Yogyakarta, September 11, 2024 – Located in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building 7th Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a visit from MAN 2 Blitar students. The event which took place from 09.00 to 11.00 am was filled with high enthusiasm from the participants.

During this visit, MAN 2 Blitar students had the opportunity to explore various information related to FIB and UGM. The material presented by the faculty covered various aspects of the available study programs, facilities, and campus life at UGM. The detailed and interactive explanation made the students very involved and excited during the event.

The discussion session became one of the most anticipated moments. The students did not hesitate to ask various relevant questions, such as information about scholarships available at UGM, average SNBP scores, and UTBK scores needed to enter the Faculty. In addition, they also asked about achievements that can be obtained through memorizing the Quran and organizational experience of UGM Faculty of Arts students. All these questions were answered directly by UGM students who shared their experiences with enthusiasm.

The visit ended with a very memorable gift. MAN 2 Blitar students donated their calligraphy works and typical Blitar food as a form of appreciation and memento for the Faculty of Arts UGM. The souvenirs were warmly received and became a symbol of the friendship that existed between the two parties. This visit is expected to strengthen the relationship between MAN 2 Blitar and UGM and provide a clearer picture of academic life and opportunities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

Yogyakarta, Monday night 19th of August 2024, the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a shadow puppet show in the framework of the anniversary of the Faculty of Philosophy. The performance featured a special play, Gajah Mada Suci, which was performed collaboratively by UGM students who are members of the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS). One of the important roles in this performance was carried out by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2023, chosen to perform a play that was collaboratively worked on by the academics community of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The script for the performance of Gajah Mada Suci was written by Dr. Rudy Wiratama S.I.P., M.A., lecturer of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. Gajah Mada Suci tells the story of the scapegoating of Gajah Mada under the pretext of the failure of the Majapahit Kingdom expansion. The expansion also coincided with the kingdom’s internal political turmoil. To make matters worse, Gajah Mada was accused by the elites of trying to remove him from the kingdom. As a result, Gajah Mada felt desperate and afterward he visited the residence of his friend, Mpu Tantular. After a long dialog, Gajah Mada was finally enlightened, that the efforts he had made so far were not in vain. The spirit of Amukti Palapa to unite the archipelago will continue in the next era.

“The performance of the Gajah Mada Suci is a form of depiction of the Indonesian nation that has experienced an identity crisis by winning over an interest and power through any means. Gajah Mada, who was a knight, finally moksa due to the deviant behavior of the Majapahit elite. After that, the Majapahit Kingdom lost its authority and then receded until it reached its collapse,” explained Rafi in an interview (05/09/2024).

As a special play, Rafi and his fellow UKJGS students practiced hard for a maximum performance. “The performance of Gajah Mada Suci has its own challenges for us. We practiced preparing for the performance in only half a month. Plus, this is my first time to play the Gajah Mada puppet, so it must be carefully prepared.”

“With these challenges, Alhamdulillah, the show can run smoothly. It was a great experience for me,” he continued.  Rafi hopes that the Gajah Mada puppet show will be held continuously because it is the work and identity of UGM as well as containing values that need to be socialized.

The existence of the Gajah Mada puppet is a real effort to promote the history and culture of the archipelago while still applying its relevance to the times. Through culture, we are not only ‘displaying’ aesthetics, but also reaffirming the nation’s identity through noble values for a better Indonesia.

Saturday, August 31, 2024 Faculty of Cultural Sciences together with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Seoul organized the opening of King Sejong Institute (KSI) Korean language course. The opening of the KSI class this period was held at CGV Pakuwon Yogyakarta. Attended by course participants and KSI managers, this opening went very well and was greeted with enthusiasm. The event began with opening remarks by Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., as the chief manager of KSI Indonesia. The next agenda was the most awaited by every participant of this period’s KSI class opening, which was watching a movie.

In collaboration with CGV Pakuwon Yogyakarta, a Korean movie titled “Revolver” was shown. This action movie with a criminal theme tells about the journey of a woman who is trapped in a prison scheme to get some money in return. Directed by Oh Seung-uk, the movie managed to impress the participants of the King Sejong Institute (KSI) Korean language course opening. Hopefully, this event will motivate the participants of the KSI course to achieve brilliant achievements in the field of Korean language and literature.

Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., Assistant Expert at the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was a presenter at the English and TOEFL ITP training activities that took place on 24-26 June 2024. This activity was conducted in a hybrid manner, combining face-to-face and online sessions, with support from Bappenas NTB.

The training aimed to improve participants’ skills in English, especially in preparation for TOEFL ITP, which includes Listening Comprehension, Structure and Writing Expression, and Reading Comprehension. The event was designed to provide in-depth understanding and effective strategies in dealing with the various components of the TOEFL ITP exam.

Participants came from various academic and professional backgrounds. Participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the training. This evaluation aims to measure the achievement of the training objectives and determine areas that need improvement for similar activities in the future. With this training, Adiba Qonita Zahroh hopes to make a positive contribution to the participants’ preparation for the TOEFL ITP and improve their overall English language skills.

At the ‘English and TOEFL ITP Training’ activity held on 24-26 June 2024 via online yesterday, Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., who is an Expert Assistant at the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, introduced a TOEFL Pocket Book. This book is specifically designed to help students, educators, and institutions in understanding and preparing for the TOEFL Institutional Testing Programme (ITP) exam.

The book, titled ‘Handbook of TOEFL ITP’, is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed information on the structure of the TOEFL ITP exam, question types, preparation strategies, as well as additional resources to ensure examinee success. ‘The purpose of this book is to provide a useful tool for those who want to better prepare for the TOEFL ITP. We hope that this book can be the main reference that facilitates the learning process and prepares test takers for the TOEFL challenge,’ said Adiba Qonita Zahroh.

This project has the support and co-operation of Bappenas NTB, demonstrating their commitment to educational development and exam quality improvement at the local level. This handbook is expected to be a valuable resource for various groups involved in TOEFL ITP preparation. With the launch of this book, Adiba Qonita Zahroh hopes to make a significant contribution towards improving TOEFL ITP exam results as well as supporting broader education efforts in the area.