On Saturday (15/6/2024), students of English Literature Study Program batch 2023 held a theater performance and exhibition with the theme “Ru(me)nation” which was held at Soegondo Building 7th floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The theater performance entitled Carol ad Caroline and the exhibition entitled 1001: One Frame, A Thousand Pictures is a part of their final project that must be fulfilled in the Language and Literature Production course. The event was organized by all students of English Literature UGM class of 2023 and attended by lecturers, students, parents of students of English Literature UGM, and also by the public.

This event aims to improve students’ ability to work in the use of English, increase students’ appreciation of art and literature, and develop students’ talents, potential, and soft skills. The benefits of this activity are no other than equipping students with non-technical skills in terms of organizing and running events, improving their ability to use English in oral and written form in academic and non-academic environments, and enriching students’ knowledge in their artwork appreciation and self-confidence through artwork production.

The event was opened with much enthusiasm by the host, followed by a warm welcome by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum. and Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. as the lecturer of the course. In the welcome speech, Mrs. Alvanita mentioned that the students have been practicing for months in order to present this theater performance to the whole audience. 

The theme of the theater performance was a topic related to mental health and self-acceptance, which is no longer out of place, especially among fellow students. This performance is expected to open a broader perspective to the audience, the committee, and the actors on the issue of mental health. This performance is also a picture and a reminder to be fully accepting of ourselves and loving it by being gentle to our own selves and hearts. 

The event ended with a standing ovation as the audience stood up in appreciation of the spectacular performance. After this point, all the committee and performers danced together with lively music while the host read out the names of the committee and performers involved. Not to forget, all 2023 students of the UGM English Literature Study Program expressed their gratitude for the enthusiasm and participation of the audience in the success of the event.

Jakarta, May 27, 2024 – The Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM sent six students to participate in the Translation Competition organized by the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia. The six students were Aisyah Dian Safitri, Amarapallevi, Vanesa Olivia, Melisa Azzahra Tania, Nisa Khairuna Sabilla, and Pingkan Widiana Retno Utami.

The event began with an opening ceremony. Following the opening, the competition sessions commenced. The competition was divided into two sessions. The first session involved translating from Indonesian to Korean. After this session, there was a break. The second session then began, which involved translating from Korean to Indonesian. The event concluded with a closing ceremony.

The winners were announced a few weeks after the competition took place. Students from the Korean Language and Culture Program won honorable mentions in this competition. The two students were Vanesa Olivia and Amarapallevi.

This competition provided a platform for students to showcase their potential, specifically their translation skills from Indonesian to Korean and vice versa. This ability is one of the key competencies that the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM aims for each of its students to possess. Of course, this achievement was made possible by the students’ courage and willingness, as well as the guidance provided by all the program’s lecturers.

Photo 1.1: Competition Participants

In an effort to improve the achievement of Key Performance Indicators, especially in point five of the publication field, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences organizes various research publication facilitation programs. One of the programs held is Publication Assistance through the “PAPERING TOGETHER” Program. The program aims to accelerate the publication process both in reputable international journals and accredited national journals through a mentoring process with mentors. Program participants are lecturers who already have a draft article with a 75% completion value. Articles included in this program have gone through a review process and during the program participants can consult with mentors.

In 2024, the Research and Publication Unit organized the “MENYEPI BERSAMA” Program in two batches. The first batch was held on July 15-19, 2024 at Grand Edge Hotel, Semarang and the second batch was held on July 22-26, 2024 at Oak Tree Emerald Hotel, Semarang by presenting mentors according to their fields of expertise such as culture, literature, history, and linguistics. The mentors who support this program are Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, Prof. Dr. Faruk, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A., and Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum. and the number of participants who take part in this program is 20 people. By participating in this program, participants are expected to be able to complete the article and the article is ready to be submitted to the target journal.

Davina Santosa, a student from the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had the opportunity to undertake the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. Together with the KKN team “Biak Elok,” they began their journey on June 29, 2024, under the guidance of Dr. Eng. Ir. R. Rachmat A. Sriwijaya, S.T., M.T., IPM., ASEAN, and will complete their activities on August 20, 2024.

Davina chose to join this team because she wanted to explore the lives of people outside Java. She was interested in understanding the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the local community. Davina felt it was important to know the characteristics of the community, the social approaches they take, and the challenges they face daily.

On Nusi Island, Davina and her team identified several key issues that need attention. First, there is economic disparity where job options are very limited as fishing is their only option. Second, accessibility to meet daily needs is very difficult. Third, lack of basic knowledge about cleanliness and health. Fourth, the allocation of village funds is uneven.

Their KKN theme is “Development of Tourism Potential and Human Resource Improvement Based on Community-Based Tourism Framework to Achieve Independence, Inclusivity, and Sustainability on Nusi Island, Padaido District, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.” In implementing this program, Davina found that there was no active tourism awareness group in the Padaido Islands. The last one was in Samberpasi, formed by the Biak Elok KKN Team in 2019, but it is no longer active. This shows that public awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism management is still very limited.

Additionally, Davina also found that community knowledge about waste management is very lacking. In Nusi and several other islands such as Samberpasi, Pasi, and Auki, garbage bins are rarely found in residents’ homes. Organic waste is usually given to their pets such as dogs and pigs, while other waste is collected and burned. Therefore, one of their KKN programs focuses on educating about better and sustainable waste management.

Despite the social issues they face, Nusi Island has extraordinary natural wealth. The sea water, which is still relatively unpolluted, is a clear blue. Additionally, there are many World War II relics both on land and in the sea, such as the foundations of war vehicle runways in every house on Wundi Island.

The culture of sirih pinang here becomes a social interaction medium. Additionally, traditional dances like Yospan and various musical instruments such as tifa are part of the rich culture. The community also has interesting Christian worship traditions; if there is grief or a send-off of children for education, it is celebrated with worship from night until dawn. Furthermore, they believe that Sunday is God’s day, so they are not allowed to work. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by church service at 9 a.m.

Socially, the people of Nusi Island are very friendly. There is a market day, which is a day when the market is held. Market days are held three times a week, namely on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they usually go fishing, and their catch will be sold the next day on market day. Because not all residents have boats, they often hitch rides to the market in the city, which adds to the closeness among the residents.

After several weeks living in Nusi, Davina experienced the simple and full-of-struggle life of the community to meet their daily needs. Limited infrastructure and electricity make it difficult for the community to explore new things that could support their livelihoods or improve their quality of life. One of the challenges they face is that electricity is only available for 12 hours a day, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. As a result, ice blocks are very difficult to find. In fact, ice blocks could be used to preserve their catch, which could create new business opportunities such as making shredded fish, fish sticks, etc.

In addition to having the opportunity to explore the easternmost region of Indonesia, Davina also learned that economic and educational disparities still exist. People on the other side of Papua still really need help, both in terms of funding, accessibility, infrastructure, and knowledge expansion. However, despite living in simplicity, they can still be happy.

The KKN experience on Nusi Island provided many valuable lessons about the lives of Papuans, especially those on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. With enthusiasm and hard work, Davina and her team hope that this KKN program can contribute positively to the development of tourism potential and human resource improvement in the Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.

On July 4-7, 2024, the Department of Anthropology held a Mega-Infrastructure Workshop with the main speakers, David Fernando Bachrach from University Boulder Colorado and Professor Pujo Semedi. This activity aims to open interest in anthropological research on mega-infrastructure. Mega-infrastructure refers to infrastructure projects that have a large scale and high complexity such as the construction of toll roads, bridges, ports, airports, power plants, mass transportation systems, and other projects that play an important role in supporting the economic growth of a country or region. While providing great benefits in the long run, mega-infrastructure projects often face challenges and controversies. Some of them can have significant environmental impacts, such as deforestation, land degradation, or pollution. In addition, these projects can also affect local communities, either positively or negatively, such as population displacement or changes in traditional living patterns.

The workshop provided a deep insight into the social, economic and cultural complexities involved in mega-infrastructure development. David Fernando Bachrach discussed the impact of globalization and technology on modern infrastructure, while Professor Pujo Semedi highlighted the role of infrastructure in social transformation and local identity. The discussions and presentations from both presenters provided a strong basis for participants to develop research interests in anthropology related to how mega-infrastructure directly and indirectly affects people’s lives. This workshop is expected to be the start of further collaboration between researchers and practitioners to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities associated with infrastructure development in a changing global context.