On Monday, November 25, 2024, students of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), conducted a field study to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, a company engaged in the field of Japanese home architecture design.

This activity is a direct learning event for students to understand the application of creative technology while seeing opportunities for cooperation between Japanese culture and technological innovation in Indonesia. PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which has a reputation for excellence in the field of design, was the perfect location to broaden the students’ knowledge of culture and technology.

The event began with a warm welcome from the CEO of Marumori Company Japan, PT Rupa Raya Indonesia’s international partner, who explained the company’s vision in supporting collaboration. The speech was followed by the CEO of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia represented by Mr. Irzam Sarif, underlining the importance of HR development to support the company’s development.

Picture 1 Japanese Counselling Study Programme Students Conduct Field Study at PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, Semarang

Students then followed an in-depth presentation of the company profile by PT Rupa Raya Indonesia staff. In this session, students were invited to explore the company’s superior products and services, including 3D animation and virtual reality-based innovations.

As a token of appreciation, UGM presented souvenirs to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which ended with a group photo session. Furthermore, students had the opportunity to visit the production office of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia. On this tour, they witnessed every process that goes into working on design orders from Japan.

This activity is expected to inspire students to continue learning and innovating, combining the advantages of Japanese language and culture with the creative spirit of Indonesia. With this visit, it is also hoped that students will not only gain new insights, but also be motivated to contribute to the development of the creative industry in the future.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Author: Yulia Agustiani, Editor: Valentina Pramahita Iswari, Translator: Sandya Kirani]

Philology, as the study of manuscripts and classical texts, plays an important role in preserving the cultural and historical heritage of a nation. One of the interesting aspects of philology is the effort to understand and translate manuscripts, which means transforming ancient texts from their original format to new forms that are more accessible and easier to learn, such as in the form of illustrated stories, batik cloth, and so on.

Paleography is a scientific discipline that studies the character of ancient writings in manuscripts. As a science that supports the specialization of Philology, Paleography is a compulsory course for the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

Picture 1 Excerpted in full from: hystoryana.blogspot.com

On Friday, December 6, 2024 the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program held an exhibition initiated by the lecturers of the Philology course, Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya M.Hum,. and Dr. Arsanti Wulandari M.Hum,. The exhibition involved Master of Literature students in the Philology course and the undergraduate students of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program for the Paleography course. The philological exhibition “Mengalih Wahana Naskah” aims to introduce the public to the importance of ancient manuscripts in the formation of Indonesian history and culture. The manuscripts not only serve as historical documents, but also as a means of understanding the noble values and wisdom passed down by our ancestors. This exhibition also explores how these manuscripts transformed from handwritten texts into more attractive illustrated texts and wearable batik cloth. It is a means to introduce to the public that ancient manuscripts are not just text documents, but also works of art that contain high aesthetic value.

Picture 2 Students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program in the Philology Exhibition

“Very happy to be able to organize this exhibition, previously we, the class of 2023, were asked to make batik cloth, then it will be exhibited today, it’s fun to try making batik cloth and at the same time get a grade for the Final Semester Examination” said Muhammad Rizki, one of the students of the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

The exhibition showcased batik cloths that had previously been made by students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program in the Switching Workshop. The long sash batik cloths were written based on the interests of each student. There are 3 scripts that can be chosen to write the proposition sentences that have been made. Javanese script, Pegon script, and Balinese script, each has its own uniqueness and beauty. Dr. Arsanti Wulandari M.Hum, revealed that this project will be taken as the fulfillment of the Final Examination of Paleography course in 2024. There are also illustrated stories made by Master of Literature students.

Picture 3 Students of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program Make Batik for the Exhibition

It is hoped that the Philology exhibition: Alih Wahana is able to introduce many people to the existence of Philology as a useful science for life. Ancient manuscripts can be absorbed with the science of Philology to prepare for present and future life. In addition, this exhibition is one way to preserve ancient manuscripts in Javanese culture.

Picture 4 Group photo at the Philology Exhibition

[Public Relation FIB UGM, Sandya Kirani]

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 – Students from the Faculty of Humanities currently on a Student Internship program at Buku Mojok publishing paid a visit to the Offset printing factory. The factory is one of the printing houses used by Buku Mojok to print its books. During the visit, they were introduced to the machines used to print books and the stages it is used in printing. This visit is in line with SDGs number 9, namely Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

The visit began at 2:30 pm with an explanation of printing using plates inside of the machine. Then, interns were invited to see the machines used such as paper folding machines, cutting machines, and binding machines for paper sheets to become books. In addition, interns also received explanations related to the machines used, for example the difference between color printing machines and one-color printing machines.

Sunday, 10th March 2024 – Students of the Faculty of Cultural Science, currently in an internship program at Buku Mojok publishing company, became the moderator for Festival Penulis Perempuan to celebrate International Women’s day. The event, initiated by Buku Mojok, was held in three days on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of March at Akademi Bahagia. On the lasy day of the event, Buku Mojok invited Ranting Mangga to lead the journaling workshop and Isnaniar to lead the meditation workshop. This event is in line with the 5th SDGs, gender equality.

The event started at 1PM with the journaling workshop by Ranting Mangga. The participants was encouraged to write and paste scraps paper pieces in their journal as they like. After that, the event was followed with the meditation workshop. Isnaniar invited the participants to meditate by walking on the grass around their meeting area. On this event, student interns also participated in the workshop and helped the staff from Buku Mojok to prepare the event.

[Humas FIB UGM, Author: Catharina Maida Muhamartha, Editor: Rifal Fadlurrahman]

Yogyakarta, Monday, November 25th, 2024. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences received a visit from Professor Clare McManus from the University of Glasgow. The visit aimed to explore various possibilities of cooperation in the field of education, especially focusing on double degree programs, student exchanges, research collaborations, and public lectures. The discussion centered on improving access to education and promoting education for sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professor McManus began his visit with a warm introduction to faculty members and students, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in higher education. He highlighted that such partnerships not only enrich the academic experience but also contribute to a more sustainable future by building a global perspective among students.

One of the key proposals discussed was the establishment of a “one plus one” or double degree program in Linguistics, Archaeology, and English Literature. This initiative aims to provide students with the opportunity to earn degrees from both institutions, thus enhancing their academic credentials and competitiveness in the competitive job market.

In addition to the double degree program, the possibility of a student exchange program is also on the agenda. This exchange will focus on English Literature and Archaeology, allowing students to engage in different cultural contexts and academic environments. This initiative is expected to broaden students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of global issues, which are crucial for sustainable development.

Research collaboration was also a significant topic of discussion. Professor McManus proposed joint research projects in tourism, linguistics, archaeology and anthropology. By combining resources and expertise, both institutions can contribute to innovative research that addresses pressing societal challenges and promotes sustainable practices in these areas.

The visit also includes plans for a series of public lectures involving English Literature, Linguistics, Tourism, and Archaeology. These lectures aim to engage the wider community and stimulate discussion on critical issues related to culture, language and sustainability. Such initiatives are vital to raising awareness and building a culture of lifelong learning.

Throughout the discussions, the importance of access to education was a recurring theme. Both institutions recognize that education is a basic right and a key driver of sustainable development. By collaborating on these programs, they aim to create more inclusive educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on students and society. Faculty members committed to working closely with the University of Glasgow to finalize the details of these programs and ensure their successful implementation.

As the meeting concluded, Professor McManus and the faculty members agreed to continue their discussions and explore more opportunities for collaboration. This visit marks a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between the two institutions and advancing their shared goals of promoting education for sustainability and improving access to quality education.