Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025 – The Undergraduate Tourism Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an international guest lecture under the ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility program with the theme “Sustainability and Sustainable Practices in Tourism Enterprises.” The lecture featured Assoc. Prof. Halime Göktas Kulualp from Karabük University, Turkiye, shared valuable insights through the case study of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage City recognized since 1994.

In her presentation, Prof. Kulualp described Safranbolu as a small but historically rich town in Karabük Province, located in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. For centuries, it served as an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The town has witnessed the presence of great civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines, and reached its golden age under the Ottoman Empire. During this period, caravanserais such as the famous Cinci Han were established to host merchants and travelers passing through the region.

What makes Safranbolu truly unique is its remarkable Ottoman architecture. The town is renowned for its traditional houses, many of which are more than 300 years old, characterized by whitewashed walls, wooden frames, large windows, and private courtyards. These houses are living examples of how Turkish people once lived. Beyond its architecture, Safranbolu is also surrounded by natural beauty, with stunning sites like Tokatl Canyon and Bulak Caves attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The name Safranbolu comes from “saffron,” a rare and precious spice that grows in the area, combined with the name of the nearby region, Bolu. This name reflects the city’s cultural identity and historical wealth. UNESCO’s recognition highlights Safranbolu’s authenticity, integrity, and its importance as a living heritage for humanity. According to Prof. Kulualp, Safranbolu’s success in preserving its cultural legacy while embracing tourism offers an inspiring example of how heritage conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Through this guest lecture, UGM Tourism students were encouraged to see tourism not only as an economic activity but also as a responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage. The story of Safranbolu reminds us that sustainability in tourism is essential to protect history while ensuring benefits for local communities and future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 18/9/2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a guest lecture for the course Comprehensive Korean I under the theme “흥미로운 세상: EPS TOPIK and Korean Language for Migrant Workers.” The event took place at the Soegondo Building Auditorium and featured program alumnus Adam Ferdian Bagastama, S.Hum., as the main speaker.

In his presentation, Adam shared firsthand experiences about the career prospects for graduates of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program. He previously worked as a translator at a textile factory producing footwear before becoming an instructor at LPK Hankuk Sippo in Tulungagung, East Java. Each year, the institution trains more than 200 participants preparing to join the official Indonesia–Korea government-to-government (G to G) employment program.

Adam also explained that one of the main requirements for joining the program is passing the EPS TOPIK (Employment Permit System – Test of Proficiency in Korean), a language proficiency test focused on practical and job-specific vocabulary relevant to fields such as manufacturing, fisheries, shipbuilding, and services.

To provide a real experience, students were invited to take part in a quiz consisting of EPS TOPIK-style questions. Aura, one of the participants, admitted that the questions were quite challenging. “The quiz was difficult because the vocabulary was very specific and different from what we usually learn in class,” she said.

Through this guest lecture, students are expected not only to understand the importance of mastering Korean academically but also to gain a clearer picture of concrete career opportunities after graduation, both within Indonesia and through official employment programs in South Korea.

Author: Sherina Azmi A

The  English Literature Study Program held an inspiring alumni talk titled Early Career Navigation: Aligning Your College Goals with Your Dreams. This event featured Indra Pradipa Yudha, better known as Andrew Yudha, an alumnus as well as the CEO and founder of Discovery English and Speakhub.id. He is also an English teacher, edupreneur, and content creator. This seminar was a valuable opportunity for students to gain insight into how to make the most of their college years as a stepping stone to future career success.

During the session, Andrew Yudha shared his personal and professional journey. He emphasized that success is not determined by how fast or slow the learning process is, but by consistency and perseverance throughout the process. Andrew also encouraged students to start with a fundamental question: “Why?”.

The discussion developed into various reasons for choosing to study English Literature, ranging from the desire to continue studying, become a teacher, improve English skills, to opening up wider career opportunities, building networks, gaining international experience, and enjoying the field of study. Not only that, Andrew also introduced a practical framework for life and career planning. He explained the Wheel of Lyfe concept, which divides life into three important aspects: Relationships, Health, and Wealth. This holistic perspective encourages students to balance all aspects of their lives, not just focus on professional ambitions.

Another interesting concept is finding the sweet spot in business opportunities. According to Andrew, the sweet spot lies at the intersection of three things: topics of interest, fields that people need, and markets that are of sufficient size. Various examples of passion-based business ideas were also presented, ranging from English, productivity, investment, fashion, to self-development. The students’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the event. The interactive discussion was lively, with various questions asked to the speakers. Andrew also emphasized the importance of learning from mentors, both paid and free.

The English Literature Study Program hopes this seminar will serve as an important foundation for students to align their academic goals with their career aspirations, as well as provide a clearer roadmap for navigating their future.

Yogyakarta, 1/9/2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has introduced an Entrepreneurship lecture led by Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., MP., IPU., ASEAN Eng. The lecture is designed to provide students with entrepreneurial insights focused on fostering innovative, impactful, and sustainable mindsets.

In its opening lecture, students were introduced to the scope of entrepreneurship, the urgency of cultivating young entrepreneurs in Indonesia, and their role in driving national economic growth. Referring to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the lecture highlighted how the limited availability of formal jobs must be balanced with the creation of new business opportunities, particularly among the younger generation.

The class also emphasized the philosophical differences between entrepreneurship and wirausaha (sociopreneurship). While entrepreneurship is often rooted in Western individualistic philosophy, the Indonesian concept of wirausaha underscores harmony between individual and community, aiming for broader social benefits.

Students were further equipped with knowledge of entrepreneurial psychological profiles, including self-confidence, results orientation, risk-taking, and future-oriented thinking. The Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle was introduced as a key strategy for building consistent and sustainable business practices.

As part of the interactive session, students worked in small groups to develop and present business ideas, focusing on identifying market opportunities, crafting business plans, and showcasing product innovations. These activities were designed to sharpen their teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while encouraging creative thinking.

Through this course, Arabic Study Program students are expected to cultivate creative and innovative mindsets while viewing entrepreneurship as a meaningful path to contribute to sustainable development. The program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, 8/9/2025 – A total of 36 students from the Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully completed internship programs during the even semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. The internships took place across a wide range of institutions, including government offices, publishing houses, educational institutions, media outlets, and private companies.

The program serves as a crucial part of the students’ learning journey, allowing them to not only apply their academic knowledge but also sharpen practical skills needed in today’s workplace.

UGM Arabic Study Program students were placed in diverse institutions, spanning both public and private sectors. These included: the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Sleman, Bantul, Purworejo, Yogyakarta City, and Regional Office of Yogyakarta); publishing and media outlets such as Brilliant Books, Mojok Publishing, Deepublish, and Tirto.id; educational institutions such as SDIT Al-Khairaat, Miftahul Huda Islamic Boarding School (Kroya, West Java), and MAN 2 Yogyakarta; state agencies such as the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of Yogyakarta, LLDIKTI Region V Yogyakarta, and the Office of Community Empowerment, Villages, Population, and Civil Registration of DIY; as well as private sector and companies including At-Tayibah Al-Multazam Group (Umrah & Hajj Travel) and Telkom Purwokerto.

Through this program, students are expected not only to gain first-hand work experience but also to build professional networks, strengthen their communication, literacy, and research skills, and apply their Arabic language expertise in real-world contexts.

The participation of Arabic Study Program students across various sectors also highlights the program’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by fostering meaningful collaboration between higher education, government, and industry.

With this internship experience, it is hoped that the students will enrich their academic competencies while preparing themselves to become excellent, adaptive graduates ready to contribute to society.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah