SDGs 4: Quality Education

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada is an academic environment with a focus on cultural studies. As one of the faculties that highly values cultural significance, it has gained interest from both local and international students. Each year, FIB welcomes over 100 international students from various countries. Some participate in exchange programs, while others are part of the INCULS program.

Interestingly, international students at FIB UGM actively participate in preserving and enriching Indonesia’s cultural heritage. One example is their adoption of traditional attire, such as batik and kebaya.

As one of Indonesia’s traditional clothes with profound philosophical meaning, kebaya is chosen by international students as an expression of their solidarity with Indonesia’s cultural identity.

The use of batik and kebaya by international students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, is not just an individual act. By wearing traditional Indonesian attire, they implicitly embrace the local culture, contributing positively to creating an inclusive and multicultural educational environment.

Alice Morgan, a student from Australia enrolled in the INCULS program, chose to wear kebaya and batik to attend batik course provided by the faculty. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, she expressed her deep appreciation for batik and its various motifs. At that time, she was accompanied by a friend from the United States who also, interestingly, wore batik and kebaya, even though she was not a student at FIB UGM. This serves as evidence that culture and art can serve as bridges that connect people from different countries and backgrounds.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held the last peak agenda of the 78th Dies Natalis series of events, namely the Open Senate Meeting. The Open Senate Meeting was held in the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th Floor, inviting educators, lecturers, student representatives, and Outstanding People Awards from FIB UGM. This agenda consists of several main activities such as the Opening of the Open Senate Meeting by the Chair of the FIB UGM Senate, the 2024 FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report, Remarks from the UGM Rector, the 78th Dies Natalis Oration by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum., DEA., Cutting the Tumpeng, and Outstanding People Awards.

The Open Senate Meeting began with an opening by the Chairman of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Senate, Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra, M.A., M.Phil., followed by the 2024 FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., which presented the 2023 FIB UGM annual report in three areas: Education and Teaching, Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, and Assets, Finance, Human Resources. The presentation of the Dean’s Annual Report covers several aspects, such as achievements, accumulation of achievements, cooperation, academic and student development, community service activities, research and journals, and so on. This report presentation aims to overview the development and strengthening processes that have become FIB UGM’s commitment. Readers can access the annual report through the List of Periodically Available Information page at the following link: FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report 2024.

After the annual report presentation, the activity was continued with a speech by the UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D, explained that Indonesia has the potential for cultural diversity that can be an opportunity for innovation that has meaningful value. “… This potential is certainly an important source of knowledge to optimize innovation that not only creates new cultural products but also to what extent culture can harvest which are productive and at the same time become a treasure trove of values ​​that are meaningful for life,” he said about the importance of cultural diversity.

The agenda of activities continued with the 78th Dies Natalis Oration of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM by Professor of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum., DEA., with the title: “The Upper Subject: “Honor” and Its Social Reproduction Practices in Contemporary Indonesian Society”. In his speech, he explained the importance of seeing the existence of humans amid technological and information developments in modern times which increasingly ignore the role of humans as subjects that are starting to be replaced by the role of technology as new subjects currently being considered. In addition, the attitude of the community group is also in the spotlight, especially with the current phenomenon of showing off the luxury they have.

After the 78th Dies Natalis Oration of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM ended, the event continued with the Awarding Session for outstanding people of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada which consisted of outstanding lecturers, outstanding education staff, well-performing education staff, and outstanding students. The list of FIB UGM Outstanding People awards is as follows:

Outstanding Lecturer Award:

•  Dr. Sita Hidayah, M.A.

•  Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum.

•  Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A.

Award for outstanding education personnel: Eska Nurbowo, A.Md. from the Language Center

Award for best-performing education personnel: Bapak Murjiman from the Administration Division

Outstanding student awards were given to

• Wahyu Lestariningsih from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program,
•  Devina Ocsanda from the Archaeology Study Program,
•  Lulu Nabiha Nurilailati from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program,
• Raihana Alfiyya Riqqa Aldila from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program,
• Grace Sandy Br. Barus from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program
• Rifal Fadlurrahman from the French Language and Literature Study Program Rafael
• Raga Budi Panuntun Hernawan from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program
• Muhammad Jhony Fonsen from the Tourism Study Program
• Elvira Sundari from the Arabic Literature Study Program
• Devi Ayu Lisdiyana from the English Literature Study Program
• Dinda Nabila from the History Study Program

The ceremony continued with the symbolic Tumpeng Cutting procession by the Chairman of the FIB UGM Senate which was then handed over to the Dean of FIB UGM and forwarded to the Committee Head of the 78th Dies Natalis Committee, Erika Purnawati, S.Kom., M.Cs.

Following the Tumpeng Cutting, the event was enlivened by a joint choir performance by lecturers, educators, and students. They presented three songs themed “Love” with different versions dedicated to FIB UGM, namely “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Karena Cinta, and “Selayang Pandang”.

The 78th Dies Natalis Open Senate Meeting of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM concluded with a prayer session led by Mr. Hamdan, M.A., and closing remarks by the Chairman of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Senate. The closing of this activity is expected to bring new hope for the future of FIB UGM, fostering innovation in advancing Indonesian culture.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals | SDGs 17: Global Partnership | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage | SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9 : Cooperation

The sound of raindrops and orchestral music created a very serene and comfortable atmosphere that afternoon in the Open Field of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The students, who at that time were relaxing, discussing with their fellow students and doing assignments, were also carried away by the atmosphere and really enjoyed the performances from the Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO) plus the melodious voices of two vocalists from Paramadaya, Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Yes, this was an activity from GMCO called “GMCO Tour De Faculty”, where they went around visiting each faculty to present their beautiful playing to the public for free. Exactly on Tuesday, 5th of March 2024, it was the turn of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to receive this warm visit.

GMCO or Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra is one of Gadjah Mada University’s Arts UKM which specializes in the field of orchestral music which has been established since 2008. Currently, they have more than 140 active members including players and managers consisting of Gadjah Mada University students from various departments and educational levels. Not only did it aim to introduce their community to many people in each faculty, but it also turned out that this activity was also a commemoration of their 16th anniversary. Ms. Nurul Rafika, as chairman of GMCO, representing her colleagues said that they really hope that all of you can enjoy this offering.

SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Conflict resolution

Approaching the holy month of Ramadhan, Gadjah Mada University held a grand dialogue at Graha Sabha Pramana (GSP) which was opened to all Gadjah Mada University students, lecturers and staff. The event was held on Monday 4 March 2024 from 8 to 12 am. The speakers presented were two very well-known Islamic leaders whose electability was beyond doubt. They were Prof. Dr. KH. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, LC. MA and KH. Ahmad Baha’uddin Nursalim. National Dialogue Welcoming Ramadhan with the theme CARING FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND MAINTAINING INDONESIAN UNITY and presenters who are very famous in their fields attracted the attention of many people to attend in droves, especially students, lecturers and staff of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D. as Chancellor was also present until the event ended.

While waiting for the presenter, the participants were treated to a performance by Manunggaling Rebana who performed the Prophet’s prayer songs, making all those present joined in praying together. The event then began by singing the song Indonesia Raya & Mars of Gadjah Mada University, then enjoying the chanting of tilawah and sari tilawah. Entering the main event, the two presenters provided an understanding of national brotherhood and how to resolve disputes in everyday life in accordance with Islamic teachings. However, there were differences between the two. Mr. KH. Quraish Shihab conveyed it very systematically while Gus Baha, as KH. Ahmad Baha’uddin explained very critically so that the two complemented each other to provide understanding material to everyone who listened that day.

SDG 3: Good health and well-being | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Children | SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions

The highlight of the activitiy series celebrating the 78th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, was successfully held with great fanfare on Saturday 2nd March 2024 in the faculty yard. This event has a unique name, namely GADIES, which is an abbreviation for Gebyar Acara Dies. The attendees consisting of lecturers, staff and their families, began to come to the event from around 6.30 am and filled in the guest book which would then be used as a door prize draw. Before announcing the door prizes, the first event started with a healthy walk along the route: Faculty of Cultural Sciences – Campus Mosque – Faculty of Psychology – Faculty of Law – Rectorate Building – then back to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The faculty provides invited guests with a variety of food and drinks ranging from satay, meatballs, pecel rice, fruit ice, tea, and various kinds of boiled food. Eating food without a performance seems incomplete, that’s when Sastro Obah’s appearance makes the atmosphere more interesting.

The event was officially opened with speechfrom the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si.,. Not only did he open the event, but also he launched the superior programs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, such as PERPUSTRA (Perpustakaan Sastra), POSBINDU, EOFIICE, and DIGLIB. The event became even more lively with further performances from other various cool performers, namely poetry readings by students of Indonesian Literature, Karawitan Dharma Wanita, Prasasti, Rampoe, and Korean Fan Dance. A door prize draw was announced between performances. The prizes prepared varied from the smallest, such as plates, to the largest, such as bicycles. At the same time, children from lecturers and staff from grades 1 to 6 of elementary school competed in a coloring and drawing competition held in the hallway of the Soegondo building.

Beside the free food booths that the committee had provided for invited guests, there were also other booths that enliven the event such as exhibition booths for study programs, sponsors, junk food, accessories, health tests by POSBINDU, books by PERPUSTRA, and even a 360 degrees photo booth which became the favorite among guests, especially women. When the sun was starting to sting, it indicated that it was starting to be noon and that meant that GADIES had reached the end of the event. At that time, the winners of the badminton, cleanliness and coloring/drawing competitions were announced. The event then closed with a music group entertainment performance with singers chosen at random or who volunteered to come on stage to show their singing talents.