As Pionir Kampung Budaya 2026 entered its second day, new students, or Mahadaya, had the opportunity to become more familiar with the study program that would become their academic home through the study program introduction session. The session was held on Thursday, 6 August 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. WIB, in collaboration with the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), and the Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program (HMJ Kamastawa).

The session was led directly by the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Dr. Sulistyowati, S.S., M.Hum. During the session, Mahadaya were introduced to various aspects of academic life within the study program, including the study program and faculty members, areas of specialization, facilities, and academic services. The three areas of specialization introduced were linguistics, philology, and literature. Students also received information about academic services, including study program administration and the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program’s social media platforms.

The introduction also covered information about students and their academic journeys within the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Mahadaya were introduced to several outstanding students, students participating in the fast-track program, and alumni who have made contributions in various fields. An overview of the 2026 curriculum, as the study program’s new curriculum, was also presented to provide students with an initial understanding of the learning process they would undertake during their studies.

The session took place in a serious yet relaxed atmosphere and was delivered interactively through dialogue between lecturers and students. Interaction was also encouraged through a quiz for Mahadaya based on the material presented earlier. Mahadaya who answered the questions correctly received small gifts as keepsakes.

Presentation of a gift to a Mahadaya who successfully answered the quiz.

A video introducing Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., one of the lecturers currently pursuing her studies abroad.

One of the highlights of the session was the screening of introduction videos featuring several lecturers from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program who are currently pursuing their studies abroad, as well as videos featuring students and alumni. The videos provided an overview of academic experiences, student life, and the contributions of alumni as part of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program community.

The session concluded with a group photo, marking the first meeting between the 2026 Mahadaya and the academic community of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Through this activity, the new students not only gained information about the study program but also received an initial overview of the learning environment, areas of study, and various opportunities for personal and academic development available throughout their studies.

The study program introduction session also contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the introduction of the academic environment and learning process to new students, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between the study program and student organization.

Welcome to the 2026 cohort of Mahadaya at the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Let us learn, preserve, and develop Javanese culture together as part of the nation’s cultural heritage and identity, while contributing to society.

Writer : Haryo Untoro

Editor : Haryo Untoro

Questions such as “Nek kuliah neng Sastra Jawa ’ki arep dadi dukun ’pa?” (If you study Javanese Literature, do you want to become a traditional healer?) may still be encountered as a common perception of the field of Javanese language, literature, and culture. In reality, opportunities for students to develop themselves in these fields can take many forms, including performing arts, event hosting, and cultural activities.

This was among the things reflected in the implementation of Pionir Kampung Budaya 2026. A number of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program were involved in the series of activities in various roles. Their involvement extended beyond academic activities, encompassing participation in student activity units as well as experience in the arts and event hosting.

One of the groups involved was Gamelan Sastra Nusantara (Gamasutra), a student activity unit under the Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program (HMJ Kamastawa). Gamasutra performed gamelan music during the morning activities while welcoming the new students, or Mahadaya, of the 2026 cohort. The group also accompanied the opening series of events through the inauguration of Pionir Kampung Budaya 2026.

In addition to Gamasutra, Ratnaraya, a student organization dedicated to traditional dance, also took part in the event. Students from Ratnaraya performed Tari Golek Ayun-Ayun Jugag, a traditional dance from Yogyakarta that portrays a young woman entering adulthood and searching for her identity. The involvement of both student organizations highlights the activities of students in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in the fields of art and culture.

Student involvement was also evident in event hosting. Two students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ and Ananda Choirul Nur Alalia, served as master of ceremonies (MCs) during Pionir Kampung Budaya 2026. Ghibran is a member of the 2024 cohort, while Ananda is from the 2025 cohort. Both have previous experience as event hosts on various occasions.

The event also involved alumni of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Nurma Aisyah, S.S., an alumna of the study program who currently works as an event host and journalist at Tribunnews, participated as one of the speakers. Her involvement represents another example of how graduates of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program have pursued professional careers related to communication and media.

These various roles demonstrate that students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program can contribute to campus activities through a wide range of fields. Knowledge of language, literature, and culture can go hand in hand with the development of other skills, such as performing arts, public communication, leadership, and event hosting.

Participation in activities such as Pionir Kampung Budaya 2026 can also provide students with opportunities to gain experience beyond the classroom. Such experiences can become part of their learning process while helping them develop skills needed in both academic life and the professional world.

In this regard, Mahadaya are encouraged to continue learning and developing themselves through both academic studies and various activities on and off campus. These experiences can serve as valuable foundations for developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities in accordance with their areas of interest.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Editor : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, 11 September 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, successfully hosted the 2026 International Conference on Linguistic Studies on 10–11 September 2026. Held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium and six parallel-session rooms, the conference brought together scholars, researchers, students, and language practitioners under the theme “Form, Meaning, and Function of Language in the Era of Digital Transformation.”

The conference served as an international forum for exchanging ideas, fostering interdisciplinary perspectives, and advancing linguistic scholarship amid the rapid development of digital technologies.

The opening ceremony was officially inaugurated by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada on Thursday, 10 September 2026. The first plenary session featured distinguished speakers Jerome Samuel, Xu Yun Yu, and Prof. Dr. Suhandano, followed by two rounds of parallel sessions covering a wide range of topics in contemporary linguistic research.

On the second day, Friday, 11 September 2026, participants attended additional parallel sessions before joining the closing plenary session, which featured Zara Maxwell-Smith, Nguyen Tanh Tuan, and Prof. Dr. Faruk. Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in lively discussions on theoretical and applied linguistics, language technology, sociolinguistics, discourse studies, and other emerging issues related to language in the digital era.

One of the conference’s most memorable moments was the valedictory address delivered by Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A., marking his retirement from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Following a commemorative video presentation, Professor Wijana reflected on his academic journey and contributions to linguistic scholarship, making the session a meaningful highlight of the conference before the official closing ceremony.

The organizing committee extends its sincere appreciation to all keynote speakers, presenters, moderators, participants, and supporting institutions for their valuable contributions to the success of the conference. The active participation of scholars from diverse institutions and countries demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing linguistic research through international collaboration.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences also expresses its deepest gratitude and congratulations to Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A. on his retirement, honoring his remarkable dedication and invaluable contributions to the development of linguistics, higher education, and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

May the spirit of scholarship, collaboration, and academic service fostered through this conference continue to inspire future research, innovation, and international partnerships in the field of linguistics.

Author: Magister Linguistik

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held an Open Doctoral Defense for linguistics candidate Intan Pradita on Wednesday (September 23, 2026). The event took place at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, FIB UGM, from 09.00 to 11.00 WIB, attended by academics and invited guests.

During the defense, Intan Pradita presented her doctoral dissertation entitled “Acceptability of Lexical Collocations in English Research Articles by Indonesian and Anglo-American Academics: A Corpus-Based Comparative Study.”

The research highlights the growing importance of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in international academic publishing. The use of lexical collocations—combinations of words that naturally co-occur—serves as a crucial aspect of academic writing. This study specifically focuses on the acceptability of collocations written by non-Anglophone academics, acknowledging that while certain word combinations may meet grammatical criteria, they are not necessarily perceived as natural or conventional within global academic discourse.

The study employed a comparative corpus-based approach, analyzing more than 250,000 word tokens from research articles in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT). Data were collected from two primary sources:

PRAYA Corpus: Comprising 32 research articles written by Indonesian academics.
PRANA Corpus: Comprising 31 research articles written by Anglo-American academics.

The analytical focus was directed toward four dominant collocation patterns in academic writing: Adverb + Verb, Adverb + Adjective, Verb + Noun, and Adjective + Noun.

Through her findings, Intan elaborated on the patterns, functions, and meanings of lexical collocations utilized by both groups of academics. The research affirms that collocation variations used by Indonesian academics maintain functional acceptability within international academic discourse. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of linguistic studies, scientific article writing, and the understanding of diversity in academic English.

The open defense proceeded smoothly under the supervision of Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. as promoter and Dr. Tofan Dwi Hardjanto, M.A. as co-promoter, reflecting FIB UGM’s ongoing commitment to supporting high-quality academic achievements and research at the doctoral level.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the City Government of Subulussalam, held a National Seminar titled “Hamzah Fansuri and the Tradition of Archipelago Poetics.” The event, held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Auditorium on the 3rd Floor of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM, featured prominent academics and literary experts, including Prof. Dr. Faruk, S.U., Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., and Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum.

In her opening address, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., representing FIB UGM, emphasized the importance of studying Malay literature within a modern context. According to her, Malay literature is not merely a record of the past, but an essential medium for preserving cultural memory.

“The study of Malay literature opens up a space for inheritance while addressing contemporary challenges. Through this study, we maintain continuity and cultural memory. We hope this seminar becomes a productive dialogue that opens new perspectives between literature and culture in building a cultured, ethical, and good nation,” she stated.

The panel discussion highlighted the vital role of Sheikh Hamzah Fansuri, who is regarded as the pioneer of Indonesian poetry. On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Faruk examined Hamzah Fansuri as an innovator of Malay verse (syair), while Prof. Dr. Sangidu elaborated on the Sufi aspects of Hamzah Fansuri’s literary works. Prof. Sangidu expressed deep appreciation for monumental works such as Syaraabul Asyiqin, which have been preserved to this day. He also noted that historical sites related to Hamzah Fansuri remain intact and continue to be alive within the community.

In addition to classical literary studies, the dimension of social theory and literary development was addressed by Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam through his presentation on the traces of Hamzah Fansuri in modern Indonesian poetry. In his session, he also explained the dynamics of social theories, such as Marxism, which was banned during the New Order era but subsequently opened new avenues for social analysis and critical thinking in the post-reform era.

Through this seminar, participants were invited to re-examine the roots of archipelago literature while drawing upon local cultural and ethical values to address the future challenges of national character building.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]