Monday, October 4, 2025, Students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) successfully held the Pentas Ambal Warsa (PAW) to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the UKM Swagayugama. The event took place at the Pendopo Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreatifitas (GIK) UGM, showcasing the rich heritage of Indonesian culture.

Abimanyu Mahendra Maladeta Darmadi, known as Abi, a 2023 student from the Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, serves as the chairman of UKM Swagayugama. Under his leadership, the event was a great success, attracting an enthusiastic audience eager to witness traditional performances.

The evening began with a captivating performance of the Uyon-Uyon dance, bringing a joyful atmosphere and highlighting the importance of cultural heritage. Following the dance, the audience was treated to a Wayang Wong performance featuring the Suprabawati story. This traditional Javanese theatrical art, which combines dance and drama, mesmerized the audience with its compelling storyline and magnificent costumes, demonstrating the depth of Javanese culture.

In addition to the Wayang Wong, there was also a Wayang Kulit performance depicting the story of Sri Suwela. This shadow puppet show is a vital part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, with skilled puppeteers bringing the characters to life and impressing the audience with their artistry and storytelling ability.

Before the Wayang Kulit performance began, there was an appreciation session honoring the composers, trainers, and directors who contributed to the success of Pentas Ambal Warsa. Their dedication and hard work were recognized, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the event.

The event also included a documentation session where the committee members gathered for photographs, capturing memories of this significant occasion. This moment not only celebrated UKM Swagayugama’s achievements but also reinforced the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage among the younger generation.

The Wayang Kulit performance concluded the event magnificently, leaving the audience mesmerized by a tradition passed down through generations. The successful execution of Pentas Ambal Warsa served as a reminder of the vital role that cultural heritage plays in shaping identity and community.

This event was not only a celebration of UKM Swagayugama’s anniversary but also a testament to the commitment of FIB students to safeguard and promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage. It highlights the importance of cultural events in fostering appreciation and understanding of traditional arts among youth.

[Public Relation FIB UGM, Muhammad Hafidz Haikal Amirza]

Yogyakarta, October 7, 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again achieved an outstanding milestone in the global education arena. According to the 2025 EduRank global ranking, UGM secured the first position in Indonesia and ranked 564th in the world, placing it among the top 50% of universities across 186 research fields.

This achievement serves as tangible evidence of UGM’s consistency in realizing quality education (SDG 4) through strengthened research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. EduRank recorded a total of 58,718 academic publications and 317,379 citations affiliated with UGM, reflecting the university’s significant contribution to global knowledge development.

The ranking was determined based on three main factors: research performance, non-academic reputation, and the impact of its alumni. The contributions of 101 distinguished alumni further enhance UGM’s influence in building sustainable partnerships and collaborations across various sectors, aligning with the spirit of partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

Moreover, this accomplishment also reflects UGM’s commitment to promoting innovation and resilient infrastructure (SDG 9) through impactful research that directly benefits society. By prioritizing solution-oriented and relevant studies, UGM continues to play an active role in fostering innovations that support sustainable development in Indonesia and beyond.

Through this achievement, UGM reaffirms its dedication to strengthening the role of higher education in shaping an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for all.

[Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Monday, October 6, 2025 – SMA Al Azhar Syifa Budi Pekanbaru II held an educational visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB). The event aimed to introduce the Faculty of Cultural Sciences and promote the importance of education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The visit started at 9:00 AM and ended at 12:00 PM, featuring a series of informative sessions and engaging activities.

The event took place in the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium and was officially opened by the Public Relations Officer of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, who welcomed students and teachers from SMA Al Azhar Syifa Budi Pekanbaru II. The welcome speech emphasized the importance of education in fostering cultural awareness and understanding among the younger generation. The Public Relations Officer also highlighted the role of FIB UGM in promoting cultural studies and its commitment to supporting educational initiatives.

After the opening, a representative from SMA Al Azhar Syifa Budi Pekanbaru II delivered a speech expressing gratitude for the opportunity to visit the esteemed faculty. The representative emphasized the importance of such visits in broadening students’ horizons and inspiring them to pursue higher education. The speech uplifted the audience’s spirit and strengthened the value of educational collaboration between the institutions.

Public Relations of FIB UGM presented information about various programs and research initiatives offered by the faculty. The presentation covered topics such as cultural heritage, literature, and the significance of interdisciplinary studies in understanding cultural dynamics. Students were encouraged to ask questions, leading to an interactive session that fostered curiosity and engagement.

A question and answer session followed the presentation, allowing students to delve deeper into the discussed topics. Students asked about the faculty’s programs, career opportunities in cultural studies, and the impact of education on cultural preservation. Faculty representatives responded in ways that further increased students’ interest in pursuing education in the field of cultural sciences.

After the informative session in the auditorium, students were invited to tour the faculty. The tour included visits to the Mandala Majapahit Archaeological Museum and the Javanese Heritage collection. Students showed great enthusiasm for the rich cultural artifacts and historical exhibits, which provided a tangible connection to the subjects they had learned about during the presentation. The tour concluded with a group photo session in the GSP (Grha Sabha Pramana) area, where students gathered to capture the memorable moment.

This visit not only enriched students’ knowledge but also inspired them to consider further studies in cultural sciences. The event affirmed the commitment of both institutions to advancing education and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural heritage among the younger generation.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Muhammad Hafidz Haikal Amirza]

Yogyakarta, September 29, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its Entrepreneurship lecture series with the fifth meeting featuring Sofian Munawar, S.S., M.A., Founder of Ruang Baca Komunitas. In this session, students were invited to explore the concept of social entrepreneurship, a business approach that prioritizes solving social, environmental, and community issues through innovative and sustainable methods.

The lecture highlighted that social entrepreneurship is not merely profit-driven but instead focuses on social missions, innovation, sustainability, and generating real impact for communities. In the context of literature and language studies, this can be applied through creative literacy initiatives such as reading and writing workshops, digital literacy development, promoting a reading culture, and expanding public access to educational resources.

Students of the Arabic Study Program were also introduced to various examples of social entrepreneurship practices, both globally and locally. Inspiring cases such as Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Warby Parker in the United States, and Indonesia’s National Literacy Movement showcased how social enterprises can improve quality of life while fostering independence. Locally, best practices from Yogyakarta were presented, including CV Agradaya Indonesia, which promotes sustainable spice farming; Yayasan Penyandang Cacat Mandiri, which empowers people with disabilities through woodcraft; and Sayur Sleman Academy, which trains young agripreneurs. These examples served as both motivation and inspiration for students to see the potential in their own fields.

The lecture also addressed the challenges facing literacy movements, such as limited resources, lack of student motivation, and barriers to technology access. However, students were encouraged to view these challenges as opportunities for innovation through collaboration among schools, families, and communities. This perspective reinforced the idea that literacy is not confined to classrooms but is brought to life through community activities, local culture, and digital platforms.

Through this session, Arabic Study Program students not only gained a conceptual understanding of social entrepreneurship but were also challenged to develop real initiatives rooted in literature and language that could bring tangible benefits to society. This lecture also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening literacy movements, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering social enterprises that create meaningful jobs, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through inclusive community empowerment programs.

[Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, September 27, 2025 – The collaboration between the Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikmasa) UGM and the Department of Village Community Development of BEM KM UGM brought forth an inspiring event titled the SEDASA Educational Talkshow (Suara Pemuda untuk Kemajuan Desa / Youth Voices for Village Advancement), as part of the Gemilang Desa 2025 series. Held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, the event was lively and full of enthusiasm, attended by high school students as well as university students from across Indonesia.

The talk show featured distinguished speakers, including Joko Susilo, Founder of Gunungkidul Menginspirasi and Head of Training and Consultancy at the Nalar Institute; Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, M.Eng., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM; and keynote speaker KPH H. Yudanegara, Ph.D., Head of the Office of Village Community Empowerment, Population, and Civil Registration of Yogyakarta Special Region. The session was moderated by Antonia Elena Listya Araminta, Environmental Ambassador of DIY 2025, who guided the discussion warmly and interactively.

This activity served as a vital dialogue space to address modern challenges faced by villages, ranging from limited access to information, insufficient utilization of technology, to the lack of open dialogue between young people and community leaders. Through the talk show, participants gained direct insights from real-life case studies and practical strategies to optimize village potential. This aligns with the spirit of the Kongres Abdi Desa 2025, carrying the theme “Light from the Village, Weaving Hopes for Indonesia.”

General coordinator of the event, Faris Zakiy Ramadhan, highlighted the remarkable enthusiasm of the participants from the very beginning. “Today we will hold the second and third activities, namely the Gemilang Desa Competition and the SEDASA Talkshow. The Gemilang Desa Competition successfully carried out its series of contests, with the final day being held today. Thank you to the 377 registrants of the Gemilang Desa Competition, which consists of 12 teams in the Business Plan Competition, 101 teams in the Essay Competition, and 26 participants in the Poster Competition. Today we will hold the final round featuring the top 10 individuals and 10 teams from each branch, representing their institutions from all over Indonesia,” he explained.

Through this talk show, young people were encouraged not only to understand village issues but also to foster awareness of realizing village potential and addressing the challenges villages face in the modern era. Moreover, the event created an inclusive and interactive platform to share perspectives, innovative ideas, and cross-regional experiences.

This initiative also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing inequality (SDG 10), improving the quality of education (SDG 4), and strengthening sustainable communities (SDG 11). Villages are positioned not merely as objects of development but as sources of inspiration and drivers of national progress without losing their cultural identity.

The festive atmosphere peaked when the session concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Gemilang Desa competitions. The participants responded with great enthusiasm, taking home new inspiration on how the real contributions of young people can be the key to advancing villages. With the spirit of collaboration, Gemilang Desa 2025 proved that Indonesian students and youth can play an active role in building villages that are both competitive and sustainable.

[Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Candra Solihin]