Graduating in 3.5 years is no longer impossible for students. This is proven by three students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at UGM, namely Yasmin Nabiha Sahda, Pesdhi Sekar Hayumay, and Hanundita Salma. The three students officially graduated on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after completing their education in only seven semesters.

During an interview on Friday, February 27, 2026, the three shared tips on how students can complete their thesis and graduate quickly. Yasmin Nabiha Sahda (Yasmin) advised students to finalize their research topic by the sixth semester. According to her, this strategy is very effective so that students can immediately focus on studying the literature and developing a research framework without wasting time during the thesis writing process.

In addition to early preparation, interest and time management also greatly influence the thesis writing process. Pesdhi Sekar Hayumay (Pesdhi) emphasized that choosing a research topic that suits one’s abilities and personal interests will make the research process run more smoothly. She also added that setting clear work targets and mastering relevant theories can help students stay focused during the research process.

Meanwhile, Hanundita Salma (Hanun) said that a thesis that seems difficult should be broken down into several small stages so that the work feels more focused. Hanundita also highlighted the importance of a supportive group of friends and active communication with lecturers as discussion partners to speed up the process of completing the final assignment.

In addition, these three graduates also shared messages for their fellow students who are still struggling. Yasmin encouraged them to truly use their time in college to enrich themselves with a deep understanding of Javanese literature. Meanwhile, Pesdhi and Hanun agreed that the key to completing a final project is not speed alone, but perseverance in tackling the thesis without losing the joy of the process.

Their experiences demonstrate that a thesis can be completed gradually with proper planning. Through these tips and experiences, it is hoped that they can serve as a reference and inspire students who are planning and completing their thesis projects. 

Author : Haryo Untoro

Editor : Haryo Untoro & Nanda Nursa Alya

Thumbnail Maker : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, 27 February 2026 – In welcoming the 80th Dies Natalis of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM held a cemetery pilgrimage at the UGM Family Cemetery located in Sawitsari on Thursday (27/2) at 07:30 AM. This activity is part of the faculty’s regular agenda carried out annually as a form of respect and remembrance for the predecessors who contributed significantly to the development of the faculty and the university.

The event began with a joint prayer led by Dr. Ahmad Athoillah, S.Pd., M.A., a lecturer from the Department of History at FIB UGM. In a solemn atmosphere, participants prayed for the departed figures and members of the academic community while remembering their contributions to the development of academic traditions within FIB UGM.

The program continued with remarks delivered by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources of FIB UGM, Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A. In his speech, he stated that the pilgrimage serves as a moment of reflection for the entire academic community to appreciate the struggles and dedication of the faculty’s predecessors, while also strengthening the commitment to continue the academic values and spirit of service they have passed down.
Following the remarks, the event proceeded with a symbolic procession around the cemetery and the scattering of flower petals on the graves of figures who had made significant contributions to the development of FIB UGM. This procession symbolized respect and gratitude for the dedication of the predecessors who played an important role in shaping the faculty’s growth.

This pilgrimage is not only part of the series of events commemorating the 80th Dies Natalis of FIB UGM, but also reflects the values of honoring history, maintaining academic traditions, and appreciating the legacy of past scholars. These values align with the efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, through the strengthening of educational and reflective academic values, as well as Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage for sustainable societies.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) awarded two outstanding alumni during the peak of its 80th anniversary celebration in the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium. The awards were presented to Setya Amrih Prasaja, S.S., M.Pd., and Dra. Rini Suryati as a token of appreciation for their dedication to the advancement of science and education, as well as their tangible contributions to the broader community.

The first outstanding alumni award was given to Prasaja, a graduate of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Prasaja is widely recognized as the driving force behind the digitization of the Javanese script. His efforts to integrate this traditional script into the international standard (Unicode) have now produced results, allowing the Javanese script to be widely used across various digital devices, such as mobile phones and computers.

In addition to his role as the founder of the Segajabung community, Prasaja currently serves as the Head of the Language and Literature Section at the Department of Culture of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. His contributions are considered crucial in maintaining the relevance of local culture during an era of massive digital transformation.

The second award went to Suryati, who is also an alumna of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Suryati is a senior journalist for the Jakarta bureau of the Kedaulatan Rakyat daily newspaper, having built her career since 1992. Her reporting focuses on strategic issues in politics, social affairs, and education.

Throughout her career, Suryati has recorded various journalistic achievements, including an assignment at the 2023 Hajj Media Center and conducting an exclusive interview with President Joko Widodo. Beyond journalism, she is also an active author whose books received national recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2025.

The initiative by the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences to appreciate its alumni demonstrates the educational institution’s commitment to continuously supporting the development of high-quality human resources. Efforts to preserve language through technology and strengthen literacy through journalistic work represent a long-term investment. This serves as a vital foundation for preserving cultural heritage and continually educating the nation for a more inclusive future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – The Head of the Department of Languages and Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), Professor Suhandano, highlighted the developments and challenges of language studies in the digital era. This scientific speech was delivered during the Open Senate Meeting commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences. In his address, he emphasized that linguistic studies possess a vast scope and significant potential to contribute to understanding various societal issues.

Professor Suhandano explained that contemporary language studies do not only focus on the internal structure of language but also on its relationship with various aspects of life. In micro-linguistics, research covers fields such as phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Meanwhile, macro-linguistics examines language in connection with other disciplines, such as discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, anthropological linguistics, computational linguistics, and forensic linguistics.

According to Professor Suhandano, language as an object of study is dynamic and constantly evolves alongside societal changes. Consequently, perspectives in language study continue to expand as new issues emerge within social life.

He also touched upon the evolution of linguistic thought dating back to Ancient Greece. The philosopher Plato, for instance, questioned the relationship between words and the objects they name. From these thoughts, two distinct views emerged: one that perceives the relationship between words and objects as logical, and another that views it as arbitrary—formed through the consensus of the speech community.

Meanwhile, Aristotle viewed language as a tool for thought. He identified three main components in a proposition: onoma, rema, and logos, which in modern linguistic studies are equivalent to nouns, verbs, and sentences.

Professor Suhandano emphasized that language functions not only as a system of signs but also as a means to understand the world. “Language reflects how its speakers perceive the world and how they think about their surroundings,” he stated during the scientific speech.

This perspective opens opportunities for linguistic studies to contribute to various research themes relevant to societal needs. He cited that food security—a theme that might initially seem far removed from language studies—can actually be analyzed through a linguistic lens to understand how society perceives and discusses food.

To develop such studies, Professor Suhandano believes that cross-disciplinary collaboration is a vital step. “Linguistics needs to work hand-in-hand with other sciences to address these themes,” he noted.

On that occasion, he also highlighted the position of FIB UGM, which has long been recognized as a primary reference for the development of language studies in Indonesia. Numerous academic works produced by the faculty have become benchmarks in linguistic research, including M. Ramlan’s work on Indonesian morphology and syntax.

Interest in language studies at the faculty continues to grow. Students from various regions in Indonesia, and even from abroad, come to study linguistics with a diverse range of research topics.

As the faculty enters its 80th year, the construction of new buildings at FIB UGM is expected to support increasingly developing academic activities. With more adequate facilities, it is hoped that education, research, and community service activities can be carried out more optimally.

Amidst the rapid changes of the digital era, Professor Suhandano believes that language studies still hold great potential for growth. Through research and cross-disciplinary collaboration, linguistic studies are expected to provide meaningful contributions to understanding societal dynamics and encourage the development of knowledge that benefits collective life.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 6, 2026 – In commemoration of the 80th Dies Natalis of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM) presented awards to a number of outstanding students from various study programs. This recognition serves as the faculty’s appreciation for students’ dedication, academic achievements, and contributions to the advancement of humanities scholarship.

The Outstanding Student Awards were part of the series of events celebrating the 80th Dies Natalis of FIB UGM, which carries the spirit of reflecting on the faculty’s long journey in building civilization through knowledge and culture. Through this recognition, FIB UGM hopes to encourage students to continuously develop their academic potential, creativity, and leadership across various fields.

The recipients of the FIB UGM Outstanding Student Awards came from several study programs, namely:

1. Muhammad Lodhi Firmansyah – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
2. Stefanie Adelia Tiurma Mukti – Archaeology Study Program
3. Haris Arfakhsyadz Azka Maula – Arabic Literature Study Program
4. Bening Christalica Damai Nugraha – Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program
5. Sabrina Cherryl Az-zahra – English Literature Study Program
6. Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ – Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program
7. Betari Ardya Febbyaliza – Japanese Language and Culture Study Program
8. Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum – Korean Language and Culture Study Program
9. Ferdian Dwi Saputra – Tourism Study Program
10. Nova Indah Navez – French Language and Literature Study Program
11. Muhammad Jaris Almazani – History Study Program

This award not only recognizes students’ achievements but also serves as motivation for all FIB UGM students to continue contributing to the development of knowledge, research, and community service. The initiative aligns with efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of quality education and the development of the younger generation’s potential.

Through the Outstanding Student Awards at the 80th Dies Natalis celebration, FIB UGM hopes to continue producing a new generation of academics and young intellectuals who can actively contribute to societal development and the advancement of humanities scholarship at both the national and global levels.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]