Yogyakarta, May 6, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed 139 students from SMA Negeri 4 Malang as part of the Steviclass program. The visit was organized to introduce students to higher education and provide insights into the advancement of knowledge, research, and innovation within the academic environment.

During the visit, participants were introduced to various academic programs offered at UGM, student activities, and the research and innovations developed by members of the university’s academic community. Through this program, students gained a broader understanding of university life and the opportunities available for academic and personal development.

The visit is expected to motivate students to continue pursuing their educational goals and to further develop their potential. By exposing participants to higher education and research culture, the program encourages lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity among young people.

The Steviclass program supports the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by strengthening higher education literacy among secondary school students. In addition, introducing students to research and innovation aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which highlights the importance of scientific and technological advancement in promoting sustainable societal development.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Ciamis, April, 25 2026 – Two lecturers from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Department of Intercultural Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dr. Stedi Wardoyo, S.S., M.A. and Dr. Sri Pangastoeti, M.Hum., served as speakers in a Community Service Program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PkM) held at Universitas Islam Darussalam (Unida) and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam, Ciamis.

The event, titled “Religion and Morality in Japanese Society,” took place in Meeting Room 208 of Universitas Islam Darussalam from 10:34 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. and was attended by approximately 50 participants, consisting of university students, lecturers, and school students from Universitas Islam Darussalam and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam.

During the session, Dr. Stedi Wardoyo and Dr. Sri Pangastoeti compared religious values in Indonesia, particularly Islamic values, with socially based moral values in Japan, such as maintaining harmony in society. Both speakers also invited participants to reflect on the differences between these two moral systems, especially in their practical implementation in everyday life.

The discussion, which lasted around one hour and thirty-seven minutes, highlighted similarities between the two moral frameworks at the conceptual level, while also revealing disparities in their social practice. Participants showed strong enthusiasm throughout the event and actively raised questions, particularly regarding real-life cases that reflect gaps between moral values and social practices, such as theft, corruption, and other social issues.

Together with the audience, the speakers also discussed the possible impacts and long-term consequences arising from inconsistencies between moral principles and actual social behavior. The dynamic discussion reflected the participants’ strong interest in the intercultural theme presented during the program.

This community service activity represents UGM’s ongoing contribution to sharing intercultural perspectives with academics, students, and the wider community. Dr. Stedi Wardoyo expressed his hope that the comparison would encourage deeper reflection on individual morality. Meanwhile, Dr. Sri Pangastoeti hoped that understanding morality would not remain merely personal, but would also be practiced in everyday life to create a more positive impact on individuals, families, society, and the nation.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to both speakers by representatives of Universitas Islam Darussalam and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam as a token of appreciation for the knowledge and insights they had shared.

Author: Ahmad Affandy Ainurridho Zulkifli
Editor: Barra Taura Nursaid

Academics, researchers, and practitioners in the field of anthropology are invited to participate in a panel titled “Decolonizing Anthropology in a Multipolar World: Methodological Critiques from a Global South Gaze” as part of the 9th International Symposium of the Journal of Indonesian Anthropology, which will be held from August 4 to 7, 2026.

This panel seeks to open a space for critical reflection on how anthropology can be decolonized in an increasingly multipolar world. Its main focus is to challenge the methodological assumptions that have long dominated ethnographic research, particularly approaches that remain centered on Western perspectives. Through this forum, participants are encouraged to question established methodological frameworks while exploring more inclusive alternatives. A major highlight of this panel is the experience of researchers from the Global South conducting research in the Global North. This perspective is considered essential to enrich discussions on a more “pluriversal” anthropological methodology, an approach that acknowledges the diversity of viewpoints and knowledge production. By bringing these experiences to the forefront, the panel aims to shift the epistemic center toward a Global South perspective.

Through this call for papers, the organizers invite written contributions that offer a fresh reading of these issues. Topics may include cross-contextual field experiences, critiques of knowledge hierarchies, and methodological innovations rooted in local and collaborative perspectives.

This is an opportunity for researchers not only to share their findings but also to help shape the future direction of a more reflective anthropology. Submit your abstract and be part of this engaging panel. Abstracts must not exceed 300 words and should be submitted by May 18, 2026, at https://simposiumjai.ui.ac.id/.

Author: Public Relations of Doctoral Program in Anthropology

We invite academics, researchers, and practitioners to participate in a discussion regarding the future of the anthropology discipline at the 9th International Symposium of the Journal of Indonesian Anthropology (ISJAI), which will take place from August 4 to 7, 2026. “Decolonizing Anthropology Beyond the Neoliberal University” is a reflective panel initiated by Aryo Danusiri from Universitas Indonesia and Elan Lazuardi from Universitas Gadjah Mada. This panel aims to address the most pressing challenges currently facing the field of anthropology.

Amid the rapid transformation of universities worldwide, which is increasingly driven by ranking systems, audits, accreditations, and publication pressures, Indonesian anthropologists and their global peers find themselves caught in a vortex of clashing knowledge frameworks and authorities. This panel seeks to dissect how these forces shape research and scholarship, alongside their impact on daily teaching practices, classroom dynamics, and the production of knowledge itself. Rather than simplifying the concept of “decolonization” to superficial curriculum adjustments, this discussion encourages deeper scrutiny. Participants are challenged to critically examine how established academic traditions, canonical texts, and methodological norms might still reproduce colonial and managerial structures. Concurrently, the panel creates room for new approaches rooted in community engagement, collaborative learning, and field-based pedagogy.

A compelling dimension of this panel is its emphasis on expanding learning spaces beyond conventional university settings. Contributors are encouraged to explore how formal, informal, and experimental classrooms can cultivate pluralistic ways of knowing that are grounded in Indonesia’s diverse social realities. Themes such as gender, intersectionality, and the frequently overlooked labor of translation across languages, cultures, and academic hierarchies are central to this discourse.

Contributors interested in this panel’s theme are invited to submit a 300-word abstract by May 18, 2026, via https://simposiumjai.ui.ac.id/. For further information, please contact: aryo.danusiri@ui.ac.id or e.lazuardi@ugm.ac.id.

Author: Public Relations of the Undergraduate Program in Cultural Anthropology

Yogyakarta, April 16, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a benchmarking visit from the Agricultural Extension Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Halu Oleo (UHO). The meeting, held in Room S111 of the Soegondo Building, aimed to discuss preparations for international accreditation through ACQUIN (The Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute).

The event was attended by the Dean of FIB UGM, Professor Dr. Setiadi, M.A., alongside the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., and members of the FIB UGM Quality Assurance Unit (UJM) team. Meanwhile, Universitas Halu Oleo was represented by a delegation led by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and the accreditation preparation team.

During the meeting, the FIB UGM team presented their experiences from undergoing the accreditation process in late 2025. This experience served as a crucial point of discussion because FIB UGM received high praise from international assessors for the quality of its facilities, curriculum, and study program readiness.

The Dean of FIB UGM, Professor Setiadi, stated that the key to success in achieving international accreditation lies in an institution’s ability to map its internal strengths. This significantly determines the assessors’ evaluation during the visitation process.

“During the ACQUIN accreditation process, FIB UGM maximized its various potentials as presentation material for the assessors,” Professor Setiadi remarked to the meeting attendees.

The two-hour discussion also covered technical steps regarding globally recognized educational quality standardization. The UHO delegation had the opportunity to explore the managerial and academic processes implemented at FIB UGM as a reference to improve the quality of their own study programs.

In addition to focusing on accreditation, both parties agreed that this meeting serves as a gateway for broader collaboration. Strengthening relationships between higher education institutions is considered necessary to spur new innovations in the educational sector.

“We must strengthen our future collaboration to mutually support the programs and innovations of each institution,” Professor Setiadi added.

This visit is expected to accelerate Universitas Halu Oleo’s preparations for achieving international recognition. This collaboration between higher education institutions reflects a shared commitment to maintaining sustainable educational quality, ultimately producing a generation with global competitiveness in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]