Yogyakarta, September 22, 2024 – Putri Azkia Nisfiatul Laili, a student of Arabic Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has achieved her first major milestone at the university level. Competing in the 2024 Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) League organized by the UGM MTQ Community, Azkia secured second place in the Musabaqah Hifdzil Qur’an (MHQ) category.

The competition was held as a preparatory event to select UGM’s delegation for the 17th National Student MTQ (MTQMN XVII) in 2025. It featured various branches of Qur’anic competitions and attracted hundreds of participants from different faculties across UGM.

The MHQ branch was divided into three categories: 10 juz, 20 juz, and 30 juz. Azkia competed in the 20-juz category, where participants were tested on their memorization from Juz 1 to Juz 20 using murattal recitation. During the competition, she confidently answered all questions posed by the judges in front of a live audience. Despite initial doubts due to limited preparation time and tight competition, her dedication and effort led her to secure second place, surpassing many other contestants. As a first-year student, Azkia admitted she did not expect to compete successfully against more senior participants.

Expressing her gratitude for the award, Azkia highlighted the importance of confidence and personal growth. “This competition not only challenged my skills but also taught me the importance of self-confidence and quality in facing challenges,” she stated.

Azkia’s achievement not only brought pride to the Arabic Literature Program but also aligned with the values of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education. Her success is expected to inspire other students to continue contributing in the field of Qur’anic studies and beyond. This milestone marks the beginning of what promises to be a bright journey for Azkia in promoting the values of the Qur’an and uplifting the university’s reputation on both national and international stages.

Yogyakarta, April 16, 2025 – The Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) held a post-Ramadan gathering event titled Ikmasa Balalan 2025 at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Taking place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB, the event acted as a valuable opportunity for spiritual reflection and strengthening bonds between students and lecturers of the Arabic Literature Department after the holy month of Ramadan 1446 H.

The event opened with remarks from the Master of Ceremony, followed by the reading of Syawalan pledges delivered by representatives from each academic year, starting from the 2021 to 2024 cohorts. A solemn atmosphere filled the room as Muhammad Ardiansyah (2021), Shang Narendra (2022), Faris Zaky Ramadhan (2023), and Haris Arfakhsyadz Azka Maula Harapan (2024) took turns to deliver the pledges. The Syawalan pledge continued with a heartfelt delivery by Mr. Abdul Jawat Nur, S.S., M.Hum., representing the lecturers of the department.

The Syawalan pledge was more than just a ceremonial act—it served as a sacred moment of mutual forgiveness for any past wrongdoings, whether between fellow students or between students and lecturers. The essence of sincerity, unity, and familial bonds was deeply felt throughout the session.

The main event was the tausiyah delivered by Dr. Nur Kholid, M.Pd.I., who shared post-Ramadan insights and emphasized the importance of maintaining spiritual growth during the month of Syawal. He discussed the deeper meaning of the commonly heard phrase “Minal Aidin wal Faidzin”, the significance of Syawal as a month of personal elevation, and the noble pursuit of becoming a pious individual.

The event concluded with a closing prayer led by Mr. Abdul Jawat Nur, S.S., M.Hum., followed by a group photo session and mushofahah—the traditional greeting and expression of forgiveness among participants. Warmth and camaraderie were evident in the interactions between students and lecturers.

Through Ikmasa Balalan 2025, IKMASA successfully fostered deeper spiritual understanding and reinforced the spirit of togetherness during this blessed Syawal moment.

[Public Relation of Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, April 17, 2025 – The Student Association of Arabic Literature (Ikatan Mahasiswa Sastra Arab or IKMASA) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a visitation to the Literacy Center DTMI at the Faculty of Engineering. This visitation was carried out in response to an invitation from the Literacy Center DTMI, which is actively promoting a culture of literacy among UGM students.

The visit was attended by all executive members of IKMASA 2025/2026 from each department, led by IKMASA Chairperson, Candra Solihin. During the visit, the delegation was warmly welcomed and guided by Adhika, a 2022 student of DTMI, who introduced the various facilities available at the Literacy Center.

Adhika shared insights into the book collections housed at the center and offered inspiring stories about how DTMI students utilize the space—not just as a reading room, but also as a comfortable and productive learning environment. The collection ranges from academic textbooks used by engineering students to popular fiction titles like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Tetralogi Buru by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

In addition to reading materials, the Literacy Center DTMI also provides a wide variety of board games designed to be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. These games cater to different skill levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—and serve as tools for honing critical thinking and strategic planning in a relaxed setting.

Through this visit, IKMASA hopes to foster collaboration and synergy with the Literacy Center DTMI, aiming to enhance cross-faculty literacy culture throughout the UGM campus. The IKMASA board also expressed their interest in adopting creative ideas from the center—such as the design of a comfortable and inviting literacy space, a diverse range of reading materials, and alternative learning media.

This visit marks a meaningful first step in opening dialogue and collaboration among student organizations across disciplines. Activities like this demonstrate that the spirit of literacy can flourish not only within the Arabic Literature program but also throughout the wider academic community—nurturing a more collaborative, inclusive, and literate culture at UGM.

[Public Relation of IKMASA FIB UGM]

Yogyakarta, February 19, 2025 – The Arabic Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture titled Weaving Hopes, Achieving Dreams at the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th floor. The event aimed to ignite the spirit and motivation of students, particularly first-year students.

The lecture featured three inspiring and accomplished speakers: Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., Nuri Anjani, S.S. (UGM Arabic Literature Class of 2019), and Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S. (Class of 2020). Each speaker shared their experiences, insights, and practical tips related to future planning and personal development.

The event opened with a welcoming speech and motivational message from the Head of the Arabic Literature Program, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum. The main session followed with a talk show moderated by Nur Kumalatuz Zahroh, a 2022 Arabic Literature student.

The first speaker, Nuri Anjani, S.S., delivered a presentation titled “Youth Contribution to Humanity and Community Empowerment through NGOs.” She shared her professional journey in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the preparations, challenges, and lessons learned throughout her career.

The second speaker, Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S., presented “Self Exertion to Realize the Plans and Goals,” emphasizing the importance of present-day readiness to face future challenges, along with the steps to becoming a recipient of prestigious scholarships like LPDP.

The third speaker, Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., delivered a talk titled “My Dreams, My Future,” highlighting the significance of having dreams and outlining the essential steps to turn those dreams into reality.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session, presentation of souvenirs to the speakers, documentation, and a prized quiz session enthusiastically participated in by the students. Through this public lecture, the Arabic Literature Program at UGM hopes to equip students with better preparation and direction as they plan for their futures.

[Public Relation of Arabic Literature FIB UGM, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, 22/4/2025 – Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM plays a vital role in facilitating the Academic English Proficiency Test (AcEPT) for prospective students from Timor-Leste. This test was conducted as part of the admission process for new students at UGM and was held in Dili, Timor-Leste, on March 19, 2025. This initiative reflects UGM’s commitment to strengthening academic relations and international collaboration, especially with neighboring countries.

The AcEPT test is specifically designed to measure participants’ academic English proficiency. This competence is an essential requirement for international students aiming to pursue their education at UGM. The test serves not only to select qualified candidates but also to prepare them for the academic challenges they may encounter in a university setting, where English proficiency is critical for study and research.

Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM plays a central role in organizing this test, handling everything from preparation to execution. As an institution dedicated to supporting education and cultural development, the Language Center ensures that the AcEPT test adheres to high-quality standards. This reflects UGM’s dedication to providing access to quality education for the international community, including prospective students from Timor-Leste.

The successful implementation of the AcEPT test highlights UGM’s efforts to contribute to human resource development in Timor-Leste. As a leading university in Indonesia, UGM strives to reinforce its role as an inclusive and globally oriented educational hub. By facilitating this test, UGM not only provides opportunities for prospective students to achieve higher education but also builds a stronger bridge of collaboration between Indonesia and Timor-Leste through education.

This initiative also serves as tangible proof of Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM commitment to fostering the potential of young generations by providing high-quality educational services. The AcEPT test gives prospective students the opportunity to showcase their abilities and serves as a crucial first step in their academic journey at UGM.

[Public Relation of Fellas FIB UGM, Sabik Hikami]