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, 8/5/2025 – Rr. Rachma Amalia Putri, a student of English Studies Program UGM, was enrolled in Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) 2024. IISMA is a mobility program under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. After a rigorous selection process, Putri was accepted for IISMA at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Lithuania. 

Putri was very enthusiastic for this studying opportunity. “Studying abroad is a stepping stone towards greater opportunities in academics and non-academic fields. I want to get firsthand experiences from the professors, as they are not only experts in their fields but also active practitioners,” she mentioned.

Putri noted that the experience studying abroad was beyond her expectations. At VMU, she took four courses: Introduction to Sociolinguistics, Media and Popular Culture, Creative and Feature Writing, as well as Lithuanian as a Foreign Language A1. Putri enjoyed her learning process, especially due to the dedication of lecturers at VMU. She was also grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with other international students. 

Outside the classroom, Putri encountered many valuable experiences. She joined Kaunas Muslim Sister, a community for muslim women in Kaunas to share their experiences as a minority. During her stay at VMU, Putri was also given the opportunity to share Indonesian culture in Lithuanian schools. She was also appointed as the moderator in the Alumni Day event to celebrate the re-establishment of VMU. Putri and her IISMA fellows also held a charity event to promote Batik, Weaving Cultures: Batik Day and Charity Gala. 

From the exchange at VMU, Putri learned many things: how to survive in a new environment, be independent in any situations, and be an ambassador of Indonesian culture. After graduating, Putri planned to pursue a master’s degree abroad in order to fulfil her dream of being a lecturer, a way to dedicate her knowledge for Indonesia.

[Public Relation of English Literature, Sekar Ajiningsih]

Yogyakarta, 16 April 2025 — The Unit of Public Relations and Cooperation of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM) visited the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL UGM) with the aim of increasing the capacity and insight of public relations. This sharing study activity was designed as a learning and discussion forum focused on best practices in public relations management, social media handling, and partnership collaboration. The event held from 10.00-12.00 WIB.

From the Faculty of Arts UGM, there were seven representatives from the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit who were accompanied by the Head of the Administrative Office Erika Purnawati, S.Kom., M.Cs. While from FISIPOL UGM, the visit was received by Paminto, M.Si, as the Head of Administrative Office who represented the Dean along with two representatives of the media relations division of FISIPOL UGM. The meeting was characterised by a spirit of creativity and innovation, where participants exchanged ideas and experiences that could improve practice in their respective fields.

During the session, participants engaged in discussions on the importance of effective communication strategies in public relations. They explored various methods to enhance outreach and engagement with the public, highlighting the role of creativity in crafting compelling and relevant narratives for diverse audiences.

The discussion also addressed the challenges of managing social media platforms, emphasising the need for adaptability and continuous learning. Participants acknowledged that while social media is a powerful tool for public relations, it requires strategic planning and execution to fully maximise its potential. The event concluded with a Q&A session, where both sides were encouraged to exchange innovative ideas for future partnerships and public relations projects.

Overall, the sharing study on public relations and collaboration between FIB UGM and FISIPOL UGM served as a valuable opportunity to learn from each other’s strengths. The event not only provided meaningful insights into best practices but also fostered a spirit of collaboration and innovation among participants. It reflected the commitment of both faculties to enhance their public engagement efforts and to contribute positively to society through effective communication and collaboration.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 6 May 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), officially inaugurated Prof. Dra. Anggraeni, M.A., Ph.D. as a Professor in the field of Prehistoric Archaeology. The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday (6/5) from 09.00 to 10.00 WIB at the UGM Senate Hall, attended by family members, academic colleagues, and invited guests from various institutions.

In her inaugural speech titled “Adaptive Strategies in Prehistoric Societies and Their Relevance Today”, Prof. Anggraeni delivered an in-depth reflection on how prehistoric communities—particularly hunter-gatherers and early village societies—developed adaptive strategies to survive in response to various environmental and social challenges.

She emphasised that these strategies were not only shaped by regional trends that occurred thousands of years ago but were also passed down and remain recognisable in contemporary Indonesian life. “Today, we admire the beautiful, colourful woven fabrics, yet few may realise that the art of weaving in Indonesia has roots dating back at least two millennia,” she noted.

Prof. Anggraeni highlighted that weaving patterns and colours are not chosen arbitrarily; rather, they are shaped by collective social agreements that reflect local values and social structures. She cited the Sekomandi weaving tradition from Kalumpang as an example, where the motifs symbolise the human life cycle—from birth to death.

Through her inauguration, Prof. Anggraeni reaffirmed the importance of prehistoric archaeological studies in understanding cultural roots and local wisdom that remain relevant in addressing modern-day challenges. She encouraged the public to appreciate and study cultural heritage as part of a collective strategy toward a more adaptive and sustainable future.

This inauguration marks a significant milestone in Prof. Anggraeni’s academic journey, known for her extensive contributions to prehistoric research and the preservation of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 24/4/2025 — The Tourism Study Programme at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), welcomed an academic visit from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Johor, Malaysia on Thursday (24/4). The visit marked a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and the strengthening of international networks in the fields of tourism and culture.

In a warm and engaging session, both institutions presented their academic activities and flagship programmes. Students and lecturers from both sides shared experiences on curriculum development, industry practices and research, as well as approaches to tourism education.

The event continued with an interactive bonding session. A relaxed atmosphere was created through ice-breaking activities involving all participants, followed by a traditional dance performance by students from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

This visit is expected to be the starting point for further collaboration between the Tourism Study Programme of FIB UGM and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, particularly in future capacity-building initiatives.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]