SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On March 8, 2024, coinciding with the 48th Anniversary of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in Syria, Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. served as the sole speaker in the Academic Discussion with PPI Syria at the Hall of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Damascus. The discussion titled “American Dominance in the Middle East: Past, Present, Future” was attended by 86 Indonesian students in Damascus and several staff members of the KBRI. In his opening remarks, the Indonesian Ambassador to Syria, Dr. Wajid Fauzi, expressed his utmost gratitude to the delegation from the Department of Inter-Cultural Studies at UGM consisting of Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U., Dr. Hindun Ichsan, M. Hum., Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., and Rudi Candra, L.C., M.A. for their willingness to share knowledge with Indonesian students in Syria.

Prof. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. initiated the discussion by explaining why dominance is an interesting issue to examine. As an expert in American Studies, Prof. Ida explained Gramsci’s Theory of Hegemony as a basis for understanding American hegemony in the Middle East. Furthermore, American Dominance in the Middle East was discussed from a cultural studies perspective.

The discussion sparked many critical questions from students: What is the actual role of America in the Middle East; how to break free from the mindset that the West is superior to believe in equality; why Indonesia, which has tried to break free from American dominance, but invites the dominance of other powers (China); and why Indonesia, which actually has great ideas but has not been able to match the power of Iran, which is under American embargo.

During the session, Prof. Ida provided motivation to the students through the adage: “Squat to jump high.” This means that earnest preparation will lead someone to great achievements. Therefore, while studying in Syria, one should be diligent so that upon returning to the homeland, they can carve out various great achievements.

(Aris Munandar, March 8, 2024)

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

In the series of visits by the Department of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada to Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia from March 3rd to March 15th, 2024, the Master’s Program in American Studies collaborated with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beirut to provide a guest lecture for Indonesian students in Lebanon. The guest lecture was held on March 5th, 2024, at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia’s Auditorium in Beirut. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Lebanon, Mr. Hajriyanto Y Tohari, conveyed information that the number of Indonesian students in Syria has decreased, with only 65 students currently enrolled. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U., discussing the importance of multidisciplinary education and educational standardization to produce graduates with competence. One important aspect emphasized was education as a process of logic maturation.

During the dialogue session, students raised many questions related to academic linearity and the development of academic writing skills. Most Indonesian students in Lebanon are studying religious fields and feel they lack understanding of research methodology and academic writing skills. Therefore, they lack confidence in continuing their studies in Indonesia, especially considering the final assignments such as the thesis and dissertation.

Responding to students’ questions regarding academic linearity, Prof. Ida discussed the current development of science, which is moving towards interdisciplinarity and even multidisciplinarity. Regarding the lack of mastery of research methodology and academic writing skills, the advice given was to practice creating specific statements. The dialogue concluded with an emphasis on the fact that the success of studies is determined by the students’ contributions. Therefore, Indonesian students should condition themselves to become active learners who contribute to the learning process.

(Aris Munandar, March 5th, 2024)

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 5: Gender Equality | SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Being a college student is certainly one of the most valuable moments in an individual’s life. Their moment is utilized and strived to create significant impacts on the community environment. This act of virtue is realized by Maulita Shinta Maharani, a final year student of the English Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, who has taken part in social contributions during her college years. Uli, her nickname, actively participates in several student and external activities, especially those around community relations and social service. She is experienced in cultural immersion and interaction with international students which adds to her insight and knowledge of inclusivity and diversity of cross-cultural backgrounds.

Uli’s journey to be an active student begins with her motivation when she entered college in her first year. Before that, she had not found a suitable student organization or activity for her, but that changed when she entered one of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Uli had the opportunity to join many student organizations and activities that supported her development and growth in the environment she was interested in. Her organizational experiences include an internship at the UGM Office of International Affairs, Head of HRD at UGM Buddy Club, Research Assistant at the English Literature UGM, Academic and Development Staff at Women Beyond Indonesia, Founder of Amnesty Amawa Wikreti under Amnesty International Indonesia, Learning and Development Staff at HopeHelps Network, and currently active as Public Relations Staff at Faculty of Cultural Sciences ,UGM. Uli’s organizational activities led her to take one step further by applying for the Erasmus student exchange program and having the opportunity to become an Erasmus Awardee at Budapest Business University, Hungary.

Not only active in organizations and student activities, Uli has participated in student activities in the scope of culture, namely the Cultural Exchange to the National University of Singapore (NUS) held in October 2023 which aimed to explore multiculturalism in Singapore. At the same time, she also became a research assistant for NUS students who were conducting a research on local communities in Yogyakarta. The result of this activity was a book entitled “Harmony in Diversity: A Journey from Jogja to Singapore, and Back” which tells about the multiculturalism aspects in Singapore and Yogyakarta in particular.

In addition, her passion for writing has made her actively contribute to pouring his thoughts into articles published in several platforms. Some of the articles she has written are as follows:

• “Should Gender be Equal?”: Gender Inequality in Family Form
• “Who is more likely to benefit from child marriage? Children or parents?”: Child Marriage in Temanggung, Central Java
• Nyadran and the Interpretation of Ubarampe: An Annual Tradition to Welcome Ramadan in Temanggung, Central Java, Indonesia
• Fairy Tales vs Feminism
• Women Beyond Bias: Learning from A Figure, An Eye-opening Discussion with Prof. Wening Udasmoro on Multiple Subordination in the Workplace

Her focus on gender studies, diversity, and inclusivity, also made her take the initiative to serve socially by establishing an organization called Amnesty Amawa Wikreti, a human rights organization led by women affiliated with Amnesty International Indonesia. In 2023, she also participated in the Student Community Service-Community Empowerment Learning (KKN-PPM UGM), as part of the final activity for UGM students. Through this program, she participated in community service in Ofu Village, Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, which made her become more interested in social service in remote areas and contributing to the service of educational development during the continuation of the program she was involved in.

“I really want to experience life, I want to spend my youth doing a lot of positive activities and building as many relationships as possible,” said Uli, reflecting on the positive experiences and activities she has gone through during her almost four years as a student.

Uli emphasizes the role of a supportive environment as the main source of her successful achievements and experiences to grow and develop. “My parents also gave me the freedom to participate in anything and choose my own path in life. Support from lecturers and the closest ones; Nanda Yulfi Chairunnisa and Steven Glenn Ravanelli Waromi also serves as an important point to grow.”

SDG 1: No poverty | SDGs 1: End poverty | SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDGs 2: Food | SDGs 2: Food gap | SDGs 2: End hunger | SDGs 2: Consume

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