Yogyakarta, 5 December 2025 – Ten graduate students of the Master of Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences held a Philology Clinic Exhibition themed “Tracing Cosmology in Ancient Manuscripts.” This exhibition is part of an academic activity guided by lecturers of the Philology Program: Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, S.S., M.Hum.

Cosmology, as a way for humans to understand the origins, structure, and order of the universe, has long served as a fundamental aspect of cultural development. Long before the emergence of modern science, the peoples of the Nusantara had developed their own cosmological perspectives and recorded them in various Arabic, Javanese, and Malay manuscripts. This knowledge was passed down across generations as an integral part of the region’s intellectual tradition.

Through the Philology Clinic activities, the students aim to create a space for disseminating and reintroducing cosmological insights found in ancient manuscripts. These manuscripts not only contain stories or moral teachings, but also reflect the worldview, knowledge structures, and belief systems of communities in the past.

In today’s modern world—where rational knowledge is often separated from spiritual experience—this exhibition invites the public to revisit how past societies understood the universe holistically, combining empirical, symbolic, and practical experiences in everyday life. As such, the exhibition serves as a bridge between the past and the present, opening new avenues for appreciating the intellectual heritage of the Nusantara.

This exhibition aligns with the commitment to sustainable education as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education. Through manuscript preservation, the strengthening of cultural literacy, and the advancement of humanities research, this activity supports the creation of inclusive, high-quality education and promotes lifelong learning. Additionally, this initiative reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard cultural heritage, in line with SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes cultural preservation as a key component of sustainable community development.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 3 December 2025 — A total of 68 first-year students from the Arabic Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) attend an outing class at Wisdom Park UGM on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. The activity, titled Lu’bah Arabiyyah, served as a collaborative program for Arabic Writing, Arabic Speaking, and Tasrif courses to help students review lesson material through interactive games while refreshing their minds ahead of final exams. The event was accompanied by lecturers from the Arabic Study Program and supported by student tutors from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts.

During Lu’bah Arabiyyah, students are invited to do a series of game stations set up across Wisdom Park. Each game required them to actively use and recall their Arabic skills in preparation for the final exams. Among the activities were Sentence Relay, Puzzle Tasrif, and Arabic crossword puzzles. After completing all stations, the outing concluded with a communal meal and a shared rujak session with lecturers.

The 2025 cohort participated enthusiastically from start to finish. Many students expressed that Lu’bah Arabiyyah boosted their confidence and motivation ahead of the Final Examinations, as the activities helped them recall and reinforce material learned throughout the semester. Beyond academic preparation, the event also strengthened collaborations and intimacy among students, tutors, and lecturers, which is an important foundation for smoother communication and collaboration in future learning processes.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, December, 9, 2025 – Paksi Raras Alit, widely known as Mas Paksi, has been awarded the 2025 UGM Outstanding Alumni Award for his significant contributions to cultural literacy development and the preservation of traditional arts. An alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, Mas Paksi is recognized as the founder of the JAWACANA Community, a cultural education platform that continues to expand access to cultural learning for the wider public.

Since its establishment, JAWACANA has consistently offered various programs such as cultural magazines, Javanese language classes, and inclusive, accessible art performances. These initiatives directly contribute to improving cultural education quality in society, aligning with UGM’s commitment to supporting sustainable development.

Mas Paksi’s contributions also reflect strong support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through expanding access to cultural education (SDG 4: Quality Education), strengthening local identity and community sustainability through the preservation of regional arts and languages (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities), and fostering collaboration among communities, academics, and cultural practitioners across various JAWACANA programs (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

This award further reinforces Mas Paksi’s role as a representative of FIB UGM alumni who brings tangible positive impact to society. Through JAWACANA, he demonstrates that cultural preservation can become an educational, sustainable movement that contributes significantly to strengthening local culture amid ongoing societal changes.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 4 December 2025 — The autonomous arts body BSO Sasoebah once again showcased its creative excellence in the performing arts by delivering a captivating performance at the opening of the Global Future Innovation Technology Summit (GIFTS) 2025, held at the GIK UGM Building. On this special occasion, BSO Sasoebah presented its newest dance work titled “Lelana Jagatriya,” a performance that blends traditional aesthetics with the concept of a symbolic journey across worlds, rich with humanitarian meaning.

GIFTS 2025 is an international-scale event that opens interdisciplinary spaces for discussion, ranging from technology and innovation to creativity and global collaboration. Notably, the event was also open to the public, providing opportunities for students and the wider community to enjoy the performance and the intellectual atmosphere it offered.

BSO Sasoebah’s performance successfully drew the attention of attendees, including more than 20 distinguished guests who are strategic partners of GIK UGM from various sectors. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between arts, innovation, and technology in fostering creative dialogue within academic environments. In addition to invited guests, the event’s openness to the public allowed the broader community to experience the dynamic and collaborative spirit of GIFTS 2025.

The event also reflects efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through its contribution to strengthening quality education and cultural preservation. In the context of the SDGs, this event demonstrates a commitment to creating inclusive learning spaces and promoting the preservation of cultural identity through performing arts. Moreover, GIFTS 2025 highlights global collaboration and innovation as part of building sustainable partnerships between educational institutions, creative communities, and professional sectors.

Through the performance of Lelana Jagatriya, BSO Sasoebah not only enlivened the opening of GIFTS 2025 but also reaffirmed the essential role of the arts in supporting sustainability, strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue, and inspiring the younger generation to continue creating.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

The Anthropology Laboratory for Research and Action (LAURA) represents Universitas Gadjah Mada in the Participation of Women in Renewable Energy (POWERE) project. This initiative is funded by the UKRI Ayrton Challenge and involves several universities, including the University of Sussex, Universitas Indonesia, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. POWERE addresses issues of unequal access and the impacts of climate change in island and coastal communities. It introduces innovation through the use of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) as an alternative renewable energy source, while also emphasizing gender perspectives and economic conditions in off-grid coastal communities. The project is not only focused on developing physical infrastructure but also building social infrastructure by strengthening gender inclusivity in the seaweed-based economy across coastal and island areas in South Sulawesi. Led by Prof. Raminder Kaur (US), Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi (UGM), Dr. Mia Siscawati (UI), Dr. Bradley Parrish (US), and Prof. Peter Newell (US), POWERE stands as a comprehensive multidisciplinary collaboration centered on renewable energy.

Since mid-year, the POWERE team has conducted preliminary studies in several locations, including Rannu, Katingting, and Biawasa, and presented the findings at the World Conference on Governance and Social Sciences at Hasanuddin University on 11–12 November 2025. The initial studies explored topics such as community-based infrastructure design, sensory ethnography, feminist perspectives on gender, climate change, and women’s resilience, renewable energy and social infrastructure, as well as climate adaptation challenges faced by seaweed-farming women. The broad range of issues emerging from solar energy development and its social implications continues to pose challenges for the project moving forward.

In addition to the Project Leads, the initiative involves postdoctoral researchers such as Dr. Diah Irawaty, Dr. Runavia Mulyasari, Dr. Chu Chun Yu, Dr. Agung Iswadi, and Monika Swastyastu, M.A., who contribute to ongoing research throughout the project. POWERE receives support from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including CARE Indonesia, Aquatera, Development Finance International, Auroville Consulting, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, serving as financial partners and policy collaborators. Entering the first stage of the three-year program, the POWERE team has published newsletters in both Indonesian and English, accessible through the University of Sussex website and the Department of Anthropology. For the latest updates, readers may follow the official Instagram account @powere.women, which regularly shares photos and videos documenting project activities.

Writer: Okky Chandra Baskoro