The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held an Expert Lecture on Literature with the theme “Literature in Digital Age” on Thursday, July 18, 2024. This event took place from 12.30 to 15.30 in Sogeondo Room 709 FIB UGM and virtually through Zoom Meeting. The lecture is an open forum for the general public, although offline attendance is limited. The speakers include Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D. from Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Pujiharto, M.Hum. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and Miguel Escobar Varela, Ph.D. from National University of Singapore. The moderation of the event was conducted by Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

Digital literary works include various formats such as e-books, literary blogs, literary websites, interactive stories and digital poetry. Some digital literary works also utilize multimedia elements such as images, audio and video to enhance the reading experience. This shows the development and adaptation of literature in the digital era, where technology becomes a means to express ideas and emotions in a more dynamic and interactive way. A new phenomenon in the literary world emerges with the existence of works created by robots or machines such as ChatGPT. Martin S.’s book “Poet as Machine” highlights this phenomenon. In the concept of the poet as machine, the use of language is managed entirely by the machine, and the resulting literary work is able to create its own narrative world through the use of carefully programmed language. This illustrates a new evolution in the way we understand creativity and the relationship between technology and art, as well as how algorithms can be a tool for creating impressive and original works.

The phenomenon of digital literature not only includes works created by writers but also involves the active participation of readers in the writing process, which then leads to the development of the study of fan literature. The history of this study can be traced back to Damono’s contribution in 1978 which introduced the importance of the study of popular literature, especially from the perspective of literary sociology. This study highlights how literature, especially in digital form, has changed the way readers interact and contribute to the creation of literary works. Discussions on this subject continue among modern literary scholars, exploring the role of technology in shaping and influencing contemporary literary discourse. This event is expected to be a means to explore and understand the development of literature in the growing digital era.

Yogyakarta, 12 July 2024 – The Office of Public Relations, News, and Protocol of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a sharing session themed “Strategic Content Development of Universitas Gadjah Mada” today. The event which lasted from 12.00 to 16.00 WIB was attended by UGM public relations, news, and protocol staff in Multimedia Room 1, 3rd Floor of the North Wing, UGM Central Building.

The speakers who attended this session included Dr. Tirta Mandira Hudhi, M.B.A., Winda Pratiwi, Farchan Noor Rachman, and Mohamad Ryan Saputra. They provided various insights and strategies in strategic content development for UGM such as recognizing audiences through data interpretation, as well as content planning and development. 

Previously, the organizers had invited all relevant staff to participate in this activity, which aims to strengthen the public relations function on campus. The University Secretariat would like to thank all participants for their attention and participation.

The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the global average temperature is expected to rise by 1.5°C by 2025 compared to the 1900s. One of the contributing factors is deforestation. In Indonesia, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the area of Indonesia’s forests decreased by 956,258 hectares (0.5% of the total land area) between 2017 and 2021. One example of successful conservation is Wonosadi Forest in Gunungkidul, which has been restored thanks to community awareness and the oral tradition of Sadranan Wonosadi.

Wonosadi Forest is a forest located in Duren Hamlet, Semin District, Gunungkidul Regency. It is classified as SG (Sultan Ground) and functions as a protected forest that safeguards life support systems. In 1960, Wonosadi Forest experienced massive deforestation due to the ideological shift of the PKI. Currently, thanks to the Sadranan oral tradition, the community has successfully restored the forest’s sustainability.

An important oral tradition in the conservation of Wonosadi Forest is the will of Ki Onggoloco, which states that:

• Wonosadi Forest must be preserved for the prosperity of future generations.
• This forest contains many medicinal plants.
• The Sadranan ritual is held annually to strengthen social bonds.

According to Muhammad Lodhi Firmansyah (Cultural Anthropology, 2023), “We are conducting research on the Sadranan tradition as a collective awareness to preserve Wonosadi Forest from deforestation, using ecocriticism as our main approach. Our main goal is to find new formulas to internalize the values of the Sadranan Oral Tradition as an effort to preserve the environment and curb climate change.” Besides Lodhi, the research team consists of Ghina Danilah as the leader (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2022), Syifa Hasna Yunifa (Forestry, 2023), Afif Naufal Widiadi (Cultural Anthropology, 2021), and Febriano Agung Nugroho (Law, 2023), under the guidance of Dr. Aprillia Firmonasari, S.S., M.Hum., DEA.

This research involves surveys of 78 residents of Duren Hamlet using observation and interviews with key figures such as the gatekeeper, forest rangers, village officials, and the head of Beji Village. “As supporting data, we conducted archival readings and a population census,” said Lodhi.

Survey results show that the majority of respondents (43.9%) are in the group that is active and committed to preserving the tradition. A small portion (8.5%) is in the group that participates and believes but does not understand or spread the tradition.

Ecocriticism analysis of the Sadranan Oral Tradition shows that human awareness of nature can maintain ecosystem balance and create ecological conservation. However, social and economic factors can threaten this sustainability, especially the low participation rate among the younger age group (<25 years), which risks eroding local culture.

Active participation and community commitment in preserving the Sadranan oral tradition indicate that the social system in Duren Hamlet has achieved balance and sustainability. Through this tradition, the community has successfully built social systems and structures that support the conservation of Wonosadi Forest.

With the ecocriticism approach, this research emphasizes the importance of integrating local traditions into ecological conservation strategies for climate change mitigation, and opens new perspectives on conservation efforts in other forests in Indonesia.

As part of the series of activities in the summer course program organized by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), Victoria University (VU), and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (ISI), a public lecture on the Indonesian Diaspora was held. This lecture took place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Siti Baroroh Building, Room 201, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (GMT+7).

The public lecture featured Dr. Arifah Arum Candra as the keynote speaker. Dr. Arum is an expert in diaspora studies with extensive experience and in-depth research on this topic. In her lecture, Dr. Arum discussed various aspects of the Indonesian Diaspora, including its history, challenges, and contributions in various countries.

Throughout the event, participants consisting of students from UGM, VU, and ISI Yogyakarta were very enthusiastic about the presentation. They not only listened attentively but also actively participated in the discussion sessions that were conducted in a conducive manner. Many participants asked questions and shared their views on various issues discussed, creating an interactive and vibrant atmosphere.

Dr. Arum also encouraged participants to understand the importance of the diaspora’s role in national development and how the younger generation can be more actively involved in strengthening ties with the diaspora community. The ongoing discussion demonstrated the participants’ keen interest in delving deeper into the topic of diaspora and finding ways to contribute to this global network.

This public lecture is an important part of the summer course program aimed at enriching students’ understanding of various global issues and providing a more profound learning experience. The summer course program itself is a collaboration between FIB UGM, VU, and ISI Yogyakarta, focusing on interdisciplinary and international learning.

With the conclusion of this public lecture, it is hoped that participants will take away valuable knowledge about the Indonesian Diaspora and apply it in their academic and professional lives. This lecture also strengthens academic cooperation between the three institutions and provides a meaningful learning experience for all parties involved.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is proud to host the prestigious international conference “Association for Asian Studies in Asia 2024” (AAS-in-Asia). The conference takes place over three days, from Tuesday, July 9th to Thursday, July 11th, 2024, and is attended by approximately 1,400 participants from 43 countries.

On this occasion, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM serves as one of the main venues for various panel discussions and academic presentations. As a center for cultural and humanities studies, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM provides adequate facilities to support the smooth running of this international conference.

The “Association for Asian Studies in Asia 2024” conference brings together academics, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines interested in Asian studies. With participation from 43 countries, this conference offers an extraordinary opportunity to share knowledge, research findings, and perspectives on various important issues related to Asia.

Over the three days, conference participants attend various panel sessions discussing topics such as politics, economics, culture, history, and social issues in Asia. These discussions are led by leading experts in their fields, providing in-depth insights and valuable new perspectives.

In addition to panel discussions, the conference also includes other sessions such as interactive workshops. Participants have the opportunity to interact directly with speakers and fellow attendees, expanding their academic and professional networks.

This conference not only serves as a platform for sharing knowledge but also introduces the beauty and cultural diversity of Yogyakarta to international participants. As a city of culture and education, Yogyakarta offers a rich experience in history and tradition, adding value to the conference.