The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University really cares about preparing its graduates to face post-college life.  Prospective graduates have completed various kinds of upheavals during their college years. However, the real upheaval of life will come after they graduate. They will enter a new phase in life filled with greater challenges. Considering that the reality of life often does not match expectations, new graduates need to prepare themselves carefully and plan what steps they will take after graduating from college. For this purpose, Cultural Sciences designed a training program for prospective graduates and female graduates, with the aim of improving their personal qualities.

Rati Krisnawan is a successful entrepreneur who graduated from the Cultural Anthropology study program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. Since becoming a student, Rati has made various achievements. Rati also received an award as the youngest and fastest cum laude graduate. Rati received various other awards, including: Inspirational Entrepreneur Woman of 2022; Award for Inspirational, Innovative, Visionary and Changemaker Women by WOMAN Magazine in 2023; . UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences alumni award in 2023. Currently, Rati is developing various businesses in the field of Event Organizer and FnB. In her presentation, Rati shared valuable knowledge about how she started conservation. Rati told her fellow graduate candidates to explore deeper values ​​within themselves and never stop exploring their own abilities.

Community service or KKN (Kuliah Kerya Nyata) is an important part of higher education in Indonesia, especially at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The KKN-PPM UGM SG 007 with the theme “Optimizing Local Potential to Realize Community-Based Sustainable Tourism in Namu, Batujaya, and Malaringgi Villages” was carried out by 28 UGM students from July 1, 2024 to August 19, 2024. The team received appreciation from H. Surunuddin Dangga, S.T., M.M. as the Regent of South Konawe when participating in the Stunting Eradication Program in Namu Village.

Rafi Ramdani, a student of Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, in early July to mid-August, carried out KKN-PPM in Malaringgi Village, Laonti District, South Konawe Regency which witnessed his enthusiasm to serve the community through the Pinaika Musical Instrument Teaching program with the theme “Educating Malaringgi.” The program was held in the village of Malaringgi: Comprehensive and innovative learning activities for children”. This program has been designed by the UGM KKN-PPM team under the guidance of Dra. Eko Sulistyani, M.Sc, from the Department of Physics, FMIPA UGM with the main objective of providing comprehensive education to students in Malaringgi Village.

Rafi’s program focuses on teaching and training children to play the pianika as one of the modern musical instruments developing in Indonesia. He realizes that music is not just entertainment, but also a means to develop children’s cognitive, social, and emotional skills as well as a medium to preserve local culture by adapting local songs using modern musical instruments. By introducing the pianika, which is a modern musical instrument but easy to learn, children can improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and the ability to read musical notation. In addition, through playing music together, children also learn to work together and communicate better.

Photo of Rafi teaching children to play the pianika

The community welcomed this program enthusiastically. Children who previously had limitations in playing musical instruments are now starting to show significant improvement. Rafi not only acts as a teacher, but also as a mentor who helps build confidence in the children to explore and learn music. With the skill of playing the pianika, the children are expected to have wider opportunities to participate in various art activities at school and outside of school. This can pave the way for them to explore their interests and talents in music, which can be a provision for the future.

The community service carried out by Rafi is a reflection of the role of students in bringing positive changes to various layers of society. With his enthusiasm and dedication, he proves that Anthropology students of FIB UGM are not only committed to improving academic quality, but also have an active role in creating positive impacts in society. This program not only provides training in music playing skills, but also brings a glimmer of hope and a place of creativity for the children of Malaringgi Village to face a brighter future as the next generation of the nation.

Yogyakarta, August 26, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a meeting with the Linguistics Master Program of Nusa Cendana University (Undana) on Monday, August 26, 2024. The meeting took place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Poerbatjarakan Building 1st Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

This event aims to provide input to the Undana Linguistics Master Program regarding strategies and best practices in building and managing a quality Linguistics Master Program. Present at this meeting were representatives from FIB UGM consisting of: Dr. Nur Saktingrum, M.Hum., Dr. Suhandano, M.A., Dr. Sailal Arimi, M.Hum., Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum., and Dr. Ramayda Akmal, M.A. Meanwhile, from Undana, there were also representatives who came all the way from Kupang, NTT: Dr. Sebastianus Fernandez, M.Pd., Dr. Jermy Balukh.

In this meeting, the representatives of FIB UGM shared their experiences and insights on how to develop an excellent Master of Linguistics program, including tips and tricks to attract more enthusiasts. The discussion covered various aspects such as curriculum development, innovative teaching methods, and effective promotion strategies.

The meeting is expected to provide valuable guidance and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions for the development of linguistics education in Indonesia. Thank you to all participants for attending and contributing to this constructive discussion.

Laos, August 16 – UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program student, Anggita Lintang Herdiwan (2022) advanced as a representative of Indonesia in The 28th K-Speech World Contest. Previously, Anggita had won first place in The 22nd K-Speech Oratory Contest Indonesia. By winning first place, Anggita was able to become one of Indonesia’s representatives in The 28th K-Speech World Contest. The competition was held on August 16, 2024 at the Lao National Cultural and Arts Hall, Laos.

The event began with an Oratorical Speech Demonstration performance and an appearance from Trot President, Lee Seung Yul. Then, the opening ceremony began with the entry of representatives from 20 countries, namely France, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, Philippines, China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and South Korea. Followed by opening speeches and remarks from related parties, as well as announcements of judging rules.

The implementation of the speech competition was carried out based on the order that had been randomized the day before. Starting from the team category consisting of 6 teams, the individual foreigner category consisting of 16 people, elementary school as many as 9 people, middle school as many as 6 people, general and university students as many as 4 people, and the category of Koreans living abroad as many as 7 people. After the judges gave their overall evaluation, there was a cultural performance from Laos. The event ended with an awarding ceremony and closing ceremony.

As one of the representatives from Indonesia, Anggita managed to get 최우수상 or an award equivalent to third place awarded by 통일부 (Ministry of Unification).

This competition can realize the potential of students, namely the ability to speak Korean in public. This is one of the potentials that UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program expects each of its students to have. Of course, this can be achieved by the courage of students and the provisions provided by all lecturers of the study program.

Dr. Pujiharto, M.Hum., Main Supervisor/Head Lecturer at the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was recently involved in Community Service as a resource person at the Socialization of Independent Sensor Village. The event took place on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Ambarketawang Village, Gamping, Yogyakarta. On this occasion, Dr. Pujiharto delivered material on sound in language and literature, film, and censorship.

The Desa Sensor Mandiri program aims to form and strengthen community awareness in sorting and choosing spectacles wisely. The program involves a series of activities carried out continuously in selected villages or sub-districts, with the hope of creating human resources capable of self-censorship.

Through this program, it is hoped that the community can increase their literacy to protect themselves from the negative impact of films, as well as maintain regional customs and culture so that they are preserved and sustainable. In addition, this program is in line with Article 61 of Law No. 33/2009 on Film, which states that the Film Censorship Board (LSF) is tasked with assisting the public in choosing and enjoying quality films, as well as understanding the influence of films and film advertisements.