Amid the surge of technology and the rise of artificial intelligence capable of arranging sentences neatly, Kumala–student of Arabic Literature–chose writing as her path of expression and contribution. “AI-generated writing may be neat, but the emotion and meaning can only come from humans,” she said.

For Kumala, being a student of Arabic Literature is not just about reading classical works or understanding the Arabic language in depth, but also about learning how to voice stories powerfully. Content writing became the medium she chose to bridge theory with practice. She believes that good writing can serve as a bridge connecting emotion, information, and action.

From Interest to Action: How Kumala Began Writing Content

Kumala’s interest in content writing grew alongside her curiosity about the creative process behind content itself. For her, the brainstorming stage is the most crucial. “That’s where it all starts–before the visuals and editing, there’s an idea that needs to be packaged attractively and powerfully,” she explained.

Kumala also brings her academic passion for literature into the world of content. One of her favorite courses is Geoculture and Geopolitics of the Middle East, which opened her eyes to major issues that could be conveyed through writing. “One day, I want to write content that acts as a catalyst to voice issues in the Middle East,” she added.

First Steps at UNAI and Valuable Lessons from One Piece of Content

Although she’s still new to her role as a content writer at UNAI, Kumala has already experienced the challenges of this world. She started by writing carousel content for Instagram, a format that may seem simple but demands high precision. Her biggest challenge? “Finding ideas that are relevant, trending, and emotionally engaging enough to capture the audience’s attention. It’s not easy, but it’s very rewarding,” she said.

Of all the content she has created, her first piece remains the most memorable, not just because it was the first, but because she had to carefully listen to a speaker with an American accent, filter out many sentences, and condense them into a single impactful paragraph. “That’s where I learned how to craft a sentence that truly ‘says something’,” she shared.

The Content Writer as a Communication Bridge

According to Kumala, the role of a content writer is crucial within an institution. “At UNAI, content writing is part of the communications department. So we don’t just create content, we deliver the institution’s messages, vision, and values to the public,” she explained. This shows that good writing isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s also about strategy.

A Message to Students: Dare to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Amid her academic and non-academic commitments, Kumala continues to strive to stay motivated. She holds on to one principle: “The life we live today is the dream we had yesterday. So make the most of it and live it wholeheartedly.”

For students who still hesitate to explore beyond their field of study, Kumala has a message: “Being different isn’t bad. Try as many new things as possible, as long as they don’t harm others or yourself. Don’t reach old age with regret, be a youth who explores, and an elder with stories to tell.”

In this digital era, Kumala believes it’s essential for students to equip themselves with various skills. “We don’t know which skill will open the door to our future career. So don’t be afraid to explore. Technology may be advanced, but we humans must be even more advanced.”

And for fellow Arabic Literature students interested in content writing, Kumala ends with one practical tip: “Write what you think. Set small milestones for your skill development so you don’t get stuck in one place and can keep growing.”

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 12/06/2025 – The Department of Anthropology held a dissertation proposal seminar on June 12, 2025, featuring Tri Isnani’s research titled “The Existence of the Brandu Tradition Amid the Anthrax Outbreak in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).”

The brandu tradition is a community-based fundraising practice in which local residents collectively contribute money to ease the financial burden of livestock owners whose animals are either sick or have died. Livestock holds deep cultural and economic significance for the community. The term brandu originates from minterke anak—meaning “to support a child”—highlighting the role of animals such as cows and goats as a form of savings, often used to finance children’s education, weddings, and traditional ceremonies such as rasulan, ingkung sewu, nyumbang, and others.

However, Isnani noted growing public concern over the anthrax outbreak, which has become a serious public health crisis in the region. The issue has drawn the attention of not only the public but also government bodies and health agencies. In response, Isnani proposed a deeper investigation through the lens of medical anthropology.

Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., as Isnani’s main supervisor, and Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, SKM., M.Kes., both emphasized the need for anthropological research grounded in an emic perspective, employing ethnographic methods in the formulation of health-related programs and policies. They stressed that such an approach is crucial for effective disease control under the “One Health” framework—a multidisciplinary strategy encompassing both prevention and treatment.

The seminar also featured Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology with a focus on health studies. He underlined the importance of researcher positionality in fieldwork. Additional discussants—Ahriyadi Sofyan, Rizqi R., Ayu F., and Dyah Ayu—offered constructive feedback to help strengthen Isnani’s research. The event was also attended by students from the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Anthropology, as well as from the Doctoral Program in Humanities.

In closing, Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati reminded participants that doctoral research should arrive at a philosophical understanding rooted in community values—specifically, exploring the deeper meaning behind the brandu tradition. Once such a philosophy is grasped, it can shape the direction of the research more profoundly.

Furthermore, Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, a researcher at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), highlighted the relevance of anthropological perspectives in medical studies. He emphasized that the novelty of such research lies in anthropology’s ability to interpret health phenomena in culturally grounded ways. “This is crucial,” he said. “Perhaps the true contribution of this study is its potential to offer input into health programs that empower, rather than intimidate, the community—ultimately supporting inclusive program development.”

[Cultural Anthropology, Dewi Widyastuti]

Yogyakarta, June 15, 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an inspiring talkshow titled “From Language Major to the Professional World” featuring alumni from the class of 2010. This event was part of the learning series for the course Comprehensive Korean II, aimed at providing students with insight and motivation regarding various career opportunities after graduation.

The 90-minute talkshow featured three alumni who have built careers across different professional sectors. Angela Pehulisa Meliala, currently serving as Head of the Analysis Division for the Indonesia and Vietnam regions at PT Mitra Aktif Adiperkasa, Tbk., shared her career journey that began through a management trainee program. She highlighted the importance of communication skills and critical thinking as essential competencies in the workplace.

The second speaker, Rachmat Aditya Hutama, is now a public servant in the Government of Victoria, Australia. He spoke about how the networks he developed during his studies at UGM—both within and beyond the Korean language field—greatly influenced his career path. Adit also shared tips on accessing essential career-related information, including Working Holiday Visa (WHV) registration, which became the starting point of his international career.

The third speaker, Sukmawati Nur Salamah, currently a civil servant lecturer in the Tourism Program at Universitas Brawijaya, emphasized the need to develop both hard and soft skills beyond language proficiency. She reminded students that there are no shortcuts to success, and that achieving one’s goals requires dedication and effort.

The talkshow was moderated by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., the course instructor. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of such forums to foster synergy between academia and the professional world. “Talkshows like this are important to broaden students’ perspectives. In the future, we hope to hold similar events regularly, in addition to organizing industry visits,” she stated.

Student enthusiasm for the event was notably high, with many sharing their impressions in the class group chat.

“We gained so many new insights and valuable lessons from this talkshow. It gave us a better idea of what to expect in the professional world, along with helpful career preparation tips. 감사합니다^^”

“Thank you so much for providing us with this opportunity to learn from insightful speakers. I’m so glad I joined!”

“This talkshow truly broadened our horizons. We feel fortunate to have participated in this class and to have gained so much knowledge and experience. 감사합니다! ”

Through this event, students of the Korean Language and Culture Program are expected to become more prepared and confident in navigating the professional world, equipped with both academic knowledge and relevant skills.

[Author: Alfiana]

Yogyakarta, May 27, 2025 – The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again held an inspiring public lecture titled “Public Speaking for Effective Intercultural Communication.” Taking place at the 7th Floor Auditorium of Soegondo Building, the event featured Dhinar Arga Dumadi, S.S., M.A., a TvOne journalist and public speaking practitioner, as the keynote speaker.

The event began at 7:30 AM with an opening by the MC, followed by a welcoming remark from Mr. Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. The session then continued with the speaker’s introduction and material presentation. During the lecture, Arga delivered various fundamental communication techniques and effective public speaking strategies. He emphasized that effective communication does not rely solely on words but also on facial expressions, voice intonation, and body language. Referring to Albert Mehrabian’s theory, he highlighted that non-verbal communication plays a dominant role in message delivery.

Among the techniques he introduced was the “Burger Trick” for structuring a speech—comprising a clear opening, body, and closing—along with the importance of articulation, intonation, stressing, phrasing, tempo, and gestures. Arga also shared his personal experiences as a host and journalist in dealing with various types of audiences.

The students attending the event showed great enthusiasm, especially during the lively Q&A session. In addition to expanding their technical knowledge, this lecture also helped boost students’ confidence in public speaking, both in academic and professional contexts.

The event concluded at 9:00 AM with a documentation session involving all participants.

Through this activity, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM hopes that students will become more equipped to be competent communicators—not only in terms of language use, but also in effectively delivering messages within intercultural dialogues.

[Nisa Khairuna Sabilla]

Yogyakarta, May 17, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program Student Association (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) warmly welcomed a delegation from Qismul Adabil ‘Arabiy (QIS’AR) of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) for a comparative study visit held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event was held to strengthen inter-organizational connections and foster lasting relationships between student associations of Arabic Study programs.

The visit was attended by all members of IKMASA, representing each department, and led by IKMASA Chairperson Candra Solihin. The QIS’AR UNS delegation, numbering around 50 students, was accompanied by their Chairperson, Adil Alhuda.

The visit began with welcoming speeches from the heads of both student associations, followed by detailed presentations of work programs from each department. To facilitate in-depth discussions, participants were divided into smaller groups consisting of 2–3 corresponding departments for more focused exchanges.

The event concluded with a documentation session held in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building and in front of the Graha Sabha Pramana building, capturing the spirit of collaboration and mutual learning that defined the day.