Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange through its active participation in the CHSS 2026 Conference held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan, from 23 to 27 September 2026. The conference brought together scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across Asia and beyond to discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities facing societies in the region.

UGM was represented by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, Dr. Aprillia Firmonasari, and Dr. Merry Andriani from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, who participated in a range of academic and networking activities throughout the conference. Their involvement contributed to scholarly discussions on issues affecting Asia and the Global South while strengthening partnerships between UGM and international institutions. Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro also serves as the Hub Leader for UGM in the academic cooperative project among Association for Asian Studies (AAS), Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Underrepresented Scholars of Asia (CHSS), and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).

The conference featured an extensive program consisting of pre-conference workshops, panel presentations, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, cultural activities, and networking forums. Participants explored a wide range of topics, including migration, education, governance, gender studies, climate resilience, public health, cultural heritage, and regional cooperation. Through these sessions, attendees exchanged perspectives and research findings while identifying opportunities for future collaborative initiatives.

In addition to academic presentations, the conference emphasized intercultural engagement through exhibitions and cultural showcases that highlighted the diversity and dynamism of Asian societies. These activities provided participants with valuable opportunities to connect across disciplines and national boundaries. UGM’s participation in the conference reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to promote internationally engaged scholarship and foster meaningful partnerships that address global and regional challenges. The event also served as a platform for expanding academic networks and exploring collaborative research opportunities with institutions across Asia and beyond.

Building on the momentum generated in Lahore, Universitas Gadjah Mada will host a similar international workshop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 19 to 23 October 2026. The workshop is designed as an inclusive academic forum that welcomes participants from diverse disciplinary, institutional, cultural, and geographical backgrounds. In line with UGM’s commitment to social equality and inclusivity, the program will provide a platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to engage in dialogue, share perspectives, and exchange knowledge on issues of societal relevance. Through this initiative, UGM seeks to foster an academic environment that values diversity, promotes equitable participation, and encourages cross-cultural and interdisciplinary engagement.

Through its participation in CHSS 2026 and its forthcoming role as host, UGM continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing impactful research, fostering international dialogue, and contributing to the development of inclusive and sustainable solutions to contemporary global challenges. For Universitas Gadjah Mada, these engagements represent not only opportunities for scholarly exchange but also strategic efforts to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in facilitating regional and global academic collaboration.

The Information and Media Division (Medinfo) of HIMAJE held a Photography Workshop on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Poerbatjaraka Room 201, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Running from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), the workshop provided students of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program (BKJ UGM) with an opportunity to develop their photography skills and explore their visual creativity.

During the workshop, students used their own photography devices, including cameras and mobile phones. The activity offered an opportunity to develop their skills in creating visual content that can be used for various purposes, including event documentation.

Through this Photography Workshop, Medinfo HIMAJE provided a space for students to enhance their creativity and visual skills. These skills are expected to support students in documenting various activities and presenting information through engaging visual media.

Author: Japanese Language and Culture Program

“Well-being is not merely a matter of finances; it is a state in which everyone at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences can work and study in a healthy and safe environment, feel valued, have room to grow, and know they are not alone when facing challenges.” This was stated by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., in her remarks during the Dean Handover Ceremony at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. As the Dean-elect for the 2026–2031 term, she also expressed her gratitude to the Dean serving the 2021–2025 term and the entire team for their excellent collaboration. It is hoped that the achievements realized over the past five years will serve as a solid foundation for the incoming dean’s team.

Her address at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium that afternoon was witnessed by members of the Faculty Senate, lecturers, administrative staff, the head of the Faculty Student Executive Board, heads of departmental student associations, and student representatives from semi-autonomous bodies. Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., acting as the Senate Chair, opened the Dean Handover Ceremony.

Remarks were also delivered by the outgoing Dean of FIB UGM (2021–2026), Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si. In his speech, he acknowledged the solidarity of the entire academic community, which has enabled FIB UGM to reach its current milestones. “We stand upon a strong foundation and strong leadership—qualities we must uphold for as long as this faculty exists,” Prof. Setiadi emphasized to the audience. He affirmed that under the leadership of Dr. Under Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, FIB UGM will continue to evolve into an academic environment that is increasingly inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive.

The solemn ceremony proceeded with the signing of the official handover minutes and the transfer of the office handover report from Prof. Setiadi to Dr. Nur Saktiningrum. The proceedings concluded with a prayer and the offering of congratulations by senate members, faculty, administrative staff, and student representatives in attendance. With this official handover, FIB UGM is poised to embark on a new chapter under the leadership of the 2026–2031 term, focusing on well-being, academic integration, and a safe environment for growth for all members of the faculty.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

On Thursday–Friday, 10–11 September 2026, the Master’s Program in Linguistics and the Department of Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held the International Conference on Linguistic Studies. The conference, which carried the theme “Forms, Meanings, and Functions of Language in the Era of Digital Transformation,” took place at the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM.

One of the participants in the conference was Haryo Untoro, an alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM and a fast track student in the Master’s Program in Linguistics at FIB UGM. At the conference, Haryo had the opportunity to serve as a presenter, presenting his research entitled “Negotiating Cultural Identity in the Translation of Indonesian Poetry into Old Javanese in the Poetry Anthology Jenggala: Kumpulan Puisi Dwibahasa.”

The study examines the processes of cultural identity formation and negotiation in the translation of Indonesian poetry into Old Javanese. The poetry anthology Jenggala: Kumpulan Puisi Dwibahasa serves as the object of study, with Indonesian as the source language and Old Javanese as the target language. Old Javanese has a different position from Indonesian, as it is no longer used as a language of everyday communication and has no native speakers. This condition is one of the issues examined in the study, particularly in relation to how cultural identity is negotiated through translation choices into Old Javanese.

On Thursday, 10 September 2026, Haryo presented his research at the international conference. For Haryo, the conference was his first experience participating in an international conference and presenting his research at an academic forum. In an interview conducted on 18 September 2026, he admitted that he initially felt nervous but nevertheless tried to prepare and deliver his presentation as well as possible.

Participating in an international conference provides an academic experience that can encourage students to continue developing their research skills and confidence in presenting their ideas in academic forums. At the same time, such academic activities demonstrate that the study of regional languages and cultures can continue to develop through research using perspectives that are relevant to the advancement of knowledge.

Through such experiences, students are expected not only to continue developing their academic capacities but also to cultivate a commitment to preserving and developing regional cultures. These efforts can be pursued through various academic activities and research as part of nguri-uri, meaning “preserving,” and ngurip-urip, meaning “keeping alive and fostering,” cultural traditions so that they can contiue.

Writer : Nurul Fajri Rahmani

Editor : Nurul Fajri Rahmani

YOGYAKARTA – The growing demand for Hajj and Umrah services in Indonesia continues to create career opportunities for students of Arabic Literature, particularly for those who combine Arabic language proficiency with professional skills. This was one of the topics discussed in the Entrepreneurship and Self-Development course attended by students of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada on September 21, 2026. Under the theme “Hajj and Umrah Management,” the course featured Kuwat Prasetya, S.S., Founder of Nur Ramadhan Hajj and Umrah Agency, as the guest speaker.

The session began with a discussion on the strategic role of Arabic language skills in the professional world. Kuwat explained that graduates of Arabic Literature have career opportunities not only in education and diplomacy but also in Hajj and Umrah management and Saudi handling services. A strong understanding of Hajj and Umrah management systems is an important foundation for those seeking to build a career in the field.

Kuwat explained that Hajj services are divided into three categories: regular Hajj, special Hajj, and Hajj Mujamalah, each of which has different procedures, costs, and departure requirements. Meanwhile, Umrah services generally consist of regular and premium packages. Understanding visa regulations is also crucial for professionals working in the travel and Hajj and Umrah service industry. Kuwat highlighted that Saudi Arabian visas vary in type and purpose. A visa valid during the Hajj season does not automatically permit its holder to perform Hajj.

Kuwat also introduced various career opportunities in the industry, including hotel specialist, ticketing officer, Umrah visa specialist, tour planner, handling specialist, marketing, customer service, finance, social media specialist, tour guide, mutawif, tour leader, and IT support. According to him, each position requires specific competencies, which can be strengthened through relevant professional certifications. 

“Arabic opens the door. Competence gets you hired. Integrity earns your trust. Professionalism keeps you going.” In closing, Kuwat encouraged students of Arabic Literature to begin developing their career strategies and preparing the relevant competencies for their chosen career paths. These efforts should be accompanied by integrity, responsibility, adaptability, and professionalism in providing services to pilgrims. Such efforts are also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Author : Hashifa Zara Ahfiyani