Jakarta, May 29, 2026 – Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again achieved remarkable accomplishments at The 24th K-Speech Contest organized by the K-Speech Eloquence Association Indonesia at Korea 360 Hall, Lotte Shopping Avenue, Jakarta.

The competition was attended by students from various universities across Indonesia who demonstrated their Korean language proficiency through speech contests in several categories. Through this event, participants not only sharpened their foreign language skills, but also developed self-confidence, public communication abilities, and teamwork within an international competitive environment.

In this year’s competition, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM sent a total of 33 students consisting of 5 individual category participants, 1 big group team, and 7 small group teams. The big group team successfully won 1st Place in its category. In addition, Group Team 2 consisting of Justin Liepangi, Jemima Abigail Tirza Sitindaon, and Mila Najatul Maula secured 2nd Place. Another achievement was earned by Group Team 6, consisting of Farida Tiara Limbong, Cintya Nurhaliza, and Lintang Rangkep Cahyani, who received a Special Prize from 한국관광공사 (Korea Tourism Organization/KTO). 

The participants from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM also shared their impressions after participating in the competition. Justin stated, “I am very happy because this experience became a valuable opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone. First of all, thank you so much to Tirza and Maul for taking the time to practice amidst all of our other activities. Hopefully, this experience can become a stepping stone for us to grow into better individuals in the future.” Tirza also expressed, “It was an unforgettable experience because this was my first speech contest, and I am grateful that we were able to win.” Meanwhile, Mila shared, “Participating in this speech contest was one of the best decisions I made this year because it gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. It was a truly unforgettable first experience, and I am grateful that we were able to bring home an award. Thank you so much to Tirza and Justin for dedicating so much time and effort despite your busy schedules. Hopefully, this achievement will become a stepping stone for all of us to continue growing into better individuals in the future.” 

Similar impressions were also shared by Farida, Cintya, and Lintang, who received the special award from KTO. They expressed that the competition provided a memorable new experience while teaching them the importance of courage, trust in the process, and teamwork. They also conveyed their gratitude to KTO for the trust and valuable recognition given to them. 

Not only active students, but another proud achievement was also earned by Pramesti Rifna Saputri, an alumna of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM, who won 1st Place in the individual category of the competition. Beyond the awards achieved, all participating students deserve appreciation for their hard work and dedication in preparing for this competition. 

The participation of students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM in The 24th K-Speech Contest reflects their competitive Korean language proficiency and strong enthusiasm to continue growing in a global environment. Through this experience, the participants not only brought home achievements, but also valuable lessons that support the development of academic competencies and public speaking soft skills. 

[Aura Adiba Wijaya Litianko]

Yogyakarta, June, 4 2026 — A public lecture featuring Min Seong Kim was held on Thursday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 205 of the Poerbatjaraka Building. On this occasion, Kim delivered a presentation entitled “Trembling Grounds of the Archipelago: Pluriversal Ontopolitics and More-than-Human Antagonism,” a study that reexamines the foundational assumptions of pluriversal politics through ecological and political experiences emerging across the Indonesian archipelago.

In his presentation, Kim addressed ongoing debates surrounding pluriversal politics that have recently gained prominence within environmental studies, decolonial thought, and posthumanist scholarship. As articulated by a number of contemporary thinkers, pluriversal politics seeks to challenge the modern worldview that separates humans from nature and treats the world as an object to be mastered and controlled. Instead, this perspective emphasizes that life is constituted through networks of interdependent relations among humans and a wide range of nonhuman entities, including animals, plants, landscapes, and the material forces of the earth.

According to Kim, pluriversal politics is generally grounded in the assumption that relationality constitutes the ontological basis of life. From this perspective, politics is understood as the effort to establish and sustain relationships that enable diverse forms of existence to coexist. However, Kim questioned whether relationality can truly serve as an adequate foundation for understanding political dynamics, particularly when confronted with conflict, tension, and division that cannot always be resolved through reconciliation and relational repair.

To develop this critique, Kim drew on the works of Adam Bobbette and Sophie Chao, whose research explores various forms of human–nonhuman relations in Indonesia. The cases they examine demonstrate that interconnectedness among beings does not necessarily produce harmony. Rather, such relations are often marked by frictions, competing interests, and forms of instability that reveal the political dimensions of the more-than-human world. The presence of nonhuman actors in politics, therefore, not only creates possibilities for collaboration and relationality but also gives rise to antagonisms that shape social and ecological fields.

Building on this reading, Kim connected the question of more-than-human politics to the tradition of post-foundational political thought, particularly the concept of antagonism developed by Ernesto Laclau. Within this framework, antagonism refers to the condition that no social order can ever be fully complete, final, or free from conflict. Every attempt to establish order inevitably encounters something that cannot be fully integrated into the existing system. Politics, therefore, is never simply a matter of creating relationships; it must also contend with the limits, tensions, and forms of negativity that accompany every mode of collective existence.

Through this analysis, Kim proposed that conflict and negativity should occupy a more central place in discussions of pluriversalism. Rather than treating relationality as a pre-given foundation, he argued that collective life—whether among humans or between humans and nonhumans—is always shaped through processes of negotiation, struggle, and antagonism that can never be entirely eliminated.

The public lecture offered a critical perspective on contemporary developments in political theory and ecological thought while opening a space for reflection on how societies understand their relationship with a world that extends beyond the human. At a time of growing concern over ecological crises and interspecies relations, Kim’s presentation provided a compelling framework for understanding conflict, tension, and uncertainty as inseparable dimensions of political life itself.

Author: Khotibul Umam

The Japanese Language and Culture Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (HIMAJE UGM) held a Study Visit Program with the Japanese Language and Culture Student Association of Universitas Diponegoro (HIMAWARI UNDIP) on Saturday, 25 April 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Organized by HIMAJE’s Public Relations Division, the program aimed to strengthen relationships among students while providing a platform for exchanging organizational experiences and insights.

The event began with presentations introducing the profiles and grand designs of both student associations, followed by a discussion session on organizational programs and student organization dynamics. In addition to the discussion, participants took part in student performances, interactive games, a plaque exchange ceremony, and a tour of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Through this activity, HIMAJE UGM and HIMAWARI UNDIP are expected to further strengthen their relationship and foster future collaborations that will benefit both organizations.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid

Yogyakarta, June 6, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Gadjah Mada University is once again reaching out to students with the Sibuya (Cultural Sciences Breakfast) program. This program is designed to support the final exams (UAS) for the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year by providing free breakfast. Sibuya provides 200 servings daily, distributed via a coupon system on June 6, 11, 15, and 18. Each coupon is worth Rp13,000.00 and can be redeemed at any food stall in the Sastra Cafeteria. Sibuya will also take place on June 10 and 17, with boxed meals distributed in front of the Soegondo Building. 

Sibuya is a program initiated by FIB since 2024. To date, Sibuya has consistently supported the well-being of FIB students during midterm and final exam weeks by providing free, nutritious breakfasts. By ensuring adequate nutrition, FIB hopes to ensure students are in top condition when taking exams. This is part of FIB UGM’s commitment to creating a friendly and healthy campus environment.  

Through this program, FIB UGM contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, by ensuring students have access to sufficient food and nutrition so they do not go hungry during exams, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by implementing the Health Promoting University (HPU) program to ensure nutritional needs are met. This program also aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, as maintaining physical health and sustained focus enables students to perform optimally during exams to achieve high-quality academic results.

Through the consistent implementation of the Sibuya program, FIB UGM demonstrates that academic support extends beyond the classroom to include tangible care for students’ physical well-being. With their nutritional needs met, it is hoped that students can navigate exam week with full focus and achieve optimal results.

[Humas FIB UGM, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

Yogyakarta, May 18, 2026 – The Arabic Language Education Program of Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and the Arabic Literature Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a study visit at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The activity served as a platform for students from both universities to exchange experiences, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen academic relationships. The event began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, the UGM Hymn, and the Universitas Negeri Jakarta March. A warm atmosphere was created through welcoming remarks delivered by student representatives and program leaders from both institutions.

During the main session, students from UNJ presented an overview of their study program, student activities, and various initiatives that have been implemented within their organization. The presentation was enthusiastically received by UGM students, who then shared insights into the academic environment and organizational activities within the Arabic Literature Program at UGM. This session provided an engaging forum for participants to gain a deeper understanding of each institution’s organizational culture and campus life. The event became even more interactive through a question-and-answer session conducted in a relaxed yet productive atmosphere. Various topics were discussed, ranging from the implementation of student programs to strategies for increasing student participation in both academic and non-academic activities. The exchange of ideas and experiences allowed participants to learn from one another and gain new perspectives on student organization management.

More than just an academic visit, this study visit served as an opportunity to strengthen friendships and foster closer ties between the Arabic Language Education Program of UNJ and the Arabic Literature Program of UGM. It is hoped that this activity will become the starting point for broader and more sustainable collaboration in the future, particularly in the areas of academics, student organizations, and student development.

Author: Indana Zulfa Maulida