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

The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program welcomed Yuki Murakami, a Master’s student in the Development Economics Study Program from Kobe University, Japan, as an intern. The internship lasted for sixteen days from February 13th to 29th, with Masato Nakahara, Ph.D., as the supervisor lecturer.

During his internship at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yuki Murakami participated in various academic activities, including assisting in teaching classes, correcting exercises, and attending academic program activities. As a teaching assistant in the Japanese conversation class (Kaiwa), Murakami explained and practiced how Japanese people speak well and naturally, from basic knowledge to Japanese speaking habits. Furthermore, in the Japanese Thought History class, he assisted the lecturer in explaining how Japan found solutions to catch up with other countries after the implementation of sakoku (鎖国), which was Japan’s policy of isolation from the outside world.

Throughout his two-week stay in Indonesia, the intern student who was also known as Murakami-san shared his interesting experiences. At first, he was worried that the classes he taught would be considered unattractive by students. However, he was surprised that the students were active in class and easily became friendly with him. For him, feeling warmly accepted in a new place is an unforgettable feeling. Likewise, for the students, Murakami’s contribution as an intern student in the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program for two weeks has been inspiring and has provided new insights which become an unforgettable experience for Japanese Language and Culture students.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 5: Gender Equality

International Women’s Day (IWD) is commemorated every March 8th. In 2024, IWD carries the theme #InspireInclusion, focusing on supporting the establishment of an inclusive environment.

Renada Latifah Firdaus, an alumni of the English Department who joined HopeHelps Network. This community is dedicated to addressing and preventing cases of sexual violence in university environment. The HopeHelps Network has local chapters spread across 17 universities in Indonesia, including one at Universitas Gadjah Mada. On this occasion, Renada aimed to share her ideas about fostering inclusivity on campus.

She said that on IWD 2024, there is much to celebrate after the long struggle for gender equality and the rights of gender minorities. However, there are still pressing issues today, with women and other gender minorities experiencing discrimination, objectification, and injustice. Most women are not feeling safe even in public spaces, due to the constant threat of sexual violence.

Renada, often called Rere, emphasized that International Women’s Day can only be truly celebrated when all women are included, regardless of identity, background, profession, beliefs, and life choices. Every woman deserves to feel safe, receive equal pay, and not experience oppression or gender-based violence.

Joining HopeHelps Network in 2022 with the goal of contributing to positive action against sexual violence on campuses, Rere serves as the Director of Human Resources Development (PSDM). By actively providing training for all HopeHelps members, she believes in the significance of her efforts. She also mentioned that, within the network, she has not encountered situations where individuals are treated differently. This is because HopeHelps Network consistently strives to create an inclusive environment for everyone that is actively supporting, listening to, and advocating for anyone in need. The community places a strong emphasis on providing support for sexual violence victims, primarily women, on college campuses to provide accessible step to justice.

In conclusion, Rere emphasized that the crucial message from IWD 2024 encourages us to ensure that inclusivity is achieved comprehensively, as it is one of the most important things to live in diversity. “We need to empower each other, stick together, and be there for each other during the hardships. No one is left behind; we are in this together.”

Rere’s involvement in this organization serves as tangible proof that anyone can actively contribute to create an inclusive environment. Whether it be professors, educational staff, students, or alumni, everyone can take real action to promote inclusivity. Hopefully, it will inspire more people to be aware and contribute to this issue. The university itself that has students from various regions across Indonesia, should be a safe and comfortable home for them, where they can grow and express themselves without any discrimination.

SDGs 1: No Poverty | SGDs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SGDs 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Yogyakarta, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an Entrepreneurship and Self-Development Lecture by presenting a national trainer, Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., MP, IPM, ASEAN Eng. The event aimed to equip students with knowledge and practical skills in building an entrepreneurial spirit and developing self-potential. The lecture, which was attended by high enthusiasm from UGM Arabic Literature students, was held twice online, namely on February 20 and 27, 2024.

In the first session, Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., MP., IPM., ASEAN Eng. presented material on “Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Scope”. This material opened the students’ insights into the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, potential business opportunities, and strategies for building a successful business. In the second session, the focus shifted to “Potential for Student Entrepreneurship Development”. This national trainer encouraged students to dare to be entrepreneurs and explore their potential. As a form of implementation of the knowledge gained, the students at the end of the activity were given the task of developing business ideas by making products. This aims to train their creative and critical thinking skills in building innovative and sustainable businesses.

Through this Entrepreneurship and Self-Development Lecture, it is hoped that it can foster an entrepreneurial spirit and equip UGM Arabic Literature students with qualified knowledge and skills to become entrepreneurs.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Yogyakarta, Wednesday, February 28, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a Public Lecture entitled “The Importance of Arabic Literature in the Contemporary World of Work” on Wednesday (28/2) at the Auditorium of Soegondo Building 7th Floor, Faculty of Arts UGM. The event was attended by Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., Chairperson of the Arabic Literature Study Program, Arief Budiman, S.S., M.A., as Ikmasa supervisor, and two inspiring speakers, Afifatul Munjidah and Muhammad Egata Asysyakur, alumni of Arabic Literature UGM who are successful in various fields.

This Public Lecture aims to equip Arabic Literature students with insights and knowledge about broad job opportunities in the contemporary era. Afifatul Munjidah, an alumnus of the Arabic Literature class of 2013 who is active in the field of education and entrepreneurship, shared her experience in building a multidimensional career. Afif is a practitioner teacher in the Kampus Merdeka program, partnership staff at Baitul Maal Nurul Ashri, and the owner of Moen House Id and Moenjastip. He emphasized the importance of having plans and strategies to achieve goals, as well as always striving to develop themselves.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Egata Asysyakur, an alumnus of the Arabic Literature class of 2015 Assistant Manager of Sheikh Muhammad Jaber, and Founder of PT Albalad Alameen Indonesia, told his inspiring story of building a company engaged in Hajj and Umrah, halal tourism, da’wah events, and publishing. He motivated the students to focus on completing their responsibilities because Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change themselves.

This public lecture was closed with a question and answer session from the students. It is hoped that by organizing this event, UGM Arabic Literature students will be more motivated to develop their potential and achieve broad job opportunities in various fields.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Yogyakarta, Saturday, February 24, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) inaugurated the Naseem Cabinet in an Ikmasa 2024/2025 Management Inauguration event held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in Soegondo Room 709.

The event was attended by Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum., Head of the Department of Language and Literature, and Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the Arabic Literature Study Program. The handover of positions was carried out from the old chairman, Sabik Hikami, to Muhammad Nabil Sahabuddin who will lead Ikmasa for the 2024/2025 period.

This activity began with the opening, remarks from the Head of Language and Literature, remarks from the Head of Arabic Literature Study Program, handover and inauguration, remarks from the new Head of Ikmasa, and ended with closing and group photos. It is hoped that with this change of management, Ikmasa can continue to develop and advance UGM Arabic Literature students in various fields.