On Monday, July 15, 2024, Professor Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., a Professor of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada, was invited as a speaker at the Graduation and Scientific Oration event for prospective graduates of the Faculty of Ushuluddin Adab and Dakwah at Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah State Islamic University, Tulungagung, for the even semester of the 2023/2024 academic year. This event carried the theme ‘Graduates of Ushuluddin Adab and Dakwah and the Challenges of the Intelligence World’ and was also attended by Professor Dr. Masdar Hilmy, S.Ag. M.A., Ph.D., a Professor at Sunan Ampel State Islamic University, Surabaya, the Rector of Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah State Islamic University, Prof. Dr. H. Abd. Aziz, M.Pd.I., the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin Adab and Dakwah, Prof. Dr. H. Akhmad Rizqon Khamami, Lc., M.A., vice deans, lecturers, and prospective graduates of the July 2024 period.

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M. Hum., explained that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an intelligence system that allows a set of computers or other machines to think and work like humans. The era of artificial intelligence (AI) brings significant changes in various sectors, including the education sector. Therefore, both lecturers and students need to understand and adapt to these developments to maximize the benefits of AI in the teaching and learning process.

In response to the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, some members of the community are anxious and worried, even outright rejecting its presence. Nevertheless, it must be realized that the emergence and presence of AI cannot be blocked, rejected, or hindered, as this development is a testament to the progress of humanity in the world. Therefore, graduates of Ushuluddin Adab and Dakwah are expected not to be defensive but to seize the opportunity, adapt to the development and advancement of AI while adhering to ethics and morals based on agreed norms and conventions. The challenges faced by graduates of Ushuluddin Adab and Dakwah are not only the rapid presence of AI but also other challenges, such as deviant ideologies, secularism, and the demographic bonus of 2030. Despite this, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., urged the prospective graduates to not be afraid and to continue adapting and innovating to realize the nation’s aspiration of becoming a Golden Indonesia by 2045.

Aisyah Riska, a student from the Master’s Program in Linguistics at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is an inspiring figure hailing from South Sulawesi. Aisyah’s decision to continue her studies at UGM was a great decision. She aimed to earn her master’s degree and develop her potential in both academic and non-academic fields.

In the academic sphere, Aisyah has shown outstanding achievements. However, her excellence is not limited to academics alone. Aisyah is also active in various non-academic activities that enrich her experience and contribute positively to her surroundings.

As a person with a talent for the arts, Aisyah joined the Seni Pascasarjana UGM and served as the Head of the Theater Division. Additionally, she is active in Theater Gadjah Mada, a prominent theater organization at the university. Aisyah’s skill in theater not only hones her acting abilities but also enhances her communication and teamwork skills.

Not only active in arts organizations, Aisyah is also highly dedicated to the field of education. She actively teaches students from elementary to high school levels who are preparing for graduation exams or entrance exams for the next educational stage. Through this teaching, Aisyah hopes to make a tangible contribution to improving the quality of education for the younger generation.

Aisyah’s public speaking ability also allows her to have an exposure to the role of Master of Ceremony (MC) or moderator at various important events, both at the university level and events organized by local government agencies. Her role as an MC or moderator not only proves her communication skills but also showcases her confidence and high professionalism.

In addition to her academic achievements and involvement in various activities, Aisyah is also focused on being a content creator. Currently, she is part-time worker at the Unit of Public Relations and Cooperation FIB UGM. There, she is responsible for producing content focused on the TikTok platform.

Aisyah has produced many creative contents that have gone viral, demonstrating her ability to understand trends and audience needs. Through the content she has created, Aisyah not only promotes faculty activities and achievements but also provides inspiration and valuable information to many people.

Aisyah Riska’s story is a true example of a student who not only pursues academic excellence but also actively contributes in various fields. Despite her busy schedule and responsibilities, Aisyah continues to show high commitment and dedication. She is an inspiration to many other students to keep striving for their dreams and making a positive impact on society.

Aisyah Riska proves that with hard work, passion, and dedication, one can achieve various accomplishments and make a real contribution to their surroundings. May Aisyah’s inspirational story motivate more students to keep creating and achieving.

Davina Santosa, a student from the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had the opportunity to undertake the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. Together with the KKN team “Biak Elok,” they began their journey on June 29, 2024, under the guidance of Dr. Eng. Ir. R. Rachmat A. Sriwijaya, S.T., M.T., IPM., ASEAN, and will complete their activities on August 20, 2024.

Davina chose to join this team because she wanted to explore the lives of people outside Java. She was interested in understanding the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the local community. Davina felt it was important to know the characteristics of the community, the social approaches they take, and the challenges they face daily.

On Nusi Island, Davina and her team identified several key issues that need attention. First, there is economic disparity where job options are very limited as fishing is their only option. Second, accessibility to meet daily needs is very difficult. Third, lack of basic knowledge about cleanliness and health. Fourth, the allocation of village funds is uneven.

Their KKN theme is “Development of Tourism Potential and Human Resource Improvement Based on Community-Based Tourism Framework to Achieve Independence, Inclusivity, and Sustainability on Nusi Island, Padaido District, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.” In implementing this program, Davina found that there was no active tourism awareness group in the Padaido Islands. The last one was in Samberpasi, formed by the Biak Elok KKN Team in 2019, but it is no longer active. This shows that public awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism management is still very limited.

Additionally, Davina also found that community knowledge about waste management is very lacking. In Nusi and several other islands such as Samberpasi, Pasi, and Auki, garbage bins are rarely found in residents’ homes. Organic waste is usually given to their pets such as dogs and pigs, while other waste is collected and burned. Therefore, one of their KKN programs focuses on educating about better and sustainable waste management.

Despite the social issues they face, Nusi Island has extraordinary natural wealth. The sea water, which is still relatively unpolluted, is a clear blue. Additionally, there are many World War II relics both on land and in the sea, such as the foundations of war vehicle runways in every house on Wundi Island.

The culture of sirih pinang here becomes a social interaction medium. Additionally, traditional dances like Yospan and various musical instruments such as tifa are part of the rich culture. The community also has interesting Christian worship traditions; if there is grief or a send-off of children for education, it is celebrated with worship from night until dawn. Furthermore, they believe that Sunday is God’s day, so they are not allowed to work. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by church service at 9 a.m.

Socially, the people of Nusi Island are very friendly. There is a market day, which is a day when the market is held. Market days are held three times a week, namely on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they usually go fishing, and their catch will be sold the next day on market day. Because not all residents have boats, they often hitch rides to the market in the city, which adds to the closeness among the residents.

After several weeks living in Nusi, Davina experienced the simple and full-of-struggle life of the community to meet their daily needs. Limited infrastructure and electricity make it difficult for the community to explore new things that could support their livelihoods or improve their quality of life. One of the challenges they face is that electricity is only available for 12 hours a day, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. As a result, ice blocks are very difficult to find. In fact, ice blocks could be used to preserve their catch, which could create new business opportunities such as making shredded fish, fish sticks, etc.

In addition to having the opportunity to explore the easternmost region of Indonesia, Davina also learned that economic and educational disparities still exist. People on the other side of Papua still really need help, both in terms of funding, accessibility, infrastructure, and knowledge expansion. However, despite living in simplicity, they can still be happy.

The KKN experience on Nusi Island provided many valuable lessons about the lives of Papuans, especially those on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. With enthusiasm and hard work, Davina and her team hope that this KKN program can contribute positively to the development of tourism potential and human resource improvement in the Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.

The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held an Expert Lecture on Literature with the theme “Literature in Digital Age” on Thursday, July 18, 2024. This event took place from 12.30 to 15.30 in Sogeondo Room 709 FIB UGM and virtually through Zoom Meeting. The lecture is an open forum for the general public, although offline attendance is limited. The speakers include Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D. from Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Pujiharto, M.Hum. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and Miguel Escobar Varela, Ph.D. from National University of Singapore. The moderation of the event was conducted by Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

Digital literary works include various formats such as e-books, literary blogs, literary websites, interactive stories and digital poetry. Some digital literary works also utilize multimedia elements such as images, audio and video to enhance the reading experience. This shows the development and adaptation of literature in the digital era, where technology becomes a means to express ideas and emotions in a more dynamic and interactive way. A new phenomenon in the literary world emerges with the existence of works created by robots or machines such as ChatGPT. Martin S.’s book “Poet as Machine” highlights this phenomenon. In the concept of the poet as machine, the use of language is managed entirely by the machine, and the resulting literary work is able to create its own narrative world through the use of carefully programmed language. This illustrates a new evolution in the way we understand creativity and the relationship between technology and art, as well as how algorithms can be a tool for creating impressive and original works.

The phenomenon of digital literature not only includes works created by writers but also involves the active participation of readers in the writing process, which then leads to the development of the study of fan literature. The history of this study can be traced back to Damono’s contribution in 1978 which introduced the importance of the study of popular literature, especially from the perspective of literary sociology. This study highlights how literature, especially in digital form, has changed the way readers interact and contribute to the creation of literary works. Discussions on this subject continue among modern literary scholars, exploring the role of technology in shaping and influencing contemporary literary discourse. This event is expected to be a means to explore and understand the development of literature in the growing digital era.

The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the global average temperature is expected to rise by 1.5°C by 2025 compared to the 1900s. One of the contributing factors is deforestation. In Indonesia, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the area of Indonesia’s forests decreased by 956,258 hectares (0.5% of the total land area) between 2017 and 2021. One example of successful conservation is Wonosadi Forest in Gunungkidul, which has been restored thanks to community awareness and the oral tradition of Sadranan Wonosadi.

Wonosadi Forest is a forest located in Duren Hamlet, Semin District, Gunungkidul Regency. It is classified as SG (Sultan Ground) and functions as a protected forest that safeguards life support systems. In 1960, Wonosadi Forest experienced massive deforestation due to the ideological shift of the PKI. Currently, thanks to the Sadranan oral tradition, the community has successfully restored the forest’s sustainability.

An important oral tradition in the conservation of Wonosadi Forest is the will of Ki Onggoloco, which states that:

• Wonosadi Forest must be preserved for the prosperity of future generations.
• This forest contains many medicinal plants.
• The Sadranan ritual is held annually to strengthen social bonds.

According to Muhammad Lodhi Firmansyah (Cultural Anthropology, 2023), “We are conducting research on the Sadranan tradition as a collective awareness to preserve Wonosadi Forest from deforestation, using ecocriticism as our main approach. Our main goal is to find new formulas to internalize the values of the Sadranan Oral Tradition as an effort to preserve the environment and curb climate change.” Besides Lodhi, the research team consists of Ghina Danilah as the leader (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2022), Syifa Hasna Yunifa (Forestry, 2023), Afif Naufal Widiadi (Cultural Anthropology, 2021), and Febriano Agung Nugroho (Law, 2023), under the guidance of Dr. Aprillia Firmonasari, S.S., M.Hum., DEA.

This research involves surveys of 78 residents of Duren Hamlet using observation and interviews with key figures such as the gatekeeper, forest rangers, village officials, and the head of Beji Village. “As supporting data, we conducted archival readings and a population census,” said Lodhi.

Survey results show that the majority of respondents (43.9%) are in the group that is active and committed to preserving the tradition. A small portion (8.5%) is in the group that participates and believes but does not understand or spread the tradition.

Ecocriticism analysis of the Sadranan Oral Tradition shows that human awareness of nature can maintain ecosystem balance and create ecological conservation. However, social and economic factors can threaten this sustainability, especially the low participation rate among the younger age group (<25 years), which risks eroding local culture.

Active participation and community commitment in preserving the Sadranan oral tradition indicate that the social system in Duren Hamlet has achieved balance and sustainability. Through this tradition, the community has successfully built social systems and structures that support the conservation of Wonosadi Forest.

With the ecocriticism approach, this research emphasizes the importance of integrating local traditions into ecological conservation strategies for climate change mitigation, and opens new perspectives on conservation efforts in other forests in Indonesia.