Yogyakarta, September 27, 2025 – The collaboration between the Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikmasa) UGM and the Department of Village Community Development of BEM KM UGM brought forth an inspiring event titled the SEDASA Educational Talkshow (Suara Pemuda untuk Kemajuan Desa / Youth Voices for Village Advancement), as part of the Gemilang Desa 2025 series. Held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, the event was lively and full of enthusiasm, attended by high school students as well as university students from across Indonesia.

The talk show featured distinguished speakers, including Joko Susilo, Founder of Gunungkidul Menginspirasi and Head of Training and Consultancy at the Nalar Institute; Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, M.Eng., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM; and keynote speaker KPH H. Yudanegara, Ph.D., Head of the Office of Village Community Empowerment, Population, and Civil Registration of Yogyakarta Special Region. The session was moderated by Antonia Elena Listya Araminta, Environmental Ambassador of DIY 2025, who guided the discussion warmly and interactively.

This activity served as a vital dialogue space to address modern challenges faced by villages, ranging from limited access to information, insufficient utilization of technology, to the lack of open dialogue between young people and community leaders. Through the talk show, participants gained direct insights from real-life case studies and practical strategies to optimize village potential. This aligns with the spirit of the Kongres Abdi Desa 2025, carrying the theme “Light from the Village, Weaving Hopes for Indonesia.”

General coordinator of the event, Faris Zakiy Ramadhan, highlighted the remarkable enthusiasm of the participants from the very beginning. “Today we will hold the second and third activities, namely the Gemilang Desa Competition and the SEDASA Talkshow. The Gemilang Desa Competition successfully carried out its series of contests, with the final day being held today. Thank you to the 377 registrants of the Gemilang Desa Competition, which consists of 12 teams in the Business Plan Competition, 101 teams in the Essay Competition, and 26 participants in the Poster Competition. Today we will hold the final round featuring the top 10 individuals and 10 teams from each branch, representing their institutions from all over Indonesia,” he explained.

Through this talk show, young people were encouraged not only to understand village issues but also to foster awareness of realizing village potential and addressing the challenges villages face in the modern era. Moreover, the event created an inclusive and interactive platform to share perspectives, innovative ideas, and cross-regional experiences.

This initiative also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing inequality (SDG 10), improving the quality of education (SDG 4), and strengthening sustainable communities (SDG 11). Villages are positioned not merely as objects of development but as sources of inspiration and drivers of national progress without losing their cultural identity.

The festive atmosphere peaked when the session concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Gemilang Desa competitions. The participants responded with great enthusiasm, taking home new inspiration on how the real contributions of young people can be the key to advancing villages. With the spirit of collaboration, Gemilang Desa 2025 proved that Indonesian students and youth can play an active role in building villages that are both competitive and sustainable.

[Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025 – The Undergraduate Tourism Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an international guest lecture under the ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility program with the theme “Sustainability and Sustainable Practices in Tourism Enterprises.” The lecture featured Assoc. Prof. Halime Göktas Kulualp from Karabük University, Turkiye, shared valuable insights through the case study of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage City recognized since 1994.

In her presentation, Prof. Kulualp described Safranbolu as a small but historically rich town in Karabük Province, located in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. For centuries, it served as an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The town has witnessed the presence of great civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines, and reached its golden age under the Ottoman Empire. During this period, caravanserais such as the famous Cinci Han were established to host merchants and travelers passing through the region.

What makes Safranbolu truly unique is its remarkable Ottoman architecture. The town is renowned for its traditional houses, many of which are more than 300 years old, characterized by whitewashed walls, wooden frames, large windows, and private courtyards. These houses are living examples of how Turkish people once lived. Beyond its architecture, Safranbolu is also surrounded by natural beauty, with stunning sites like Tokatl Canyon and Bulak Caves attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The name Safranbolu comes from “saffron,” a rare and precious spice that grows in the area, combined with the name of the nearby region, Bolu. This name reflects the city’s cultural identity and historical wealth. UNESCO’s recognition highlights Safranbolu’s authenticity, integrity, and its importance as a living heritage for humanity. According to Prof. Kulualp, Safranbolu’s success in preserving its cultural legacy while embracing tourism offers an inspiring example of how heritage conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Through this guest lecture, UGM Tourism students were encouraged to see tourism not only as an economic activity but also as a responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage. The story of Safranbolu reminds us that sustainability in tourism is essential to protect history while ensuring benefits for local communities and future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 18 September 2025 – The Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), organized the 14th Gugur Gunung Exhibition as part of its annual anniversary celebration. Held on 17–18 September 2025, the exhibition showcased various aspects of Javanese cultural heritage, ranging from manuscript displays and traditional games to traditional musical instruments presented in an interactive manner.

In addition, the exhibition also featured food stands that visitors could enjoy, adding comfort and convenience to the overall exhibition experience.

The Gugur Gunung Exhibition serves as an important platform for academics, students, and the wider community to further appreciate, engage with, and preserve the richness of the Javanese language, literature, and culture. Through this activity, the Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture reaffirms its commitment to sustaining traditions while strengthening the relevance of cultural studies in contemporary society.

This initiative aligns with the commitment of FIB UGM to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through the promotion of inclusive access to cultural learning, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage and local traditions as part of the nation’s collective identity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 19/9/2025– The Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada officially opened its Summer School program in collaboration with Iwate University, Japan, at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, FIB UGM. The opening session featured Dwi Pratnyawan, S.S., M.A., who delivered a lecture titled Protecting Archaeological Site (Cultural Heritage).

The event brought together Archaeology students from UGM and international students from Iwate University. This academic forum highlighted the significance of safeguarding cultural heritage as both an identity marker and a collective memory of society.

In his presentation, Dwi explained that cultural heritage preservation, based on Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage Law, rests on three pillars: Protection, Development, and Utilization. He provided concrete examples, including rescue excavations at the Morangan Temple site near Prambanan, regular maintenance at Prambanan’s Siwa Temple, and zoning efforts to establish protective boundaries.

Development, he emphasized, involves research, revitalization, and adaptation, while utilization aims to maximize public benefit without compromising sustainability. However, he also addressed critical challenges such as weak enforcement—citing the use of Borobudur for a Red Bull commercial and damage to Majapahit sites due to illegal brick excavations—and uncoordinated developments, such as the destruction of parts of Trowulan to build a new museum.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A discussion, where both Indonesian and Japanese students raised questions on how best to preserve cultural heritage amid rapid modernization and urban development.

This initiative strongly aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which stresses the importance of protecting the world’s cultural heritage, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as reflected in the international collaboration between UGM and Iwate University.

Yogyakarta, September 21, 2025 – Several students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Farewell Concert as both a form of preparation and a collective prayer before competing in the Hamengku Buwono X Cup 2025, which will take place on October 11–12, 2025.

The event opened with remarks from the President of UGM Marching Band, I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, an Archaeology student from the 2022 cohort who has served two consecutive terms in the UGM Marching Band Student Activity Unit. This was followed by a speech from Hempri Suyatna, S.Sos., M.Si., representative of UGM’s Student Affairs Directorate (Ditmawa), who expressed appreciation and extended full support to the students competing in the championship.

The Hamengku Buwono X Cup is a prestigious national-level marching band competition held regularly in Yogyakarta. It serves as a platform for marching band teams from across Indonesia to showcase their talent, creativity, and sportsmanship.

In this year’s event, UGM Marching Band will feature players from various study programs, including:

• Ataya Sasya Rayna Heradie, Pit Instrument Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2024)
• Tabita Nada Kirana, Pit Instrument Player (Cultural Anthropology, 2024)
• Andieni Ika Bela Safitri, Brass Player (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2024)
• Thiery Vincent Masarrang, Brass Player (French Literature, 2024)
• Dian Khairani, Color Guard (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
• Sylvy Muthqia, Color Guard (Tourism, 2023)
• Keysha Alya Nashifa, Battery Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
  

In addition, four students hold key managerial roles:

• I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, President (Archaeology, 2022)
• Alma Syahwalani, Head of Public Relations (Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, 2023)
• Keysha Almira Putri, Drill and Display Coach, Program Director of the Farewell Concert (Tourism, 2023)
• Melati Srigita Putri, Head of Human Resources (History, 2023)
  

The Farewell Concert served not only as a send-off event before the competition but also as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and support from the UGM academic community. With a spirit of togetherness, UGM Marching Band aspires to bring pride to the university while also contributing to the preservation of marching band music in Indonesia.

This activity also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By supporting the development of students’ potential in the arts and culture, the event fosters quality education. The Farewell Concert and participation in the national competition reflect students’ active role in sustaining performing arts as part of both local and national cultural identity. Moreover, the event represents collaboration between students, the university, and the community—embodying the spirit of partnership to achieve sustainable development.

[Public Relations, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]