Yogyakarta, November 19, 2024 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again become the destination for educational visits by two high schools, namely PB Sudirman Islamic High School Jakarta and Muhammadiyah 1 High School Pekanbaru. Taking place in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building, the event took place from 09.00 to 11.00 WIB and was attended by 200 students, including accompanying teachers (150 students from PB Sudirman and 50 students from Muhammadiyah 1 Pekanbaru).

The students and teachers were warmly welcomed by the Public Relations & Cooperation team of FIB UGM, along with student representatives. The event was opened by the MC with an enthusiastic atmosphere, followed by remarks from school representatives who conveyed the purpose of the visit to get to know UGM and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences more closely.

The series of events became more interesting with a short video screening about Gadjah Mada University and the profile of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. To test the participants’ attention, a quiz with prizes based on the video was held, which was enthusiastically welcomed by the students.

In the material presentation session, participants received in-depth information about the advantages of UGM as the first university in Indonesia, as well as the privileges offered by FIB UGM to prospective students. The discussion and question and answer session became an interactive moment with questions about the passing grade, the difference between SNBP and PBUB pathways, and the openness of UGM access for students from all over Indonesia.

The visit was closed by handing over souvenirs from the school to FIB UGM as a symbol of appreciation, ending with a warm photo session. Hopefully this visit can be an inspiration for students in planning their educational future.

Yogyakarta, November 13, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) happily welcomed the visit of students from Albayan Anyer Superior Islamic Boarding School. The activity that took place in room F305 of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Building was attended by 50 students and accompanying teachers and was received directly by the Faculty’s Public Relations & Cooperation team and student representatives.

During this visit, the students were presented with interactive quiz sessions and exciting discussions that competed for merchandise in the form of notebooks and exclusive stickers. The participants were enthusiastic in answering questions and exchanging ideas in discussions related to various topics about academic life at UGM.

Some interesting questions from the students included the duration of the INCULS program, the preparation needed since grade 10, the provisions of the SNBP pathway and whether the winning certificate can be used in addition to the report card, majors that are considered easy or challenging, the possibility of science majors applying to the soshum majors, and the existence of a tahfidz pathway and the minimum number of juz that must be memorized.

This activity ended with a group photo session and a lively yell that added to the joy of the atmosphere. This visit is expected to provide inspiration and useful information for students in planning their higher education in the future.

The cooperation between the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, UGM and the Department of Anthropology, FISIP, Universitas Padjadjaran resulted in several collaborative works, one of which is a visiting lecture at the campus. On May 14, 2024, Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A. was asked to teach at Padjadjaran University in the S1 Community Development and S2 Applied Anthropology classes. The lecture was held openly with the theme of the event “Rural and Agrarian Issues and Problems” moderated by Prof. Dr. H. Opan Suhendi Suwartaoradja, M.Si.

On that occasion, Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A. gave a lecture with the material “Participatory Action Research as the Power of Empowerment Anthropology”. He began with the history of the development of anthropology in Indonesia which was present starting as the leading anthropology of development (modernization agenda) where anthropologists were asked to succeed various programs with the role of mapping the potential and socio-cultural barriers to find solutions to these various problems. The development programs that involve the role of anthropologists include transmigration, green revolution, family planning, resettlement of alienated tribes, rural community development and so on. However, development anthropology has been criticized, giving rise to empowerment anthropology where participatory action research is used as a method of community empowerment or often called participatory action research (PAR). The advantages of using PAR are seeing problems that are more micro, detailed, emic descriptive, reflective, critical and more impartial. In addition, it can be used as material for the preparation of local scale development programs, advocacy, and education for the community.

Related to this, Prof. Bambang Hudayana shared the experience of research and community service in BUMDES Karangrejek, Gunung Kidul, which previously always experienced drought during the dry season. Then in 1998 the youth of the region initiated the construction of underground river water wells with the collaboration of UGM KKN students. The construction of the well was successful, even surplus water and sold outside the village to build several business units (village mart) and savings and loans from the profits managed by BUMDES.

In addition to this story, best practice was also shared on the Empowerment of Giriloyo batik artisans in Imogiri who were victims of the 2006 tectonic disaster. The PAR identified victim profiles, needs, funding schemes and forms of participation of affected communities. Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A. also shared PAR promoting cassava for food sovereignty in Indonesia which uses a local asset based approach; access based approach; people centered development. Not only that, Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A. also shared the tradition of PRA in other countries. In the lecture, students seemed enthusiastic by asking various questions.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science, Author: Dewi W, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

The 2024 Independent Campus Competition Program (PKKM) carried out by the UGM Anthropology Department has reached its peak with the presentation of research results and village development. The event, which took place at the Margono Building FIB on December 03, 2024, was a place for participants to present the results of their field work and community service. In this PKKM program, students of the Cultural Anthropology undergraduate program collaborated to conduct research and empowerment activities in Pandansari village, Paguyangan District, Brebes. They chose various research themes that are relevant to the problems faced by the village community, such as agriculture, irrigation, education, tourism, and waste management.

Irrigation is a crucial factor in agricultural activities, especially related to the management and access to water sources, as well as the use of fertilizers, adaptation strategies to climate change, and criticism of farmer card policies studied through an anthropological perspective. The broader problems of agrarian society do not only revolve around the process of planting to harvesting, other research also discusses the agricultural commodity trading system. In the tourism cluster, students conducted research on the governance and sustainability concept carried by Pandansari as a tourist village. This theme also correlates with social navigation among the younger generation in Pandansari Village towards social dynamics, changing values, and community expectations.

Finally, participants from the Bina Desa program presented a reflection of the activities they carried out during the month. Starting with discussing community awareness of the importance of waste management then evaluating the application of the Titen application for data collection.

This PKKM 2024 program accommodates students to experience conducting field research by learning directly in the community, students assess that field research activities have a huge impact on the development of their knowledge and application of methodologies. In addition, social sensitivity and cultural experience are also important things to reflect on. Through this activity, the Department of Anthropology UGM is committed to realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 4, namely quality education and number 11, namely sustainable cities and settlements.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Author: Novilatul Ananda Ramadhani, Photo: Bonifacius Edo Wisnu Waskita, Translator: Sandya Kirani, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

On Monday, November 25, 2024, students of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), conducted a field study to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, a company engaged in the field of Japanese home architecture design.

This activity is a direct learning event for students to understand the application of creative technology while seeing opportunities for cooperation between Japanese culture and technological innovation in Indonesia. PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which has a reputation for excellence in the field of design, was the perfect location to broaden the students’ knowledge of culture and technology.

The event began with a warm welcome from the CEO of Marumori Company Japan, PT Rupa Raya Indonesia’s international partner, who explained the company’s vision in supporting collaboration. The speech was followed by the CEO of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia represented by Mr. Irzam Sarif, underlining the importance of HR development to support the company’s development.

Picture 1 Japanese Counselling Study Programme Students Conduct Field Study at PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, Semarang

Students then followed an in-depth presentation of the company profile by PT Rupa Raya Indonesia staff. In this session, students were invited to explore the company’s superior products and services, including 3D animation and virtual reality-based innovations.

As a token of appreciation, UGM presented souvenirs to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which ended with a group photo session. Furthermore, students had the opportunity to visit the production office of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia. On this tour, they witnessed every process that goes into working on design orders from Japan.

This activity is expected to inspire students to continue learning and innovating, combining the advantages of Japanese language and culture with the creative spirit of Indonesia. With this visit, it is also hoped that students will not only gain new insights, but also be motivated to contribute to the development of the creative industry in the future.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Author: Yulia Agustiani, Editor: Valentina Pramahita Iswari, Translator: Sandya Kirani]