A lecturer of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Achmad Rio Dessiar, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., received an official invitation to participate in a series of academic activities in South Korea from 26–30 January 2026. The invitation included participation in the Global Matching Lab program at Kyungpook National University (KNU), as well as meetings to explore academic collaboration with Yeungnam University in Daegu.

The visit began with participation in the Global Matching Lab at Kyungpook National University (KNU), which involved discussions with Prof. Ahn Mi-ae (Kyungpook National University) and Prof. Lee Mi-hyang (Yeungnam University). In addition to these discussions, the agenda included formulating joint research plans, organizing academic seminars, and exchanging perspectives on Korean language education in the Southeast Asian region. Through this program, sustainable research collaboration between researchers of both institutions is expected to be established, along with academic contributions relevant to each country’s local context.

On the same day, a public lecture was also delivered at Kyungpook National University under the theme The Development of Korean Studies Teaching in Indonesia. The lecture served as a platform for academic exchange while introducing the dynamics of Korean language and Korean Studies education in Indonesia to the international academic community.

As a follow-up to the academic collaboration initiative, a visit was also conducted to Yeungnam University. This visit continued the earlier meeting held on 27 December 2025, when several Yeungnam University faculty members visited the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, to explore potential cooperation.

During the visit to Yeungnam University, discussions were held with the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Noh Sang-rae, and Prof. Lee Eun-jung from the Department of Anthropology, focusing on opportunities for deeper academic and research collaboration. Several forms of cooperation were agreed upon, including a student exchange program that enables students to apply for scholarships and study at Yeungnam University, as well as academic support for those intending to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in the humanities. Yeungnam University also expressed its willingness to issue Letters of Acceptance (LoA) to support scholarship applications.

Participation in this international forum reflects the active role of UGM faculty in expanding global academic networks, strengthening educational and research collaboration, and promoting cross-border knowledge exchange. These efforts also contribute to advancing quality education, sustainable international cooperation, and increased academic mobility for both students and faculty at the global level.

Penulis: Eunike Serafia & Aura Adiba

Dili, Timor Leste, 12 February 2026 – The visit of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to Timor Leste, led by Prof. Dr. Muti’ah Amini, marked a strategic effort to expand institutional networks and strengthen academic, cultural, and educational diplomacy collaborations with partner institutions. Following a meeting with Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), the UGM delegation continued its agenda with a visit to the Indonesian Cultural Center (PBI) located at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Dili.

The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Jose Paulo, staff member of the Indonesian Cultural Center. The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere, highlighting the potential for collaboration between UGM and PBI as part of broader efforts to strengthen academic and cultural relations between Indonesia and Timor Leste. Several strategic areas of cooperation were identified during the discussion:

1. Internship Program for UGM Students
The Indonesian Cultural Center expressed its openness to hosting UGM students for internship programs focusing on the teaching of Indonesian culture, arts, and traditions to local communities. This initiative is expected to provide students with practical experience while reinforcing Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy mission in Timor Leste.

2. Development of a “UGM Corner” at the Indonesian Cultural Center
PBI welcomed the proposal to establish a dedicated “UGM Corner” featuring infographics, educational promotional materials, and a concise institutional profile of UGM. The presence of this corner is anticipated to enhance UGM’s visibility in Timor Leste and increase prospective students’ interest in its academic programs.

3. Donation of Indonesian Book Collections
The UGM delegation also discussed plans to donate Indonesian publications to enrich the library collection of the Indonesian Cultural Center. This initiative aims to support literacy development, improve access to information, and foster greater understanding among the Timorese community of developments in Indonesian knowledge and culture.

4. Facilitation of Research and Community Engagement Collaboration
PBI conveyed its readiness to facilitate collaboration between UGM and relevant institutions in Timor Leste in the areas of research, community engagement, and cultural diplomacy initiatives. Such collaboration is viewed as strategic in strengthening Indonesia–Timor Leste academic relations while contributing meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge and cultural practices.

This visit underscores UGM’s commitment to playing an active role in educational and cultural diplomacy within Southeast Asia. The meeting with the Indonesian Cultural Center also opens long-term opportunities for multidisciplinary and socially impactful collaborative initiatives.

Contributor : Adwidya S. Yoga, S.Pd., M.A.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, February, 11, 2026 – Universitas Gadjah Mada officially inaugurated Collabhub by ParagonCorp, located at the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM. The establishment of this collaborative space marks a strategic step in strengthening the ecosystem of innovation, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning within the university.

UGM Rector, Ova Emilia, stated that the inauguration was both a joyful and special occasion. She expressed her appreciation to ParagonCorp for bringing new hope in the form of a space dedicated to networking, learning, and enhancing student productivity.

“Wherever we are, we always learn from and teach one another,” she remarked. She hopes that Collabhub will become a productive and inclusive collaborative space capable of generating positive impacts for students, the broader community, and the world at large.

Collabhub is designed as a multifunctional collaboration zone, featuring a mini library, quiet areas for focused work, and spaces for discussion and inspiration. The facility is expected to serve as a co-learning hub that fosters idea exchange, creativity, and character development among students.

Chief Executive of the ParagonCorp Institute, Salman Subakat, expressed his heartfelt emotion, having followed the development journey of GIK since its early stages. He emphasized the importance of nurturing students’ sensitivity and empathy throughout their learning process.

“As Javanese people say, we should not merely feel capable, but be capable of feeling,” he noted, underscoring the significance of human values in collaboration and innovation.

Meanwhile, the President Director of GIK UGM, Alfatika, explained that the co-learning hub initiative had been planned since last year. According to her, every meaningful initiative requires time before it can come to fruition. She reaffirmed that GIK is a home for students to grow and create authentically, with a strong commitment to providing the best space for the academic community.

On this occasion, ParagonCorp also symbolically presented an endowment fund of IDR 25 billion to support the sustainable development of student innovation and creativity. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting as an official mark of the opening of Collabhub by ParagonCorp.

This collaboration also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the provision of inclusive and adaptive collaborative learning spaces; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the strengthening of innovation infrastructure based on university–industry partnerships; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reflected in the strategic synergy between UGM and ParagonCorp in building a sustainable and impactful learning ecosystem.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Dili, Timor-Leste, February 12, 2026 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a cooperation meeting with Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) on Thursday (12/2) at 11:00 a.m. local time. The meeting marked an initial step in exploring strategic collaboration in the fields of culture, language, literature, history, and tourism.

The UGM delegation was warmly welcomed by Ms. Celine, a 1992 Biology alumna of UGM, and Prof. Armindo Maia, the first Rector of the former Universitas Timor Timur, now UNTL. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, highlighted by an exchange of experiences from their time studying in Yogyakarta, reflecting the long-standing historical ties between the two institutions.

In the opening session, UNTL presented the history of its institutional relationship with UGM, including the establishment of the Indonesian Cultural Studies Center, which holds significant potential to be further developed as a platform for collaboration in the tridharma of higher education—education, research, and community service. The meeting was attended by UNTL’s leadership, including the Rector, Vice Rector for Cooperation, university founders, Head of the Cultural Studies Program, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, and representatives from other faculties.

UNTL Rector, Prof. Dr. Eng. Joviano António da Costa, M.Eng., expressed the institution’s commitment to strengthening university-to-university (U2U) partnerships, particularly in the areas of culture, language, tourism, and related disciplines that offer mutual benefits.

As Head of the UGM Delegation, Prof. Dr. Muti’ah Amini presented the profiles of academic programs within UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences, along with several ongoing academic initiatives. She also highlighted UNTL’s strategic plan to develop its History Study Program through collaboration with UNESCO and UGM’s History Study Program. This collaboration is considered strategically important for strengthening academic capacity, curriculum development, and research quality enhancement.

Beyond the field of history, UNTL emphasized the need to strengthen human resources in the tourism sector, including human resource management, attraction management, and destination development. The Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at UNTL noted that opportunities for joint research and collaborative publications are widely open and have the potential to provide substantial contributions to both institutions. The Dean of the Faculty of Education also expressed hope that the faculty would be integrated into the cooperation framework currently being formulated. Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Ms. Celine, underscored the urgency of cross-regional research collaboration in arts and culture to enrich academic perspectives and strengthen international networks.

Both parties agreed that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would serve as an essential initial step to ensure that the implementation of collaborative programs proceeds legally, systematically, and sustainably across the agreed fields. This collaboration aligns with the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through academic capacity building and knowledge exchange, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through competency-based tourism sector development, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthened international cooperation networks.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue dialogue in order to further strengthen the historical, academic, and programmatic ties between UGM and UNTL, while expanding both institutions’ contributions to the advancement of knowledge and culture in Southeast Asia.

Contributor : Adwiya S. Yoga, S.Pd., M.A.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Korean Language and Culture Program Study, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), South Korea, organized a cultural exchange program titled CAUGM 2026. The program was held from January 20–29, 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

CAUGM 2026 served as a platform for cross-cultural and language learning, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge, practices, and cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

The CAUGM 2026 series began with an Opening Ceremony held on January 21, 2026. On this occasion, delegations from Chung-Ang University and Universitas Gadjah Mada presented cultural performances from their respective countries as an introduction to the cultural exchange activities that would take place throughout the program.

During the Opening Ceremony, Indonesian culture presented by students of the Korean Language and Culture Program Study of UGM included Angklung musical performance, Indonesia Menari, Sajojo Dance, Limpapeh Dance, and the martial art Silat. Meanwhile, the Chung-Ang University delegation showcased various aspects of Korean culture, including Taekwondo, K-pop Dance, K-pop Singing, Pansori, 응원단 (cheerleading), and 풍물 (traditional Korean music).

In addition to cultural exchange, the CAUGM 2026 program also featured language exchange activities. Students from the Korean Language and Culture Program of UGM taught Indonesian to Chung-Ang University students, and vice versa. Language learning was conducted based on class levels: 초급반 (Beginner Class), 중급반 (Intermediate Class), and 고급반 (Advanced Class). The lessons were delivered interactively through daily communication practice, peer mentoring, games, and other classroom activities. Through these interactive methods, participants were able to learn the language along with its cultural context in an engaging and enjoyable way.

CAUGM 2026 also provided an opportunity for the general public to experience the cultural exchange through the Korean Festival held on January 24, 2026. In this event, visitors could participate in various cultural activities, including tasting authentic Korean dishes prepared live by Chung-Ang University students. Through this festival, the public was invited to explore Korean culture through culinary experiences and direct interaction with Korean students.

The CAUGM 2026 series concluded with a Closing Ceremony held on January 29, 2026. During this session, the results of the cultural and language exchange were presented, where Indonesian students performed Korean cultural elements they had learned, while Chung-Ang University students presented Indonesian culture.

The performances took place in a warm and lively atmosphere, with students from both UGM and CAU enjoying each presentation, supporting one another, and showing great enthusiasm. This interaction reflected closeness, togetherness, and the success of the cultural and language exchange process experienced throughout CAUGM 2026.

Through the implementation of CAUGM 2026, the Korean Language and Culture Program of UGM hopes that this program will enhance participants’ language competence, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and foster closer international cooperation between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Chung-Ang University in the fields of education and cultural diplomacy.

Author: Eunike Serafia & Aura Adiba