Yogyakarta, Indonesia — On Friday, October 30, 2026, three lecturers from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially obtained Level 1 teaching certification, the highest level of certification awarded by the National Institute of Korean Language. The three lecturers are Dr. Hwang Who Young, M.A., Iva Hanani, S.S., M.A., and Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A.

All three were deemed eligible to receive the top-tier credential after satisfying the main criteria, which require holding a Level 2 teaching certificate for at least five years from its date of issuance and accumulating a minimum of 2,000 teaching hours in Korean language-related courses. These teaching hours must originate from officially recognized institutions, including the UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program and the King Sejong Institute Yogyakarta.

With this achievement, the UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program further reinforces the quality of its academic faculty. It marks a historical milestone for Korean language pedagogy in Indonesia, as three lecturers successfully passed the rigorous certification process simultaneously. Notably, two of the three qualifying faculty members are non-native lecturers, serving as an inspiration for students interested in Korean language pedagogy by demonstrating that professional recognition from the South Korean government is accessible to both native and non-native educators alike.

Author: Alfiana

The Student Association of the Department of Javanese Literature (Himpunan Mahasiswa Jurusan, HMJ) Keluarga Mahasiswa Sastra Jawa (Kamastawa) organized a community service activity entitled “Kamastawa Mengajar dan Berbagi” (Kamastawa Teaches and Shares) at Sanggar Puspa Budaya, Kapanewon Minggir, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Saturday (10/31/2026). This activity represents a tangible expression of students’ concern for education and the preservation of local culture, as well as an effort to revive the practice of using polite Javanese (unggah-ungguh) among children.

This community service program was the result of a collaboration between the Scientific Division and the Social and Community Division of HMJ Kamastawa. This interdivisional synergy was designed to ensure that the programs implemented could generate a tangible and sustainable social impact on the wider community.

A total of 30 elementary school-aged children who are members of Sanggar Puspa Budaya participated in this activity. From the opening of the event in the morning, the children’s enthusiasm and cheerful expressions were evident as they prepared to take part in the entire series of activities.

The event began with an educational session on unggah-ungguh basa Jawa, or Javanese language etiquette. An understanding of language etiquette and speech levels is considered very important to instill from an early age so that younger generations continue to recognize and uphold their cultural roots amid the onslaught of modernization.

To make the material easier for children to understand, the Scientific Division adopted an interactive approach through a game in which participants filled in missing letters in Javanese vocabulary. Through this learning by playing concept, the children were encouraged to participate actively without feeling pressured or bored. The atmosphere at the cultural center became lively as the participants enthusiastically competed to answer questions and complete the challenges presented.

Left: HMJ Kamastawa members distribute gift packages to participants.
Right: A glimpse of the participants’ enthusiasm during the learning session.

Following the interactive learning session, the activity continued with a social initiative involving the provision of learning facilities and supporting equipment for the cultural center. HMJ Kamastawa donated various school supplies, including a whiteboard, markers, notebooks, pencils, pens, and other supporting materials to support operations and teaching and learning activities at Sanggar Puspa Budaya.

Through this community service activity, HMJ Kamastawa hopes to continue inspiring children’s enthusiasm for learning the Javanese language and culture. In addition, the activity is also expected to strengthen students’ empathy and social awareness toward the surrounding community.

Writer: Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri
Editor: Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, October 14, 2026 — Good news has once again arrived from the alumni of UGM’s Korean Language and Culture Study Program. In 2026, two alumni successfully passed the selection process for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). This fully funded scholarship from the South Korean government provides them with a golden opportunity to pursue their studies at a higher level. Undoubtedly, there was a long journey and thorough preparation behind their success. What are their stories and how did they prepare for the selection stages? Let’s dive into their journey!

Name: Dinda Saraswati Jillaningtyas (Yayas) (2017)
Host University: Ewha Women University (Communication and Media)

“2019년의 나는 상상도 하지 못한 일이었다” Semua pasti akan ada waktunya. 2019 Aku pernah gagal untuk mendapatkan beasiswa GKS ke Korea untuk exchange. Tapi siapa yang tahu kalau 2026 aku berhasil mendapatkan GKS-G one shot. Mungkin saat itu memang bukan jalanku dan mungkin S2 ini memang jalanku. 너무나도 감사한 일이기도 하고 힘든 길로 선택하는 걸로 잘 알고 그 고독한 길로 선택하는 거는 나였으니까 2년동안 열심히 공부하면서 재밌고 보람이 있는 모험으로 해보겠습니다. 좋은 기회였기에 더 좋은 모습으로 성장하겠습니다! Kalau saat itu kalian sudah berusaha keras namun hasilnya mengkhianati kalian, mungkin memang belum waktunya saja. Semangat selalu!”

Name: Putri Puji Hasnah (2020)
Host University: KDI School of Public Policy and Management (Master of Development Policy)

“I once asked God to redirect my life. Maybe GKS is the answer to my prayers. I never expected that I would finally make it here, but I strongly believe there will be many ways to turn the pure intention I have carried with me into something meaningful, to bring as much benefit as I can to the people and the world around me. Pursuing a completely different major for my master’s might be challenging. It might even feel like I’m starting from zero. But God has entrusted me with what I once prayed for, and I choose to take it as a sign to keep going.”

Kak Putri juga membagikan tips and trick, nih, untuk para pejuang Beasiswa GKS selanjutnya!

“Make the most of your privilege. Some people spend years working toward their dreams. I worked for almost two years to save enough money to finally apply for a master’s scholarship. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but even pursuing a scholarship requires a certain level of privilege. Still, keep holding on to your dreams. What’s meant for you will find its way to you.”

Those were the stories and preparation tips from our two seniors regarding the 2026 GKS selection. Once again, congratulations on your studies in South Korea! We wish you good health and smooth sailing with all your endeavors there~ For fellow BKK UGM students who want to follow in their footsteps, don’t hesitate to start gathering application information as early as possible. Keep your spirits up, and see you in our next scholarship update! ^^

(Salwa Aulia, Alma Naya)

Yogyakarta, 14 September 2026 – Right on that day, six students from the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship arrive at INCULS from their respective countries. They were there to attend the program’s opening ceremony as well to kick off their first day studying here. Our long awaited friends finally set foot at Fakultas Ilmu Budaya (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).

To start a new semester in a new and foreign environment is definitely not an easy thing to do. Feelings like anxiety, loneliness, and worry are definitely there. One of the purposes of the opening ceremony is to make them feel at ease and relieve them from those negative feelings. With the main purpose being International Student Orientation (ISO) and briefing for the time they will spend in Indonesia. As they will spend their next year here in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. INCULS will be their guardian as well as their friend, also will make their stay in Jogja, enjoyable.

At INCULS, the Indonesian Language is not the only thing we teach. Even though it is true that most of our students come to learn Bahasa Indonesia, lessons and exposure to Indonesian culture is also something INCULS provides. With many invaluable chances to have a firsthand experience within Jogja. Study tours and many more exciting activities.

At this ceremony, information such as the curriculum and getting to know the tidbits of Jogja were shared for the convenience of INCULS’ new BIPA students. Often overlooked things like the cuisine in Jogja; the daily things in Jogja; the norms in Indonesia; and so on. Our students are prepared immediately with information that will certainly help them for the time they will have in Indonesia.

INCULS hopes the KNB Program could provide top notch education for our BIPA friends to push them to grow and become bridges that connect the world. Not just the language, the culture that they will experience here in INCULS to be of great use in their life. Good luck on your studies friends, there will be a point where things are going rough, but keep your head high and push on!

Ditulis oleh: Dydo Athaya Rafif dydoathayarafif@mail.ugm.ac.id