during his tenure.

Remarks on behalf of the Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs were delivered by Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., S.H., M.A. He stated that the new Heads of Departments had been officially inaugurated at the university level earlier that morning. According to him, the mandate entrusted to the new leadership carries significant responsibility, considering the achievements attained by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to date. He affirmed the commitment of the new management to continue the leadership responsibly while fostering collaboration and the sharing of experiences to sustain academic and institutional excellence.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation to the former Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs for their dedication and contributions over the past five years. He emphasized that a number of strategic achievements had been accomplished, ranging from the strengthening of faculty management systems and improvements in academic performance to progress toward international accreditation for all study programs. These achievements, he noted, reflect sound institutional management and a strong orientation toward building resilient institutional capacity.

Furthermore, Prof. Setiadi expressed optimism regarding the future development of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, including plans for the utilization of a new building scheduled to begin operation in July 2026. The new facility is expected to support the development of language and linguistic studies, as well as the downstreaming and contextualization of humanities scholarship to ensure its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. This initiative forms part of FIB’s commitment to fostering academic innovation, expanding access to quality education, and strengthening the role of cultural studies in sustainable development.

Through this farewell and welcome ceremony, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, accountable, and sustainable leadership. The orderly and transparent transition of leadership is expected to further strengthen FIB’s contribution to producing high-quality human resources, building robust institutional foundations, and promoting innovation and the application of knowledge for the benefit of society at large.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]