The night atmosphere in Wringinputih Tourism Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency, looks different from typical rural areas due to the vast fields brightly illuminated by thousands of hanging lights. This unique phenomenon was witnessed directly by the UGM Student Community Service (KKN-PPM) team of Muncar Memancar 2026, who participated in dragon fruit farming activities with local farmers on June 26, 2026. Through direct involvement in the field, the students had the opportunity to learn about the local knowledge systems and cultural adaptations that the community applies to optimize their agricultural yields.

This intensive nighttime farming activity occurs because dragon fruit flowers only fully bloom at night and will wither the next morning. Due to the lack of natural pollinating agents in the plantation during those hours, local farmers take over this role by conducting manual artificial pollination, which the locals often refer to as “marrying” the flowers. In addition to manual pollination, the installation of hanging lights among the plants also serves to provide artificial lighting. This ensures the plants receive longer light exposure, stimulating the dragon fruit trees to continue flowering and producing out of season.

Besides pollination techniques and light manipulation, the students also gained new insights into the farmers’ strategies for dealing with bad weather. When it rains at night precisely when the flowers are blooming, the farmers swiftly snap the flower stem fibers slightly so that the flower faces downward without detaching from the tree. This tactical step is intentionally taken so the upper part of the flower crown can act as a natural umbrella. It protects the sensitive pollen from the rain, ensuring the fertilization process does not fail due to rotting.

The farming practices in Wringinputih Village ultimately form a circular and sustainable integrated agricultural agroecosystem. As a substitute for concrete pillars, farmers utilize live kapok trees as supporting poles and shade to prevent the dragon fruit stems from being damaged by extreme sun exposure. When the kapok tree leaves grow too thick, farmers trim them to be used as feed for cattle or goats. The manure from these farm animals is then reprocessed through fermentation into organic fertilizer to re-enrich the dragon fruit plants and the kapok trees.

This close interaction between human activities, technology utilization, and environmental management attracts attention from a social and cultural sciences perspective. Adinda, an Anthropology student from the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences class of 2023 who was involved in the KKN activities, shared her views during this field learning process.

“From the dragon fruit pollination technique, we can see that in farming practices, humans play a role in helping to optimize natural processes so that the production yield is maximized. When viewed from an anthropological perspective, this indicates a reciprocal relationship between humans and the environment. Humans use the knowledge they have to support the pollination process, while nature remains the source of life that sustains human activities,” she explained.

Adinda further explained that this dragon fruit farming knowledge is not simply generated overnight, but is shaped through continuous experience, observation, and interaction with the environment. From that process, the community can understand when the flowers bloom, how to assist their pollination, and the steps that can be taken to ensure the plants produce fruit more optimally. This relationship shows that agriculture is not solely seen as a production process, but also as a form of interaction, adaptation, and knowledge built by humans in living side by side with their environment.

Through the integration of local knowledge, the use of lighting technology, and the application of an integrated farming system, the community of Wringinputih Village has successfully created independent economic resilience. The dynamics of this nocturnal farming activity prove that the success of a commodity does not solely depend on large-scale equipment modernization. Rather, it depends on the human ability to read nature’s signs, adapt, and build harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, June 22, 2026 – Three students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) are participating in the 2026 Period II Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada. They have been assigned to Indonesia’s 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) region, specifically on Parang Island and Nyamuk Island in Karimunjawa District.

The three students are Alma Syahwalani (Class of 2023, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program), Keysha Almira Putri (Class of 2023, Tourism Study Program), and Ancelmus Lugas Jejeg Pideksa (Class of 2023, English Literature Study Program). They are members of the KKN Kanvas Paramu 2026 Team, which carries out community empowerment initiatives based on the local potential of the island communities.

The KKN Kanvas Paramu Team is assigned to two islands and divided into four subunits: Parang 1, Parang 2, Nyamuk 1, and Nyamuk 2. Alma and Keysha are assigned to Nyamuk 2 Subunit, while Lugas serves in Parang 1 Subunit.

As villages categorized as part of Indonesia’s 3T regions, Parang Village and Nyamuk Village face various challenges while also possessing significant development potential. Based on a community needs assessment, the KKN Kanvas Paramu Team has designed several programs that focus on community empowerment and sustainable development.

These programs include strengthening community empowerment through education, healthcare, the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and children’s creativity. In addition, the team is committed to promoting sustainable marine ecotourism management and environmental conservation to support Karimunjawa’s tourism potential.

In the environmental sector, the students will implement programs to strengthen coastal environmental management and improve basic village infrastructure. Meanwhile, in the economic sector, their initiatives focus on developing local food resources, promoting the sustainable utilization of coastal resources, and enhancing MSME products through improved distribution networks and sustainable marketing strategies.

Through the implementation of the 2026 KKN-PPM Period II, FIB UGM students are expected to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their studies to make meaningful contributions to local communities. The program also provides valuable experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better understand the social, cultural, and economic conditions of island communities while fostering collaboration between the university and society in achieving sustainable development.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

 Five students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in the 2026 Youth Peace & Reunification Golden Bell Quiz (2026 청소년 평화통일 골든벨 대회) organized by the Peace Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) at Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS), Jakarta.

The competition attracted participants from various educational institutions. Beyond assessing Korean language proficiency, the event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Korean history, culture, and issues surrounding peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the organizers and school representatives, followed by the singing of the Korean national anthem, an opening performance, and several competition rounds for both Korean and Indonesian participants. After preliminary rounds, second-chance rounds, and final rounds, the event concluded with the announcement of winners, a networking session between Indonesian and Korean participants, closing performances, and an award ceremony.

In this competition, Claudia Keishia Piji Swastika, 1st year student, received the Encouragement Award (장려상, 4th Winner). Meanwhile, Irene Xaviera Lovryna, 2nd year student, achieved the Excellence Award (최우수상, 2nd Winner). These accomplishments reflect the students’ dedication and hard work in developing their Korean language proficiency while expanding their understanding of international issues.

Claudia expressed her gratitude for the achievement:

“This was a truly memorable experience, especially because it was my first time participating in an in-person Korean language competition. Although I initially lacked confidence, I am very grateful to have made it into the top four out of approximately 130 participants. This experience has motivated me to continue learning and improving. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi, and my family for their trust, support, and encouragement.”

Similarly, Irene shared her appreciation for the opportunity:

“I am very grateful for the valuable opportunity to represent UGM for the first time in this year’s Golden Bell competition. Although I was initially quite pessimistic about being able to memorize all the materials, by God’s grace, finishing in the Top 2 was something I had never imagined. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi for trusting me to participate, my fellow participants, as well as the committee members and JIKS teachers who were incredibly supportive. I am proud to have been part of this experience. All the effort, time, and dedication invested throughout the journey were truly rewarded through this competition. I hope this experience will serve as motivation and a valuable lesson for my future endeavors. 그리고, 내년에도 꼭 다시 도전하고 싶습니다. 정말 감사했습니다!”

The participation and achievements of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program students in this competition demonstrate the program’s commitment to supporting academic excellence, foreign language proficiency, and cross-cultural communication skills. Through activities such as this, students not only gain valuable competitive experience but also have opportunities to build networks and strengthen intercultural understanding.

[Eunike Serafia N.S]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences Gadjah Mada University (FIB UGM) hosted an educational visit from SMA 1 Banyudono on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium, FIB UGM. The event was attended by 83 students, accompanied by their teachers, as part of an effort to introduce students to the world of higher education.

The visit aimed to provide insight into higher education, particularly the various degree programs available at FIB UGM. During the presentation session, participants received information about the faculty’s profile, academic strengths, the new student admission process, and career prospects for graduates of the various degree programs offered by FIB.

In addition to learning about the degree programs, the students also gained an overview of the various learning support facilities available on the FIB UGM campus. These facilities include lecture halls, a library, language labs, and various resources that support the development of students’ competencies in both academic and non-academic fields.

This event also introduced student life at FIB UGM through presentations on student organizations, Badan Semi Otonom (BSO), and various programs that students can participate in. Through these sessions, participants were encouraged to understand the importance of developing their interests, talents, and leadership skills while pursuing higher education.

Through this visit, it is hoped that students from SMA 1 Banyudono will gain a more comprehensive understanding of the college environment and the opportunities for personal development available at FIB UGM. This event also serves as a means to strengthen the relationship between the FIB UGM, and high schools in support of improving access to information on higher education for the younger generation.

[Humas FIB UGM, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa] 

The Tourism Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), welcomed a visit from the Tourism Study Program of Universitas Pignatelli Triputra (UPITRA) as part of a benchmarking study. The visit was attended by representatives of the Tourism Study Program lecturers, educational staff, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities at UPITRA, and several UPITRA lecturers.

During the visit, the first session focused on an introduction to the Tourism Study Program at FIB UGM, presented by Popi Irawan, S.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Tourism Study Program of FIB UGM. Following the presentation, the UPITRA delegation discussed its curriculum development, particularly in relation to tourism education based on the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach.

UPITRA chose the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM as the destination for this benchmarking visit because of the Tourism Study Program’s excellent accreditation status. Through this study visit, UPITRA hopes to achieve a similar level of accreditation and enhance the quality of its graduates so that they can be better prepared for and absorbed into the tourism industry.

This activity is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting partnerships to achieve common objectives, in accordance with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences’ commitment to supporting sustainable development.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]