Rina Kurana Awom is a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Literature and Culture at the University of Papua, Manokwari. Coming from the Biak tribe in West Papua, Rina is currently pursuing her PhD in Humanities (Study of Oral Traditions) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Her story reflects an academic journey filled with challenges and courage.

Rina’s decision to continue her studies at UGM is not her first time. After completing her undergraduate degree at Cenderawasih University in 2005, she immediately pursued her master’s degree at UGM, encouraged by her mother. Although initially intending to gain work experience, Rina received a scholarship from the Center for Education and Training for Women of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua Land (P3W GKI), which further strengthened her academic journey to pursue her master’s degree. After successfully completing her master’s degree in 2008, Rina felt confident to return to UGM for her PhD due to its academic reputation and the comfort she felt in Yogyakarta. Additionally, the support of professional lecturers in her field of interest and the availability of the Humanities PhD program at FIB UGM were her main reasons.

After living in Yogyakarta, Rina feels very comfortable and safe. She has felt this comfort since her master’s studies in 2005. Although Yogyakarta is becoming more crowded, the friendliness of the locals and affordable living costs make her feel at home. Rina is glad to be able to worship peacefully in churches that are accessible. However, she experienced culture shock, especially in understanding directions and finding accommodation, as local people generally use terms like west, east, north, and south to show directions.

During her time at UGM, Rina focused more on academic activities. However, FIB UGM provided her with opportunities to participate in activities such as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and local research with the Center for Policy Studies and Population (PSKK) UGM, enriching her academic experience.

Rina recommends FIB UGM as a study option for her friends in Papua. She sees many positive changes and developments at UGM, especially with the “Kampus Rakyat” slogan. The supportive campus environment, continuously evolving facilities, and competent lecturers make UGM an ideal place to pursue education. The affordable cost of living and the friendliness of the entire campus community add to the positive experience of studying at UGM.

With all the experiences and support she has received, Rina feels that Yogyakarta has become a “home away from home” for her, providing comfort and opportunities for growth amidst the challenges of living far from her hometown.

On Monday, May 13, 2024, the first day of the 13th Gugur Gunung was successfully celebrated at the Margono Terrace, 1st floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Jawaisme Fest, a part of this event, attracted a diverse audience, including university students, INCULS students, FIB staff, and high school students visiting FIB UGM.

Jawaisme Fest is an exhibition of Javanese art, literature, and culture. Some of the cultural products displayed included Nusantara manuscripts, traditional Javanese everyday clothing from Yogyakarta, wayang kulit (shadow puppets), gamelan instruments, traditional customs and weton (Javanese astrological system), traditional games, and various other cultural items.

The Nusantara manuscripts on display included Javanese-script manuscripts, illustrated lontar manuscripts from Bali, and replicas of Batak manuscripts. Wayang kulit characters such as the Pandawa (Yudistira, Bima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sadewa) and Punakawan (Semar, Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong) welcomed the visitors. Some of the gamelan instruments displayed included the saron, kendhang ciblon, kethuk, kempul, and gong. Traditional games like yo-yos, othok-othok hammers, othok-othok boats, bekel, slingshots or plintheng, bas basan, tops, and various other games evoked a sense of nostalgia for the past. The Javanese customs showcased included life cycles from birth to death, and an introduction to weton, sparking visitors’ curiosity to learn more.

The diverse cultural products exhibited successfully piqued visitors’ interest. They showed enthusiasm through various questions posed to the booth attendants. Visitors were also given the opportunity to try out traditional games, handle and play wayang kulit, play gamelan instruments, view Nusantara manuscripts, and try their luck at a prize draw booth.

The excitement didn’t end there; Jawaisme Fest will continue on the second day of the 13th Gugur Gunung, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM WIB. The second day promises to be even more special with a Jathilan dance drama titled “Turangga Sastra Nuswantara” performed by students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program. The Jathilan dance drama will be made even more captivating by the presence of Lala Atila, a famous campursari singer, who will perform traditional Javanese singing during the show.

Author: Haryo Untoro

After previously receiving an A accreditation, the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM has successfully obtained an ‘Excellent’ accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education. This ‘Excellent’ accreditation is valid from May 21, 2024, to August 16, 2028, and has been ratified through the Decree of the Director of the Executive Board of BAN-PT No. 4269/SK/BAN-PT/Ak.KP/S/V/2024.

To achieve the ‘Excellent’ status, the program underwent various evaluations by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education. These evaluations were conducted by the Korean Language and Culture Program Team in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit Team of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM. Additionally, the efforts of the program were supported by contributions from all parties, including alumni and stakeholders.

This achievement demonstrates the program’s commitment to continuously improving the quality of its curriculum and human resources. The ‘Excellent’ accreditation is also expected to provide the program with opportunities for various collaborations, both nationally and internationally. This aligns with the program’s commitment to always providing the best quality education for all its students.

Unlike usual, the Introduction to Korean History lecture on Friday, May 17, 2024, was held in-person. The course instructor, Dr. Rostineu, S.S., M.A., is a lecturer in the Korean Language and Culture Program at the University of Indonesia. This time, Dr. Rostineu came directly to the Korean Language and Culture Program at Universitas Gadjah Madaa to conduct the lecture in-person.

The in-person lecture was held in Room 707 of the Soegondo Building at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM WIB. The lecture was attended by approximately one hundred students enrolled in the course. The lecture proceeded in a conducive and interactive manner.

This course focuses on the history of Korea from prehistoric times to the modern era. The material presented was very appropriate, given that the instructor is an expert in the field and has even published a book on Korean history. Therefore, this class was organized to enhance the knowledge of students in the Korean Language and Culture Program regarding Korean history.

At the end of the lecture, students presented flowers to Dr. Rostineu, S.S., M.A. as a memento. The lecture concluded with a group photo featuring Dr. Rostineu, Mr. Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., and all the course participants.

Hari Setyawan, who took the Humanities Sciences Study Program (Archaeology doctoral program), conducted an Open Doctoral Promotion Examination on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10.00 WIB in the Multimedia Room on the Second Floor of the R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The Team of Examiners entered the room followed by Promovenda / Promovendus, Chair of the Examination Team Prof. Dr. Heddy Shry Ahimsa-Putra, M.A., M.Phil. opened the meeting to hold the Open Examination. The Examination Team consists of: Dr. Niken Wirasanti, M.Si. (Promoter), Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. (Co-Promoter), Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S. (Faculty of Biology UGM), Dr. Tjahjono Prasodjo, M.A., and Prof. Dr. Timbul Haryono, M.Sc.

Mr. Hari Setyawan, S.S., M.T. on the occasion presented his dissertation entitled “Pemaknaan Tumbuhan pada Relief Karmawibhangga Candi Borobudur: Perspektif Semiotika Peirce”. Narrative reliefs at Borobudur Temple are archaeological data that can be used, among others, as data for reconstructing the environment of Ancient Java. Hisresearch discusses the law of karma and the depiction of plants in narrative reliefs to be identified by species, interpreted based on inscription sources and relevant literary texts to find out their meaning using Charles Sanders Peirce Semiotics. The novelty in the research is to get an explanation of how the karma scene is depicted on the Karmawibhangga relief and why the plants depicted are very varied in species.

After the Team of Examiners considered the results of the examination, the Team of Examiners stated that the dissertation of Mr. Hari Setyawan PASSED the doctoral program at the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Gadjah Mada with the title Cum Laude / Praise. This is also based on the consideration of lecture results, dissertation grades, and study period. Dr. Hari Setyawan, S.S., M.T. is the 6216th doctor to pass the exam at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the 443rd doctor to pass the exam at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, the 403rd doctor to pass the exam in the Humanities Sciences Study Program, and the 21st doctor in Archaeology. Congratulations and success to all new doctors. Hopefully the knowledge will be more useful!