SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Basic literacy skills | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDGs 8: Economic productivity | SDG 17: Partnerships for goals | SDGs 17: Fostering innovation

An interesting agenda at the “NGABUBUREAD” event held by Perpustra on Thursday, 26th of March 2024 in the courtyard of the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences yesterday was Baca Sastra and Ceritra (Cerita bareng Perpustra). Baca Sastra is an expression space for reading literary works presented by Lincak. As a community of poetry lovers at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Lincak is an expression space for the exploration of poetry and literary works. On the occasion of that afternoon, accompanied by the sound of serene rainwater, Lincak invited people to enjoy the presentation of literary works together.

Ari Bagus Panuntun, founder of Warung Sastra and also a Lecturer in French Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, joined them for a book talk as a speaker at Ceritra. Despite his background in French literature, Bagus was interested in the book industry and founded Warung Sastra. The bookstore with the slogan “Books, Coffee, Penyetan” is a place for book lovers in Yogyakarta to read and discuss. Here, Bagus reviewed the journey of a book from the author’s hands to the buyer. In the discussion session with the audience, he also shared tips on publishing a book, especially how to choose a good and trusted book publisher.

SDGs 1: Economic resources | SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Enrolment | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDGs 8: Aid for trade | SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDG 17: Partnerships for goals | SDGs 17: Development assistance 

The inaugural program of Perpustra UGM which was named  “NGABUBUREAD”, was held on Thursday, 28th of March 2024 at 3 until 8 pm at Perpustra FIB UGM, this program was a soft opening event for Perpustra UGM, presenting discussions about the twists and turns of the book industry, providing space for the expression of reading literary works, and inviting anyone who is interested in the field of literacy to join the Perpustra community, namely TEMAN-KU. At the NgabubuRead event, Perpustra activated the registration of TEMAN-KU (Teman Kuning), a community that would be a friend of literacy growth with Perpustra.

Perpustra, this container-shaped library is not just a place to read, but also a creative place to maintain a shared literacy ecosystem to realize these efforts. Furthermore, they establish the TEMAN-KU (Teman Kuning) community as a place where all people grow together in literacy. This space can not only be used by local students, but can also be used by local publishers in Yogyakarta and other publishers to introduce literacy.

In addition to being a place for creativity, Perpustra can also be a place for people to sell and leave books. Perpustra is open every weekday (Monday-Friday) from 12 to 8 pm. Perpustra also offers opportunities for those of you who have the same goals to collaborate by contacting the phone number: +6285742473943 (Anggita Triyana) or email: perpustra.ugm@gmail.com. So far, Perpustra’s collaborators include Kitabisa, Kompas.com, Gramedia, Rekata Studio, bloc, Yogyakarta Literature Festival, Amnesty International, Bentara Budaya, KPG, Baca Bareng, Rumah Dongeng Mentari, Festival Lestari, Pasar Wiguna, Festival Kata, etc.

SDGs 2: Food | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Culture | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage | SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production | SDGs 12: Consumption

Hello, Mahadaya and Friends of FIB UGM! On Wednesday, 27th of March 2024, the Big Family of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held an iftar attended by a number of lecturers, teaching staff, part-timer students, retired lecturers and teaching staff, representatives of LEM / HMJ / BSO organizations, and other FIB UGM families. The event was held in the Auditorium of FIB UGM, located on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building at 16.15 – 18.00. This routine event, which is held every Ramadan, aims to maintain and strengthen the kinship between fellow faculty members in order to maintain good synergy in any condition.

Iftar together this time began with a release session and giving mementos to the retired lecturers and teaching staff of FIB UGM for the period of 2023 to March 2024. The event then continued with a session of reading the holy verses of the Quran and saritilawah about the importance of fasting. Next was the recitation agenda where the lecture session was filled by a special speaker, Mr. drh. H. Agung Budiyanto, MP, Ph.D, who presented a lecture topic on the virtues and essence of fasting during the month of Ramadan. The event ended with a closing prayer and continued with breakfasting together. The meal consisted of various snacks and heavy meals. There were also gifts for the guests to take home.

SDGs 4: Quality Education

Waking up in a room with a view of yellowing and reddening trees would have been my wildest dream until a year ago. Every new thing that I have experienced from last year’s September until December is the result of sleepless nights and staring at my laptop for four months. IISMA truly gave me the chance to taste my childhood wish, and I could never be more grateful than I am today. As this is one of my biggest milestones, I cherish every second that I spend in Dublin, Ireland, and make sure to engrave all passing moments in my mind–probably in my phone’s gallery as well. I am Konan, and here is a glimpse of my life as an IISMA awardee in University College Dublin.

A brief introduction is a must before I start. Born by the name Qonita Risqi Setya Ananda, I am currently a third year student in the English Department of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Not a very fun fact, I can’t drive, so no wonder I enjoy my time in Dublin too much because of the pedestrian-friendly public facilities. During my four-month stay in Dublin, I am taking four courses under Arts and Humanities. Along with nine other students from different home universities, I began my study abroad journey on September 2 as we flew from Indonesia to Ireland. Now, here is the real thing, I promise you.

The academic year in Ireland starts in autumn, which takes place in September. Just like what we commonly have in universities in Indonesia, here they provide two weeks of various orientation events, such as welcoming ceremony, freshers week where you can sign up for clubs and societies, info sessions for various purposes, for instance the immigration session held for non-EU international students, and many more. In the following week, the classes start for level two or intermediate courses, while beginner courses have to wait for another week. Classes are divided into two types, lecture and tutorial or seminar, which is a new thing for me as we don’t have them back in my home major. Lecture is a big class dedicated to delivering materials, while the tutorial only consists of 15-20 students solely for group discussion and in-depth review on the materials from the lecture. 

Being an international student in UCD certainly has its own perks, and one of them being the eligible participants of the Cultural Programme. The said programme is dedicated for us to enjoy the most of our stay here by holding events and offering trips for free. We have gone to some stunning places in Ireland, such as Kilkenny with its castle and mediaeval town, surfing in Sligo, cycling on a 32-kilometre track in Westport, and enjoying the majestic Dún Aonghasa in Inishmore, Galway. I am really grateful for the opportunities given by UCD for such a short stay, and here I say it, it is all worth it!

Even though living abroad gets you really excited, you are lying if you say you don’t miss those little things from home. Of course I miss seblak, nasi Padang, and the convenient online transportation. I’d love to give an honourable mention to my friends from PPI Irlandia who kindly hold various Indonesian-themed events for Indonesian students in Ireland, which feels like bringing us back home. We got the precious chance to have a warm gathering with other IISMA awardees in Ireland and master’s and doctoral students on October 21, and even met the Ambassador of Indonesia for the United Kingdom, Dr. Desra Percaya. Fun fact, he is a remarkable saxophone player, and we were lucky to be able to watch his performance of Terima Kasih Cinta by Afgan on that sunny afternoon.

That particular gathering event was very memorable for me. The previous president of PPI Irlandia, Zain, shared a bit how Ireland feels merrier when the IISMA awardees are there. The number of Indonesian students in Ireland is significantly lower than in the United Kingdom, our nearest neighbour, and events like these almost feel like a family reunion. Compared to the students, there are more Indonesian diaspora than what I had imagined. They are also the people who continue to help us during our stay, and I’d really love to reciprocate the gesture someday, fingers crossed, when I get the opportunity to travel to Ireland again.

Aside from the fellow Indonesians we met here, I have always dreamt about having friends from across the globe who will actually keep in touch, not as a one-time thing only. Solely for this reason, I would like to thank my international friends that have introduced me to new celebrations that definitely made me feel so at home. One of these celebrations is Friendsgiving, that is celebrating Thanksgiving but with your friends instead. Jette, the event planner, suggested that we all bring a dish from our respective country to enjoy together, and that way, we actually exchange new culture in a fun way. Since the feeling is mutual, I didn’t hesitate to give them heartfelt souvenirs from home–one of them being a tote bag I designed myself–as a memento for the moment I have shared with them.

Ireland has been a place for me to try out many things for the first time for the last four months. My dream of walking along meadows, looking at sheep and cows like what I read in my childhood stories, strolling down the city, and taking a breather at city parks–all of them have been achieved here. Last but not least, the network and memories I have made here are priceless and could never be traded with anything in this world. Shall I have the chance to visit for a longer period of time here, I won’t hesitate to fly right away. Thank you to my support system back home–my family and friends–and my new family here, you are a part of my life now. Of course to the IISMA program, my deepest gratitude would never cease.

SGDs 4: Quality Education| SGDs 5: Gender Equality | SGDs 10: Reduced Inequalities

Two representatives of English Department UGM: Alvanita, M. Ed. and Paris Mercurio visited MA Al Ikhlas Berbah on Saturday, 11 March 2024. This event is a part of community services conducted by English Department UGM. Headmistress of MA Al Ikhlas Berbah, Ika Bude Lestari, S.Pd., gave a warm welcoming speech in the beginning of the event. Afterwards, the presentation and Q&A sessions began.

In the presentation session, Alvanita, M.Ed. motivated the students to learn English. She highlighted how important it is to be proficient in English, especially if one wants to pursue higher education or professional careers. She also gave the students tips on learning English outside the class. The second presenter, Paris Mercurio told the students about her experiences living in the United States. She gave the students tips to overcome their nervousness when using English in conversations. The students, who were shy to respond at the presentation session, gradually became more engaged throughout the Q&A session. 

Students and teachers of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah responded positively towards the event, sharing their opinions that other programs to increase students’ interest in learning English should be conducted again in the future. The urgency of conducting those programs is due to low frequency of English learning in rural areas like Berbah, which is affected by the existing presumption of the lack of urgency to be proficient in English.

Alvanita, M.Ed. discussed the continuation of this program with the English teacher of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah (Ervina Juli Aryani) after the event. One of the proposed activities is increasing English literacy through reading literature works. Every week, the students will read English short stories and write their reviews. Afterwards, an offline discussion monitored by Alvanita, M.Ed. and Ms. Ervina will be conducted every one or two months in order to track the students’ progress in learning English.