Yogyakarta, May 22, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an evaluation meeting for its student exchange programs. These programs are the result of collaboration between FIB UGM and its national and international partner universities. The meeting, which took place in the Multimedia Room, was conducted in view of the upcoming conclusion of teaching and learning activities for the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.

The evaluation was attended by the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni. The forum also invited national and international exchange students, including master’s and doctoral students specifically for the international cohort.

The participants of the exchange program for this academic year came from various domestic and international partner universities. International students were registered from Kokushikan University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, National Chengchi University, University of Naples L’Orientale, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Palacky University Olomouc, Kobe University, and Daito Bunka University. From the international postgraduate level, students attended from the Doctorate in Humanities, Doctorate in Anthropology, Master in Anthropology, Master in Linguistics, Master in Archaeology, and Master in Literature programs. Meanwhile, national students came from Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Udayana, and Universitas Andalas.

In his remarks, Professor Setiadi expressed his appreciation for the students’ enthusiasm throughout their studies. He emphasized the academic excellence and supportive social environment within the faculty that facilitate the students’ learning process.

“FIB is the right choice for all of you, especially international students. In addition to having various departments where courses can be taken even if they do not strictly align with your major, FIB also offers a wide range of student activities that you can participate in to get to know each other’s backgrounds and cultures,” Professor Setiadi said.

During the main session of the meeting, several students shared their evaluations, impressions, and feedback. Student representatives from various partner universities shared their valuable experiences, input for program improvement, and the positive impressions they gained while participating in the exchange and studying at FIB UGM.

This evaluation meeting is a crucial step in maintaining and enhancing the quality of student exchange programs in the future. By strengthening academic partnerships across nations and regions, FIB UGM continues to strive toward creating an adaptive learning space and supporting equal access to quality education that respects global cultural diversity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

The Tourism Study Program Class of 2023 conducted a field observation program titled Parkouris Goes to Bali from May 10–14, 2026, at several leading tourist destinations in Bali. This activity became part of practice-based learning aimed at broadening students’ understanding of destination management, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism development.

The observation program, chaired by Jonathan Kefas, began with a visit to the Eka Karya Bali Botanical Garden. During this visit, students learned about the management of conservation areas and environmentally based educational tourism. The observation aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 on Life on Land through efforts to preserve terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as SDG 4 on Quality Education through direct field-based learning.

The students also conducted observations at Penglipuran Tourism Village to study the development of culture-based tourism villages rooted in local wisdom. In addition to observing destination management, participants gained insights into the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness, preserving cultural heritage, and encouraging community involvement in the tourism sector. This activity supported SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth through the development of community-based sustainable tourism economies.

The observation activities continued with a visit to the Bajra Sandhi Monument accompanied by the site management team. During the visit, students learned about the management of historical and cultural tourism as a medium for public education and as an effort to preserve regional historical values.

Furthermore, participants conducted observations at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park to understand the management of an international-scale cultural tourism destination. Students gained experience related to tourism attraction management, visitor services, and destination promotion strategies that contribute to the growth of the creative economy and tourism sector.

The observation program concluded with a visit to Jimbaran Beach. At this location, students observed the potential of coastal tourism as well as the economic activities of local communities that have developed through the marine tourism sector.

Through the Parkouris Goes to Bali program, students of the Tourism Study Program Class of 2023 are expected to gain a deeper understanding of adaptive, sustainable, and culture-based tourism management practices as preparation for contributing to the development of the tourism sector in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, May 22, 2026 – The Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival (GWF) 2026 once again presented a series of cultural events as part of the 80th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. On the second day, an “Expert Lecture” themed “Wayang as Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage” was held at the Pusaka Jawa Courtyard of UGM on May 22, 2026.

This activity was part of a community engagement program under the theme of Equity, supported by LPDP. In his opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival Committee, Rudy Wiratama, expressed his gratitude to all invited guests and participants who had supported the event.

Rudy Wiratama also expressed his hope that the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival would continue to be held annually as a cultural program. According to him, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM aims to continuously introduce wayang and selected dalang (puppeteers) to the public as part of preserving Javanese culture.

The expert lecture featured various discussions related to the world of wayang. Ir. Wono Sri Suwito, M.M. discussed cultural heritage within the wayang tradition. Meanwhile, Mas Tyo Cahya Sadewa presented the art of tatah sungging (traditional carving and coloring techniques) of wayang kulit within the treasury of Javanese puppetry. Zakariya Pamuji also provided perspectives from philology and epigraphy to examine wayang as a cultural heritage rich in historical values and knowledge.

The event was moderated by Dr. R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A. During the discussion session, he stated that wayang essentially belongs to everyone.

“When we talk about wayang, wayang belongs to all of us,” he remarked.

Through this activity, the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival 2026 served not only as a space for appreciating performing arts but also as a medium for cultural learning for younger generations and the wider community, encouraging them to appreciate and preserve the cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago.

This activity was also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education through the dissemination of cultural knowledge, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, as the event involved collaboration among academics, artists, LPDP, and the community in maintaining the sustainability of Indonesian culture.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, collaborated with the Yogyakarta City Cultural Office in the regular program “Setu Sinau” or “Saturday Learning,” held at the Malioboro pedestrian area on Saturday, May 16, 2026. This activity became one of the efforts to preserve Javanese culture through educational and interactive approaches for the wider community.

“Setu Sinau” is a regular program organized by the Yogyakarta City Cultural Office aimed at introducing Javanese culture to the public. Various cultural activities were presented, including learning Javanese script, traditional dance, drawing, ngadi busana or traditional Javanese attire, traditional children’s games, and playing gamelan. The participation of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program of FIB UGM in this program represented a tangible contribution of higher education institutions in supporting cultural preservation and strengthening local literacy in public spaces.

On this occasion, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program conducted the “Sinau Aksara Jawa” session. Around 15 participants joined the activity after registering through the link that had previously been distributed. In addition, several visitors in Malioboro enthusiastically joined the session on the spot because they were interested in learning how to write Javanese script.

The session began with an introduction to the Javanese script from ꦲ to ꦜ, followed by an explanation of sandhangan as sound markers, such as ꦶ for the vowel sound “i,” ꦸ for “u,” ꦺ for “e,” and ꦺꦴ for “o.” Since the session focused on basic introduction, the material on pasangan (conjunct forms) was not yet discussed.

The atmosphere during Sinau Aksara was lively and engaging. Participants not only learned the theory but were also invited to play while learning through Javanese script card games. The instructors mentioned certain words, and participants were asked to arrange the script cards according to the spoken words. In addition, participants practiced writing words and simple sentences directly using Javanese script. This interactive method helped participants understand the material more easily while enjoying the learning process in a fun way.

One of the participants, Mrs. Sahnaz, who attended with her sons, stated that this activity served as a positive alternative to reduce children’s dependence on gadgets. According to her, the program provided an experience of “playing while learning” Javanese culture directly. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lestari, who came all the way from Muntilan, expressed her interest in learning teaching methods for introducing Javanese script to beginner children. She found the card method used in the session very effective and enjoyable. Several participants from outside Java also mentioned that the activity was a fascinating new experience because they could directly try writing Javanese script.

The event concluded with the distribution of books from the Yogyakarta City Cultural Office and small souvenirs from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program of FIB UGM to all participants. This collaboration reflected a shared commitment to preserving local cultural sustainability while also supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education through inclusive and enjoyable cultural education, and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage in Yogyakarta’s public spaces.

Through activities such as Setu Sinau, Javanese culture is not only introduced as a cultural heritage of the past but is also revitalized as a meaningful part of contemporary community life.

Literacy Greetings, Script Greetings.

Aksara Team
Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada
(Arsanti, Zakaria, Ghibran, Dian, Bayu, Maysa)

Editor: Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani