The 2026 Arabic Culture Festival (FKA), organized by Arabic Literature at UGM, has returned under the grand theme “Binar Suar Arabia, Menyinari Cakrawala Dunia” (Radiant Rays of Arabia, Illuminating the World’s Horizon). Held biennially, the festival centers its main events on competitions for high school and university levels. However, what truly stole the spotlight this time was the presence of Arabic Market Day (AMD), specially designed to occupy the free time of participants and accompanying teachers to prevent boredom while supporting the competitions.

Serving as the hub for supporting activities, Arabic Market Day features three main pillars: Interactive Space, Cultural Tenant, and Live Cooking Arabic Meal. The peak of AMD’s festivity took place on the second day through an open stage that facilitated participants in singing and featured performances by the FKA committee members.

This led up to the two most anticipated main presentations: Qiroatus Syi’ir and the debut performance of Keroncong Seroja. As a new community formed by Arabic Literature, Keroncong Seroja successfully mesmerized the audience through a unique blend of classic keroncong music with Arabic-nuanced songs and other cross-genre tracks.

High enthusiasm was also acknowledged by the committee, who noted that this year’s AMD was much more lively and “lit” compared to the previous edition. “AMD is now much busier and more fun, unlike last year which was rather quiet.” A warm atmosphere was reflected by the bustling crowd enjoying culinary delights like kebabs while sitting on floor mats (lesehan) to enjoy the stage entertainment.

More than just a transit space or waiting area, this activity is expected to continue in future FKA events as both a recreational space and an educational bridge that is welcoming for the general public to explore the Arabic world more deeply.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

Yogyakarta — The findings of the tracer study and the graduate user satisfaction survey serve as the basis for evaluating and improving the quality of learning in the Master’s Program in Literary Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The evaluation results are used to inform curriculum reviews, annual activity planning, and efforts to strengthen graduate competencies so that they remain aligned with the needs and developments of the labor market.

The evaluation draws on five data sources: the UGM Tracer Studies conducted in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, as well as the Graduate User Satisfaction Survey administered by the Master’s Program in Literary Studies. The data cover graduates from various graduation years and responses from 43 supervisors or organizations employing the graduates.

Tracer study data are collected periodically from graduates. The findings are then analyzed and discussed at program meetings involving lecturers responsible for relevant courses to identify aspects of learning that should be maintained or improved.

Relatively Short Job Search Period

One of the key findings indicates that graduates of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literary Studies generally experience a relatively short waiting period before securing employment. Based on data for graduates from 2022–2024, the average waiting period ranged from 2.6 to 3 months.

The proportion of graduates who secured employment within six months of graduation also showed an upward trend, increasing from 80 percent among the 2022 graduates to 89 percent among the 2024 graduates. Most respondents had already been employed before completing their studies. This reflects the characteristics of master’s students, many of whom already have work experience while pursuing their degrees.

The data also show positive developments in the alignment between graduates’ fields of employment and their fields of study. Among the 2024 graduates, 74 percent of respondents reported a high level of alignment, up from 59 percent among the 2023 graduates. Meanwhile, the proportion of graduates reporting low alignment decreased from 14 percent to 5 percent.

These developments are consistent with efforts to strengthen interest-based elective courses introduced in the latest curriculum. Nevertheless, the relationship between curriculum changes and the improved alignment of graduates’ fields of employment with their fields of study needs to be further examined through evaluations in subsequent periods.

Strengthening Applied Skills and Foreign Language Proficiency

In addition to mapping graduates’ employment outcomes, the tracer study evaluates proficiency in 25 competencies at graduation and at the time of the survey. The results indicate that several competencies still require attention, particularly data analytics, project management, negotiation, the ability to work under pressure, and time management.

Some of these competencies showed relatively limited improvement after graduates completed their studies. For example, proficiency in data analytics increased only slightly, from 3.91 to 3.96 on a five-point scale. Meanwhile, the project management score remained unchanged at 4.09.

English proficiency is another area that needs to be strengthened. Graduates rated their English proficiency at 4.13 upon graduation, increasing to 4.16 at the time of the survey.

These findings are consistent with the results of the Graduate User Satisfaction Survey. Of the seven competency areas assessed, foreign language proficiency received the lowest proportion of “very good” ratings, at 67.44 percent. Conversely, personal development received the highest proportion of “very good” ratings, at 93.02 percent.

Although all areas received either “good” or “very good” ratings, with no “poor” ratings recorded, this gap has become one of the considerations guiding the program’s efforts to strengthen foreign language instruction, particularly English.

Experiential Learning as an Area of Focus

The tracer study also reveals a difference in emphasis between classroom-based and experiential learning methods. Discussions received the highest score, at 4.66, followed by lectures at 4.45. Experiential learning methods received lower scores, with internships scoring 2.80, practical sessions 3.11, and fieldwork 3.18.

The relatively limited emphasis on experiential learning has become an area of concern because it relates to the need to strengthen applied and managerial competencies. In response to these findings, the program plans to involve students in lecturers’ research projects and in organizing academic events, incorporate project management components into methodology courses, and introduce data processing tools in research methods classes.

The program also plans to establish structured fieldwork activities through courses on oral tradition studies and philology. In addition, it will explore partnerships with cultural institutions and publishing organizations to expand opportunities for students to gain practical experience.

Expanding Career Information and Alumni Networks

Regarding the transition into the workforce, the 2026 Tracer Study identified limited access to job vacancy information as the most frequently reported obstacle. Of the 39 respondents who answered this question, 28.21 percent cited limited job vacancy information as a barrier. Another 23.08 percent reported a lack of job opportunities specifically targeted at graduates of the program.

Other obstacles included insufficient work experience, reported by 17.95 percent of respondents. Meanwhile, 15.38 percent stated that they had encountered no difficulties in finding employment.

These findings have prompted the program to improve access to career information and professional networks. Planned follow-up measures include establishing information channels for job vacancies and further study scholarships, regularly organizing alumni experience-sharing forums, and introducing graduate profiles to cultural institutions, publishing organizations, and partner universities.

On the other hand, the most widely reported benefit of the program was improved critical thinking and decision-making skills, as reported by 29 of the 49 respondents. Other benefits included greater ease in obtaining or creating employment opportunities, reported by 11 respondents, and opportunities to pursue further studies, reported by 10 respondents.

These findings indicate that the value of education in the Master’s Program in Literary Studies extends beyond employment opportunities to include intellectual development and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Periodic Evaluation as a Basis for Improvement

Based on the overall findings, the Master’s Program in Literary Studies has established several improvement priorities, including strengthening foreign language proficiency, enhancing applied and managerial competencies, expanding experiential learning, strengthening academic advising, and improving access to career information and alumni networks.

Efforts to strengthen foreign language proficiency will include incorporating more primary reading materials in foreign languages into theoretical courses, requiring final assignments for compulsory courses to be written in English, and providing guidance on English-language article writing before students begin preparing their theses.

Meanwhile, academic advising from the first semester will be strengthened to help students select courses and determine thesis topics that align with their career plans. This measure is expected to further improve the alignment between graduates’ fields of study and their employment.

The implementation of these improvements will be monitored through subsequent tracer studies and graduate user satisfaction surveys. The program has also acknowledged several data limitations, including annual respondent numbers ranging from 35 to 49, the absence of information on graduates’ graduation years in the graduate user satisfaction survey, and the use of self-reported assessments of competency levels.

By making regular use of tracer study findings, UGM’s Master’s Program in Literary Studies seeks to ensure that learning evaluation goes beyond data collection and leads to measurable improvement measures. The evaluation results are expected to support improvements in learning quality while strengthening the relevance of graduate competencies to labor market needs and developments in the field of literary studies.

By: Khotibul Umam

Stefani Adelia Tiurma Mukti from the Department of Archaeology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with Fadel Ilham Dzulkarnain from the Multimedia Engineering Technology program at Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), has introduced an innovative framework for cultural heritage preservation. Presenting at the interdisciplinary iCAST-SS 2026 conference held in Surabaya on October 9–10, 2026, the duo unveiled their research titled “From Prediction to Preservation: An Explainable AI and WebGIS Framework for Simulated Archaeological Heritage Conservation in Trowulan, Indonesia.” Their study focuses on the historical Trowulan site in East Java, a vital zone containing the grand remains of the ancient Majapahit Kingdom, proposing a digitally simulated approach to its ongoing conservation planning.

This interdisciplinary research merges Explainable AI (XAI) and Web-based Geographic Information Systems (WebGIS) to transform conventional archaeological mapping into transparent and precise spatial predictive models. By utilizing Explainable AI, the framework ensures that machine learning predictions are fully interpretable, giving experts clear insights into the environmental and historical factors driving the model’s outputs. Simultaneously, the WebGIS platform serves as an accessible digital interface that visualizes spatial analysis in real time. This synergy successfully bridges the gap between traditional archaeological spatial context and advanced computational data handling, offering a highly communicative tool for heritage management.

Although currently structured around a simulated environment, this pioneering research opens up new avenues for modernizing cultural site management across Indonesia. The findings set the foundation for future field validation and algorithmic refinements, aiming toward real-world applications that can assist policymakers and conservationists in making data-driven decisions. Through their participation in iCAST-SS 2026, Stefani and Fadel demonstrate the powerful potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration—uniting the humanities with technology—to effectively address the complex challenges of preserving cultural heritage in the modern era.

Author : Muhammad Irsyad
Photo Credits: Stefani Adelia Tiurma Mukti

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Department of Anthropology at UGM held a
celebration featuring a “tumpeng”. This celebration was held to commemorate the 62nd
anniversary of the Department of Anthropology at UGM. At 1:00 p.m., right at lunchtime, the
staff and faculty members moved the yellow rice tumpeng—which had previously been in the
Reading Room—to the tables and chairs in front of the Anthropology Library on the 5th floor of
the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The tumpeng was moved in front of the
library so that students on the 5th floor could join the staff and faculty for the communal meal.

In front of the library tables, faculty and staff stood in a circle facing the tumpeng. Students who
were in the library at the time were also asked to step outside and participate in the celebration. Dr.
Agung Wicaksono, M.A., Chair of the UGM Department of Anthropology, led the celebration
while inviting those in the vicinity of the fifth floor to join the event. Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo
Yuwono, M.A., led the opening prayer in Javanese before the event began. The prayer was offered
for the continued success of the Department of Anthropology, for the retired faculty members who
have passed away, and for the current faculty and students, so that academic activities in the UGM
Department of Anthropology may proceed smoothly.

After the opening prayer, Dr. Agung Wicaksono, M.A., cut the yellow rice tumpeng and
presented the first few slices to Fajrul Falah Nazarudin, S.E. as a representative of the Anthropology
faculty, and to Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., and Dr. Elan Ardri
Lazuardi, S.Ant., M.A., as faculty members. As for the student representative, a Cultural
Anthropology student from the class of 2026 named Sham was also given one of the first slices of
the yellow rice tumpeng. The yellow rice tumpeng, along with its side dishes such as chicken,
tempeh, tofu, and others, was then served to every faculty member, staff member, and student who
joined in the celebration. Happy 62nd anniversary to the Department of Anthropology.

Author: Leonard Dimas 

Students from the Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), achieved notable accomplishments at the 32nd Temu Budaya Nusantara (TBN), organized by the Indonesian Association of Regional Language and Literature Students (Ikatan Mahasiswa Bahasa dan Sastra Daerah Indonesia, or Imbasadi) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) on October 12–15, 2026. Carrying the theme “Muda Berkarya, Kami Bhima Budaya” (Young People Creating, We Are Bhima Budaya), the event provided a platform for students from various universities to develop their potential, broaden their cultural knowledge, and strengthen connections among students.

As an annual Imbasadi event, the 32nd Temu Budaya Nusantara featured a range of cultural and academic activities. These included a National Deliberation Meeting, cultural seminars, and a closing ceremony featuring an awards presentation and the inauguration of the new Imbasadi board for the 2026/2028 period. Through these activities, students from universities across Indonesia offering regional language and literature study programs had the opportunity to build connections, exchange ideas, and broaden their cultural perspectives.

FIB UGM’s Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture participated in the event by sending six delegates. The delegates were Shabrina Fitra Azzahra (class of 2024), Eva Wulandari (class of 2025), Yogi Setiyawan (class of 2025), Muthiah Rahmadani (class of 2026), Januar Aziz Maulana (class of 2026), and Fabiola Anenina Karissa (class of 2026). 

UGM’s participation in the 32nd TBN was marked by several notable achievements. Two students, Januar Aziz Maulana and Fabiola Anenina Karissa, received nominations for Runner-Up II Imbasadi 2026. Meanwhile, Muthiah Rahmadani won third place in the batik design competition. In addition to these achievements, Yogi Setiawan was entrusted with the role of Imbasadi President for the 2026/2027 term. These accomplishments reflect the contributions of students from FIB UGM’s Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture to appreciating, preserving, and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago through academic and cultural activities. They also demonstrate the students’ active role in strengthening collaboration and fostering connections among students from universities throughout Indonesia.

Through the organization of Temu Budaya Nusantara and the achievements attained, it is hoped that students will become increasingly committed to safeguarding and preserving regional cultural heritage. The event is also expected to further strengthen ties among regional language and literature students throughout Indonesia.

FIB UGM’s Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture extends its appreciation to all parties who supported the event. A spirit of togetherness and a shared appreciation for culture are expected to continue serving as the foundation for students to pursue creative endeavors and contribute to preserving Indonesia’s cultural diversity.

Indonesia is diverse, Imbasadi unites.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Editor : Haryo Untoro