Yogyakarta, 23/1/2025 – The Department of Cultural Anthropology Universitas Gadjah Mada together with the Resilience Development Initiative Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF) has successfully organized a series of activities for the 20th International Conference of the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM). This prestigious conference was held for three days, from Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to Thursday, January 23, 2025.

The conference invites researchers and individuals with lived experience of (forced) migration, policy makers, and practitioners working with (forced) migrants to build a space for reflection, knowledge exchange, and discussion around forced displacement and urban management in the spirit of GCM, GCR, and NUA to improve urban planning and response to forced displacement and to strengthen the network of academics, practitioners, and decision-makers under IASFM to share knowledge and experiences on international forced displacement in urban contexts and to screen issues of concern for future collaborative research, especially in the context of the Asia Pacific Region.

The opening ceremony took place on the first day on the second floor of Grha Sabha Pramana Building which began with remarks from the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., who also warmly welcomed the arrival of participants who came from all over the world. The next remarks were also delivered by the Director of Resilience Development Initiative Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF), Dr. Elisabeth Rianawati, IASFM President, Dr. Veronica Fynn Bruey, and IASFM 20 Executive Chair, Dr. Akino Tahir and Dr. Realisa Darathea Masardi.

On the first day, there was also a presentation on international migration and forced displacement in the Southeast Asian region by the keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, M.A., professor of national security research and strategic issues in Indonesia. Then, a plenary session related to the “Global Agenda for International Migration” delivered by Prof. Ranabir Samaddar, Dr. Sripapha Petcharamesree, and Prof. Susan Banki also added to the insight of the participants who attended. In addition, various main programs were also held in the classroom of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The next keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Stephen Cairns, a professor from Monash University Indonesia who specializes in urban and architectural studies, also presented on urban perspectives on forced displacement on the second day. In addition, there was also a plenary session on “(Re)conception of Urban Displacement and the Right to the City” delivered by Prof. Wiwandari Handayani, Marco Kusumawijaya, and Dr. Tular Sudarmadi, M.A. Both agendas were held in the Auditorium Room on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

On the third day, the last plenary session related to “Knowledge Production on Urban Displacement” was delivered by Prof. Itty Abraham, Dr. Silke Lange, and Baqir Bayani in the 7th floor Auditorium Room of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Then, in the same room, the second Ignite State agenda was also held which discussed “Refugee-Led Community Impact: Youth Stage”. In addition, various main programs were also held in the classroom of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada as on the first and second days.

By inviting researchers and individuals with experience in the field of forced migration, policy-making, and practitioners, the conference is expected to strengthen networks between academics, practitioners, and decision-makers, especially in the context of the Asia Pacific region.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 30/1/2025 – Jatingarang Fest is a joint program with the theme Steps of Citizens, Preserve Beloved Culture which was held on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in Padukuhan Jatingarang Lor, Nanggulan, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta. Carrying the spirit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on points (3) health and welfare, (4) quality education, and (2) food security. This event is an effort to increase residents’ awareness of healthy living, education, and social resilience. This program was initiated by the UGM SCS-CEL team Period 3 Jatingarang Lor Sub Unit with field supervisor, Dr. drh. Yuli Purwandari Kristianingrum, MP, and in collaboration with the local rismas.

Coordinated by Bulan Churniati from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (21/477380/SA/20963), the event consisted of Dhiaksa Adhi, Zahra Nabila, Andreas Niko from FKKMK, Austien Elsa from Pharmacy, Tenriola Ramizah from FISIPOL, and Adelia Rizqa from Psychology. The event included gymnastic activities, healthy walking or eco-trekking, children’s Gambang Suling dance performances and Banyumas Massatria dance, tourism education, anti-hoax, and food security which are a combination of several different work programs, especially interdisciplinary.

Source: KKN-PPM UGM Sub Unit Team Jatingarang Lor, Nanggulan, Kulon Progo, DIY

In the anti-hoax education, participants were invited to understand how to sort out the right information in a digital era full of fake news. The food security material emphasized the importance of applying simple tips for small, independent farms. Meanwhile, tourism education provides insights related to regional potential that can be developed. The event was also enlivened with dance entertainment and energizing door prizes. A total of 26 prizes were prepared thanks to well-planned management and sponsor support, with the grand prizes being standing fans, irons and premium pots. The excitement and joy was evident when the grand prize winners were announced, which was greeted with cheers from the community. Enthusiastic community participation added to the festivities, with more than a hundred people attending.

Overall, Jatingarang Fest went smoothly and was full of warmth. “It was unexpected that the enthusiasm of the residents exceeded our expectations, which initially planned for only one padukuhan, but it turned out that many from other padukuhans wanted to participate,” said Bulan as the person in charge of Jatingarang Fest. The success of this event shows the spirit of gotong royong and strong collaboration between KKN students, rismas, and residents of Jatingarang Lor, leading to the development of a more prosperous and sustainable community.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 21/1/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an important event marking the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Chung Ang University. The ceremony took place at Margono Building, gathering representatives from both institutions to strengthen collaboration in education and cultural exchange.

The event began with the screening of a profile video featuring Chung Ang University, followed by videos of Gadjah Mada University and the Faculty of Humanities. The videos highlighted the strengths and unique offerings of each institution, emphasising their commitment to providing equal access to education and promoting community engagement. Following the video presentations, short presentations were delivered by representatives from both universities. Chung Ang University, known for its focus on artificial intelligence development, expressed its enthusiasm to collaborate with FIB UGM, which specialises in cultural studies and community service. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between technology and culture, encouraging a holistic educational experience for students.

The MoA signing was officiated by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si, Dean of the Faculty. He was accompanied by Dr Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and Dr Mimi Savitri, M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni. Their presence emphasised the importance of this collaboration in enhancing academic mobility and cultural exchange between the two institutions. Representatives from Chung Ang University consisted of three key figures, along with Suray Agung Nugroho, SS, MA, Ph.D., lecturer in Korean language and culture and Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources.

This cooperation is expected to encourage student mobility between FIB UGM and Chung Ang University, allowing students to experience diverse educational environments and cultural perspectives. By facilitating exchanges, both institutions aim to promote equal access to education and enhance the overall learning experience for their students.

This partnership is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of access to education and community engagement. By working together, FIB UGM and Chung Ang University are taking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape. This MoA signifies a commitment not only to academic excellence but also to the development of cultural understanding and community service. Both universities are excited to explore new opportunities for joint research, student exchanges, and community projects.

Ultimately, the signing of the MoA between FIB UGM and Chung Ang University marks an important moment in strengthening international co-operation in education. The partnership is poised to create lasting impact for students, faculty, and the wider community, reinforcing the importance of equal access to education and cultural exchange in today’s increasingly connected world.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 17/1/2025 – The Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada successfully held a workshop with the theme “Management of Social Media and Websites in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Environment” on Friday, January 17, 2025 in the Margono Multimedia Room. This activity aims to improve the competence of managing social media and websites within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University.

Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada as part of higher education institutions that are committed to increasing innovation and contribution globally, also realizes the importance of effective and sustainable social media and website management. In the rapidly growing digital era, social media and websites have become the main means of conveying information and building an institutional image that is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop was attended by 19 participants who are managers of social media and websites of the Study Program, Language Center, and The Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. It was opened with an ice breaking session to increase the concentration of the participants which was then continued with the presentation of material by representatives of the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. and Muhammad Farhan, S.P. related to the management of social media and websites of study programs, work units, and information related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Material presentation by the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of FIB UGM

In the material presentation, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. explained many things related to management and maintenance procedures, design and captions, direct messages, tags, collaboration posts, adding new posts, categories, and information related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the participants also gained an understanding of how to analyze the development of a content uploaded on social media through the Meta platform delivered by Muhammad Farhan, S.P.

With this workshop, the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada emphasized its commitment to jointly build an effective and sustainable social media and website management system. Through a strong synergy between the managers of the Study Program, Language Center, and The Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) with the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, it is expected that the strengthening of information delivery and institutional image in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will increase.

[Humas FIB UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Malaysia, January 1, 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Arabic Literature Study Program is sending its students to participate in a student exchange at Universitas Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) through the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program in 2024. IISMA is one of the flagship programs of Kampus Merdeka organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The activity takes place from October 7, 2024 to February 23, 2025.

Through this program, Elvira Sundari, a 2021 Arabic Literature student, had the opportunity to broaden her academic and cultural horizons by taking four courses from three different faculties. In the Faculty of Education, she studied “Social Media in Language Learning” and “Teaching of Literature: Reading The Word and The World”. From the Faculty of Islamic Studies, she took the course “Comparative Arabic Literature”, and in the Faculty of Social Sciences she attended the class “Intercultural Communication”. These activities support the development of cross-cultural and scientific understanding relevant to her field of study.

In addition to studying, Elvira also participated in various additional activities. She participated in a poetry declamation competition during the UKM 2024 Book Festival. She won third place in the competition and was the only participant from Indonesia. On another occasion, she recited Indonesian poetry during Arunika 2024, an Indonesian cultural festival in Malaysia.

“This opportunity gave me the experience of learning in a different environment, allowing me to learn more about literature and culture in Malaysia,” Elvira said. Her participation in this program reflects her spirit to continue learning and establishing relationships between nations.

[Public Relations of Faculty of Arts UGM, Bulan Churniati]