The Archaeology Student Association (HIMA) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada took part in a social service activity organized by the Perkumpulan Ahli Arkeologi Indonesia (IAAI) to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The activity involved planting 100 bamboo seedlings in the area surrounding Candi Morangan, specifically along the Gendol River embankment and Embung Tiban in Sindumartani Village, Ngemplak District, Sleman Regency. Held on April 19, 2026, the program began with an opening session and remarks, followed by documentation and the bamboo planting activity at the site. This activity was carried out through collaboration between IAAI Central, IAAI Regional Commission of Yogyakarta–Central Java, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Office of Yogyakarta, Komunitas Kandang Kebo, Yayasan Hutan Biru, the Sindumartani Village administration, and HIMA. The involvement of HIMA in this activity reflects the active role of students in supporting environmental preservation and the protection of cultural heritage sites.

[Archeology, Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti]

Credit Photo : IAAI

Yogyakarta, April 25, 2026 – The Association of Arabic Literature Students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (IKMASA UGM) once again presents a student development program through the IKMASA Future Leaders 2026 event. With the theme Public Speaking Advancement & Leadership Decision Making, this program serves as a learning space for students to enhance their public communication skills while also strengthening their leadership capacity.

The event featured two experienced speakers in their respective fields. Nafesya Amrina Rasyada, S.S., Creative Officer at GIK UGM, delivered a session on public speaking, while Syifa Ulhusna Syahputri, S.S., Founder of Pelita Gembira, discussed leadership. Both speakers presented the material in an applied approach that was closely related to the current realities faced by students.

In the public speaking session, participants were guided to understand the fundamentals of effective communication, build self-confidence, and develop well-structured and persuasive ideas. Meanwhile, in the leadership session, participants were encouraged to explore the importance of decision-making, the ability to lead in various situations, and the development of adaptive leadership character. 

The event atmosphere was highly interactive. Participants did not only listen to the presentations but also actively engaged in discussions, asked questions, and shared their experiences. Overall, IKMASA Future Leaders 2026 ran smoothly and provided a positive impact on students’ soft skills development, particularly in communication and leadership.

This program is expected to serve as an initial foundation for Arabic Literature students at UGM to become better prepared in facing future challenges, both in academic and professional fields.

[Arabic Literature, Indana Zulfa Maulida]

Ciamis, 25 April 2026 — The Department of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Community Service Program (PkM) and Expert Lecture at Universitas Islam Darussalam on 25–26 April 2026. The event brought lecturers, students, and the pesantren community together in a setting that combined academic discussion with everyday interaction.

The visit also continued an existing connection between the two institutions, especially through Prof. Dr. K.H. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur. In his remarks, he described the program as more than a formal academic agenda. For him, it was a form of silaturahim, where knowledge is shared in a more personal and open way.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Aris Munandar, who spoke about the role of American Studies in reading global influence. He pointed out that influence does not always come in direct or visible forms. In many cases, it appears through everyday habits such as academic writing, publication systems, and standards that scholars gradually follow. 

Therefore, according to him, the American Studies program plays an important role in helping scholars critically recognize and navigate these subtle influences, which often emerge through habits in academic writing, publication systems, and scholarly standards.

Several speakers then presented their topics in parallel sessions. Dr. Mahmudah discussed feminism in Arabic literature and its place in Islamic education. Dr. Amin Basuki focused on how American academic patterns can be seen in SINTA-indexed journals, especially in the way articles are structured and evaluated. Dr. Muhammad Zakki Masykur talked about Arabic and the works of Javanese ulama which showed that local traditions remain active in knowledge production. Meanwhile, Dr. Stedi Wardoyo explained how morality in Japanese society often grows from family life and social habits, not only from religion.

Outside the formal sessions, the program also included shared activities such as joining the Shalawat Burdah gathering with the pesantren community. Moments like this made the visit feel less formal and more connected. It showed that community service is not only about delivering material, but also about building relationships.

As an institution that provides education from early levels to university, Universitas Islam Darussalam also offers space for future collaboration, especially in character education. This program, in a simple way, shows that academic cooperation can grow through meeting, talking, and spending time together.

Yogyakarta, April 29, 2026 – The Academic Division of the Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully organized the event titled “Suluh Rindu” Book Discussion and Mini Writing Workshop, featuring prominent Indonesian novelist Habiburrahman El Shirazy at the Soegondo Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Open to the public, the event aimed to enrich participants’ understanding of the creative writing process, particularly in developing ideas and experiences in creative writing, as well as emphasizing the importance of moral values in literary works.

The author, widely known as Kang Abik, explained that writing ideas can emerge from simple phenomena in everyday life. Observations of social realities, cultural contexts, and daily life dynamics can serve as endless sources of inspiration. He illustrated this through the creative process behind his novel Suluh Rindu, which was inspired by the phenomenon of rural areas being left behind by younger generations who migrate in search of better opportunities. Villages tend to become lively only during certain occasions, such as religious holidays. This phenomenon was then developed into the story of a character who travels to Egypt and experiences an inner struggle upon returning to his hometown, particularly when confronted with his father’s final wishes.

Habiburrahman also emphasized the importance of dramatic elements in literary works. According to him, a compelling story should be able to evoke readers’ emotions through strong conflict and meaningful resolution. Beyond mere entertainment, literature carries a moral responsibility. Values such as spirituality, humanity, justice, and civility should serve as the foundation of any literary work. “A good piece of writing is not only engaging to read, but also leaves a lasting impression on its readers,” he stated.

During the question-and-answer session, it was also highlighted that writing experience does not have to come solely from personal experiences. Writers can gain insight from reading, listening to others’ stories, and observing their surroundings. In addition, moral boundaries in writing depend on the author’s perspective and purpose, while still taking into account cultural values and ethical considerations.

The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation by Tohir Mustofa, S.S., M.A., and Abdul Jawat Nur, M.Hum., followed by a group documentation session. The high level of enthusiasm shown by participants reflects a strong expectation for similar forums to continue as spaces for learning, discussion, and growth for both aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts.

Penulis: Putri Azkia Nisfiatul Laili

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