Sunday, August 17, 2025 – 4 Students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Ataya Sasya Heradie (Korean Language and Culture 2024), Tabita Nada Kirana (Cultural Anthropology 2024), Andieni Ika Bela Safitri (Indonesian Language and Literature 2024), and Thiery Vincent Masarrang (French Literature 2024), delivered a captivating performance at the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace alongside fellow members of UGM’s Marching Band. This special moment coincided with the commemoration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. UGM Marching Band performed as the Display team in the Parade Senja at the Presidential Palace in Yogyakarta. The event was attended by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X and key policymakers in Yogyakarta.

Ataya Sasya and her peers expressed their deep honor at being able to perform at the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace. After several years of absence, UGM Marching Band finally returned to the Palace in 2025, marking a moment welcomed with pride and joy.

This performance was not only part of the 80th Independence Day celebration, but also a reflection of students’ contribution to preserving art, culture, and national spirit. It is in line with Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing opportunities for students to develop their talents through the arts, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by promoting cultural preservation in public spaces.

With a spirit of togetherness and creativity, UGM Marching Band reaffirmed its role as a cultural ambassador of the university, inspiring the community while strengthening unity during this historic Independence Day celebration.

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 21/8/2025 – The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), in collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), held the 2025 NGO Fair at the Greenland Courtyard of the Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The event ran from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and was open to students and the general public.

This event aimed to introduce various organizations and communities in Yogyakarta and provide opportunities for students interested in volunteering or participating in internship programs. More than 20 organizations were in attendance, including Animal Friends Jogja, Rifka Annisa Women’s Crisis Center, WALHI Yogyakarta, Trash Hero Yogyakarta, the SATUNAMA Foundation, and several other communities and empowerment institutions. Through this activity, students were expected to not only learn about social, environmental, and humanitarian issues but also take an active role in making a real impact on their communities.

ACICIS has been strengthening Indonesia-Australia relations in education and culture with various partners for over 30 years. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is one of ACICIS’ partners, facilitated by the Faculty’s Supporting Work Unit, INCULS, which focuses on teaching Indonesian Language and Literature (BIPA).

Through activities such as the NGO FAIR, ACICIS and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), hope that this collaboration will continue and have a positive impact on the wider community.

Yogyakarta, August 20, 2025 — The Cultural Anthropology Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again opened its Gender and Sexuality class, a regular part of the department’s semester curriculum. This semester, the class is scheduled every Wednesday from 7:15 to 9:45 a.m., running from August 20 to December 5, 2025, at the R. Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

The course aims to provide a critical understanding of the distinctions between sex, gender, and sexuality. Through this class, students are encouraged to grasp why these distinctions have become increasingly significant amid the changing dynamics of modern society.

A wide range of topics are discussed, including sexual taboos, sexual identity, and expressions of gender in everyday life. The course also examines how gender identity intersects with other aspects such as social class, ethnicity, race, age, and religion. Using an intersectional approach, students are guided to understand how multiple identities shape individual experiences within society.

Beyond theoretical discussion, the course also highlights the social and cultural implications of gender and sexuality issues, especially in the context of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Students are encouraged to think critically, question social norms, and appreciate the diversity of human experiences while remaining grounded in local contexts.

The Gender and Sexuality class is open to students from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program and other departments within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. It serves as an important academic space for anyone interested in exploring gender, sexuality, and identity studies from an anthropological perspective, while broadening their understanding of the complexities of contemporary social life.

Photo: Freepik.com

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 16/8/2025 — On Saturday, August 16, 2025, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the Closing of the Translation Workshop and Author Talk of A Very Faint Light Though by Choi Eunyoung. The event took place at the Soegondo Building Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, attended by workshop participants, UGM students, and the general public.

The program began with the closing session of the translation workshop, which had been previously conducted. In this session, all participants received certificates of participation and books as a token of appreciation for their involvement. This event was held in collaboration with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) and received support from PT. Taekwang Indonesia.

Following the workshop closing, the event continued with a talkshow featuring Choi Eunyoung. During this session, Choi Eunyoung was introduced to the audience along with her published works. The talkshow proceeded with a lively Q&A and quiz session. Participants’ enthusiasm was evident through the many questions raised, and as a form of appreciation, those who actively asked or answered questions were awarded free books.

As the final part of the event, the series concluded with the presentation of souvenirs from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, group documentation, and a book signing session by Choi Eunyoung. Through this event, participants not only gained academic experience from the translation workshop but also the opportunity to engage more closely with the author and contemporary Korean literature. The event marked an important moment in strengthening appreciation for Korean literature while also fostering greater interest among students and the wider community in translation practice and translated works.

Author: Sherina Azmi A

Yogyakarta, 15/8/2025 – The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada, recently held an internal meeting as an initial step in the process of applying for Excellent Accreditation. The meeting, which took place on Friday, August 15, 2025, was attended by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA., Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., lecturers of the Master’s Program in Literature, the accreditation team, as well as administrative staff of the program.

During the meeting, Prof. Wening emphasized the importance of synergy between lecturers and students in supporting the accreditation target. She encouraged lecturers in the Master’s Program in Literature to continue advancing their academic positions. “The promotion of lecturers, either to associate professor or senior associate professor, is one of the key indicators in accreditation assessment. It also reflects our commitment to maintaining academic quality,” stated Prof. Wening.

In addition to lecturers, student contributions were also highlighted. Prof. Wening underscored the need for increasing scientific publications by students of the Master’s Program in Literature. According to her, publications are not only essential for accreditation but also for the development of students’ academic careers. She expressed hope that students would be more active in writing articles and publishing them in academic journals, with support from the program through scientific writing workshops.

Prof. Aprinus Salam also provided strategic input regarding steps that could be taken by the accreditation team and the academic community in achieving Excellent Accreditation. The meeting took place in a dynamic atmosphere, with active discussions among lecturers, the accreditation team, and staff, all showing great enthusiasm, exchanging ideas, and offering constructive suggestions to strengthen the program’s preparation.

The meeting is expected to be a solid starting point for the Master’s Program in Literature in preparing for Excellent Accreditation. With the support of lecturers, students, and staff, the program is optimistic about achieving Excellent Accreditation as a form of recognition for the quality of education, research, and scholarly contributions it has produced. As a follow-up, the program plans to organize a series of academic activities to enhance research and teaching quality. One of these is a scientific writing workshop for Master’s students, which is expected to produce high-quality publications in reputable journals and contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge as well as the academic reputation of the program.

Author: Marsya Kamila/Public/Public Relations, Master’s Program in Literature