Yogyakarta, 26 October 2026 — The Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (IPPA) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to studying archaeology and other related fields in the Indo-Pacific region. Since its founding more than fifty years ago, IPPA has grown into a large community of academics and practitioners from more than 40 countries.

This year, IPPA will hold its 23rd Congress from 1–7 November 2026 at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta. This international congress, organized collaboratively by the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Cultural Affairs Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Kundha Kabudayan) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, will bring together approximately 880 participants from 42 countries.

Indonesia previously hosted the 14th IPPA Congress in Yogyakarta in 1990, under the leadership of the late Prof. R.P. Soejono. Hosting the congress in Yogyakarta once again is part of Indonesia’s continued contribution to the development of prehistoric studies and the broader field of archaeology in the Indo-Pacific region. Hosting it in Yogyakarta is also an opportunity to introduce the richness of Indonesia’s cultural heritage to the international community. The IPPA President for the 2024–2028 period, Prof. Anggraeni, stated that Indonesia is honored to have been chosen once again as host of the IPPA congress.

By holding the congress regularly, IPPA seeks to sustain knowledge exchange, promote cooperation in the study of prehistory, proto-history, historical archaeology, civilizations, cultural heritage, and the advancement of culture in the Indo-Pacific region, and uphold standards of research ethics. The series of activities at the 23rd Congress of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, which will run for seven days with scientific and cultural agendas, will serve as an international scientific forum for discussion, knowledge exchange, and strengthened cooperation.

The 23rd IPPA Congress will begin with a workshop on 1 November 2026 covering geographic information systems, geochronology, bioarchaeology, zooarchaeology, microscopic analysis, and cultural heritage, held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

On 2 November 2026, the Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held at Grha Sabha Pramana. The opening ceremony will be attended by several VIP guests, including the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. (Hons) Dr. H. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc., the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K), Ph.D.

The scientific agenda, in the form of presentations and discussions, will be held on 3, 4, 6, and 7 November 2026 at the Soegondo Building, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, and the University Club Hotel. Participants, consisting of researchers, academics, practitioners, students, and cultural enthusiasts from 42 countries, will present the results of their work in 8 parallel discussion sessions, as well as in a poster exhibition. This congress will cover a wide range of current archaeological topics and issues in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

On 5 November 2026, participants will join the Mid Conference Tour to cultural heritage and archaeological sites, namely Borobudur Temple, the Liyangan Site, the Prambanan and Plaosan Temple Complexes, and the Sangiran Early Man Site. The congress will close on 7 November 2026 at the University Club Hotel.

Alongside the congress, there will also be a book exhibition by reputable publishers and journals from Indonesia and abroad (including PT Kompas Gramedia, Frontiers Media, Periplus, and the journals Antiquity and Asian Perspective), as well as exhibitions of field and laboratory equipment, batik and lurik, and culinary offerings.

Through academic forums, knowledge exchange, and visits to archaeological sites, the congress is expected to broaden understanding of the development of past societies and cultures in the Indo-Pacific region. The event is also expected to create space for interaction between the international scientific community and Indonesia’s cultural heritage, while strengthening collaborative networks for the future development of archaeological research and cultural heritage.

Further information about IPPA Congress 2026 can be found at:

https://www.ippasecretariat.org/ippa2026

YOGYAKARTA, 2025 – Proud news once again graces the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Our students have successfully achieved a remarkable milestone by winning 2nd Place in an international competition, the 2025 영남대학교 KF 글로벌 e-스쿨 한국어 영상 공모전 or the 2025 Yeungnam University KF Global e-School Korean Video Contest. The series of this competition ran from October 25, 2025, until the winner announcement on December 10, 2025.

Generally, this competition challenged its participants to share what they know about Korea through a video presentation. The study program’s representative team, “Team Bini” (빈이 팀), consisting of Anisa Setya Utami, Bena Thinkir Pitulas, and Aisyah Reyhan Nugrahani, successfully amazed the judges with their video titled “내가 아는 한국은 인도네시아에 있다” (The Korea I Know is in Indonesia) and emerged as the second-place winner. For those curious about their work, the full video can be watched through the following link.

In the video, Team Bini briefly explained the topic of “내가 아는 한국” (The Korea I know) which is now often and easily found in Indonesia. Some of the highlighted aspects include the popularity of Korean food, Korean style fashion trends, and the Korean drama phenomenon. Interestingly, the video provided an analytical touch by discussing the cultural similarities between Korea’s concept of “정” (Jeong) and Indonesia’s proud local culture of gotong-royong (mutual cooperation).

Anisa, Bena, and Aisyah expressed that this victory was a very happy surprise. “It was so much fun to get a new experience. It was the definition of doing something for fun and getting a reward. We didn’t expect to be one of the winners,” expressed the team representative, sharing their impression after participating in the competition.

Furthermore, Team Bini also left an inspiring message for their fellow students not to waste opportunities during their studies. “You have to try the experience of joining a competition with friends at least once in your college life, and don’t hesitate to participate in competitions shared by lecturers or the study program. Winning or losing is normal and comes later. Whether you win or lose, you will definitely gain the experience. That is what matters,” they advised.

Once again, congratulations to Anisa, Bena, and Aisyah for their extraordinary achievement! Hopefully, this 2nd place achievement and the daring spirit to try from Team Bini can continue to inspire all students.

Author: Salwa Aulia

Depok, 5–6 October 2026 — The Indonesian Association of Postgraduate Linguistics Programs (Perkumpulan Program Pascasarjana Linguistik Indonesia, PROPLI) held a meeting on 5–6 October 2026 at the Toety Herati Noerhadi Auditorium, R.M. Ng. Poerbatjaraka Building, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Depok. The meeting addressed key issues concerning the strengthening of the association and the development and alignment of postgraduate linguistics curricula across Indonesia.

The meeting opened with a report by PROPLI Chair Dr. Triaswarin Sutanarihesti, who outlined the organization’s development since its establishment in 2018. The association was initially founded at Universitas Gadjah Mada under the name APMALI (Asosiasi Program Studi Magister Linguistik Seluruh Indonesia), with Prof. Suhandano as its chair. In 2024, a change in leadership coincided with a change of name to PROPLI. Its membership was subsequently expanded to include doctoral programs in linguistics, in addition to master’s programs.

One of the main agenda items was the process of obtaining a notarial deed for the association. The session featured notary Fatma, S.H., M.Kn., M.H., and was moderated by Dr. Triaswarin Sutanarihesti. The discussion aimed to ensure that the administrative and institutional requirements for the association’s formal establishment were properly addressed.

PROPLI also discussed restructuring its organizational leadership, including the positions of chair, vice chair, supervisory board, treasurer, secretary, and supporting divisions. The association’s assets, currently recorded at IDR 33 million, were also discussed as part of its organizational administration.

The meeting further addressed the graduate profile for master’s programs in linguistics in Indonesia. PROPLI recommended that graduates be qualified as language experts, with competencies aligned with Level 8 of Indonesia’s National Qualifications Framework (Kerangka Kualifikasi Nasional Indonesia, KKNI) and the National Standards for Higher Education (SN-Dikti).

Aligning Postgraduate Linguistics Curricula

The next session focused on aligning curricula with the latest higher education regulations. The session featured Prof. Dr. Made Sri Setyawati, M.Hum., and Prof. Oktavianus, and was moderated by Dr. Putu Pramania Adnyana.

The discussion covered several key considerations in curriculum development: the focus and workload of study programs, curriculum structure and competency matrices, flexibility and updated learning materials, and support for research.

The meeting noted that the minimum study load for master’s programs is governed by Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 39 of 2025 on Higher Education Quality Assurance, as well as UGM’s internal regulations: Rector Regulation No. 23 of 2024 on Education and Rector Regulation No. 19 of 2025, which amends the earlier regulation. Under the provisions discussed, master’s programs must comprise at least 36 semester credit units (SKS).

Beyond credit requirements, participants discussed how to balance core competencies with the distinctive academic strengths of individual universities. The core curriculum is expected to establish a shared set of competencies, while each university may retain distinctive elements that reflect its academic profile and areas of strength.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity in learning outcomes across degree levels. Master’s students in linguistics, for example, are expected to develop a sound understanding of microlinguistics, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, as well as one area of macrolinguistics relevant to their field of study.

Differences in expected competencies at each degree level were also discussed. Undergraduate programs emphasize descriptive skills, master’s programs focus on explanatory skills, and doctoral programs are expected to develop both explanatory and discovery-oriented capabilities. Participants also emphasized the need to distinguish course titles across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs to reflect their respective levels of competency. For example, a bachelor’s program may offer Introduction to Semantics, while a master’s program may offer Advanced Semantics.

The curriculum discussion also covered different modes of postgraduate study, including research-based programs (by research), coursework-based programs (by course), and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Curriculum development is expected to respond to the needs of postgraduate linguistics education while preserving the academic distinctiveness of each university.

The PROPLI meeting brought together representatives of postgraduate linguistics programs from various universities to discuss institutional development and the future direction of linguistics education in Indonesia. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to inform further efforts to strengthen the association and align postgraduate linguistics curricula across the country.

Author: Master’s Program in Linguistics

Students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), have once again achieved an inspiring milestone in a Japanese language competition. The FIB UGM student team successfully secured 1st Place in the Chuukyuu (intermediate level) category at the 23rd Kanji Cup, held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the LP3M building of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa).

The competition was organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Surabaya, the IMC Center, and The Japan Foundation, Jakarta. The Kanji Cup is an annual competition that tests participants’ mastery of kanji, a vital aspect of learning the Japanese language.

The victorious FIB UGM team in the Chuukyuu category consisted of two Japanese Language and Culture Study Program students: Muhammad Alimahdi and Koeszahra Ganyo Saharasza. Both demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork in overcoming various challenges related to intermediate-level kanji proficiency.

This achievement serves as tangible proof of the ability of FIB UGM Japanese Language and Culture students to apply the knowledge gained during their lectures. Beyond testing kanji proficiency, the competition provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop thoroughness, quick thinking, and collaborative skills in a competitive environment.

This success is expected to motivate other students to continuously improve their Japanese language skills, both through academic activities and participation in various competitions. The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM also hopes that this accomplishment will serve as an ongoing encouragement to enhance learning quality and support student potential in achieving success on a broader scale.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

The East Java Language Center (Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Timur) held the 2026 Sutasoma Awards on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the M. Tabrani Building, East Java Language Center. Now in its 18th year, the Sutasoma Awards serve as a form of recognition for language and literature practitioners, communities, teachers, and other individuals and groups dedicated to the development, preservation, and advancement of language and literature.

This year’s event featured a panel discussion titled “Building a Literary Ecosystem in East Java,” followed by an awards ceremony recognizing achievements in seven categories: Literary Criticism, Literary Figures, Regional Language and Literature Teachers, Indonesian Language and Literature, Literary Communities, Regional Literary Works, and Indonesian Literary Works.

Among this year’s recipients was Romzul Falah, a master’s student in Literary Studies at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). He received the 2026 Sutasoma Award in the Indonesian Literary Works category for his poetry collection Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon (dan Balada Orang-orang Batuputih) (The Village Hall and the Nippon Ghosts [and Ballads of the People of Batuputih]). The Sutasoma Awards are a prestigious recognition in the literary and literacy landscape, particularly in East Java.

Following a rigorous judging process conducted by a five-member panel chaired by Prof. Dr. Djoko Saryono, M.Pd., a professor of Indonesian Language and Literature Education at the Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Falah’s collection emerged as a standout work. The collection had previously been named a “Manuscript That Caught the Jury’s Attention” in the 2023 Poetry Manuscript Competition organized by the Jakarta Arts Council. It has now drawn further recognition for its innovative contribution to the poetry scene in East Java.

According to the jury’s official report for the 2026 Sutasoma Awards, the collection occupies a distinctive position in the landscape of contemporary poetry, particularly in East Java. At a time when much of East Java’s recent poetry has been dominated by lyrical forms, Falah takes a different approach, using narrative poetry to reconstruct a community’s collective memory, myths, and oral traditions.

The jury identified the collection’s structural coherence, from beginning to end, as one of its greatest strengths. The poetic world it creates was praised for its consistency, with no jarring transitions from one poem to the next. The collection also traces a thematic movement that swings from the distant, elevated, and fantastical toward the ordinary and fundamental, before ultimately returning to the earth.

Reflecting on the award, Falah expressed both joy and an awareness of the new responsibility it brings to his writing.

“First of all, of course, I’m happy that my poetry collection, Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon, has received an award from the East Java Language Center. At the same time, though, it feels like a kind of moral burden, because for me, an award is another way of expressing responsibility—specifically, the responsibility to return to writing poetry,” said the poet, who was born in 2000.

Falah also expressed his gratitude to the many people who contributed to the making of the book. He refers to it as “our book,” acknowledging that its writing and publication involved the efforts of many people, particularly his colleagues at Anagram Publishing, including Doni Ahmadi and editor Willy Fahmy Agiska. He also thanked his friends at Malatè Artspace, an arts community in Sumenep Regency, who offered feedback throughout the poetry-writing process.

In particular, Falah thanked his grandmother, who introduced him to the myths of his hometown when he was a child. These stories brought him closer to the lives and experiences of earlier generations and later became one of the sources he drew on in crafting his poems. Stories about life in Batuputih also provided material for the collection.

The 2026 Sutasoma Award recognizes the literary achievement of Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon (dan Balada Orang-orang Batuputih) while highlighting how poetry can serve as a space for transforming collective memory, mythology, oral traditions, and community experiences into contemporary literary expression.

For Falah, an FCS UGM student whose debut poetry collection is titled Sebuah Kota Yang Menculik Kita (A City That Kidnaps Us), the award does not mark the end of his literary journey. Instead, it represents a renewed responsibility to keep writing and to contribute to the development of poetry within Indonesia’s broader literary ecosystem.

During the panel discussion, Dr. Puji Retno Hardiningtyas, head of the East Java Language Center, explained that the Sutasoma Awards are part of the institution’s broader mandate to develop and promote language and literature.

“The Language Center plays a role in language preservation and public outreach, particularly in efforts to develop language and literature. One way we carry out this responsibility is by recognizing communities and practitioners working in language and literature. The Sutasoma Awards are how we have put that commitment into practice for the 18th time,” Retno said.

Based on her observations and experience in the field, among the 30 technical implementation units (UPTs) of language centers across Indonesia, the East Java Language Center remains committed to recognizing language and literature practitioners, communities, teachers, and others dedicated to the development of language and literature.

She also emphasized the crucial role of East Java’s literary works in enriching Indonesia’s linguistic and literary heritage. Works written in Javanese, Madurese, the Osing dialect of Javanese, and Indonesian, she noted, help expand the Indonesian lexicon while introducing regional languages and Indonesian through the richness of local wisdom.

“I believe that the works you produce—whether in Javanese, Madurese, the Osing dialect of Javanese, or Indonesian—serve as important milestones in enriching our vocabulary and introducing regional languages and Indonesian through the local wisdom expressed in your writing,” said Retno, who previously worked as a researcher at the Bali Language Center.

Retno further noted that writers, literary figures, communities, teachers, and language and literature practitioners in East Java make contributions that are just as strategically important as those of literary figures and works at the national level. The works produced by Sutasoma Award recipients, she said, represent a significant contribution with a broad impact on the development of Indonesian literature.

“This also demonstrates that the writers, literary figures, communities, teachers, and language and literature practitioners in East Java are every bit as capable as their counterparts at the national level. The works you have produced—including those of the seven recipients being recognized through this year’s Sutasoma Awards—have a far-reaching impact and play an important role in the development of Indonesian literature,” Retno said.

Author: Selvia Parwati Putri