The Arabic Language & Literature Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has successfully held the ‘Festival of Arabic Culture (FKA) 2024’ which took place from 18 to 20 October 2024. This annual festival is a celebration of Arabic culture with a series of interesting events, such as national level competitions, FKA Talks, Arabic Market Day, and the “Arabian Night” theater performance. 

# FKA 2024 National Competition

The national competition held on October 18, 2024 involved participants from various categories, ranging from high school students to university students and the general public. This competition aims to spur the enthusiasm of the younger generation in mastering the Arabic language and culture. The categories contested include:

1. SMA/MA/equivalent category:  

   – Taqdimul Qishoh (Storytelling)  

   – Arabic Language Olympiad  

   – Calligraphy  

2. Student Category:  

   – Arabic Debate  

   – Presentation Essay  

3. General Category:  

   – Musabaqah Qira’atul Kutub (MQK) 3.  

   – Videography (conducted online)

# Arabic Market Day: A Celebration of Taste and Music

From October 19 to 20, 2024, “Arabic Market Day” enlivens the atmosphere with a bazaar featuring a variety of Middle Eastern delicacies. The event came alive with musical performances from local bands that entertained visitors throughout the day. The food and beverage stalls were packed with participants and the general public who wanted to get a taste of the Arabic market.

# FKA Talks: Inspiration from Outstanding Students

One of the most anticipated events was “FKA Talks”, held on October 19, 2024 at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Arts UGM. With the theme *”Ideas and Perspectives of Students with Character towards Development and Change in the Era of Disruption ”*, five talented students provided insights related to social, psychology, and education. Their innovative ideas and critical perspectives were enthusiastically welcomed by the participants, creating an in-depth discussion on the challenges and opportunities in this modern era.

# Theater “Arabian Night”: The Starry Story of the Sahara

The festival concluded with a spectacular theater performance of “Arabian Night” that took place on the evening of October 20, 2024. Set under a starry sky, the performance blends Arabian culture and the local richness of the archipelago. The theme “Gemintang Padang Sahara di Ambara Nusantara” successfully brought the audience into a magical and enchanting atmosphere, with a message of friendship and togetherness packaged in a captivating storyline.

The event was the culmination of the 2024 Arab Cultural Festival celebrations, which not only celebrated cultural diversity but also connected various elements of creativity and achievement at the national level. With great enthusiasm from participants and visitors alike, the 2024 Arab Cultural Festival once again demonstrated the important role culture plays in strengthening relationships across communities and promoting pride in diversity.

Yogyakarta, October 17, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again welcomed educational visits from two schools, namely SMAN 1 Pagak, Malang, and SMAN 1 Glenmore, Banyuwangi. The event that took place in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building was attended by students and accompanying teachers, with the aim of introducing the world of higher education, especially UGM and Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

In his speech, the representative of SMAN 1 Pagak, Mr. Wawan Harjito, explained that the vision and mission of this visit was to explore as much information as possible about Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, in order to give insight to the students about the study programs offered. Meanwhile, a representative from SMAN 1 Glenmore, Mr. Satrio Hario Utomo, mentioned that UGM is a top university, not only in Yogyakarta and Indonesia, but also in the world. He hoped the students would be inspired to continue their education at this renowned university.

What made this visit special was the presence of lecturers and student representatives from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at Faculty of Arts UGM, who gave a presentation on the introduction of the study program to the students. In their presentation, they explained the curriculum, academic activities, and opportunities that students can get while studying in this study program.

The Q&A session was interactive, with students asking questions about career prospects for graduates of the Korean Language and Culture program. One of the questions asked was what percentage of graduates of this study program managed to get a job. The faculty explained that all graduates are required to fill out a survey to report their workplace, so that the faculty can monitor the progress of graduates. “Alhamdulillah, the results are satisfactory,” replied Mr. Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S, M.A, Ph.D as the lecturer who presented the material. He emphasized that many graduates have successfully entered various job sectors.

Students also asked how to balance language and culture learning, as well as opportunities to study in Korea through student exchange programs. The study program explained that the balance between language and cultural studies is taught comprehensively, and there are many opportunities to join exchange programs in Korea for outstanding students.

The event ended with a group photo and expressions of gratitude from the students and teachers who felt the visit provided valuable insights into their educational future. This visit is expected to motivate the students to continue their higher education and open their minds about the various study opportunities offered by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

Yogyakarta, October 15, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from MAN 2 Cianjur on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The event took place in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, attended by students and accompanying teachers from MAN 2 Cianjur. The activity began with an official opening, followed by the presentation of the vision and mission of the visit by the school. They expressed the hope that this visit can provide a deeper insight into the role of universities, especially UGM, in the field of cultural sciences and the contribution of students in society. 

After that, the participants were treated to a video that introduced Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. To enliven the atmosphere, the event continued with a quiz session about the information that had been conveyed in the video, which was greeted enthusiastically by the students. They actively answered the questions posed and competed healthily in a spirited atmosphere. Continuing to the main session, the students received a more in-depth presentation about FIB UGM. The question and answer session was interactive, where the students did not hesitate to ask about student life at FIB UGM, how they are involved in cultural preservation, and how students maintain religious values in the campus environment.

Uniquely, after the official event ended, the students carried out an assignment from their teacher to interview students of FIB UGM. The questions asked revolved around the role of students in preserving culture and religion. This task aims to make students not only listen to the material, but also directly interact with students to get a more real and personal perspective, and MAN 2 Cianjur gave a token of gratitude to the speakers for the knowledge and experience that had been shared. This activity not only provides academic insights to students, but also instills the importance of cultural and religious preservation in everyday life, especially among the younger generation.

Yogyakarta, October 9, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from SMAN 1 Cluring, Banyuwangi, and MA Binaul Ummah, Bantul, at the faculty auditorium. This activity aims to give insight to the students about the existing study programs as well as the important role of the faculty in preserving culture. 

In the question and answer session, students from SMAN 1 Cluring asked questions about FIB’s contribution in preserving local culture and the challenges faced in the era of globalization. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences explained that the faculty plays an active role through research and community service, developing programs that promote local culture, although they face challenges such as the influence of foreign cultures and the lack of attention of the younger generation to cultural heritage. Students also asked about steps students can take to join the global exchange network, where it was explained that students are advised to be active in international organizations and develop foreign language skills.

Meanwhile, from MA Binaul Ummah, students asked about the UGM entrance pathway for tahfidz. The faculty explained that UGM provides special pathways for prospective students who have achievements in the field of tahfidz, with an emphasis on the importance of following the appropriate selection. Students can apply through the achievement pathway. They also questioned the job prospects for Arabic Literature graduates. It was explained that Arabic Literature graduates have extensive career opportunities, including in education, translation, diplomacy, and the media industry. This visit is expected to give students a better understanding of the importance of education in the field of cultural sciences as well as the opportunities that exist at UGM, hopefully students will be inspired to continue their studies to a higher level and contribute to the preservation of local culture.

The journey within the 1000 Digital Startup Movement began with enthusiasm and hope for a group of participants involved. This program offers an extraordinary opportunity for them to establish a startup intensively over six months. The program combines online and offline meetings in a hybrid format, allowing participants to connect and collaborate effectively. Their first meeting took place at the Hack4ID event, held at the TILC building, Vocational School, Universitas Gadjah Mada. There, the team members—Adri, Ahmad, Boby, Padma, and soon-to-join Alfin—met for the first time, forming a group that would later become their comrades-in-arms. This Hack4ID event spanned two days, from Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 3, 2024, and was filled with valuable learning experiences. Participants were taught to be more aware in identifying problems and proposing solutions based on solid data, not just assumptions.

In this meeting, they were also challenged to quickly decide on the type of startup they wanted to establish and the field they would focus on. After intense discussions, they agreed to create HaloCats, a startup in the pet care industry. Their goal was simple but significant—to make it easier for cat owners to sterilize their pets safely and comfortably. However, this meeting wasn’t just about work. It also marked the beginning of a friendship they built together, forming a strong foundation for facing the long and challenging journey of building this startup. HaloCats now stands as a tangible proof of the team’s collaboration and hard work, and they are ready to face the next challenges with full enthusiasm.

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Written by: Rifal Fadlurrahman, Editor: Aldiza]