Buru Island, July 16, 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to carry out its Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) program across 35 provinces in Indonesia. One of its inspiring initiatives came from Shang Narendra, affectionately known as Adam, a student of the Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. During his KKN service in Lamahang Village, Waplau District, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Adam introduced two unique programs: the creation of a pocket Arabic dictionary and simple Arabic language lessons for students.

The pocket dictionary was carefully prepared in Yogyakarta and later distributed during the school orientation period (Matsama – Masa Ta’aruf Madrasah) at MTs Al-Khairaat in Lamahang. The classes targeted first-year students who had never been exposed to Arabic before, aiming to introduce them to basic vocabulary, everyday conversation, and inspire early motivation to learn a foreign language.

The pocket dictionary contains practical, thematic vocabulary across categories such as household, school, environment, body parts, and pronouns, making it easier for students to recall and use words in daily situations. Beyond serving as a learning resource, the dictionary was also given as a keepsake to MTs Al-Khairaat. Interestingly, its usefulness sparked interest from KKN students in other regions, who later helped distribute the dictionary more widely—turning it into one of UGM’s KKN innovations with a broader impact on Arabic language education.

In practice, Adam began lessons by introducing simple greetings and personal pronouns (isim dhamir) through interactive learning media such as colorful slides and posters. The students of MTs Al-Khairaat welcomed the sessions with great enthusiasm, showing remarkable eagerness to learn. Not only did they enjoy the introductory Arabic lessons, but they were also able to immediately practice the new words with their peers.

The program was considered highly successful in sparking student interest to explore Arabic further. The school even expressed hopes for more future visits from UGM’s KKN participants. As a touching farewell, the KKN team received parting gifts from the MTs students before their departure—a heartfelt gesture that reflected the strong bonds formed between the students, teachers, and the local community.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Shang Narendra]

Yogyakarta, 26/8/2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, proudly graduated 35 students at the Undergraduate and Diploma Graduation Ceremony for Period IV of the 2024/2025 Academic Year. This milestone marks a special achievement for the program, as it is the highest number of graduates produced in a single academic year.

At this ceremony, the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) among Arabic Study Program graduates was achieved by Amalia Faradilla, S.S., class of 2021, with a remarkable GPA of 3.92. Her accomplishment stands as a testament to her dedication, perseverance, and consistency throughout her undergraduate studies in Arabic Study Program at UGM.

Meanwhile, the fastest completion of study was recorded by Nada Utami Rianti, S.S., class of 2021, who successfully completed her undergraduate education in only 3 years, 9 months, and 11 days—a noteworthy achievement that reflects both discipline and academic excellence.

This graduation serves as a historic milestone for the graduates, who have completed a transformative journey of learning, research, and community engagement. The presence of these graduates reaffirms the program’s commitment to producing outstanding scholars in the field of Arabic language, literature, and culture—graduates who are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.

Congratulations to all graduates of the Arabic Study Program UGM! May this achievement be the first step toward a brighter and more impactful future.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

The English Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences recently hosted a seminar on academic ethics and the integrity of scientific work. Held as part of a series of welcoming activities for new students, the event’s goal was to equip them with the essential knowledge needed for responsible academic writing.

The seminar featured speakers Mia Riane Bird and Ella Eardahl, fellows from Oberlin Shansi, an organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding between Asia and the United States. Their participation offered valuable, real-world insights for the students.

Mia and Ella addressed crucial topics in the academic landscape, including the definition and various forms of plagiarism, practical strategies for avoiding it, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in writing. They provided students with actionable tips and tricks for processing information correctly, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and using quotations.

A key takeaway was the emphasis on using AI as an ethical tool, not a replacement for original thought and critical thinking. The speakers underscored that while technology can assist in the writing process, it should not compromise a student’s originality.

By holding this seminar, the English Literature Study Program aims to ensure its new students begin their academic journey with a strong foundation in ethical practices, a commitment to originality, and the skills to responsibly utilize modern technology.

Author: Rifqi Wahyu Ilham

Until the Final Semester Exam period, the excitement of the Codicology course never ends. After taking students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture study program to visit three libraries in Yogyakarta, this time the students are invited to practice making manuscript protectors and creating manuscripts.

As the name implies, a manuscript protector is a box specially designed to protect ancient manuscripts from physical damage and degradation due to environmental exposure. This box is usually made of non-acidic and neutral materials, such as sirio black cardboard, to prevent further damage to ancient manuscripts. This manuscript protector box is usually made for rare books, manuscripts, or libraries that are old and fragile.

Students learn to make this manuscript protector with the aim that students understand the basic dimensions of making a protective box and can apply it one day if needed. Many places or libraries need this skill.

In addition to making manuscript protectors, in the following week, students are invited to create manuscripts. The manuscripts of these students’ works will later be published in a book published in the context of the retirement of a senior lecturer, namely Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum. Students are free to create and work on their own manuscripts. Text materials can be taken from existing manuscripts, or self-made. However, in the process, students are required to add illustrations in the form of rerenggan, gapura renggan, wedana renggan, or rubrication.

Students are divided into 16 groups, with each group creating one work. With these practices, students can apply the material obtained during one semester into their own handmade work. Of course, this will be very impressive, especially if it will be published later.

Authors: Haryo Untoro

Together with the Center for Cultural Studies and the Center for Disaster Studies UGM, students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture study program had the opportunity to dive directly into the community environment in the context of community service. This activity involved the 2023 and 2024 batches, namely Abimanyu Mahendra, Yanuar Agung, Noviyanti Alfitri, Bayu Seta Ardiansyah, Maylafaizza Nafisha, Fega Achillea, Rafi Nur Fauzy, and Rafif Wicaksono.

This activity was led by a lecturer in philology, Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum. who also serves as the current Head of the UGM Center for Cultural Studies. For two days (22-23 June 2025), this team carried out activities in Padukuhan Wotawati, Pucung District, Gunungkidul Regency, DI Yogyakarta.

Wotawati Village, which is located in a unique valley of the former flow of the Ancient Bengawan Solo, has historical and cultural potential but faces significant problems. The main challenges include the absence of a comprehensive and credible narrative regarding the identity of the village that is vulnerable to misinformation, minimal education and preparedness for hydrometeorological disasters, and suboptimal preservation of local culture. This community service aims to empower Wotawati through an approach based on local wisdom and participatory education.

Therefore, this joint team intends to compile a literary work Babad Wotawati which contains history, geography, cultural potential, and disaster education holistically. This Babad is expected to become an official reference source regarding information and the identity of Wotawati village and can become a valuable cultural heritage in the future. This Babad is not only a medium for preserving identity, but also a disaster education tool that is easily accessible to the public. Macapat song training will also complement this effort, reviving oral traditions as a means of conveying messages to the younger generation. Thus, Wotawati can rise as an independent, empowered, and widely known community with a complete and accurate narrative, while being ready to face future challenges.

Thus, in-depth research efforts are needed by visiting and observing directly at the research location. Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture students are given the task of practicing karawitan, introducing tembang dolanan, practicing macapatan, interviewing residents, or documenting activities.

With this activity, it is hoped that students can apply the knowledge and skills they have gained during their studies and can provide benefits to the community directly.

Authors: Haryo Untoro