Yogyakarta, September 11, 2025 – The Center for Language and Literature Development, under the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through the Language Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, held the UKBI Adaptive Trial on Thursday (9/11/2025). The event took place at Riss Hotel Malioboro, Yogyakarta, from 07.30 to 16.00 WIB.

The program aimed to test the Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI) questions that had previously been validated in the standardization process. UKBI is a national standardized test designed to measure Indonesian language proficiency, both spoken and written.

The event opened with remarks from the Head of the Center for Language and Literature Development or the Head of the Language Office, followed by technical guidance delivered by the UKBI team. Throughout the day, participants took part in two trial sessions: the first in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

This activity was attended by a wide range of participants, including lecturers and university students, high school and junior high school teachers and students, researchers, journalists, hotel staff, education office employees, translators, and legal practitioners. From Universitas Gadjah Mada, two Arabic Literature students from the 2023 cohort, Muhammad Candra Solihin and Pandhita Hapsari, also took part in the event. Their participation highlights the important role of young generations in maintaining and enhancing the quality of the Indonesian language.

It is expected that the results of this trial will provide valuable input for improving UKBI questions in the future, making them more adaptive and reflective of comprehensive standards of Indonesian language proficiency.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Behind the spotlight of national and international achievements lies a long journey of perseverance lived by Haris Arfakhsyad, a student of Arabic Literature of FIB UGM who has become known for his outstanding performance in Arabic public speaking. He has won first place in the Arabic Fair organized by UNS Surakarta, second place at the international level in GEKA 7 held by UMY Yogyakarta, and second place in FIKAR 12 hosted by UPI Bandung. But beyond the trophies and podiums, his story is about the courage to rise again after an early setback.

That journey began back in the third grade of elementary school at a Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. During a Qur’anic preaching competition organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangkalan, his teachers and parents encouraged the shy and timid boy to compete. He agreed. He trained diligently, memorized his speech, and prepared himself for the stage. Yet, fate took a different turn. Halfway through his performance, he suddenly forgot his lines and had to end his speech abruptly. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered to his father, “Dad, I want to go home. I must have lost.”

The experience left him shaken, and for a time, he refused to enter any competitions. But a year later, encouraged once again by his mother, he decided to give it another try. This time, he placed third, a small victory that reignited his spirit. From that moment on, his passion for public speaking slowly grew stronger. By the time he entered high school, he had developed a deep interest in Arabic speeches. Failures came often, but each setback taught him resilience and shaped the speaker he would become. Eventually, he claimed his first victory in an Arabic speech contest organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jember—an achievement that fueled his path toward national and even international stages.

His success, however, did not come by chance. It was the product of discipline and consistent preparation. He began every competition by carefully crafting a script that matched the given theme. Once the text was ready, he memorized it word for word, practiced his gestures and intonation, and rehearsed in front of teachers, friends, or family to gather feedback. This routine became his formula for growth, one he still relies on today.

The road to victory, of course, was not without obstacles. In fact, failures far outnumbered his wins. “I always believe that every difficulty comes with ease. Never think poorly of your own effort,” he said. For him, failure was not the end, but the best teacher and the foundation for future achievements.

Support from his parents, teachers, and friends also played a pivotal role. “The prayers of my parents are the key,” he stated firmly. Competitions also gave him the opportunity to meet new peers—talented, inspiring individuals who became part of his journey. For him, those connections are among the most meaningful rewards.

When asked what qualities are most important to compete at the national level, his answer was straightforward yet powerful: a willingness to keep learning and improving. “Never be satisfied too soon. Those who want to grow will not stop at a single achievement,” he explained. Humility and optimism, he added, are equally vital pillars for success.

The toughest moments came when he lost repeatedly, with no victories to hold onto. At times, he thought about giving up. But again, the faith and encouragement of his parents lifted him back up. “Great people are not those who never fail, but those who refuse to quit despite repeated failures,” he reflected.

As he closed his story, he shared a message for fellow students: that every person is born with their own strengths and weaknesses, and what sets us apart is our willingness to keep improving ourselves. “Whoever strives with sincerity will succeed,” he said, quoting the well-known Arabic proverb, man jadda wajada. 

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

On 23-24 September 2025, the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Programme, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, held a Scopus-indexed scientific article writing class with the theme ‘Urban Spirituality and the Reformulation of Sufi Rituals’, led by Prof. Dr. Che Zarrina binti Sa’ari, a leading expert from the University of Malaya in the study of Islamic creed and thought. This class aims to provide practical insights on how to write quality scientific articles for Scopus-indexed international journals, with a focus on the topics of urban spirituality and the reformulation of Sufi rituals.

Prof. Dr. Che Zarrina explained the importance of choosing relevant and contemporary topics in the academic world, as well as how urban spirituality and Sufi rituals can be used as interesting subjects of study. She shared strategies on how to write a good scientific article, from topic selection to effective writing techniques, with an emphasis on the importance of clear methodology and valid references.

Participants were also provided with guidance on selecting the appropriate journal and structuring an article systematically, as well as tips for crafting an engaging and persuasive abstract. Prof. Zarrina also discussed common challenges in writing articles, such as dealing with criticism from journal reviewers and how to respond to feedback constructively.

The class concluded with a question-and-answer session that offered participants the opportunity to learn more about the process of writing scientific articles. It is hoped that this class will enrich participants’ skills in writing articles ready for publication in Scopus-indexed international journals, while also deepening their understanding of the importance of urban spirituality and Sufism studies within an academic context.

Author: Amanda Jesisca

Yogyakarta, 18 September 2025 – The Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), organized the 14th Gugur Gunung Exhibition as part of its annual anniversary celebration. Held on 17–18 September 2025, the exhibition showcased various aspects of Javanese cultural heritage, ranging from manuscript displays and traditional games to traditional musical instruments presented in an interactive manner.

In addition, the exhibition also featured food stands that visitors could enjoy, adding comfort and convenience to the overall exhibition experience.

The Gugur Gunung Exhibition serves as an important platform for academics, students, and the wider community to further appreciate, engage with, and preserve the richness of the Javanese language, literature, and culture. Through this activity, the Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture reaffirms its commitment to sustaining traditions while strengthening the relevance of cultural studies in contemporary society.

This initiative aligns with the commitment of FIB UGM to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through the promotion of inclusive access to cultural learning, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage and local traditions as part of the nation’s collective identity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 23, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program Association IKMASA UGM held its second Raudhah Al-Kitabah discussion forum, this time focusing on “The Role of Media in Information Dissemination and Provocation: A Critical Discourse Analysis Perspective.” The event brought in expert speakers who explored how media shapes the flow of information, influences public opinion, and even carries the potential for provocation within society. The forum was actively attended by Arabic Study Program students as part of their effort to deepen their understanding of contemporary issues in the Arab world.

Through this discussion, participants were invited to examine the relationship between media and the social, cultural, and political dynamics of the Middle East. The speakers emphasized the crucial importance of media literacy and the ability to conduct critical discourse analysis to distinguish between valid information and misleading provocation.

As an outcome of the forum, students produced a discussion summary that not only serves as a reference for further academic study but also provides recommendations on how media should ideally function—as a tool for education and knowledge dissemination rather than mere propaganda.

Beyond the topic itself, the forum strengthened the academic culture among students, encouraging them to read critically, conduct research, and exchange ideas in a constructive and reflective way.

Author: Ikmasa UGM