Yogyakarta, April 8, 2026 – The Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully held its Syawalan event which was titled IKMASA Balalan 2026 at Gedung Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event served as a warm gathering space for students and lecturers of Arabic Literature at UGM following the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H.

Held from 08:45 to 10:30 AM, the event began with an opening by the MC, followed by a recitation of the Holy Qur’an. It continued with remarks from the Head of the Study Program and the Head of IKMASA, both of whom emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships and a sense of togetherness within the academic community. Isa, as the Head of IKMASA, also expressed his hope that such events will continue to serve as a meaningful platform to strengthen unity among students and lecturers. A solemn atmosphere filled the room during the Syawalan pledge session, delivered in turns by representatives from each cohort. This moment became a deeply meaningful occasion for mutual forgiveness, reflecting sincerity and openness among participants. The pledge was not merely ceremonial—it truly created a space for heartfelt reconciliation, both among students and between students and lecturers.

The highlight of the event featured a session by Arief Budiman, S.S., M.A., who emphasized the importance of cultivating strong determination in all aspects of life. In his talk, he encouraged participants to set clear goals, remain consistent, and persevere through challenges. According to him, a firm determination is the foundation for achieving success—not only academically, but also in personal growth and everyday life.

The event concluded with a prayer led by Nur Kholid, S.Pd.I., M.Pd.I., followed by a group documentation session and mushofahah (a gesture of mutual greetings and forgiveness). The warm and friendly atmosphere was evident in the interactions between students and lecturers throughout the event. Through this halal bihalal gathering, IKMASA successfully strengthened the bonds of friendship while also fostering a deeper sense of reflection and togetherness during the blessed month of Syawal.

[Arabic Literature, Indana Zulfa Maulida]

Yogyakarta, April 15, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again marked an academic milestone with the inauguration of Prof. Dr. Pujiharto, S.S., M.Hum. as a Professor in the field of literature. In his inaugural speech, he raised the theme of Postmodern Indonesian Literature.

In his presentation, Prof. Pujiharto explained that postmodernism can be understood as an intersection with modernism. Referring to the thoughts of Brian McHale, both are viewed as a form of poetics, namely a system in literature equivalent to the concept of an “-ism.” Poetics itself originates from the ideas of Aristotle, who viewed literature as a system with its own rules and characteristics.

Furthermore, he elaborated that the understanding of modern Indonesian literature cannot be separated from the concept of Indonesian identity, which is closely related to the nation-building project toward a modern Indonesia. In this context, the term “modern” has historical roots in Europe, marked by a shift from a theocentric to an anthropocentric worldview, as proposed by Jürgen Habermas. This indicates that the construction of modern Indonesian literature has inevitably been influenced by Western perspectives of modernity.

Entering the discussion of postmodern Indonesian literature, Prof. Pujiharto highlighted a fundamental shift from epistemological poetics, characteristic of modernism, to ontological poetics, which defines postmodernism. This shift is explained through the concept of “the dominant” by Roman Jakobson, emphasizing a change in the primary focus within the structure of literary works.

In the final part of his speech, Prof. Pujiharto connected the ontological plurality in postmodern literature with contemporary societal conditions. According to him, the postmodern era is marked by the dominance of information technology, giving rise to an information society characterized by multiple realities and perspectives. This phenomenon shows that literary works are not only reflections of their time but also serve as a medium to understand the complexities of modern and postmodern life.

Closing his speech, Prof. Pujiharto expressed his gratitude to all parties who contributed to the process of his professorship nomination until he was officially inaugurated through a ministerial decree.

This inauguration is not only a personal achievement but also contributes to strengthening Indonesian literary studies on a global scale. In line with this, the ideas presented support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly United Nations Goal 4 (Quality Education) through the advancement of knowledge, as well as Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in the context of the development of an information- and technology-based society.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

For many students, studying abroad is more than just an academic opportunity but also a journey of self-discovery. This is certainly true for Rizkya Laili Trianisa (Nisa), an English Department student from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), batch 2024, who is currently participating in a one-semester exchange program at Jeonbuk National University (JNU) in South Korea. The program, which is part of a partnership between JNU and UGM, offers students the chance to broaden both their academic and cultural perspectives. Nisa first learned about this opportunity through the Office of International Affairs in UGM (OIA UGM), as she shared, “I found the information through OIA’s social media and website.” 

Her decision to study in South Korea was not merely influenced by the global popularity of K-culture, but rather by a deeper sense of familiarity. Having previously spent three semesters in Korea during her high school years, Nisa already had some understanding of the country and its environment. “I think my sense of similarity with Korea plays a big role,” she explained. This sense of connection was further strengthened by her choice of Jeonbuk National University, which is located in Jeonju—a city often compared to Yogyakarta by Indonesian students. “A lot of Indonesian people think that Jeonju is similar to Jogja” she said, describing both cities as places rich in historical culture with a rhythm of life that is “a bit slower yet still hectic, just like Jogja.” 

Before departing, Nisa prepared not only in practical terms but also mentally. She emphasized the importance of keeping an open mind when entering a completely new environment. This mindset proved especially useful when she arrived in South Korea during the transition from winter to spring. “The very cold weather shocked me,” she admitted, recalling the snowy rain and strong winds she encountered. Despite anticipating the cold, experiencing it firsthand was entirely different. However, instead of allowing the shock to overwhelm her, she chose to see it from a different perspective. “Before coming here, I told myself that everything is new. I wanted to learn everything from zero. So instead of shocking, it is more fascinating”, she reflected.

Like many exchange students, Nisa also faced challenges during her time abroad. Not everything went according to plan, and many of the difficulties she encountered were beyond her control. Nevertheless, she found strength in the people around her. Being surrounded by fellow students who were going through similar experiences helped her cope with these challenges. “One thing that I like is the fact that I am not alone. I have friends to talk to about what we should do to make our journey better and more memorable.” With this support system, she gradually developed a more resilient mindset, believing that “every day is like a new page and a new chance,” a perspective that continues to guide her throughout the program. 

Academically and personally, this exchange program has brought meaningful changes to Nisa’s life. She has become more confident and proactive in class, something she previously struggled with. “I try to be more proactive… I voice my opinions and ask questions,” she explained. At the same time, being exposed to a diverse international environment has broadened her perspective. These experiences continue to shape her growth as she strives to become a better version of herself.

Reflecting on her journey, Nisa encourages other students to carefully consider their own paths before applying for an exchange program. She points out that UGM offers numerous opportunities for studying abroad, and choosing the right one requires self-awareness. “UGM actually has tons of programs and exchange opportunities,” she noted. “Take your time acknowledging who you are and who you want to be, and match that with the program offered.” For Nisa, this experience has been nothing short of transformative. As she concluded in her own words, “This exchange journey is such a life changer for me—it shifted my perspective, developed my lifestyle, and improved my daily habits.” Through moments of challenge, adaptation, and discovery, her story reflects how studying abroad is not just about changing places, but about growing into someone new.

[English Literature, Maulina Artyansa]

Yogyakarta, April 7, 2026 – Students of the Master’s Program in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a field study as part of the Museum Collection Conservation course at the Affandi Museum and the Kotagede area on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The activity was supervised by Mrs. Dr. Mahirta, M.A., as the course lecturer, alongside Mrs. Mimi Savitri, M.A., Ph.D., and was attended by 11 students. The field study formed part of the learning process, providing students with the opportunity to carry out direct observations, particularly in relation to the conservation of museum collections and cultural heritage areas.

At the Affandi Museum, students observed museum curatorial arrangements, collection management, and conservation practices applied to various collection objects. Through this activity, students were expected to become familiar with different types of museum collections and their handling methods, while also understanding that each object requires a conservation approach tailored to its specific characteristics.

The field study continued with a visit to the Kotagede area. At this site, students observed the cultural heritage landscape and identified various conditions related to preservation efforts, including recognizing cases encountered in the field and understanding possible approaches to addressing them.

Through this series of field activities, students gained an understanding of conservation principles and their application, both in museum contexts and in cultural heritage areas. In addition, the field study introduced fundamental aspects of museum management and curatorial concepts as part of preservation practices.

[Archeology, Muhammad Irsyad]

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has officially inaugurated Professor Dr. Nur Aini Setiawati, M.Hum., Ph.D., as a Professor of Agrarian History at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The inauguration ceremony took place at the UGM Central Building on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. In her inauguration speech, she analyzed the dynamics of agrarian reform and its impact on agricultural development through a comparative study between Indonesia and South Korea.

Professor Setiawati delivered a speech titled “From Agrarian Phenomena to Agricultural Development: Indonesia and Korea.” She emphasized that land ownership and control are key factors in determining the success of a country’s development. Using a chronological and thematic historical approach, she evaluated how changes in agricultural production have been heavily influenced by land policies of the past.

“Agrarian reform plays a crucial role in agricultural development. By understanding agrarian issues, this study evaluates changes in agricultural production. The main problem to be addressed in this speech is how the impact of agrarian reform on agricultural development can be re-examined, considering that the issues of agrarian reform and agricultural development since the era of kingdoms have always been a compelling subject,” stated Professor Setiawati in her speech.

In her presentation, she explained South Korea’s success in implementing agrarian reform between 1945 and 1950. The policy successfully increased agricultural productivity by providing incentives to farmers. Consequently, the Korean agricultural sector was able to provide a stable food supply amidst waves of industrialization and urbanization. Furthermore, this reform contributed to the formation of an educated working class and encouraged the emergence of a new capitalist class.

A different situation occurred during the period of 1960 to 1984. Professor Setiawati revealed that Indonesia tended to be trapped in ideological conflicts and weak bureaucracy. National industrialization in Indonesia was not aligned with land reform. Instead, land procurement for industry actually strengthened the concentration of land control by the state and corporations. On the other hand, South Korea placed agrarian reform as the main foundation of their national industrialization.

The failure to equalize land ownership in Indonesia was also triggered by a lack of supervision and resistance from local elites. This stands in stark contrast to South Korea, which successfully distributed land evenly thanks to strong institutional support, such as cooperatives and village development programs. The impact can be seen in farmers’ welfare, where South Korea achieved rice self-sufficiency while Indonesia experienced stagnation due to structural inequality.

These findings indicate that consistent agrarian governance is the main differentiator in transforming land challenges into developmental strengths. Agrarian reform is not merely an economic policy, but a historical process that reflects power relations and the future direction of a nation.

This historical record serves as an important reflection for current policy formulation. Inclusive management of agrarian resources is an absolute prerequisite for ensuring food sovereignty and public welfare in the future. Through the continuity of appropriate policies and social legitimacy, land justice is expected to become an engine of development that provides tangible benefits to all levels of society fairly and equitably.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]