Yogyakarta, 21/8/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has once again produced a new doctor in the field of linguistics. Novi Eka Susilowati officially earned her doctoral degree with her dissertation titled “The Use of Verbal Violence Metaphors Against Indonesian Politicians on Twitter.” The doctoral promotion session took place in the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, FIB UGM, with promoter Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A., and co-promoter Dr. Hayatul Cholsy, M.Hum.

In her research, Novi discovered that political discourse on social media is rife with metaphors of verbal violence used by netizens to dehumanize and belittle politicians. The forms of these metaphors vary, ranging from words and phrases to sentences, drawing from source domains such as animals, trash, metaphysical beings, and physical objects. Interestingly, new metaphors unique to Indonesia’s digital culture have emerged, such as Mak Lampir and Kakek Sugiono.

During her speech, she identified six factors contributing to the use of verbal violence metaphors against politicians: (1) disappointment with politicians, (2) the political party ideology that supports the politicians, (3) access to social media, (4) the anonymity feature on Twitter, (5) the social distance between Twitter users and politicians, and (6) cultural context.

These findings indicate that social media is not merely a space for expression but also an arena for the reproduction of symbolic violence that can damage the positive image of politicians and diminish respect for their human rights. From a global perspective, this study is relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which emphasizes the importance of peaceful communication, transparency, and respect for human dignity in public life.

Sunday, August 17, 2025 – 4 Students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Ataya Sasya Heradie (Korean Language and Culture 2024), Tabita Nada Kirana (Cultural Anthropology 2024), Andieni Ika Bela Safitri (Indonesian Language and Literature 2024), and Thiery Vincent Masarrang (French Literature 2024), delivered a captivating performance at the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace alongside fellow members of UGM’s Marching Band. This special moment coincided with the commemoration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. UGM Marching Band performed as the Display team in the Parade Senja at the Presidential Palace in Yogyakarta. The event was attended by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X and key policymakers in Yogyakarta.

Ataya Sasya and her peers expressed their deep honor at being able to perform at the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace. After several years of absence, UGM Marching Band finally returned to the Palace in 2025, marking a moment welcomed with pride and joy.

This performance was not only part of the 80th Independence Day celebration, but also a reflection of students’ contribution to preserving art, culture, and national spirit. It is in line with Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing opportunities for students to develop their talents through the arts, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting cultural preservation in public spaces.

With a spirit of togetherness and creativity, UGM Marching Band reaffirmed its role as a cultural ambassador of the university, inspiring the community while strengthening unity during this historic Independence Day celebration.

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

Yogyakarta, 21/8/2025 – The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), in collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), held the 2025 NGO Fair at the Greenland Courtyard of the Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The event ran from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and was open to students and the general public.

This event aimed to introduce various organizations and communities in Yogyakarta and provide opportunities for students interested in volunteering or participating in internship programs. More than 20 organizations were in attendance, including Animal Friends Jogja, Rifka Annisa Women’s Crisis Center, WALHI Yogyakarta, Trash Hero Yogyakarta, the SATUNAMA Foundation, and several other communities and empowerment institutions. Through this activity, students were expected to not only learn about social, environmental, and humanitarian issues but also take an active role in making a real impact on their communities.

ACICIS has been strengthening Indonesia-Australia relations in education and culture with various partners for over 30 years. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is one of ACICIS’ partners, facilitated by the Faculty’s Supporting Work Unit, INCULS, which focuses on teaching Indonesian Language and Literature (BIPA).

Through activities such as the NGO FAIR, ACICIS and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), hope that this collaboration will continue and have a positive impact on the wider community.

Yogyakarta, 19/8/2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), opened the 2025/2026 academic year with a warm and meaningful gathering between Academic Supervisors and their students. This event served not only as an academic briefing but also as a space to strengthen personal connections, ensuring students have a clearer roadmap for their journey at Arabic Study Program UGM.

The Academic Supervisors personally greeted their mentees, fostering closer communication and interaction. The session continued with a review of students’ credit achievements (SKS) and a reminder of the academic credit system, encouraging students to design effective learning strategies for the semesters ahead. In addition, the supervisors introduced students to the projection of their final projects, giving them an early picture of the possible paths they could take in preparing for their culminating academic work.

Beyond academics, students were reminded of the importance of building a professional digital footprint during their time at UGM. They were encouraged to utilize platforms such as LinkedIn to record achievements, experiences, and personal growth. This simple yet strategic step is expected to lay a strong foundation for future careers while supporting the university’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU).

In line with this, the meeting also highlighted opportunities offered by the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, which enables students to strengthen both hard skills and soft skills through experiential learning beyond the classroom.

The session concluded with an emphasis on nurturing student achievement. The Arabic Study Program reaffirmed its commitment to fully supporting students in developing their potential—both academic and non-academic—so that they may grow into graduates who are excellent, competitive, and ready to contribute meaningfully to society.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, August 20, 2025 — The Cultural Anthropology Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again opened its Gender and Sexuality class, a regular part of the department’s semester curriculum. This semester, the class is scheduled every Wednesday from 7:15 to 9:45 a.m., running from August 20 to December 5, 2025, at the R. Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

The course aims to provide a critical understanding of the distinctions between sex, gender, and sexuality. Through this class, students are encouraged to grasp why these distinctions have become increasingly significant amid the changing dynamics of modern society.

A wide range of topics are discussed, including sexual taboos, sexual identity, and expressions of gender in everyday life. The course also examines how gender identity intersects with other aspects such as social class, ethnicity, race, age, and religion. Using an intersectional approach, students are guided to understand how multiple identities shape individual experiences within society.

Beyond theoretical discussion, the course also highlights the social and cultural implications of gender and sexuality issues, especially in the context of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Students are encouraged to think critically, question social norms, and appreciate the diversity of human experiences while remaining grounded in local contexts.

The Gender and Sexuality class is open to students from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program and other departments within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. It serves as an important academic space for anyone interested in exploring gender, sexuality, and identity studies from an anthropological perspective, while broadening their understanding of the complexities of contemporary social life.

Photo: Freepik.com

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]