Yogyakarta, October 21, 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held its graduation ceremony for 184 postgraduate students, consisting of 173 master’s and 11 doctoral graduates in the first period of the 2025/2026 academic year. The ceremony took place at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, marking a moment of celebration and recognition for the graduates’ dedication and perseverance throughout their academic journey.

A total of 102 graduates earned the Cum Laude distinction, reflecting not only their academic excellence but also their resilience and commitment to the humanities.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics produced the largest number of graduates with 66 students, followed by the Master’s in Literature with 46 graduates, and both the Master’s in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies and the Master’s in Anthropology, each with 16 graduates. At the doctoral level, the Doctoral Program in Humanities recorded the highest number with nine graduates. Other programs contributing to this period’s graduation include Master’s in History (10), Master’s in American Studies (10), Master’s in Archaeology (9), Doctoral Program in American Studies (1), and Doctoral Program in Anthropology (1).

The highest GPA and shortest study period among master’s graduates was achieved by Kyra Andhayu Noer from the Master’s Program in Archaeology, who completed her studies with a GPA of 3.96 in 1 year, 1 month, and 10 days. At the doctoral level, Ria Yuliati from the Doctoral Program in Humanities achieved a GPA of 3.81 with a study duration of 3 years, 11 months, and 8 days.

On average, the GPA of master’s graduates reached 3.78, while the doctoral graduates’ average GPA was 3.80. The Master’s in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies achieved the highest average GPA of 3.84, reflecting strong academic performance and dedication to interdisciplinary cultural studies.

In a deeply moving moment, the Faculty also paid tribute to one of its postgraduate students, Nanang Syaifudin, S.Hum., M.A., from the Master’s Program in Linguistics, who passed away before the graduation ceremony. Known for his diligence, humility, and passion for learning, his diploma was received symbolically by his parents during the ceremony. Their presence was met with heartfelt respect and emotion from the entire audience. The Faculty expressed its highest appreciation for Nanang’s commitment and prayed that his good deeds and knowledge continue to benefit many, while his family finds strength and solace.

This graduation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a moment of reflection on the deeper meaning of education — one that nurtures empathy, integrity, and humanity. Through this occasion, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences reaffirms its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Graduates of FIB UGM are expected to become agents of positive change, carrying forward the values of culture, ethics, and humanity into their communities. With their knowledge and character, they are ready to take part in shaping a more inclusive, civilized, and sustainable world.

Yogyakarta, October 12, 2025 – The Marching Band Student Activity Unit (UKM) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) proudly secured 3rd place at the prestigious 2025 Hamengku Buwono X Cup Championship. This remarkable achievement highlights the dedication and passion of UGM students in developing their talents in both the arts and sports, particularly through their commitment to marching band excellence.

Held in Yogyakarta, the competition featured performances in the Display Field Show general division, with participation from renowned marching bands across Indonesia, including Ekalavya Suara Brawijaya, Tiyadhita Marching Brass Tangerang, and Udayana Marching Band Bali. Based on the judges’ assessment, Ekalavya Suara Brawijaya claimed first place, followed by Tiyadhita Marching Brass Tangerang in second place, while UGM Marching Band proudly earned third place.

Several students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences also took part in the competition, contributing as both musicians and visual performers. The team received direct support from UGM Rector Prof. Ova Emilia, Ph.D., and Prof. Anggito Abimanyu, former Deputy Minister of Finance and a proud alumnus of UGM Marching Band. Their presence served as both appreciation and motivation for the team to continue striving for excellence at national and international levels.

This achievement aligns with UGM’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by empowering student activities that foster talent development and leadership beyond the classroom. Moreover, the spirit of collaboration and sportsmanship embodied in this event reflects the values of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, promoting positive networks among universities across Indonesia.

Through this success, UGM Marching Band is expected to further strengthen its role as a platform for developing students’ character, creativity, and sense of unity within Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Public Relations of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, October, 22, 2025 – The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program demonstrated its role in the preservation and development of the archipelago’s manuscript heritage through its participation in a series of activities organized by the Nusantara Manuscript Society (Manassa) 2025. This prestigious event included the 20th Nusantara Manuscript International Symposium, the 2025 National Collective Memory Manuscript Award (IKON), and the 8th National Conference of the Nusantara Manuscript Society, which will take place on October 15-17, 2025, at the Auditorium of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Building in Jakarta. This event, attended by researchers, academics, and manuscript enthusiasts from various regions in Indonesia, is an important forum for strengthening collaboration in the preservation, research, and utilization of ancient Nusantara manuscripts as the nation’s cultural heritage.

On this occasion, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum., a lecturer in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, together with Nanda Nursa Alya, S.S., an alumnus from the same study program, actively participated not only as participants but also as speakers at the XX International Symposium on Nusantara Manuscripts.

The symposium, held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the BRIN Widya Graha Building, began with participant registration at 8:15 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, followed by the opening and panel sessions divided into 11 major themes. In each panel, researchers presented their research results and discussed various aspects of manuscript writing in a scientific manner.

During the session, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum., together with Nanda Nursa Alya, S.S., presented a paper entitled Hybridity of Snacks in Manuscript NB 499: A Linguistic and Cultural Review. The research addressed the theme of “Traditional Knowledge and Technology” by examining a manuscript from the National Library of Indonesia collection labeled R. Aj. Kramahudjana and stamped with the Internationale Crediet en Handelsvereeniging Rotterdam (1931) book stamp.

This study highlights the phenomenon of cultural hybridity—a blend of Javanese and European (Dutch and French) elements—as reflected in the culinary diversity described in the manuscript. One interesting example is the Purpercĕs Pohung snack, which etymologically is a vernacularization of the Dutch word poffertjes (a type of small cake) and the Javanese word pohung (cassava). The phoneme poffertjes was adapted to purpercĕs, demonstrating the dynamics of language and cultural interaction at that time. 

The appearance of the Prastila (top right), Bludĕr Pohung (top left), Purpercĕs Pohung (bottom)  Documentation by Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum.

The participation of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in the Manassa 2025 event is a tangible manifestation of academics’ commitment to preserving Nusantara manuscripts as a relevant source of knowledge for modern life. Through such studies, knowledge from the past is revived to benefit the wider community, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to quality education, sustainable cities and communities, and partnerships to achieve goals.

[Javanese Language, Literature and Culture, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, October 20, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its eighth session of the Entrepreneurship course with lecturer Diyah Wikan Rakhmatika, S.S., M.A.. This session carried the theme “Business Funding Opportunities”, focusing on strategies to acquire, manage, and utilize financial resources effectively and ethically to support business sustainability.

In her presentation, Diyah explained that funding is a fundamental aspect of business continuity and growth. She emphasized that a successful entrepreneur is not only one who can generate creative ideas but also one who can manage finances wisely and determine the right funding strategy. Students were introduced to two main sources of business capital — internal funding (personal savings, reinvested profits, and support from family or friends) and external funding (banks, investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, Islamic financing, and government grants).

Furthermore, Diyah highlighted the importance of preparing a compelling and credible business proposal as a key to attracting investors. A well-crafted proposal, she noted, should clearly present the business vision, market potential, financial projections, and realistic return plans. She also underscored the principles of transparency, accountability, and Islamic ethics in financial management to ensure that businesses operate honestly, fairly, and sustainably.

The session also explored real-world funding practices in Indonesia, such as the government’s Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) program, venture capital schemes from institutions like East Ventures and Mandiri Capital Indonesia, as well as donation- and investment-based crowdfunding models. Through case studies, students were encouraged to identify opportunities and challenges in funding initiatives relevant to literature- and language-based entrepreneurship, including independent publishing, digital literacy content creation, and language learning platforms.

This session provided valuable insights for Arabic Study Program students to develop businesses that are not only intellectually creative but also financially robust. By understanding sustainable business funding strategies, students are expected to design independent, ethical, and impact-driven entrepreneurial models.

The course also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through practical entrepreneurship education, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering competitive young entrepreneurs, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting innovation and sustainable resource management.

[Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, October 13, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its Entrepreneurship course series with the seventh session featuring a new speaker, Diyah Wikan Rakhmatika, S.S., M.A.—an academic and business practitioner with extensive experience in Islamic economics and financial management. In this session, Arabic Study Program students explored the crucial topic of Financial Management in Entrepreneurship.

During the lecture, Diyah emphasized that financial management is the backbone of business sustainability, where maintaining a balance between income and expenditure must be grounded in transparency and accountability. She highlighted that many entrepreneurs, especially in the UMKM sector, struggle to grow because they mix personal and business finances. Therefore, students were encouraged to understand the importance of financial separation, regular transaction recording, proper budgeting, and periodic financial evaluations to assess business performance effectively.

The lecture also covered three essential financial reports that every aspiring entrepreneur should master: the income statement, cash flow statement, and simple balance sheet. These reports serve as critical tools for measuring profitability, maintaining positive cash flow, and understanding the overall financial health of a business. Diyah further introduced the concepts of cash flow management and reinvestment strategy as strategic approaches to maintaining financial stability and supporting long-term business growth.

Beyond the technical aspects, Diyah also discussed the ethical and social responsibilities of financial management. She linked sound financial practices with the principles of sustainability, emphasizing that business profits should not solely benefit the owner but also contribute to the well-being of employees, communities, and the environment—such as through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Through this seventh session, students of the Arabic Study Program at UGM were expected not only to understand financial management theory but also to apply it in their ongoing business plan projects. With strong financial literacy, students can build ventures that are not only profitable but also ethical and sustainable.

This entrepreneurship class also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing practical entrepreneurship education, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering competent young entrepreneurs, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by instilling values of efficient and ethical resource management.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah