Yogyakarta, March 30, 2026 – Another proud achievement has been attained by a student of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Muhammad Deni Maulana, a student of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, has successfully earned the title of Outstanding Student (Mapres) at the faculty level in 2026.

The prestigious award was announced online through a Zoom Meeting organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada. The decision was based on the results of a recapitulation process and a formal selection meeting for the 2026 faculty-level Outstanding Student competition within UGM.

During the selection process, participants were evaluated through various comprehensive aspects. These included a creative idea proposal, English proficiency, and a portfolio consisting of eight main indicators: achievements or competitions, recognitions, awards, organizational experience, creative works, community service, and entrepreneurial activities. All these aspects served as benchmarks in assessing both academic and non-academic excellence.

In the 2026 Outstanding Student Selection (Pilmapres), Muhammad Deni Maulana presented a topic on inclusivity in literary education. He proposed an idea titled “Transformative-Inclusive: Reconstruction of a Poetry-Based Language and Literature Curriculum to Strengthen Literacy Education for Deaf Students in Special Schools.” This idea was inspired by the reality that conventional curricula in special schools (SLB) tend to be textual-linear and phonemic-oriented, thus not fully accommodating the learning needs of Deaf students, who rely more on visual-kinesthetic approaches and Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO). Through the optimization of poetry as a learning medium, he offers a more inclusive and adaptive approach to improving literacy among persons with disabilities.

In addition to his innovative idea, Deni also shared motivational messages for fellow students. He emphasized that every opportunity is a valuable door that does not always come twice, and therefore must be utilized as best as possible. He encouraged students not to wait until they feel fully ready to start, but instead to keep trying, stay consistent, and believe that every small effort today contributes to something greater in the future. According to him, any field of study holds significant potential for meaningful contribution when pursued with dedication.

Muhammad Deni Maulana’s achievement not only reflects his personal dedication and hard work, but also highlights the quality of education at FIB UGM in producing outstanding, creative, and competitive graduates. This accomplishment is expected to inspire other students to continue excelling and contributing across various fields.

This achievement also aligns with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, it supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through the development of students’ competencies in entrepreneurship and career readiness.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2025 – A choir composed of students, lecturers, and administrative staff enlivened the Open Senate Meeting celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada by performing two popular Indonesian songs, “Ondel-Ondel” and “Rumah Kita.” The performance created an atmosphere of togetherness while celebrating cultural diversity through specially prepared musical arrangements.

The performance was arranged and conducted by Muhammad Rasyid Ridho, who also served as the trainer and conductor. The choir was supported by several accompanying musicians, including Riski Puluhulawa on piano, Emilia Widya Pranasari on viola, Sekar Arrum Sri Kinanthi on violin, and Fairuz Aufa Anza on kendang.

The first song performed was “Ondel-Ondel,” popularized by Benyamin Sueb in 1971. The song is widely recognized as a lively representation of Betawi culture that developed amid the dynamic life of Jakarta. Through its simple yet energetic lyrics, the song portrays ondel-ondel as a cultural icon in the form of giant puppets that were once believed to symbolize protection for the community.

Over time, ondel-ondel has become not only part of tradition but also a symbol of identity and cultural pride for the Betawi people. The song also reminds audiences of the importance of appreciating cultural heritage and preserving local wisdom amid ongoing societal change.

The choir then performed “Rumah Kita,” a song popularized by Achmad Albar together with the legendary band God Bless. Widely known since the late 1980s, the song conveys a heartfelt message about the meaning of home as a space for togetherness.

In the context of the FIB UGM anniversary celebration, the song was interpreted as a symbol of unity among members of the academic community. The campus environment, particularly at Universitas Gadjah Mada, is seen as a shared home where people from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, create, and build their future.

This choir performance, involving members from different groups within the faculty, added vibrancy to the series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Through music and performing arts, messages about the importance of unity, respect for diversity, and the preservation of local culture were warmly conveyed to the audience. These values form an essential foundation for fostering an inclusive and sustainable academic community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 30, 2026  – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again achieved international recognition. Based on the results of the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Subject, six study programs at FIB UGM have successfully secured positions in the global rankings.

The achievement in the Arts and Humanities field, which is ranked 189th globally, reflects the consistent academic quality of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM in the realm of humanities. This accomplishment is further strengthened by six study programs that are also ranked globally, namely Anthropology (ranked 51–100), English Language & Literature (151–200), Modern Languages (151–200), Archaeology (151–200), History (151–200), as well as other fields that highlight FIB UGM’s strength in cultural and humanities studies on a global scale.

This achievement is a source of pride for Universitas Gadjah Mada and further affirms FIB UGM’s position as one of the leading centers for cultural and humanities studies worldwide. The ranking also reflects the contributions of various stakeholders in building a high-quality, innovative, and globally competitive learning ecosystem. This aligns with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and excellent higher education.

In its official post on Instagram, FIB UGM expressed appreciation to all members of its academic community who contributed to this achievement. This success is expected to serve as motivation to continuously enhance the quality of education, research, and international collaboration in the future, while also supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the strengthening of global networks.

This achievement further reinforces FIB UGM’s commitment to advancing sustainable knowledge and cultural development that is relevant to global challenges, in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly in terms of cultural preservation and strengthening community identity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) recently completed the revitalization of its iconic signpost. This renewal provides the beloved campus landmark with a fresher and more aesthetic appearance, benefiting both the academic community and the general public passing by.

The facility’s restoration process involved a series of sequential stages. The improvement efforts began by dismantling the signpost structure from its site. Following this, a comprehensive repainting of all components was carried out to restore the vibrancy of the colors and the legibility of the text. The revitalization phase concluded by reinstalling the signpost in its original position.

Maintaining the physical facilities of the campus is a crucial step in preserving the functionality of public spaces. Regular infrastructure maintenance plays a vital role in extending the lifespan of a facility while minimizing the need for new materials. FIB UGM’s initiative in caring for this faculty icon reflects a clear commitment to maintaining existing facilities, aiming to create a comfortable, well-organized, and sustainable educational environment for future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Efforts to strengthen the academic capacity of students and researchers in producing high-quality scientific publications continue to be promoted on campus. The Master’s Program in Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a “Scientific Article Writing Workshop: Strategies for Publishing in Reputable Journals” on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Room 709 Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

The event, which took place from 12:30 to 15:00 WIB, featured a scholar in cultural and gender studies, Wening Udasmoro, as the main speaker. The workshop aimed to enhance the ability of young academics to write scientific articles capable of competing in reputable international journals.

In her presentation, Wening emphasized that academic publishing is not merely about techniques or quick strategies to get articles accepted by journals. According to her, writing in reputable journals is an important process for testing the intellectual quality of an academic before a broader scholarly community.

She stressed that academic publication should be viewed as a process of learning and intellectual development rather than simply fulfilling administrative academic requirements. Through publication, scholars’ ideas can be read and critically examined by researchers from various universities and countries, thereby enriching academic discourse.

During the session, participants were introduced to the importance of problematization in research. Wening explained that strong research generally begins with social or cultural phenomena that attract attention and generate scholarly questions.

She illustrated how contemporary phenomena—such as the display of luxurious lifestyles on social media—can become entry points for research relevant to current social dynamics. Researchers are encouraged not merely to find objects that have not yet been analyzed but to develop new perspectives that make their research academically significant.

In addition to formulating research problems, participants were also equipped with an understanding of the importance of a strong literature review. The workshop highlighted that scientific research must be built upon a dialogue with theories and previous studies.

Several theoretical frameworks can be used to analyze social phenomena, including the concept of conspicuous consumption, the symbolic value of goods (sign value), and modern consumer culture. These theoretical frameworks help researchers interpret social phenomena in a more critical and systematic way.

Through this training, it is hoped that postgraduate students will be able to produce scientific articles that not only meet academic standards but also contribute to the advancement of knowledge and provide solutions to various social issues.

The workshop was enthusiastically welcomed by the Master’s students in Literature who attended. The discussion was highly interactive, particularly when participants explored strategies for identifying research topics with novelty and academic relevance.

Through initiatives such as this, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM seeks to strengthen a critical, reflective, and productive academic culture in producing high-quality scientific publications at both national and international levels.

Author: Khotibul Umam