Meet M Deni Maulana, a talented student from the Indonesian Language and Literature study programme, batch of 2023. Deni has been chosen as a poetry reader for the much-awaited Independence concert by Gita Bahana Nusantara Republik Indonesia in 2023. This exciting event is being organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Directorate General of Culture. It’s a big deal because Deni will join 199 other young participants from all over Indonesia, representing the 33 provinces, who are all part of Gita Bahana Nusantara (GBN) 2023.

This year is special as it marks the 20th anniversary of GBN’s involvement in national events. And for the very first time, they are getting ready to showcase their talents to a wider audience at the Gita Bahana Nusantara 2023 Independence Concert “Menembus Batas” (Breaking Boundaries). The concert will take place at the historic Fatahillah Museum in the Kota Tua Complex, Jakarta, on August 12th.

Prof. Dr Setiadi, M.Sos., M.Si., delivered an impressive report at an open senate meeting to celebrate the 77th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The report highlighted the faculty’s outstanding achievements in education, research, and community service. The faculty has upheld its commitment to providing high-quality education and has been actively engaged in research. The faculty has also been instrumental in promoting cultural diversity and understanding. Clearly, the faculty has made significant progress in all aspects of its work and is poised to continue to excel in the future.

On Tuesday, 22nd of August 2023, the Post Graduate Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at the esteemed University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted an Open Examination for the Doctoral Promotion of M. Yuseano Kardiansyah. The event marked the culmination of M. Yuseano Kardiansyah’s extensive research and studies, as he presented his dissertation titled “Literature of Indonesian-English Translation: A Study of Cultural Production in Postcolonial Space.”

The dissertation delved into the fascinating topic of investigating the production practices of Indonesian literary works into English, specifically examining the ways in which these translations were “politically” carried out by literary agents of Indonesian-English translation within the mediation space. M. Yuseano Kardiansyah’s research thus sheds light on the complex and nuanced processes involved in translating literature across different cultural contexts, particularly in the aftermath of colonialism.

Overall, M. Yuseano Kardiansyah’s work is a testament to the importance of understanding the cultural production and dissemination of literature, as well as the ways in which language and translation intersect with issues of power and politics. Through his detailed and insightful analysis, he has made a significant contribution to the field of literary translation studies, and his dissertation is sure to be an invaluable resource for scholars and practitioners alike.

Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences graduated 226 undergraduate graduates, with a proportion of 127 female graduates and 69 male graduates. The event was opened with remarks from Dr. Nur Saktiningrum and M. Hum. as representatives of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Furthermore, there was a choir performance from the BSO of FIB Students, namely, Paramadaya.

The Faculty Average Grade Point Average for undergraduate programs was 3.59. Katarina Elsa Savitri achieved the highest GPA among graduates with a score of 3.94. Meanwhile, the fastest graduate for the undergraduate program was Khonsa Naurotul Wahdah from Arabic Literature, who completed their studies in 3 years, 5 months, and 23 days.

This graduation ceremony was closed with a procession of handing over certificates and certificates of cum laude graduates from each department, followed by a photo procession with graduates with the ranks of deans and heads of study programmes from each department.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences includes graduates who have successfully completed their education. Hopefully, what has been obtained can provide benefits and be successful in their career.

Language learning has always been a challenge for many individuals, especially those who are trying to learn a second language. A recent public lecture held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, 2nd floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and Zoom from 11:00-12:45 WIB has shed light on the complexities of language learning and the pros and cons of AI in higher education.

Experts in the field, including Professor Shigenoro Wakabayashi and Professor Jun Iio, shared their insights and expertise on the topic.

“Language learning is a complex phenomena, taken place in micro, meso and macro context…”

Professor Wakabayashi emphasized the complexity of language learning and how second language studies have largely ignored it. He delivered a fragment of a sentence during his lecture, highlighting the difficulties faced by language learners, particularly those learning a second language.

On the other hand, Professor Iio discussed the benefits and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. With the rise of AI development, it is essential to use it wisely and address any issues that may arise. While AI provides benefits, it also presents some challenges that must be overcome.

The lecture was moderated by Hasyim Kurniawan, S.S., M.App.Ling., a lecturer of the English Department at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The event attracted a hybrid audience, with in-person attendees and those tuning in remotely via Zoom.

The public lecture provided valuable insights into the complexities of language learning and the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating AI in higher education. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the knowledge gained from this lecture can help individuals and educators alike to navigate the complexities of language learning and make informed decisions when it comes to incorporating AI in higher education.