On Monday 13th of May 2024, the English Literature Program held an alumni talk with Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi had worked as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus since 2016. The year of 2020 was the year of retirement for Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi as an Indonesian ambassador.

The Career Talk was attended by all students of the UGM English Literature Program batch 2021, 2022, and 2023. The event was opened by the host Aimar Prabhaswara Dzakri, the President of the English Literature Department Student Association (IMAJI) 2023. The event continued with a warm welcome by the Head of the English Literature Program, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A.

This event aims to enhance students’ understanding of careers in politics and diplomacy. The importance of knowing contemporary issues regarding relations between countries is to create an educated society, strengthen universal solidarity, and be aware of the latest global news. In essence, individuals are part of a large group of people in the world. An individual has a role and contribution to the development and peace of the world.

Story after story was told by Pak Wahid to the students. The story starts from his career journey to the tips given by Pak Wahid to students who want to pursue their career path in diplomacy. He shared tips by saying to broaden the understanding of global issues through reading a lot of the latest news, both those happening in Indonesia and those happening in a worldwide scale.

During the question and answer session, Pak Wahid said that not only students of international relations-related study programs have the opportunity to work in foreign institutions/ministries. He said that anyone can pursue a career as a diplomat, both men and women. He also advised the students to avidly read various books and make reading books a hobby. It is no secret that books can help improve critical thinking, one of the elements needed by students and it is essential in the professional world.

The event ended with the awarding of a book written by Mr. Wahid to one of the student participants who actively asked questions during the activity. The title of the book is Diplomasi Ringan dan Lucu Kisah Nyata. After the awarding session, Pak Wahid and the students took selfies together and had a group photo session.

The Middle East Cultural Studies Student Association (IMABTA) UGM and the Indonesian Students Association of the Middle East and Africa Region (PPIDK Timtengka) collaborate in the implementation of a series of activities “Middle East Culture Week” which carries the theme Global Synergy for Empowering Impact. This series of activities was opened with the “IMABTA Menyapa” event which was held on Thursday, June 30, 2024 in a hybrid manner with the topic “Stringing Educational Intertwining between Middle Eastern and Indonesian Students”. The IMABTA Greeting event was attended by the Head of the Department of Intercultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Secretary of the Department of Intercultural Studies UGM, Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum. Coordinator of PPIDK Timgtengka, Siti Amaliah, Lc., and representatives of Indonesian students in Middle Eastern countries, including: Egypt, Libya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa.

In his speech, Prof. Sangidu said that KBTT UGM is open to undergraduate graduates in the Middle East because the courses offered are relevant to the fields of study studied in the Middle East. The Professor of Arabic Literature also gave a message that the IMABTA Greeting activity was a good start to begin collaboration between KBTT UGM students and PPIDK Timtengka. This collaboration must be utilized as well as possible in increasing interest in Middle Eastern studies, as well as initiating student research collaboration in the fields of Language, Literature, and Culture. In the future, it is hoped that both parties can synergize in carrying out the activities of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely Education, Research and Community Service.

Yogyakarta 16th of May, 2024 – The second day of Gugur Gunung 13, precisely on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, became an unforgettable moment for all residents of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Not without reason, because students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborated in a team called ‘Turangga Sastra Nuswantara’ to perform Jathilan Dance Drama on the peak day of Gugur Gunung 13.

The Jathilan Dance Drama performance was held at 04.00 PM –05.30 PM WIB on the stage located in Greenland. Each side of the stage was packed with members of the academic community who were interested in the Jathilan Dance Drama performance. The performance of popular art became livelier with the presence of Lala Atila as the sinden of the Jathilan Dance Drama.

Jathilan Dance Drama is a performance of Jathilan dance, an art that is closely related to the use of jaran kepang, or lumping horse, and contains drama about Javanese mythology. The legend of Javanese mythology is the legend of Ajisaka and his battle with Dewata Cengkar, a giant king in the kingdom of Medang Kamulan. The production of the Jathilan Dance Drama was led by R. Raga Budi Panuntun, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2021, and directed by Yulian Kethus from the Kidung Cakrawala Art Studio.

Before the performance began, at 03.00 PM WIB, the performers and staff held a jaran bath and prayer together at Wisdom Park. Afterward, a cultural procession was carried out along the route from Wisdom Park to FIB through the north door. The folk-art performance was opened by R. Sukoco, an alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, as the narrator. There were various speeches delivered by Idharul Huda, as the chairman of Gugur Gunung 13, Dr. Daru Winarti, Head of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, and Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si, dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The event continued with the traditional ceremony of kupat luwar or luwaran kupat, as a form of releasing all things that are not good so that the event can run smoothly. The next event was the presentation of the Jathilan Dance Drama which managed to amaze the entire audience. The audience seemed to really enjoy it, even dancing to the music of the Jathilan dance. The highlight of this presentation was the scene of the battle between Aji Saka and Dewata Cengkar. The thrilling battle and Aji Saka’s stunning victory drew thunderous applause from all directions.

The end of the Jathilan Dance Drama performance also marked the end of the 13th Gugur Gunung. Various beautiful and fun moments have occurred during Gugur Gunung 13. We would like to thank the enthusiasm and support from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, sponsors, mahadaya, and the entire academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. May the culture of the archipelago be preserved and continue to live from time to time. See you at Gugur Gunung 14!

Yogyakarta, 20th of May 2024 – Wayang kulit, a traditional art recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Human Cultural Heritage, has high historical, philosophical, and artistic value. The art of puppet is considered one of the pinnacles of Javanese culture, so it is important for the younger generation to recognize, understand, and preserve this noble heritage.

In order to deepen the understanding of shadow puppets, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program organized a field study for the Puppet Literature course on May 16, 2024. This activity was held at the Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, giving students the opportunity to see puppets and manuscripts related to puppets.

This field study was attended by students participating in the Puppet Literature course and guided by the lecturers, namely R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., and Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. During the activity, students had direct access to observe various puppet collections and manuscripts related to wayang kulit. The enthusiasm of the students was visible throughout this activity, showing their interest in knowing more about the cultural wealth of the nation.

The output of this field study is not only a presentation of what has been learned but also an introduction and growth of love and pride for the nation’s culture. In addition, this activity is expected to add experience and become a means of developing the scientific competence of the participants. Thus, the field course is in line with the fourth point of the sustainable development goals, namely improving the quality of education within the scope of the preservation and development of the nation’s culture.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM had the opportunity to interview one of the students of Faculty of Cultural Sciecnes UGM, Haybah Shabira, who successfully passed the Semifinal selection of Student Debate League organized by PT IDN Media on May 31, 2024. The Student Debate League competition was held to celebrate the tenth anniversary of PT IDN Times as well as an initiative to encourage students’ ability to think critically and express their opinions and aspirations as a young generation. The competition invited a number of universities such as Diponegoro University, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Telkom University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Mataram University, Bogor Agricultural University, Padjajaran University, and others, to participate in the debate competition.

As a student of Archaeology UGM Class of 2023 from Aceh, Haybah has been involved in the world of competitive debate since the beginning of the first semester through participating in the Gadjah Mada Debating Society (GMDS) UGM and has participated in various English debate and Indonesian debate competitions. At the Student Debate League competition, he was initially interested in registering for the competition, but because the quota of representatives from the debate organization he joined was filled early, he was unable to register directly. Fortunately, one of the representatives withdrew and Haybah immediately took her place to have the opportunity to run as a representative.

As one of the representatives of the GMDS UGM organization, Haybah joined a team consisting of two different faculty students Nawfal Aulia Luthfurrahman from the Faculty of Economics and Business Class of 2023 and Meira Davina Jasmine from the Faculty of Law Class of 2023. Despite being from different faculties, they were still excited to compete together.

During the competition, they conducted research on debate motions that had been used in previous debate competitions as a learning reference. After conducting research, they will compile arguments and divide their respective work roles such as the role of the first speaker who presents the basic direction of the debate, followed by the next speaker who presents problem identification, and the last speaker who provides a solution presentation.

“So, we have a solid and clear structure for our debate and until the preparation for the final, nothing has changed, except maybe coaching from our seniors at GMDS UGM,” said Haybah explaining the preparation for the final stage.

With the final stage held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at IDN Media Headquarters, DKI Jakarta, Haybah and members of the Student Debate League team are now representing Gadjah Mada University to compete with Bogor Agricultural University.

“I want to prove that, you know, the result of UGM’s upbringing and make UGM proud and inspire my friends, especially from my neighborhood in Aceh to encourage the courage of my friends that if you lose it’s okay, because you will reach the level that you are capable enough to reach that level.” Haybah answered about her hopes and enthusiasm to share inspiration for her friends and students to dare to try to jump into the competition.