Yogyakarta, January, 9, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of the international accreditation assessment by ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute). The event marked an important milestone for FIB UGM in its continuous efforts to enhance educational quality to a level recognized globally.

ACQUIN is an international accreditation agency based in Bayreuth, Germany. This accreditation evaluates the quality of higher education institutions based on European standards, covering aspects such as curriculum design, academic governance, human resources, and supporting learning facilities. By achieving ACQUIN accreditation, the accredited study programs are recognized as having met international higher education quality standards and as being on par with universities in Europe.

A total of 12 study programs at FIB UGM have officially obtained ACQUIN international accreditation, namely Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Indonesian Language and Literature, Tourism, History, Arabic Literature, English Literature, as well as the Master’s Programs in Anthropology and History.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all members of the academic community who contributed to the international accreditation process. He emphasized that this achievement was the result of collective efforts involving lecturers, educational staff, students, and the support of university leadership.

The success of FIB UGM in attaining ACQUIN international accreditation is in line with the university’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG ****4: Quality Education, through the provision of inclusive, high-quality, and globally recognized higher education. In addition, this achievement also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening international cooperation and recognition in the fields of education and culture.

The thanksgiving ceremony concluded with a communal meal as an expression of gratitude and a means of strengthening solidarity among the academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January 8, 2026 – In an inspiring workshop titled “Current Multidisciplinary Publication Directions and Strategies in Arabic Language and Literature,” Anna M. Gade, Ph.D., an Islamic Studies expert from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared new insights for Arabic Literature academics. The event commenced with opening remarks by Mimi Savitri, Ph.D., Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, followed by a brief presentation by Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M. Hum., who introduced the latest developments in Arabic Literature research and Middle Eastern Culture.

In her presentation, Dr. Gade offered a new perspective on how Arabic Literature can command a vast presence in the global academic arena. More than just an observer, Dr. Gade highlighted the immense initiative and untapped potential within the field. Her primary point focused on a fundamental transformation in constructing scientific narratives: researchers must have the courage to move away from purely descriptive writing and shift toward sharp, critical analysis.

According to Dr. Gade, articles that merely paraphrase texts without engaging with social reality often struggle to penetrate high-reputation journals, such as those indexed in Scopus. She said that “Analysis is crucial because it must stem from real cases.” 

Throughout her career in producing various scholarly works, Dr. Gade has implemented two key strategies. The first is broadening the research scope through comparative studies, the second is sharpening the focus by deeply dissecting a specific linguistic or literary phenomenon. Interestingly, she demonstrated that Arabic Literature is not solely about grammar or pure aesthetics, but serves as a bridge to other disciplines, including law, sociology, and international relations. Dr. Gade’s message was clear: the sharper our analysis of the language’s depth and the bolder we are in stepping beyond traditional boundaries, the greater our contribution will be to the advancement of global knowledge.

Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida

Five students from the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), recently completed an internship at the Sleman Regency Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The program spanned approximately three months, running from mid-September to the end of November 2025. This initiative provided students with the opportunity to hone both the hard and soft skills essential for their future careers. Their responsibilities were diverse, encompassing administrative management, archiving, public service, and event reporting.

To maximize their learning experience, the students were divided into two sections based on their specific areas of focus. Three students were assigned to the Madrasah Education Section, while the other two were placed in the Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren) Education Section.

This internship offered valuable insights into the operational mechanisms and procedures within government and educational institutions. Furthermore, it allowed the students to bridge the gap between their academic knowledge and real-world practical application.

Author : Sheila Adriani

Yogyakarta, January, 7, 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Farewell and Welcome Ceremony for Faculty Officials, which was accompanied by the signing of the official handover documents for Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs. This event marked an important moment in ensuring leadership continuity and strengthening institutional governance oriented toward improving educational quality and sustainable institutional development.

The event commenced with the signing of the official handover documents, symbolically represented by the outgoing and incoming Heads of Departments. The handover and signing were carried out by the Heads of the Departments of Anthropology, Archaeology, Language and Literature, and History, reflecting a shared commitment to continuing the academic leadership relay within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

In his remarks, Drs. Sudibyo, M.Hum., expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support of the entire academic community during his previous term of office. He conveyed his hope that the new leadership would further enhance the faculty’s performance and strengthen FIB’s role in delivering high-quality higher education. On the same occasion, Drs. Sudibyo congratulated the newly appointed officials and offered his apologies for any shortcomings that may have occurred during his tenure.

Remarks on behalf of the Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs were delivered by Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., S.H., M.A. He stated that the new Heads of Departments had been officially inaugurated at the university level earlier that morning. According to him, the mandate entrusted to the new leadership carries significant responsibility, considering the achievements attained by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to date. He affirmed the commitment of the new management to continue the leadership responsibly while fostering collaboration and the sharing of experiences to sustain academic and institutional excellence.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation to the former Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs for their dedication and contributions over the past five years. He emphasized that a number of strategic achievements had been accomplished, ranging from the strengthening of faculty management systems and improvements in academic performance to progress toward international accreditation for all study programs. These achievements, he noted, reflect sound institutional management and a strong orientation toward building resilient institutional capacity.

Furthermore, Prof. Setiadi expressed optimism regarding the future development of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, including plans for the utilization of a new building scheduled to begin operation in July 2026. The new facility is expected to support the development of language and linguistic studies, as well as the downstreaming and contextualization of humanities scholarship to ensure its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. This initiative forms part of FIB’s commitment to fostering academic innovation, expanding access to quality education, and strengthening the role of cultural studies in sustainable development.

Through this farewell and welcome ceremony, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, accountable, and sustainable leadership. The orderly and transparent transition of leadership is expected to further strengthen FIB’s contribution to producing high-quality human resources, building robust institutional foundations, and promoting innovation and the application of knowledge for the benefit of society at large.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

The Kazoku Division of the Japanese Language and Culture Student Association (HIMAJE), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held its Undoukai program on 27–28 September 2025. This event was organized as a series of sports competitions within the Japanese Language and Culture Program (BKJ) to strengthen connections among students from different cohorts and to foster closer interaction between students and faculty members. In addition, Undoukai served as a space to promote sportsmanship and create a healthy, fun, and exciting competitive atmosphere.

The first day of activities, held on Saturday, 27 September 2025, focused on a badminton tournament involving students from all cohorts as well as lecturers. The matches were conducted with high enthusiasm and provided an opportunity for students and faculty to interact more closely in a supportive setting. Through this sport, participants not only competed but also reinforced a sense of togetherness within the BKJ UGM community.

The event continued on Sunday, 28 September 2025, featuring competitions based on games and strategy, including Mobile Legends, chess, and FIFA. This variety of events encouraged participation from students with diverse interests. The competitions were lively and demonstrated that strong bonds can be built through different forms of activities—whether physical sports or games that rely on teamwork, focus, and strategic thinking.

Undoukai became one of the activities that strengthened the family-like atmosphere within the BKJ UGM community. Through this program, the Kazoku Division of HIMAJE BKJ UGM hopes that the spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity will continue to grow, while also fostering warmer interaction between students across cohorts and faculty members.

[Japanese Literature, Barra Taura Nursaid]