Yogyakarta, 23/4/2025 – The Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a public lecture entitled “Beyond Borders: Rethinking Homeland and Belonging in Diaspora and Francophone Studies” on Tuesday, April 23, 2025, in the Soegondo Hall of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event, attended by students from various departments, was officially opened by the Head of the Master’s Program in Literature, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Aprinus Salam emphasized that public lectures are a concrete manifestation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi. He underlined the importance of broadening international perspectives, “Although our focus is in literature from a particular country, global awareness remains an essential asset. Therefore, our program will continue to present lectures on cutting-edge literary topics from around the world.” he said. 

The main material was delivered by Dr. Arifah Arum Candra Hayuningsih, S.S., M.A., who invited students to reassess conventional understandings of homeland and belonging within the context of diaspora and Francophone studies. The lecture raised fundamental philosophical and political questions, What does “home” mean? And must identity always be rooted in a specific place?

Dr. Arifah Arum highlighted that the theories of homeland and belonging are often understood in rigid terms–in terms of citizenship, territory, or national identity–whereas diasporic experiences show that identities are fluid, negotiated, and shaped by memory, language, and the legacies of colonialism. This lecture dissects important thoughts in diaspora studies from various scholars such as Paul Gilroy to Stuart Hall. Furthermore, Dr. Arifah Arum presented an analysis of Francophone literary works such as those by Leïla Sebbar, Maryse Condé, and Mariama Ba, which showed how experiences of migration and colonialism gave birth to plural creole identities. Francophone diasporic literature, according to her, is an important medium to reveal experiences that are often excluded from the dominant national narrative.

In the Q&A session, students were actively involved  in raising personal and political issues around multiple identities, repatriation, and the meaning of ‘second home’. In responding to the issue of multiple identities, Dr. Arifah Arum argued that “what makes us who we are today is not a single thing. There are always broken fragments in shaping our identity. Our identities will continue to change and reproduce.” she explained. Then, she emphasized the importance of language, memory, and representation as a bridge to build an authentic sense of existence.

At the end of the session, participants were invited to reflect, could ‘homeland’ be plural, emotional, even imaginary? And how does literature play a role in shaping and re-questioning the meaning of home, identity and existence? This public lecture marks the importance of cross-cultural studies in understanding the dynamics of global identity. Not only did it enrich students’ academic insights, it also underscored the relevance of sustainable development values.

[Public Relation Magister of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 21/4/2025 – Warung Sastra once again served as a warm and critical space for literary dialogue during teh “Malam Buku” (Book Night) event held on Sunday, April 21, 2025. The event featured Dari Dalam Kubur autor Soe Tjen Marching, alongside Ramayda Akmal, a lecturer in the Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada, as a guest speaker. This dialogue offered an in-depth discussion on how the novel constructs a historical narrative through the intergenerational experiences of its characters.

In the discussion, Ramayda stated that the novel does not merely present a personal story but also serves as a space to articulate the collective wounds of the nation. “The stories of Carla, her mother, and her grandmother are not just individual experiences. They carry the weight of history and give voice to those who have long been silenced, “she said. Ramayda further emphasized that the novel positions the female body as a historical site that reveals systemic violence rooted in the state, race, and dominant patriarchy.

Dari Dalam Kubur specifically highlights the issue of intergenerational trauma within families affected by the political violence of 1965 in Indonesia. The novel is also marked by a retrospective narrative approach. “Ms. Marching writes from the present, with an awareness of past events, for the sake of our understanding today,” Ramayda explained. She underlined that the function of historical fiction is not merely to revive the past but to critique ongoing inequalities. When past narratives continue to echo in the present, it signifies unresolved issues that require collective attention.

During the session, Soe Tjen Marching revealed that the writing process of this novel was hindered by emotional blocks caused by trauma. “When something is too painful, our bodies block it. We think we have forgotten, but the trauma becomes even more real,” she said. She stressed that dari Dalam Kubur is not just a work of fiction, but rather a reflective space that invites readers to engage in a dialogue with the inherited wounds passed down through generations.

This discussion highlighted the importance of historical literacy, gender awareness and freedom of expression–values that serve as the foundation for sustainable development. Dari Dalam Kubur offers a space for contemplation for anyone seeking to understand how historical trauma continues to resonate in the pulse of today’s life.

[Public Relation Magister of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 24/4/2025 — The Tourism Study Programme at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), welcomed an academic visit from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Johor, Malaysia on Thursday (24/4). The visit marked a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and the strengthening of international networks in the fields of tourism and culture.

In a warm and engaging session, both institutions presented their academic activities and flagship programmes. Students and lecturers from both sides shared experiences on curriculum development, industry practices and research, as well as approaches to tourism education.

The event continued with an interactive bonding session. A relaxed atmosphere was created through ice-breaking activities involving all participants, followed by a traditional dance performance by students from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

This visit is expected to be the starting point for further collaboration between the Tourism Study Programme of FIB UGM and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, particularly in future capacity-building initiatives.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 24/4/2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A. as a Professor in the field of History. The inauguration ceremony was held at the UGM Senate Hall and attended by members of the academic community, family, and guests from various institutions.

In his inaugural speech entitled “Has Political Independence Transformed the Concepts of Colonisation and Decolonisation of Knowledge in Higher Education?”, Prof. Agus Suwignyo asserted that Indonesia’s political independence has indeed transformed these concepts, although the changes have not unfolded in a linear or progressive manner.

“Eight decades after the Proclamation of Independence, we have yet to witness a thorough and systematic decolonisation of knowledge within our universities,” said Prof. Agus. He stressed that while Indonesia is politically independent, the domain of knowledge and its production continues to be overshadowed by unresolved colonial legacies.

In his speech, Prof. Agus also drew attention to how criticisms of academic institutions have emerged as early as the era of President Soekarno. He quoted Soekarno’s statement: “I detest all this juridical formalism; I detest all this intellectualism,” which reflects the tension between politics and intellectualism. A similar tension, according to Prof. Agus, resurfaced six decades later in President Prabowo Subianto’s remark: “There are these professors who are so smart, yet they disagree. I’m puzzled. Are they clever or foolish? I don’t know. Maybe their minds are sharp, but their hearts can’t feel.”

These two statements, though separated by 64 years, reveal an enduring scepticism toward the role of intellectuals in the political power structure. Prof. Agus argued that such scepticism hampers genuine efforts at decolonising knowledge, as academic independence is often constrained by ideological interests.

The ceremony concluded with congratulations and best wishes for Prof. Agus, in the hope that he will continue to contribute to the development of critical and timely historical scholarship, especially in advancing a more substantial decolonisation of knowledge in Indonesian academia.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

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.