Yogyakarta, June 17, 2025 – Fourth- and sixth-semester undergraduate students of the Archaeology Program held an exhibition across various corners of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. This exhibition was organized as part of their final semester assignment (UAS), with each group presenting a different theme. One of the highlighted themes was “The Lifestyle of UGM Students Through the Ages,” which described the daily lives of UGM students and how they have changed over time.

The everyday life of students has shaped a unique lifestyle, influenced by technological advancements. From food choices to how meals are stored and carried, such as lunchboxes, to the evolution of fashion trends among students and the shift in study habits from handwriting to typing—all of these reflect the dynamics of student life.

Another group presented the theme “Reading Pop Culture: Its Influence on UGM Students’ Lifestyle and Identity.” Pop culture has become an inseparable part of students’ daily lives. Through digital media, music, film, fashion, and fandom practices, pop culture has created unique communities. Within the campus dynamic, this culture continues to shape students’ identities through the encounter between local values and global currents.

The exhibition attracted many visitors. It provided students the opportunity to showcase their research and creativity while raising awareness about the importance of education in understanding cultural dynamics.

In this exhibition, each group displayed unique objects and explained each item. This practical approach not only made the exhibition more enjoyable but also emphasized the importance of experiential learning in education, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to quality education.

The students expressed that the exhibition was a valuable experience that enhanced their understanding of archaeology and cultural studies. They highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork in preparing the exhibition, which helped them develop essential skills for their future careers.

Their hard work and creativity underscored the importance of such exhibitions in fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness among students. They encouraged more initiatives like this to promote a deeper understanding of the relationship between education and cultural identity.

Overall, the exhibition was a resounding success, showcasing the creativity and dedication of UGM archaeology students while contributing to a broader discourse on education and cultural identity.

[Public Relations of FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

The English Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is pleased to announce the names of students who have been officially selected to join the prestigious RWS Internship Program – Batch 2025.

After a rigorous selection process and thorough evaluation of academic performance, motivation, and readiness for professional development, the following students have been accepted:

1. Adeline Diva Hanjani
2. ⁠Nurainina Berliani Natanda
3. ⁠Bathari Sekar Dewangga

We are especially delighted to highlight that this marks the second consecutive time that students from the English Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have successfully secured all available internship slots at RWS, an impressive achievement that reflects their academic excellence, professionalism, and global readiness.

These outstanding students will represent the English Studies Program in their internship with RWS, a leading global provider of language services and technology solutions. During their internship, they will gain invaluable experience in the field of language, translation, and content management in a professional international setting.

We extend our warmest congratulations to the selected interns and wish them a fruitful and inspiring journey. This achievement reflects their hard work, commitment, and potential to grow as globally competent graduates.

Yogyakarta, June 23, 2025 — The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Childism and the Defamiliarization of Language in Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie’s Works.” The event was conducted both offline and online, featuring renowned writer Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie as the main speaker, with Narayda Akmal as the discussant and Ruhaeni Intan as the moderator.

The lecture opened with a presentation by Narayda Akmal, who reviewed several of Ziggy’s works, including di Tanah Lada, Kita Pergi Hari Ini, and Semua Ikan di Langit. She highlighted how these works reflect the spirit of childism, a perspective that provides agency to children in a world that often neglects their voices and experiences. Ziggy’s language was seen as unique and unconventional, creating a distance from common linguistic norms while revealing the complexity of childhood.

Through her writings, Ziggy seeks to challenge the traditional view of children as passive beings. On the contrary, she presents children as active figures responding to harsh social realities. The linguistic strategies in her works are not mere playfulness, but serve as a medium to raise issues such as poverty, inequality, and alienation within the domestic space.

In the novel di Tanah Lada, for instance, the experiences of children facing urban poverty are portrayed sharply. The home is no longer a place of refuge but a source of suffering. Ziggy depicts simplicity through the eyes of children trapped in the misunderstanding of adults—a condition that often leads to emotional neglect and miscommunication.

Meanwhile, Semua Ikan di Langit combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, and mythology. The road novel format adopted in this book allows readers to follow the imaginative journey of the main character, while also accessing layers of meaning that challenge conventional ways of understanding childhood.

Moderator Ruhaeni Intan added a perspective on the importance of space for writers to store and process their ideas. She used the metaphor of a suitcase full of thoughts waiting to be unpacked to emphasize the creative process, which is inseparable from the role of the literary community. In this process, writers do not work alone but are connected with publishers, readers, and researchers who appreciate and develop literary studies.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session and a group photo. Participants actively asked questions regarding the implications of childism in literature and its impact on social life. This discussion reinforced the importance of basic literacy skills and critical education in understanding the complex realities of childhood.

In conclusion, the lecture provided significant insights into the representation of children in literature. Beyond enriching academic discourse, this event also supported the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 10 on reducing inequality through the empowerment of children’s perspectives.

[Public Relation, Alma Syahwalani]

Amid the surge of technology and the rise of artificial intelligence capable of arranging sentences neatly, Kumala–student of Arabic Literature–chose writing as her path of expression and contribution. “AI-generated writing may be neat, but the emotion and meaning can only come from humans,” she said.

For Kumala, being a student of Arabic Literature is not just about reading classical works or understanding the Arabic language in depth, but also about learning how to voice stories powerfully. Content writing became the medium she chose to bridge theory with practice. She believes that good writing can serve as a bridge connecting emotion, information, and action.

From Interest to Action: How Kumala Began Writing Content

Kumala’s interest in content writing grew alongside her curiosity about the creative process behind content itself. For her, the brainstorming stage is the most crucial. “That’s where it all starts–before the visuals and editing, there’s an idea that needs to be packaged attractively and powerfully,” she explained.

Kumala also brings her academic passion for literature into the world of content. One of her favorite courses is Geoculture and Geopolitics of the Middle East, which opened her eyes to major issues that could be conveyed through writing. “One day, I want to write content that acts as a catalyst to voice issues in the Middle East,” she added.

First Steps at UNAI and Valuable Lessons from One Piece of Content

Although she’s still new to her role as a content writer at UNAI, Kumala has already experienced the challenges of this world. She started by writing carousel content for Instagram, a format that may seem simple but demands high precision. Her biggest challenge? “Finding ideas that are relevant, trending, and emotionally engaging enough to capture the audience’s attention. It’s not easy, but it’s very rewarding,” she said.

Of all the content she has created, her first piece remains the most memorable, not just because it was the first, but because she had to carefully listen to a speaker with an American accent, filter out many sentences, and condense them into a single impactful paragraph. “That’s where I learned how to craft a sentence that truly ‘says something’,” she shared.

The Content Writer as a Communication Bridge

According to Kumala, the role of a content writer is crucial within an institution. “At UNAI, content writing is part of the communications department. So we don’t just create content, we deliver the institution’s messages, vision, and values to the public,” she explained. This shows that good writing isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s also about strategy.

A Message to Students: Dare to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Amid her academic and non-academic commitments, Kumala continues to strive to stay motivated. She holds on to one principle: “The life we live today is the dream we had yesterday. So make the most of it and live it wholeheartedly.”

For students who still hesitate to explore beyond their field of study, Kumala has a message: “Being different isn’t bad. Try as many new things as possible, as long as they don’t harm others or yourself. Don’t reach old age with regret, be a youth who explores, and an elder with stories to tell.”

In this digital era, Kumala believes it’s essential for students to equip themselves with various skills. “We don’t know which skill will open the door to our future career. So don’t be afraid to explore. Technology may be advanced, but we humans must be even more advanced.”

And for fellow Arabic Literature students interested in content writing, Kumala ends with one practical tip: “Write what you think. Set small milestones for your skill development so you don’t get stuck in one place and can keep growing.”

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 12/06/2025 – The Department of Anthropology held a dissertation proposal seminar on June 12, 2025, featuring Tri Isnani’s research titled “The Existence of the Brandu Tradition Amid the Anthrax Outbreak in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).”

The brandu tradition is a community-based fundraising practice in which local residents collectively contribute money to ease the financial burden of livestock owners whose animals are either sick or have died. Livestock holds deep cultural and economic significance for the community. The term brandu originates from minterke anak—meaning “to support a child”—highlighting the role of animals such as cows and goats as a form of savings, often used to finance children’s education, weddings, and traditional ceremonies such as rasulan, ingkung sewu, nyumbang, and others.

However, Isnani noted growing public concern over the anthrax outbreak, which has become a serious public health crisis in the region. The issue has drawn the attention of not only the public but also government bodies and health agencies. In response, Isnani proposed a deeper investigation through the lens of medical anthropology.

Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., as Isnani’s main supervisor, and Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, SKM., M.Kes., both emphasized the need for anthropological research grounded in an emic perspective, employing ethnographic methods in the formulation of health-related programs and policies. They stressed that such an approach is crucial for effective disease control under the “One Health” framework—a multidisciplinary strategy encompassing both prevention and treatment.

The seminar also featured Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology with a focus on health studies. He underlined the importance of researcher positionality in fieldwork. Additional discussants—Ahriyadi Sofyan, Rizqi R., Ayu F., and Dyah Ayu—offered constructive feedback to help strengthen Isnani’s research. The event was also attended by students from the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Anthropology, as well as from the Doctoral Program in Humanities.

In closing, Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati reminded participants that doctoral research should arrive at a philosophical understanding rooted in community values—specifically, exploring the deeper meaning behind the brandu tradition. Once such a philosophy is grasped, it can shape the direction of the research more profoundly.

Furthermore, Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, a researcher at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), highlighted the relevance of anthropological perspectives in medical studies. He emphasized that the novelty of such research lies in anthropology’s ability to interpret health phenomena in culturally grounded ways. “This is crucial,” he said. “Perhaps the true contribution of this study is its potential to offer input into health programs that empower, rather than intimidate, the community—ultimately supporting inclusive program development.”

[Cultural Anthropology, Dewi Widyastuti]