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]

Yogyakarta, 21/4/2025 – Nadia Ayu Berliana, a fourth-year student in the Japanese Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has been granted a valuable opportunity to participate in the Spring 2025 Exchange Program at Kobe University, Japan. The Faculty of Global Human Sciences, one of the faculties at Kobe University, caught Nadia’s attention as someone studying the humanities, allowing her to explore how Kobe University examines various aspects of humanity such as culture, society, and social interactions.

By participating in this program, Nadia hopes to learn about cooperation, discipline, daily life ethics, and social dynamics among individuals in different societal environments. This will deepen her understanding of the social aspects and thought patterns of Japanese society. Additionally, Nadia also hopes to gain a new perspective on social and cultural interactions in the global world by experiencing firsthand the various traditions and customs of Japanese society.

Nadia is preparing herself for a smooth adaptation process both in the campus environment and daily life by carefully reviewing the details of the program she will undertake and improving her overall Japanese language skills. Nadia also shared that she has read and watched various resources about the ethics and social norms in Japan, as well as deepened her understanding of the differences in values and thought patterns in Japanese society in preparation for facing cultural differences.

Regarding her views on the importance of student exchange programs, Nadia expressed her opinion that student exchange programs are valuable opportunities that can have a significant impact on personal and academic development. These programs allow students to learn from different perspectives, hone critical and analytical thinking skills in a new academic environment, and train students to become more independent, adaptive, and open to other cultures, thereby enhancing personal quality. The opportunity to expand one’s horizons and build relationships is also an important point explaining why student exchange programs have a significant impact on personal development both as individuals and as students.

Finally, Nadia conveyed a message to her peers who are also pursuing opportunities to study in Japan to prepare with strong determination because the process is not easy and to actively seek information about exchange programs, such as those available through the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Another message Nadia shared is to never give up in pursuing opportunities that will become valuable life experiences.

“…Failure is not the end; it can be a lesson to try again with better preparation. And most importantly, never be afraid to try…”

[Public Relation of Japanese Literature FIB UGM, Yulia Agustiani]