Thursday, October 10, 2024, Wonosobo Regency Bappeda Team held a meeting to explore research cooperation with UGM. The exploration targeted the Center for Rural and Regional Studies (PSPK) and the Department of Anthropology UGM for research programs related to SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger). The Bappeda team was received by the deputy head of PSPK and the staff of the UGM Anthropology Department represented by Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A. and Dr. Muh. Zamzam Fauzanafi, M.A.

The research was motivated by the high stunting rate in Wonosobo Regency, which is 29.2%. This is the highest rate in Central Java. In addition, the poverty rate in Wonosobo has not moved from 15.28% and remains above the average of Central Java Province. Seeing the concerns of the local community, Bappeda tried to partner with universities and study centers to overcome the stunting and poverty problems that plagued the community. Bappeda wanted the PSPK team to go to the field to reduce the poverty rate, while the Anthropology Department was expected to send its team to reduce the stunting rate.

From various stunting and poverty data presented by Bappeda Wonosobo, UGM (PSPK and Anthropology) agreed to conduct research in the area with an estimated time around the beginning of 2025. During the meeting, the Anthropology Department also explored sending student interns (independent research) in 2025. It is hoped that with these researches, new innovations will emerge to reduce stunting and poverty so that the Wonosobo Regency area can be free from them.

Author: Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A.
Editor: Sandya Kirani

Yogyakarta, Monday, November 11th, 2024. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the Regional Planning, Development, Research and Development Agency (Bappeda) of Siak Regency, Riau Province, in the context of planning the development of a Malay cultural center by Siak Regency. The implementation of the activity began at 10.00 WIB to 14.00 WIB in the Multimedia Room Gd. Margono 2nd floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, inviting representatives from Bappeda Siak and a number of lecturers from FIB UGM as presenters.

The activity began with remarks from representatives of Bappeda Siak Regency which were then followed by remarks from the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., as an opening for FGD activities. Next, the handover of souvenirs as a symbolic series guided by Mrs. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., as Master of Ceremony. The activity was divided into two material sessions, with the first session filled by presenters such as Agus Indiyanto, S.S., M.Si., Dr. Sailal Arimi, S.S., M.Hum., and Dr. Arif Akhyat, M.A.. The second session was then continued by the speakers, namely, Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum., Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., Dr. Popi Irawan, S.S., M.Sc., and Dr. Widya Nayati, M.A..

The implementation of the Siak Regency Bappeda Focus Group Discussion with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM is an important moment of cooperation between the two agencies. FIB UGM through its academics can provide solutions and reference material that can help Bappeda Siak Regency in the plan to build a Malay cultural center.

Yogyakarta, Thursday, October 31st 2024. Directorate of Partnership and Global Relations (DKRG) UGM through UGM Buddy Club Community under the  UGM Office of International Affairs, organized Malam Kliwon – The Indonesian Halloween Experience. This activity is to introduce and preserve Indonesian local culture that is rich in spiritual values and local beliefs to international students. Held at Kolektif Collaboration Space, students consisting of international exchange students from various study programs and INCULS participated in this activity from 18:00 WIB to 22:30 WIB.

Night Kliwon activities began with an open gate at 18:00 WIB until 19:00 WIB, international students and local Buddy students from the UGM Buddy Club Community took attendance first outside the room where the activity was held. Next, the students had a sharing session about mystical or horror stories from their respective countries. After that, a movie watching session titled, “Pengabdi Setan 2” as the work of director Joko Anwar, was shown as an introduction to the intricacies of horror films with an Indonesian atmosphere. Not to forget, after the joint viewing session ended, the international students and local students along with the representative guests present shared their impressions from watching the movie.

On this occasion, Takeru Homma, an exchange student from Japan to the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, shared his impressions. “The event was really fun, I enjoyed eating with my friends, chatting, watching the movie, and showing each other our costumes. Although with the movie viewing session, everyone was just glued to watching, so there wasn’t much chance to interact. I think it would be better if there were programs that allowed more interaction among international students.”.

From the implementation of this activity, Malam Kliwon – The Indonesian Halloween Experience is expected to be a forum for introducing Indonesian culture between local students and international students. Building a memorable experience and a means of learning about Indonesia’s unique culture.

Yogyakarta, Sunday, November 10th 2024. The Suar Asa organization of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a Psychological First Aid Workshop and Peer Training, as well as the inauguration of new SUAR ASA members. Mental health is an important aspect of human life, as important as physical health. Mental health of students, especially in the UGM campus, is currently a serious problem. According to mental health data from the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA) presented at the Mental Health Competency Improvement for Ambassadors of Health Promoting University (HPU) at RSA UGM, from 2022 to 2023, there was an increase in the number of cases of student hospitalization with mental health problems, namely 21 and 51 cases respectively. In 2022, the gender percentage of mental health cases was most often found in female students compared to male students at 9.4% and females at 90.6%.

The Psychological First Aida and Peer Training was opened by the Head of the Administrative Office, Erika Purnawati, S.Kom., M.Cs. who in this case represented the Chairperson of FIB UGM, in her remarks Erika said that the mental health problems of students at FIB UGM face various challenges, both academic and social that can affect students’ mental well-being. Transition from high school to university, high academic pressure, and personal problems often trigger stress and anxiety among students. Mental health issues at FIB UGM have become a serious concern. Mental health problems experienced by students are usually caused by personal and family problems.

In various mental health situations faced by FIB students, there is the Suar Asa organization which is a forum for students who play a direct role in supporting mental health services for FIB UGM students. Suar Asa is a student organization that focuses on mental health issues and prevention of sexual violence in FIB. In carrying out its function as an organization that deals with mental health issues, Suar Asa has a Teman Cerita program. Teman Cerita is a service opened by Suar Asa for FIB students who want to talk about their lives or to express what they are feeling. This service also collaborates with peer counselors in FIB as facilitators in this service who provide story sessions for FIB students. This service also collaborates with HPU FIB where reports on mental health cases and their follow-up also involve HPU FIB.

The Teman cerita program that has previously been implemented will be developed into a service that focuses on emotional support, namely through the Teman Sehat and Berbudaya (Peer Friends) mental health service. Teman Sebaya offers services as a story friend for students who want to share their problems. Suar Asa is undergoing regeneration of new members, so mental health services at FIB are not yet optimal. Therefore, Peer Friend training is needed to improve their knowledge and skills, in order to optimize the promotion, prevention, and mental health services of FIB UGM through Suar Asa. The participation of various parties is needed to prevent and treat mental health problems.

Yogyakarta, November 6, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from Majapahit Technology Islamic Boarding School and SMAK Penabur Harapan Indah on Wednesday morning. The event held at the Auditorium on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building was attended by around 190 students, consisting of 100 students from Majapahit Technology Islamic Boarding School and 90 students from SMAK Penabur Harapan Indah, along with accompanying teachers.

The visit was warmly welcomed by representatives of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as staff of Public Relations and Cooperation of FIB UGM. In their remarks, teacher representatives from both schools expressed the purpose of their visit, which was to introduce students to the UGM campus environment and explore information about educational opportunities at the Faculty of Arts.

The question and answer session was interactive, with student representatives from Majapahit Technology Islamic Boarding School asking what technology is used in studying culture and the existence of a double degree program at FIB. Meanwhile, student representatives from SMAK Penabur Harapan Indah focused more on asking about the job prospects of graduates and how FIB graduates can compete with other faculties in the world of work.

The event ended with the handover of souvenirs from both schools to FIB UGM, followed by a group photo session. This moment was closed with a casual conversation between students and students, creating an atmosphere of intimacy before the group left the room. This visit is expected to motivate students to continue their higher education at UGM, especially at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.