Yogyakarta, 19-21 Mei 2025 —Indonesia is widely recognized as an archipelagic country. According to the Geospatial Information Agency, by 2024, the number of islands in Indonesia had reached 17,360, varying in size, location, socio-cultural systems, and natural as well as human resource potential. As territorial units, these islands are both separated and united by the sea—whose area is even larger than the landmass itself. This fact illustrates that the tendency toward fragmentation may be stronger than that of unity. As a unitary state, Indonesia exists within a constant tension between sameness and diversity, unity and potential disintegration. Therefore, the state must pay serious attention to its islands. It is for this reason that the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), continues to be emphasized by the government through various educational institutions and civic doctrinal efforts.

In response to the urgent need to address Indonesia’s existence as an archipelagic state with complex island-related issues, the Doctoral Program in Humanities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, opened the year 2025 with an international lecture series. The program invited three internationally recognized scholars in island studies to teach and deliver lectures as part of a comprehensive event entitled Critical Island Studies Summer School, themed “The Land, The Sea, and The State.” The invited scholars included Maria Luisa Torres Reyes, a full professor and Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Alex Taek-Gwang Lee, professor of philosophy and cultural studies and founding director of the Centre for Technology in Humanities at Kyung Hee University, South Korea; and Faruk, professor at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, specializing in literary sociology with a focus on cultural and island studies. The event took place from May 19 to 21, 2025, in Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

On the first day, the program commenced with an introductory presentation on Critical Island Studies (CIS) by Prof. Maria Luisa Torres Reyes and Prof. Alex Taek-Gwang Lee. Prof. Reyes—affectionately called “Bu Lulu” during her stay in Indonesia—explained that Critical Island Studies was established in 2019 at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. Its core focus is to observe and critique island-related studies, particularly in the Asian region.

On the second and third days, the program continued with lecture sessions from four keynote speakers. On Day 2, Prof. Reyes presented a lecture titled “The Sama Bajau: The Nomadic Space/Place Between ‘Laut’ and ‘Pulo’,” followed by Prof. Faruk’s presentation entitled “The Sea, Nomad, and Capitalist.” On the final day, Prof. Toshiya presented an abstract titled “What is the Speculative and Archipelagic Turn in the Recent Tonality of Human Sciences?” which was then followed by the final lecture delivered by Prof. Alex titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Ecological Catastrophe.”

Guided by a moderator, the event did not merely consist of lectures but also featured engaging discussions with the participants. The entire Critical Island Studies (CIS) Summer School concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA, Vice Rector for Education and Teaching at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Doctoral Program in Humanities]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — In an effort to enhance institutional communication management capacity, the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a benchmarking visit to the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol) UGM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The primary aim of this visit was to study and analyze best practices implemented by Fisipol, particularly in the domains of social media management, digital communication strategies, and institutional reputation management, all of which are handled by the Faculty Secretary unit of Fisipol UGM.

During the visit, the FIB UGM team was received by Velina Aulia, the Social Media Manager and Alumni Relations Officer at the Fisipol Faculty Secretary. The session began with a comprehensive presentation outlining the organizational structure and workflow of the Faculty Secretary unit. The Faculty Secretary reports directly to the Dean and works in parallel with the Vice Deans responsible for academic affairs, research, finance, and human resources. This structural arrangement highlights the strategic significance of communication in supporting the faculty’s vision and mission, while also maintaining effective engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.

In the presentation, the Faculty Secretary team elaborated on the various digital platforms they manage. Instagram serves as the primary channel for dynamic and interactive content dissemination, while LinkedIn is utilized to engage alumni and professional partners. WhatsApp Business is designated for public-facing communications, whereas WhatsApp groups are used to distribute internal information among staff, faculty members, and students. Additionally, Fisipol UGM manages a knowledge-focused YouTube channel, operated by a dedicated division.

When elaborating on their content strategy, the Faculty Secretary introduced several communication pillars that form the foundation of their publication approach. The first pillar, “Good News Fisipol,” focuses on academic and student achievements, which tend to generate high levels of engagement. The second, “Info Fisipol,” delivers academic and service-related announcements using formal and standardized language. The third, “Sudut Fisipol” (Fisipol Corner), features lighter, narrative-driven, and personalized content, such as compelling stories from student activities or daily life within the Fisipol academic community.

Furthermore, the Faculty Secretary emphasized the importance of responsiveness in public communication, with a standard response time of no more than 24 hours. Nonetheless, in addressing negative feedback, a selective policy is applied—responses are only issued if the issue in question is collective in nature and has broader implications for the institution.

One notable aspect of Fisipol’s communication practices is their ability to craft meaningful narratives from seemingly ordinary events. Moments such as orchid planting, the presence of campus cats, or other routine campus occurrences are thoughtfully incorporated into communication content to foster emotional resonance and strengthen the connection between the institution and its audience.

This benchmarking visit provided valuable insights for the FIB UGM Public Relations and Cooperation team, particularly in understanding how strategic communication and institutional reputation management can be carried out in a structured, data-driven manner that aligns with the evolving dynamics of the digital era. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this visit will contribute to the advancement of communication and cooperation practices within FIB UGM in the near future.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — The Doctoral Promotion Open Examination of Dr. Ronidin was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session took place in the Multimedia Room, 2nd Floor of the Margono Building, at 10.00 AM (WIB). This academic agenda marked the culmination of his doctoral journey in the Humanities Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In this open examination, Dr. Ronidin defended his dissertation entitled “The Expression of Minangkabau Tabedo in Novels by Minangkabau Authors Post-PRRI to the First Half of the New Order: A Genetic Structuralism Study.” The examination was supervised by Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum. as Promoter, and Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum. as Co-Promoter, and chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si.

This dissertation delves deeply into how the historical events of the PRRI (Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia) and the political transition during the early New Order period shaped cultural expressions and worldviews of Minangkabau authors through the medium of novels. Utilizing Lucien Goldmann’s genetic structuralism approach, reinforced by Lotman’s narrative theory, this research demonstrates how the Minangkabau tabedo worldview—characterized by difficult and dilemmatic social conditions—is reflected in literary texts.

The study examines five novels by Minangkabau authors: Dari Puncak Bukit Talang by Soewardi Idris, Panggilan Tanah Kelahiran by Dt. B. Nurdin Jacub, Saraswati Si Gadis dalam Sunyi by A.A. Navis, Warisan by Chairul Harun, and Bako by Darman Moenir. These novels depict the realities of Minangkabau society post-PRRI, amidst state hegemony and the shifting of traditional values, such as the role of the maternal uncle in the matrilineal system, the role of religion, and the relationship between the village and the diaspora.

Dr. Ronidin emphasizes that the Minangkabau tabedo phenomenon emerges as a representation of the tension between traditional values eroded by political realities and modernity introduced from external influences. In these novels, complex social realities are metaphorically portrayed through characters and narrative relationships, structurally reflecting the sociological conditions of Minangkabau society during that era.

This open examination not only affirms Dr. Ronidin’s intellectual capacity as an academic but also contributes significantly to Indonesian literary studies, particularly in understanding literature as a mirror of a society’s socio-political dynamics.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 10/4/25 – The big family of Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a syawalan event on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Margono Djojohadikusumo Building (Greenland) of FIB UGM. The event, which took place from 08.00 to 11.30 WIB, became a gathering place and strengthened the togetherness of the academic community after the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1446 H.

A series of events were officially opened at 09.00 WIB by Dr. Robi Wibowo, S.S., M.A. and Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. as Master of Ceremony (MC), followed by the recitation of the Qur’an by two UGM Arabic Literature students, namely Azka Dihya Khaliffa and Risma Nur Isnaini which added to the solemnity of the atmosphere. The Dean of Faculty of Arts UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., also gave a warm welcome and expressed his appreciation to the committee and all invited guests who attended.

One of the important moments in this year’s syawalan is the introduction of new lecturers and education staff (tendik) which shows the spirit of inclusiveness and kinship within the Faculty. This moment became a warm initial introduction for the new family members of FIB UGM.

The wisdom of Syawalan was delivered by Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A., who gave a deep reflection on the meaning of syawalan as a means of introspection and renewal of social relations followed by the distribution of door prizes to invited guests which added to the lively syawalan event and created a festive atmosphere and full of surprises.

The series of events were closed with a prayer led by Dr. Mutiah Amini, M.Hum and continued with hospitality and a meal together which further strengthened the togetherness between the academic community of FIB UGM in a family atmosphere.

With this event, Syawalan FIB UGM 1446 H is not only an annual routine, but also an important moment in strengthening the values of togetherness, knowledge, and kinship within the Faculty.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta – 24/2/25 In order to encourage the study of Indonesian art archaeology as well as to participate in the field of inclusive education, the scientific division of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Student Association (HMJ Kamastawa) collaborates with Artefak Magazine, a publication of the Archaeology Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). This collaboration resulted in the 2024 edition of Artifact Magazine which raised a theme entitled “Archaeology of Art.”

The magazine features a variety of interesting content, including a feature article, four scientific papers, six popular scientific papers, three opinions, and four essay photos. The presented material also varies from traditional to contemporary, so that the broad discussion can spark curiosity and open a deeper horizon about art archaeology.

So, what is discussed in this edition? How does art and archaeology relate? If students’ minds have already come up with such questions, there is nothing wrong with visiting the Instagram account @artefak.hima.

The collaboration between two different academic programs—Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, with Archaeology—is a joint effort to produce critical and in-depth studies of cultural objects. This collaboration not only enriches the educational landscape but also as a form of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) points, especially in information gathering, innovation, and education, as well as a form of collaboration in realizing quality education, especially in the field of art archaeology.

[Bachelor of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture UGM, Fega Achillea Maydena]