Good news came from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), which managed to pass ten students in the 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS). This prestigious event will be held at Airlangga University on October 14-19, 2024.

PIMNAS is an annual competition organized by the Indonesian Talent Development Center (BPTI) under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. This activity is the culmination of the Student Creativity Program (PKM) which provides an opportunity for students to present their scientific work at the national level.

The students who passed are:

1. Muhammad Fahmi Rafsanjani – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
2. Muhammad Hafidz Zidan – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
3. Pamula Nur Kriswardhani – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
4. I Ketut Aditya Prayoga – Tourism Study Program
5. Ilham Andriyanto – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
6. Aqilurrachman Abdul Charitz – Cultural Anthropology Study Program
7. Yuni Setya Ningrum – History major
8. Muhammad Fernanda Dhiyaul Hak – Archaeology Study Program
9. Fatiya Hasna Alifan – History Program
10. Laras Tristanti – Archaeology Study Program

This success is the fruit of hard work and dedication of students in developing creativity and scientific reasoning. Hopefully, this participation will not only provide valuable experience for students, but also increase the reputation of the Faculty of Humanities UGM in the national arena.

With the spirit of collaboration and innovation, students are expected to bring home achievements and positive contributions to the development of science and culture in Indonesia. Congratulations to all students who have successfully passed in PIMNAS 37!

Yogyakarta, October 9, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from SMAN 1 Cluring, Banyuwangi, and MA Binaul Ummah, Bantul, at the faculty auditorium. This activity aims to give insight to the students about the existing study programs as well as the important role of the faculty in preserving culture. 

In the question and answer session, students from SMAN 1 Cluring asked questions about FIB’s contribution in preserving local culture and the challenges faced in the era of globalization. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences explained that the faculty plays an active role through research and community service, developing programs that promote local culture, although they face challenges such as the influence of foreign cultures and the lack of attention of the younger generation to cultural heritage. Students also asked about steps students can take to join the global exchange network, where it was explained that students are advised to be active in international organizations and develop foreign language skills.

Meanwhile, from MA Binaul Ummah, students asked about the UGM entrance pathway for tahfidz. The faculty explained that UGM provides special pathways for prospective students who have achievements in the field of tahfidz, with an emphasis on the importance of following the appropriate selection. Students can apply through the achievement pathway. They also questioned the job prospects for Arabic Literature graduates. It was explained that Arabic Literature graduates have extensive career opportunities, including in education, translation, diplomacy, and the media industry. This visit is expected to give students a better understanding of the importance of education in the field of cultural sciences as well as the opportunities that exist at UGM, hopefully students will be inspired to continue their studies to a higher level and contribute to the preservation of local culture.

The journey within the 1000 Digital Startup Movement began with enthusiasm and hope for a group of participants involved. This program offers an extraordinary opportunity for them to establish a startup intensively over six months. The program combines online and offline meetings in a hybrid format, allowing participants to connect and collaborate effectively. Their first meeting took place at the Hack4ID event, held at the TILC building, Vocational School, Universitas Gadjah Mada. There, the team members—Adri, Ahmad, Boby, Padma, and soon-to-join Alfin—met for the first time, forming a group that would later become their comrades-in-arms. This Hack4ID event spanned two days, from Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 3, 2024, and was filled with valuable learning experiences. Participants were taught to be more aware in identifying problems and proposing solutions based on solid data, not just assumptions.

In this meeting, they were also challenged to quickly decide on the type of startup they wanted to establish and the field they would focus on. After intense discussions, they agreed to create HaloCats, a startup in the pet care industry. Their goal was simple but significant—to make it easier for cat owners to sterilize their pets safely and comfortably. However, this meeting wasn’t just about work. It also marked the beginning of a friendship they built together, forming a strong foundation for facing the long and challenging journey of building this startup. HaloCats now stands as a tangible proof of the team’s collaboration and hard work, and they are ready to face the next challenges with full enthusiasm.

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Written by: Rifal Fadlurrahman, Editor: Aldiza]

The Department of Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Cultural Anthropology Proposal Seminar as an essential step for students before conducting fieldwork. The seminar was divided into 10 clusters, including Care and Health, Economy, Environment and Humanity, Infrastructure, Arts & Media, Youth, Gender, Farmers, Communities, and Popular Culture, with a total of 58 participating students. This open forum was attended by examiners, and graduate student mentors (Master’s and Ph.D.), and was also open to the public.

Each day, 10 to 20 students presented their research proposals, where they received feedback and constructive suggestions from faculty and mentors. The seminar took place over three days—Thursday, September 19, 2024, Friday, September 20, 2024, and Monday, September 23, 2024. It was held in three rooms (Soegondo 511, 514, and 709), with 12 faculty members serving as examiners and 9 graduate students as mentors. In the seminar, each student presented their research proposal in front of the examiners and mentors, followed by a discussion session to provide suggestions and critiques. The goal was to help students refine their research plans before heading into the field.

One of the examiners, Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, S.Ant., M.A., or more commonly known as Mas Zamzam, emphasized that the beginning of research stems from our curiosity or the questions we want to answer. He stressed the importance of thoroughly reviewing research questions before starting a project. This was intended to ensure the alignment of the title with the question, define the research boundaries, and deepen the students’ understanding of their chosen topic. Throughout the discussions, Mas Zamzam consistently asked students to further explain their research questions, urging them to reflect critically on their research approach. The hope was that by the time they enter the field, students will have a clear grasp of the data needed and the appropriate boundaries based on their research topic.

The Cultural Anthropology Proposal Seminar was not only a critical academic milestone for students but also supported several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality). Through mentoring and open discussions, students were trained to gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and cultural issues they were investigating. The aim is that their research will make meaningful contributions toward addressing societal challenges such as social inequality, health problems, environmental issues, gender, and community concerns—ultimately contributing to more inclusive and sustainable development.

[FIB UGM PR, Writer: Bonifacius Edo, Editor: Aldiza, Translator: Aldiza]

University campuses serve as ideal spaces to explore knowledge beyond the classroom. Discussion forums can be created as a response to pressing issues, such as inequality in Indonesia. These discussions can be sparked through various media, including music and film, which is exactly what the Anthropology Students Association (KEMANT) has done through its event, Rembukant #2, a program initiated by KEMANT’s academic division. This second edition of Rembukant invited participants to watch a film and explore the creative process behind the music currently trending in Papua Highlands.

The event took place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Room 521+522 of Soegondo Hall, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. With the theme “Celebrating Identity Through Music: Technology, Tradition, and Globalization in Wisisi Nit Meke,” KEMANT encouraged participants not just to watch but also to engage in a discussion with the filmmaker. The event featured Wok The Rock as the film’s producer, Asep Nayak as the musician and main actor, and Cania, a 2020 UGM Cultural Anthropology alumna and current film researcher. The event was moderated by Puspita Nindya Sari, a 2023 Cultural Anthropology student.

The event began with a film screening, followed by a discussion with the speakers, and concluded with a Q&A session and a flashmob of the Aster dance, led by Asep Nayak. Aster dance is a popular dance in Papua today, performed to the beat of wisisi music created by Asep Nayak.

The second speaker, Asep Nayak, shared his journey as a wisisi musician and film actor. He explained how his passion for music led him to learn FL Studio software on his own via YouTube. Through his storytelling, Asep highlighted the significance of wisisi music and its collaboration with Aster dance in the context of Papuan society.

The final speaker, Cania, provided an anthropological analysis of the film. She shared her perspective on how the film reflects the intersection of technology, tradition, globalization, and identity.

The discussion was engaging and interactive, with the film Wisisi Nit Meke offering new insights into how wisisi music and Aster dance have become part of the identity of the indigenous Papuan community. The internet, as a result of technological progress, has made global information more accessible, including tutorials for using FL Studio, which has become a tool for creative expression. Rembukant #2 concluded with a flashmob of the Aster dance, accompanied by wisisi music led by its creator.

[FIB UGM Public Relation, Writer: Puspita Nindya Sari, Editor: Aldiza, Translator: Aldiza, Photos: Afkar Alhamid]