On August 8, 2024, Kelapa Island Village Hall hosted an exciting event aimed at introducing basic Japanese language skills and Japanese cultural insights to POKDARWIS members from Kelapa Island Village and Harapan Island Village, located in North Thousand Islands Sub-district, Kepulauan Seribu Regency.

This initiative is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those focusing on income, basic education, local cultural diversity, education for sustainability, and foreign cultures.

The event began with a warm welcome from local government officials, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and education in building understanding and cooperation among diverse communities. They highlighted that learning a new language not only improves communication but also opens up new economic opportunities, thus contributing to increased income levels for participants.

Participants were introduced to basic Japanese phrases and vocabulary commonly used in daily conversation. The language instructor, a teacher of Japanese language and culture, uses interactive methods to engage the audience, making the learning process fun and effective. This approach not only facilitates language acquisition but also encourages participants to appreciate the nuances of Japanese culture.

In addition to language lessons, the event featured presentations on various aspects of Japanese culture, including traditional customs, characteristics of Japanese people, and others. Participants were fascinated by the rich cultural diversity that Japan has to offer, which was shown through videos and live demonstrations. This segment of the program aimed to foster a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and its significance in promoting global harmony.

Presenters emphasized the importance of education for sustainability, noting that understanding different cultures can lead to more sustainable practices in local communities. By learning about Japan’s approach to environmental conservation and sustainable living, participants were encouraged to reflect on their own practices and consider how they can integrate similar values into their daily lives.

During the presentations, participants engage in group activities that allow them to practice their newly acquired language skills. These activities not only reinforce their learning but also promote cooperation and collaboration among community members. The sense of community that developed during these exercises highlighted the success of the event in building community bonds.

The introduction of Japanese language and culture is seen as a stepping stone to improving the educational landscape in the area. By providing access to basic education in a foreign language, the initiative aims to empower individuals and equip them with skills that are increasingly valuable in an increasingly globalized world.

Furthermore, the event serves as a platform to discuss the potential economic benefits of learning Japanese. With Japan becoming an important player in the global economy, language proficiency can open up job opportunities in various sectors, including tourism, trade, and international relations. This aspect of the program was very appealing to participants, many of whom expressed interest in pursuing further language studies.

In conclusion, the introduction of Japanese language and culture at Kelapa Island Village Hall was a great success. The event not only provided valuable educational content but also presented cultural diversity and encouraged community engagement. As participants left the hall, they took with them not only new language skills, but also a greater appreciation of the richness of Japanese culture and its relevance to their own lives.

The event reflects the local authority’s commitment to promoting education for sustainability and cultural understanding, paving the way for future initiatives that will continue to enrich the community and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This activity is in the form of lectures and socialization of rules and guidelines for proctors in carrying out their duties as supervisors in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) activities. carry out their duties as supervisors in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) activities. The event was held at SMKN 2 Jetis Yogyakarta and attended by approximately 60 participants and 3 experienced resource persons. This activity is a form of cooperation with the JLPT Central Committee, the Japan Foundation Jakarta.

This socialization aims to provide a comprehensive understanding to SMKN 2 Jetis teachers who have been assigned by the Principal to become exam supervisors in the July 2024 Committee period. Thus, it is expected that they can carry out supervisory duties more effectively and efficiently, in accordance with the rules and guidelines set by the Japan Foundation.

In this socialization event, participants received a detailed explanation of the various Starting from the technical implementation of the exam, handling examinees, to how to overcome various situations that may arise during the exam. The speakers provided in-depth and applicable material, so that the participants not only understood the rules theoretically, but also could practice them well.

One of the main focuses of this socialization is the explanation of the importance of integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties as supervisors. integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties as supervisors. The resource person emphasized that exam invigilators have a very important role in maintaining the credibility and validity of exam results. Therefore, each invigilator must ensure that the exam is carried out honestly, fairly, and in accordance with applicable procedures.

In addition, participants were also given simulations of situations that might occur during the exam. For example, how to handle participants who arrive late, how to ensure there is no cheating, and steps to take in case of technical disruptions or emergencies. With this simulation, supervisors are expected to be more prepared and responsive in dealing with various possibilities.

This activity not only provides benefits for teachers who will serve as supervisors, but also for the entire school community. as supervisors, but also for the entire school community. With trained and competent supervisors, the implementation of JLPT at SMKN 2 Jetis can run smoothly and orderly. This will certainly have a positive impact on the school’s image and increase the confidence of examinees and their parents in the organization of the exam.

At the end of the event, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss directly with the speakers. This question and answer session was a very useful venue for participants to deepen their understanding and get direct clarification on things that were not yet clear. The resource persons also provided practical tips and tricks to help supervisors perform their duties better.

Overall, the lecture and socialization activities were successful and received positive responses from the participants. They felt that they gained a lot of new knowledge and skills that were very useful for carrying out their duties as JLPT supervisors. In the future, it is hoped that this kind of activity can continue to be carried out regularly to ensure that the quality of exam implementation is maintained and getting better from time to time.

Thus, the socialization of rules and guidelines for proctors not only serves as a technical preparation, but also as an important step in maintaining the quality standards of education at SMKN 2 Jetis, while strengthening international cooperation in the field of education.

Back again from Friday Ceria FIB Sehat, this routine activity is back to realize a healthier and happier balanced life routine. This activity was attended by lecturers, teaching staff, and academic community of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Various types of sports were held in this activity, including healthy gymnastics, line dance, fitness/gym, badminton, table tennis, and healthy walking. Today’s special event was a new sport, Volleyball.

Photo 1: The staff are having fun playing volleyball.

Together with the academic community and educators, FIB UGM filled this activity with excitement. Each participant can choose sports according to their interests and habits. Not only providing physical benefits, apparently this activity also builds togetherness, enthusiasm, and maintains the mental health of each participant. This is part of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences’ commitment to promoting health and well-being among the academic community.

Photo 2: Gym Room Faculty of Humanities

Yogyakarta, August 15, 2024 – In an effort to improve cooperation and academic development, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Universitas Andalas (UNAND) conducted a benchmarking visit to the Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday, August 15, 2024. This visit aims to obtain valuable input in the context of establishing a new Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND.

The visit from FIB UNAND was led by Prof. Dr. Herwandi, M.Hum., Dean of FIB UNAND, along with Dr. Zulqaiyyim, M.Hum., Head of History Department, and Alfa Noranda, S.S., M.A., Lecturer of History Study Program. They were welcomed by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FIB UGM, as well as Dr. Mahirta, M.A., Head of the Department of Archaeology, Dr. Anggraeni, M.A., Head of the Archaeology Study Program, and Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., Secretary of the Archaeology Study Program in Room C103 of FIB UGM.

In this meeting, Dr. Zulqaiyyim said that FIB UGM, as the “elder brother” of FIB UNAND, is expected to provide guidance and constructive input related to the improvement of the proposal for the establishment of the Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND. This discussion aims to optimize the quality and relevance of the new study program to be established.

This benchmarking event is part of the commitment of both institutions to improve the quality of education and research in the field of archaeology, as well as strengthen collaboration between FIB UGM and FIB UNAND. With this exchange of experience and knowledge, it is hoped that the new study program at FIB UNAND can soon be realized with high standards.

FERDEO, S.Sos., is a student of the Master of Anthropology program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, since August 2023. He is very committed to growing through his experiences, and is passionate about education. With more than five years of experience as a public speaker, Ferdeo currently serves as a Mental Health Ambassador and Postgraduate Ambassador at his university. In his role as a mental health ambassador, he contributes to creating a campus environment that supports student well-being. In addition, Ferdeo is active in academic and cultural activities at the national and international levels and is a frequent MC and moderator in various faculty and university events.

Currently, Ferdeo is also active in various organizations. Since August 2023, Ferdeo has served as a Mental Health Ambassador in the Mental Health Ministry of BEM KM Universitas Gadjah Mada, which focuses on student mental health advocacy through psychological education, research studies, mental health service monitoring, and collaboration with related parties. In his role, Ferdeo initiated and leads the advocacy program “Journey to Joy”, which is open to the general public in Yogyakarta. He is also a frequent speaker and advocate of mental health discussions in the Universitas Gadjah Mada community, faculties, and surrounding high schools. In addition to being honored as Gadjah Mada University’s Mental Health Ambassador, Ferdeo was also selected as Gadjah Mada University’s Postgraduate Ambassador from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

Ferdeo also has a lot of work experience as a freelancer since 2020, where he performed various roles with high professionalism. As a speaker, Ferdeo delivers engaging presentations at events on a variety of topics. As a Master of Ceremony, he organizes events smoothly and elegantly, while his skills as a moderator enable productive discussions and collaborations. In addition, Ferdeo also contributes as a model, adding elegance and credibility to visual representations. With more than five years of experience, he has spoken at many events, ranging from school and university events to regional, national, and international platforms. Since 2021, Ferdeo has also been active as a photography model for various salons and boutiques, as well as appearing as a runway model and usher at various regional events.

From his many experiences and achievements, it can be seen that he has various skills that support his performance both in work and other activities. Ferdeo is highly skilled in public speaking, interpersonal communication, problem solving, critical thinking, adaptation, time management, and working to achieve targets. He even received an A certificate in public speaking skill development training from the Directorate of Student Affairs (DITMAWA) Unit of Universitas Gadjah Mada. With a combination of strong skills and dedication in various fields, Ferdeo shows outstanding commitment in academic, professional, and organizational roles. His active role as a Mental Health Ambassador, his involvement in national and international events, and his expertise as a speaker, moderator, and model, make him an inspiring and influential figure in his community. Ferdeo continues to strive to advance her field of interest and contribute significantly to the well-being and development of her community.