Two students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka, have successfully been selected as recipients of the Undergraduate–Master’s (S1–S2) Fast Track Program at FIB UGM. The announcement was made on Friday (17/7/2026) through the official social media account of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Through this program, students have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate (S1) and master’s (S2) studies concurrently, allowing them to complete their study period in a shorter time. Both students chose to continue their studies in the Master’s Program in Literature at FIB UGM.

In an online interview conducted on Monday (20/7/2026), both students expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for being selected as recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program. For Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy, the program serves as an opportunity to deepen the knowledge he has acquired during his undergraduate studies. “I aspire to gain a deeper understanding of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture so that the knowledge I acquire can later benefit society,” he explained. Likewise, Meifira Arini Pitaloka viewed the opportunity to continue her studies through the Fast Track Program as a chance to further develop her academic interests while broadening her knowledge. “I want to continue exploring what I am passionate about by making the most of every opportunity and determination I have,” she said.

Regarding their prospective research at the master’s level, the two students have different academic interests. Rafi hopes to further explore Javanese literature and culture, particularly the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java. “I am interested in further studying Javanese literature and culture, for example, the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java, while the world of Panji itself is more widely associated with Malang,” he explained. Meanwhile, Meifira plans to explore a broader range of literary studies. “I want to try not to limit myself only to Javanese literature. My planned research will still be related to images, perhaps in areas such as comic literature or children’s literature,” she shared.

Both students have also prepared themselves to face the challenges of participating in the Fast Track Program. According to Rafi, the greatest challenge lies in managing his time effectively in order to balance undergraduate and master’s studies. “I want to be more disciplined, make better use of my time for my studies, and set aside time for field research,” he said. On the other hand, Meifira believes that mental preparedness is an equally important aspect. In addition to striving to do her best, she also emphasized the importance of prayer and self-awareness throughout the academic journey. “I will do my best, never forget to pray, and continue building self-awareness in facing the challenges ahead,” she explained.

Concluding the interview, both students shared messages for their fellow students, encouraging them to remain enthusiastic and consistent throughout their academic journey. Rafi encouraged students to consistently pursue what they are genuinely passionate about so that the learning process becomes more enjoyable. “Consistently pursue what you truly enjoy. That way, the learning process will become more enjoyable. Stay motivated, and go through it with ease. Melu ilining banyu ning ora nganti keli (go with the flow of the water, but do not let yourself be carried away by it),” he said. Meifira also shared a similar message. According to her, every choice that has been made should be pursued wholeheartedly and with full responsibility. “Do what you love and love what you do,” she said.

The achievement of Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka in becoming recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program is expected to inspire other students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program to continue developing their academic potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them. It is hoped that their journey in pursuing master’s studies will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, particularly in the fields of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

Authos: Haryo Untoro

The Korean Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), held the opening ceremony for the “2nd CAUGM” on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The opening ceremony took place in the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium. This cultural exchange program will run from July 20 through August 1.

The event was attended by 24 students from Chung-Ang University and 70 students from the Korean Language and Culture Program at FIB, UGM. Over the course of two weeks, participants will take part in various activities, such as cultural exchange classes, language exchange sessions, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

At today’s opening ceremony, students from both countries presented lively cultural performances. Students from Chung-Ang University performed K-Pop dances and songs, a taekwondo demonstration, and traditional Korean musical instrument performances. Equally captivating, UGM students also presented traditional Indonesian cultural performances, including the Edan-edanan dance, the Sintren dance, singing, and pencak silat.

In addition, one of the main events in this series of collaborative activities is the Korean Festival, which will be open to the public on July 25. The general public and the campus community are invited to attend and experience Korean culture firsthand.

Through this series of activities, students not only gain academic experience but also have the opportunity to interact directly with participants from other countries. This type of cultural exchange is expected to broaden their global perspective, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen ties among students from both institutions.

Author: Juleha (朱殷萱Chu Yin Hsuan)

Yogyakarta, 21 June 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM held a workshop and upgrading programme for the Healthy and Culturally Aware POSBINDU (SEBAYA) as part of the 2026 Sustainability Campus Action initiative. The event took place on Tuesday, 21 June 2026, in the Multimedia Room on the 2nd floor of the Margono Building.

POSBINDU (Integrated Health Promotion Post), known within FIB as SEBAYA (Healthy and Empowered), is a free health screening centre established to facilitate the early detection of non-communicable diseases among the academic community. The event was officially opened by Ms Erika, Head of the Administration Office (KKA) at FIB UGM. The programme continued with a refresher session on POSBINDU for both existing and new volunteers, an introduction to the new POSBINDU system, and hands-on practice of health checks covering four service stations.

During this event, the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at UGM hosted speakers from UGM’s Health Promoting University (HPU) programme: Dita Margarini, S.Gz., M.P.H., and Muhammad Alif Taufiqurrahman, S.Kom. Both speakers provided explanations, guidance and support to educational staff throughout the entire POSBINDU programme.

Through the organisation of this workshop and professional development programme, FIB UGM aims to enhance the performance of educational staff and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles within the campus community on a sustainable basis. This initiative represents a concrete demonstration of UGM’s commitment to the ‘Sustainability Campus Action 2026’ programme, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.


[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

“Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara,” better known as Gamasutra, once again enlivened the Gamelan Festival organized by the Faculty of Philosophy on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This festival is an annual event held as part of the Faculty of Philosophy’s anniversary celebrations. This year’s festival featured 52 gamelan groups, both from within and outside Gadjah Mada University. The event took place over two consecutive days, Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 2026.

Gamasutra performed six gendhing pieces: “Ladrang Sumyar,” “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik,” “Ketawang Manggung Sore,” and “Ayak-ayak Pamungkas RRI.” “These gendhing pieces were performed with the intention of reviving a repertoire that hasn’t been performed in a long time, and to reintroduce traditional children’s songs,” said Yanuar, a student in the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences who initiated this repertoire.

Each of these pieces has a different meaning. “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” and “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik” are children’s songs with cheerful rhythms. “Ladrang Sumyar,” which serves as the main piece in Gamasutra’s performance, is presented with a distinctly different feel. “Unlike Ladrang Sumyar, which is usually performed in the laras pelog pathet barang, we perform it in laras slendro pathet manyura,” said Yanuar. These pieces are also reconstructions of old recordings from RRI Yogyakarta, RRI Kraton Yogyakarta, SMKI Yogyakarta, and Karawitan Condong Raos.

Gamasutra’s participation in the Karawitan Festival is part of the efforts by students at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, to continue revitalizing, preserving, and reintroducing the richness of Javanese karawitan to the wider public. Through a repertoire ranging from classical gendhing to children’s songs, Gamasutra demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the continuity of the karawitan art tradition amid the changing times.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Gadjah Mada University officially launched a summer school programme in collaboration with National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan, on Monday (20 July 2026). The opening ceremony, which took place in Room 721 of the Soegondo Building, ran from 09.00 to 10.15 WIB. The opening was made particularly special by the delightful collaboration between the two presenters (MCs), namely Salsa (an Indonesian student) and Bela (an intern from NCCU, Taiwan).

The programme began with an opening address by the Coordinator of INCULS at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, Dr Rakhmat Soleh, S.S., M.Hum. In his address, he outlined the activities and the academic requirements applicable to students throughout this two-week programme. The course of study will cover the modules Writing and Grammar, Listening and Speaking, and Reading and Vocabulary, each of which will be taught by experienced lecturers.

On the same occasion, Ms Silvia, the student supervisor from NCCU, also delivered a warm welcome. She formally introduced the 10 NCCU students participating in this year’s summer school programme. The introductory session was warm and enjoyable, strengthening the bond between the participants and the organisers.

The opening ceremony concluded with a symbolic presentation of a memento from NCCU to INCULS FIB UGM as a token of appreciation and to mark the start of this cultural and academic collaboration. This closing ceremony also marked the start of the full programme of summer school activities for NCCU students at UGM.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]