Jakarta, June 8, 2024 – The Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM sent five of its students to participate in the final round of the 22nd K-Speech Oratory Contest Indonesia, organized by the Indonesia Korea Speech Eloquence Association and held at the National University (UNAS). The five students were Ida Ayu Nastiti, Anggita Lintang Herdiwan, Nasywa Athallah Putri, Firmansyah Haryo Yudhoyono, and Naufal Java Fakhriansyah.

The event began with a performance by UNAS students and was followed by Big Group Oratory Speeches from each university, including UGM, which successfully submitted its Big Group Oratory Speech via video. The event continued with the introduction of the judges and remarks from relevant parties. After these segments, 27 individual category participants performed in the order determined by the organizers, followed by performances from 7 team category participants. While awaiting the judges’ evaluations, the event included a door prize distribution session and an overall evaluation of the participants’ performances. The event concluded with the awarding ceremony and a group photo session.

Students from the Korean Language and Culture Program achieved several awards in this competition. Anggita Lintang Herdiwan won First Place in the individual category, while Nasywa Athallah Putri, Firmansyah Haryo Yudhoyono, and Naufal Java Fakhriansyah won Third Place in the team category.

This competition provides a platform for students to showcase their potential, particularly their ability to speak Korean in public. This skill is one of the potentials that the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM aims for each of its students to develop. Certainly, this achievement is due to the students’ courage and the support provided by all the program’s lecturers.

The Association of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Students at UGM (IMABTA UGM) and the Indonesian Student Association for the Middle East and Africa (PPIDK Timtengka) collaborated in organizing the event “Middle Eastern Issues Discussion” with the theme “Identity and Exile in Contemporary Arabic Literature”. This event was held on Thursday, June 7, 2024, in a hybrid format. The Middle Eastern Issues Discussion featured Middle Eastern Cultural Analyst and Gadjah Mada University Lecturer Dr. Hindun, M.Hum., Head of the Intercultural Department Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Secretary of the Intercultural Department UGM Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum. Participants in this event included students from Indonesia as well as countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, and South Africa.

Dr. Hindun explained that literature is shaped by the mindset of the society around it. One example is the literature written by Mahmoud Darwish. Darwish wrote about the condition of Palestine when it was occupied by Israel. In addition, this Arabic Literature Lecturer provided another example from Khalil Gibran’s work titled “Al-Ajnihah Al-Mutakassirah”. In it, Gibran narrates the events he experienced in his homeland with a distinctive language style, allowing readers to feel what he experienced. From these examples, it is evident that literature can showcase the identity and exile of the author. Literature can serve as a medium or window to view various social issues occurring in the Middle East.

Yogyakarta, June 6, 2024 – The Soegondo Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) witnessed a solemn and emotional valedictory ceremony for Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra, M.A., M.Phil. After nearly 40 years of dedicated service at UGM, the esteemed Professor of Anthropology officially concluded his tenure as an active lecturer. The event, held from 08:45 AM to 10:40 AM, was attended by colleagues, students, and the general public who wished to honor Prof. Heddy’s academic journey.

Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra is a highly respected figure in academic circles, particularly in Anthropology. Born in Yogyakarta on May 28, 1954, he pursued his education in Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Undergraduate, 1973-1976), Universitas Indonesia (Bachelor, 1978-1980; M.A., 1983), Rijksuniversiteit Leiden in the Netherlands (Postgraduate, 1980-1982), and Columbia University in the United States (M.A., 1986; M.Phil., 1989; Ph.D., 1993). Additionally, he received higher education in English at IKIP Sanata Dharma Yogyakarta and Dutch at Universitas Indonesia. His dedication to research and teaching made him a significant figure in the development of Anthropology in Indonesia. He has been an extraordinary lecturer at various universities in Indonesia and a guest lecturer at Dagon University, Myanmar. Furthermore, Prof. Heddy has served as the Head of the Anthropology Study Program and the Chair of the Senate at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM. His research covers various socio-cultural issues in Indonesia and several other countries, resulting in important works such as “Lévi-Strauss Structuralism, Myth and Literature” and “Patron and Client in South Sulawesi: A Functional-Structural Study.”

The event began with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si. (Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM) and Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, M.A. (Head of the Department of Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM). Prof. Setiadi expressed appreciation and recalled Prof. Heddy’s career, highlighting his contributions in various fields and his role in producing outstanding scholars across many regions. “Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra is not just a teacher, but truly a luminary, like a lighthouse for our academic community,” he remarked. Subsequently, the Head of the Department of Anthropology, Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, M.A., conveyed deep appreciation for Prof. Heddy’s dedication. He emphasized that Prof. Heddy has brought many innovations and introduced various new perspectives in the study of Anthropology in Indonesia.

The event continued with the screening of a short documentary depicting Prof. Heddy’s life and struggles in the field of Anthropology. This video, presented by his students, featured significant moments in his career and interesting stories from his life, narrated by Prof. Heddy himself. Additionally, the event was enlivened by traditional dance (Srimpi Dhempe Dance) and musical performances by students and faculty members as a form of appreciation and respect.

Prof. Heddy’s colleagues from his time at Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, Netherlands, joined the celebration by sharing stories and singing together. They were Laksono, Sylvi, Yani, and Ratna, who recounted moments from their youth during their studies. After sharing their stories, they sang together in Dutch, accompanied by Prof. Heddy on the guitar. This moment added warmth and camaraderie to the event, reminding everyone of their close-knit bond and cherished memories.

The highlight of the event was the valedictory speech by Prof. Heddy titled “Building Bulaksumur Anthropology – From ‘Life-History’ to ‘Paradigm’.” In his speech, Prof. Heddy recounted his long and dynamic journey in Anthropology, from his undergraduate studies at UGM, his bachelor’s studies at Universitas Indonesia, postgraduate studies at Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, to his postgraduate and doctoral studies at Columbia University. His speech illustrated the immense dedication and effort he has invested in developing Anthropology in Indonesia.

The event concluded with the cutting of the tumpeng and the presentation of a memento from the Department of Anthropology to Prof. Heddy as a symbol of appreciation for his service. Afterward, the guests were invited to enjoy a meal together in the courtyard of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), with various food and drink stalls provided by those who wished to contribute to the celebration. The warmth of this event reflected the deep respect and gratitude of the academic community towards Prof. Heddy.

Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa-Putra, M.A., M.Phil., of UGM is a distinguished professor who has made significant contributions to the development of Anthropology. His spirit and dedication will continue to be remembered and serve as an inspiration for future generations. Thank you, Prof. Heddy, for all the knowledge and service you have provided. May your retirement bring happiness and well-being.

Writer: Afif Naufal Widiadi

To support the innovation and accommodate the aspirations of Master of Linguistics students in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, KALINGGA (Keluarga Mahasiswa Linguistik Gadjah Mada) has created several work programs for the next 1 year. The event was opened by Dr. Sailal Arimi advised KALINGGA to become a forum that could be useful for developing UGM Linguistics and have an impact on the general public. Chairperson of KALINGGA 2024 Yuliana Kristianti also said several things, one of which was that KALINGGA could be a place to channel various abilities and develop the portfolio of each individual member of KALINGGA 2024.

The first presentation was from the ‘Minat dan Bakat’ division which presented various activities to facilitate students channelling their hobbies and talents in the fields of arts and sports. Furthermore, the PSDM (Human Resources Development) division presented its work program to strengthen relations between Master of Linguistics students in various classes. There is also a Social and Community Action division which explains various social activities of Master of Linguistics students which can be useful for the general public. Then, the LITBANG (Research and Development) division conveyed programs related to Linguistics, one of which was making books. Followed by the MEDINFO (Media and Information) division which explained programs related to delivering various innovations in reporting activities on the timeline through the KALINGGA mascot named Lingga.

The next presentation was from the ADHUMJAR (Advocacy, Public Relations and Networking) division which delivered programs related to communication between students at the Master of Linguistics UGM and outside the Master of Linguistics UGM, one of the programs was creating a Masters of Linguistics Student Association throughout Indonesia. The presentation was closed by the BPH who said that KALINGGA members could work together to build a Masters in Linguistics at UGM together.

Through the working meeting activities, each division conveys its own work program so that the implementation objectives are correct, so that activities within the Master of Linguistics UGM can run effectively, and have an impact on the general public.

KALINGA, Dr. Suhandano, Dr. Sailal Arimi, and Drs. Tatang Hariri along with Master of Linguistics students across generations, carried out a ‘Students Gathering’ as well as the ‘The KALINGGA Handover Ceremony 2024’. In this activity, various discussions related to academic activity in the Master of Linguistics UGM took place actively, such as transparency of student assessments and holding a prayer room in the Soegondo building so that lectures took place more efficiently. On this occasion, Dr. Suhandano also said that there would be a new application related to assessment, namely ‘Sioba’. Furthermore, final semester assignments also need to provide options other than articles and there is also a need for thesis research mentoring by lecturers. It is hoped that through this activity students will be more motivated to publish journals and be fluent in compiling their theses so they can complete lectures on time.

The system of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) embraced in September 2015 by the UN, the worldwide improvement motivation for the primary time alludes to culture. The benefits of keeping up and progressing culture are accomplished through socially educated and viable execution of advancement objectives. Thus, discussion forums between lecturers and students can be a good culture to support and improve the quality of the learning environment.

In this activity, the stewardship of KALINGGA for the next 1 year was also officially appointed by Dr. Suhandano, witnessed by the previous year’s KALINGGA Management and students from across generations who were present. In the next 1 year, KALINGGA is expected to become a forum that can accommodate the aspirations of Master of Linguistics students, support the growth of student achievement and innovation, including creating useful activities in the field of Linguistics and society.