Yogyakarta, 16/4/2025 – On April 15, 2025, an Open Session of the Dissertation Examination took place in the Open Session Room on the 3rd Floor of the KH. Mahrus Aly Tower at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. This event highlighted academic collaboration across campuses and countries. Professor Sangidu, M.Hum., a professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), was invited as a guest examiner, further strengthening the scientific partnership between the two esteemed institutions. The dissertation under examination was authored by Mohammed Ramadhan Abraheem Al-Shaykh Ali, an international student from Libya. His research focused on the principles of education illustrated in the stories of Sayyidina Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim, exploring their relevance in shaping human character through the values of the Qur’an.

This dissertation research thoroughly examines the educational methods found in the Qur’an, particularly through the inspiring stories of Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim. Utilizing content analysis, the researcher deconstructs relevant verses to uncover principles, approaches, and effective educational methods that contribute to shaping human behavior and morality. This study emphasizes that the Qur’an not only provides guidance to the right path but also offers solutions to psychological conflicts by integrating spiritual strength, reason, and self-control. These concepts have been relevant since the beginning of creation and continue to be significant today.

The presence of the Professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM as a guest examiner at this forum exemplifies cross-institutional and international collaboration in developing Islamic education with a global perspective. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on quality education (SDG 4), strengthening institutions (SDG 16), and fostering collaboration (SDG 17). By integrating Qur’anic values with sustainable development principles, we enrich the curriculum and enhance the role of Islamic universities in shaping a generation that is not only intellectually capable but also spiritually aware and socially responsible. This synergy aims to promote a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future while reinforcing Indonesia’s position as a hub for the advancement of progressive Islamic education on the global stage.

[Public Relation of Middle East Studies, Nafila Azzahra]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — In an effort to enhance institutional communication management capacity, the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a benchmarking visit to the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol) UGM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The primary aim of this visit was to study and analyze best practices implemented by Fisipol, particularly in the domains of social media management, digital communication strategies, and institutional reputation management, all of which are handled by the Faculty Secretary unit of Fisipol UGM.

During the visit, the FIB UGM team was received by Velina Aulia, the Social Media Manager and Alumni Relations Officer at the Fisipol Faculty Secretary. The session began with a comprehensive presentation outlining the organizational structure and workflow of the Faculty Secretary unit. The Faculty Secretary reports directly to the Dean and works in parallel with the Vice Deans responsible for academic affairs, research, finance, and human resources. This structural arrangement highlights the strategic significance of communication in supporting the faculty’s vision and mission, while also maintaining effective engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.

In the presentation, the Faculty Secretary team elaborated on the various digital platforms they manage. Instagram serves as the primary channel for dynamic and interactive content dissemination, while LinkedIn is utilized to engage alumni and professional partners. WhatsApp Business is designated for public-facing communications, whereas WhatsApp groups are used to distribute internal information among staff, faculty members, and students. Additionally, Fisipol UGM manages a knowledge-focused YouTube channel, operated by a dedicated division.

When elaborating on their content strategy, the Faculty Secretary introduced several communication pillars that form the foundation of their publication approach. The first pillar, “Good News Fisipol,” focuses on academic and student achievements, which tend to generate high levels of engagement. The second, “Info Fisipol,” delivers academic and service-related announcements using formal and standardized language. The third, “Sudut Fisipol” (Fisipol Corner), features lighter, narrative-driven, and personalized content, such as compelling stories from student activities or daily life within the Fisipol academic community.

Furthermore, the Faculty Secretary emphasized the importance of responsiveness in public communication, with a standard response time of no more than 24 hours. Nonetheless, in addressing negative feedback, a selective policy is applied—responses are only issued if the issue in question is collective in nature and has broader implications for the institution.

One notable aspect of Fisipol’s communication practices is their ability to craft meaningful narratives from seemingly ordinary events. Moments such as orchid planting, the presence of campus cats, or other routine campus occurrences are thoughtfully incorporated into communication content to foster emotional resonance and strengthen the connection between the institution and its audience.

This benchmarking visit provided valuable insights for the FIB UGM Public Relations and Cooperation team, particularly in understanding how strategic communication and institutional reputation management can be carried out in a structured, data-driven manner that aligns with the evolving dynamics of the digital era. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this visit will contribute to the advancement of communication and cooperation practices within FIB UGM in the near future.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — The Doctoral Promotion Open Examination of Dr. Ronidin was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session took place in the Multimedia Room, 2nd Floor of the Margono Building, at 10.00 AM (WIB). This academic agenda marked the culmination of his doctoral journey in the Humanities Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In this open examination, Dr. Ronidin defended his dissertation entitled “The Expression of Minangkabau Tabedo in Novels by Minangkabau Authors Post-PRRI to the First Half of the New Order: A Genetic Structuralism Study.” The examination was supervised by Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum. as Promoter, and Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum. as Co-Promoter, and chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si.

This dissertation delves deeply into how the historical events of the PRRI (Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia) and the political transition during the early New Order period shaped cultural expressions and worldviews of Minangkabau authors through the medium of novels. Utilizing Lucien Goldmann’s genetic structuralism approach, reinforced by Lotman’s narrative theory, this research demonstrates how the Minangkabau tabedo worldview—characterized by difficult and dilemmatic social conditions—is reflected in literary texts.

The study examines five novels by Minangkabau authors: Dari Puncak Bukit Talang by Soewardi Idris, Panggilan Tanah Kelahiran by Dt. B. Nurdin Jacub, Saraswati Si Gadis dalam Sunyi by A.A. Navis, Warisan by Chairul Harun, and Bako by Darman Moenir. These novels depict the realities of Minangkabau society post-PRRI, amidst state hegemony and the shifting of traditional values, such as the role of the maternal uncle in the matrilineal system, the role of religion, and the relationship between the village and the diaspora.

Dr. Ronidin emphasizes that the Minangkabau tabedo phenomenon emerges as a representation of the tension between traditional values eroded by political realities and modernity introduced from external influences. In these novels, complex social realities are metaphorically portrayed through characters and narrative relationships, structurally reflecting the sociological conditions of Minangkabau society during that era.

This open examination not only affirms Dr. Ronidin’s intellectual capacity as an academic but also contributes significantly to Indonesian literary studies, particularly in understanding literature as a mirror of a society’s socio-political dynamics.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 15/4/2025 – The National Seminar titled “Modern Linguistics and Its Relevance to Islamic Studies and Humanities” was successfully held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Rabithah Hall of Pondok Modern Tazakka in Batang. The event featured Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., a Professor at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), as the main speaker. He discussed the interpretation of QS. Al-Fath: 29 through a linguistic and humanities lens. The seminar was inaugurated by KH Anang Rikza Masyhadi, the keynote speaker, who emphasized the importance of integrating modern science with religious values to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of quality education and cultural preservation.

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Sangidu utilized a semiotic theoretical framework to examine QS. Al-Fath: 29, employing two reading methods: heuristic and hermeneutic. The heuristic method, drawing from Al-Maroghi’s interpretation, is used to understand the literal meaning of each word. In contrast, the hermeneutic method, or retroactive approach, references interpretations from Ibn Kathir, Sayyid Quthb’s *Fi Zhilalil Quran*, and other sources to uncover the deeper meaning of the verse. This approach illustrates how modern linguistics can serve as a relevant analytical tool for understanding religious texts in a contextual and multidimensional manner.

The seminar provided a scientific forum focused on integrating modern linguistics into Islamic studies and the humanities, with the aim of enhancing the quality of education. By adopting an innovative approach to understanding religious texts, the seminar sought to enrich the curriculum for Islamic religious education and improve teaching quality. Participants—including academics, teachers, and students—welcomed the ideas presented during the event. In addition to facilitating scientific discussions, the seminar also strengthened the partnership between the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program at FIB UGM and Pondok Modern Tazakka. Through collaboration, the seminar is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of education grounded in religious values, while also supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia.

[Public Relation of Middle East Studies, Nafila Azzahra]

Studying abroad is a dream for many students including one from English Studies Program UGM, Benedicta Angie. Since childhood, she had been curious about how people live their lives abroad. As a result, she had been actively searching for an opportunity to study abroad. Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), a program that is funded by the government that gives both vocational and undergraduate students a chance to study abroad in great universities across the world for one semester, was the perfect opportunity for Angie to make her dream come true. After a long selection process, Angie was successfully enrolled in IISMA fully funded program at Korea University, Republic of Korea (South Korea). 

During her stay in Korea University, Angie was enrolled in four courses: Media and Popular Culture in Korea, Criminology, Beginner’s Korean II, and Introduction to Applied Linguistics. One of the most interesting things she spotted while studying in Korea was the Korean students’ competitiveness. Angie realised this difference when she compared her learning experience in Criminology class, which is dominated by Korean students, with other classes that are mostly taken by international students. 

“In class, the local students were not very active in asking and answering questions, they are rather very quiet. But after going through the midterm exam, you can feel how serious they had been studying,” she stated, “Our professor curved our final grades, and must I be honest with you, it was very hard to keep up with them. The contrast is very visible to me, because in other courses, where most students are international students, the class dynamics and competitiveness are not different from the one that I have here in UGM.”

Overall, Angie enjoyed her academic journey in Korea. The classes were fun albeit challenging, and the professors were very helpful. She was a little bit disappointed because she was unable to join any clubs due to her short visiting period. However, she was still able to socialise and made friends through project groups and the buddy association gatherings. 

Besides in-class activity, Angie did many activities to immerse herself in South Korean culture. She visited many palaces, museums, art galleries, and festivals. Most of those places were free of charge, especially on Chuseok (Korean thanksgiving). The people were also very welcoming. Despite the language barrier, they tried their best to understand the foreign students.

From the exchange, aside from academics and multicultural insights, Angie learned to be patient to herself. This is a valuable insight that she would not have gained if she had not studied abroad in Korea. She stated, “Being in my comfort zone in Indonesia has made me forget that everyday is my first day of living. Sometimes I forget that as a human, I will make mistakes, there will be discomfort, and that life is not perfect. I learned so much that if I want to move forward, I must be patient with myself and enjoy the process.” 

After finishing the exchange program, Angie planned to finish her studies in time and enroll herself for a master’s degree abroad. In the meantime, she was eager to help friends who hope to go abroad by giving them advice that can help them with the preparation process. Aside from that, she also planned to use the knowledge she gained from the exchange program, especially Korean language, to fulfil her dream as a translator.

[Bachelor of English Literature, Sekar Ajiningsih]