Yogyakarta, November 21, 2025 — Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Anis Matta, Lc., emphasized that the roadmap for Indonesia’s integration with the Islamic world must be built upon the strength of cultural values that define the nation’s civilization. He delivered this material during a National Lecture titled “Indonesia’s Integration Roadmap with the Islamic World: Exploring Cultural Values in Indonesian Foreign Policy” held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The event was organized through the collaboration of LEM FIB UGM, MADARA UGM, IWDN, and KMIB UGM.

The program opened with a series of remarks highlighting the importance of students and academic spaces in shaping Indonesia’s diplomatic orientation toward the Islamic world. Azky Zidane Qoimul Haq, Chair of LEM FIB UGM, underlined the contributions students can make through intellectual engagement, research, and critical discussion. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. JM. Muslimin, M.A., advisor to IWDN, expressed his appreciation for the forum and hoped that such cross-cultural dialogues would continue as part of efforts to prepare Indonesia’s future diplomatic direction.

The final remarks were delivered by the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., who reiterated the faculty’s commitment to fostering strategic academic forums that connect humanities scholarship with global geopolitical dynamics, ensuring that students are not only observers of reality but also active contributors in shaping it.

The main session began with Nafesya Amrina Rosada, S.S., serving as moderator and guiding the discussion effectively and inclusively. In his keynote presentation, Vice Minister Muhammad Anis Matta stressed that Indonesia’s integration with the Islamic world must be grounded in the strength of the nation’s cultural values. He argued that Indonesia’s diplomacy cannot rely solely on political and economic cooperation; it must also draw from the country’s contributions in values, identity, and civilization—elements that form Indonesia’s unique global presence.

Following the presentation, the discussion grew increasingly interactive and substantive. The topic of the Israel–Palestine conflict became the central catalyst that intensified the forum’s dynamics. Participants critically examined how Israeli colonialism has transformed over time—from ethnically driven settlement colonization to an ideologically based colonial project anchored in religious legitimacy, security narratives, and nationalism. Systematic acts of genocide and human rights violations have, they argued, pushed Israel into deeper isolation in the eyes of the international community while gradually eroding what was once strong Western support.

The Vice Minister reaffirmed that Indonesia’s stance on Palestine remains firmly rooted in the principle of a two-state solution, with the moral imperative of protecting human life as the top priority before discussing any political options. He also noted that Indonesia’s support has expanded beyond humanitarian diplomacy and now includes readiness for defense-related support if necessary, while still maintaining Indonesia’s independence from global ideological blocs and geopolitical polarization.

The discussion then shifted to the planned development of an Indonesian “Hajj Village” in Makkah. The forum explored how the rising number of Indonesian pilgrims—exceeding two hundred thousand people each year—necessitates integrated facilities capable of providing structured accommodation and community activity centers. The proposed area is designed not only for convenience but also to strengthen the presence and networks of Indonesian communities in the Holy Land. Danantara is projected to serve as the developer and manager to ensure that the area is operated professionally, modernly, and sustainably.

The session grew even richer as the forum turned to cultural diplomacy as a pillar of foreign policy. The Vice Minister underscored that Indonesia possesses a distinctive civilizational identity—one that harmoniously synthesizes religion, democracy, and culture. This identity, he argued, represents a strategic asset with significant potential to contribute to the Islamic world. However, he also highlighted an internal challenge: Indonesians are often not accustomed to promoting their nation’s strengths on the global stage. Thus, there is a pressing need to translate Indonesia’s religious, social, and national concepts into Arabic to communicate them more effectively to Middle Eastern audiences. By doing so, intellectual diplomacy and cultural diplomacy can operate in harmony with political diplomacy.

A warm and appreciative atmosphere concluded the National Lecture, which broadened perspectives on Indonesia’s diplomatic dynamics within the Islamic world while reaffirming the academic community’s role in advancing global development agendas. By emphasizing cultural diplomacy, reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to Palestinian peace, and connecting Indonesia’s religious and national ideas to the international sphere, the event aligns closely with several SDGs—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Author: Achmad Chozinatul Assror
Editor: Candra Solihin

Yogyakarta, September 27, 2025 — A spirit of collaboration and youth empowerment filled the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, as the Arabic Study Program Student Association (IKMASA) partnered with the Department of Village Community Development, BEM KM UGM, to hold the inspirational talkshow SEDASA: Suara Pemuda untuk Kemajuan Desa (Youth Voices for Village Advancement). The event, part of the Gemilang Desa 2025 program, took place on Saturday afternoon (27/9) from 13.00 to 15.30 WIB, drawing enthusiastic participation from attendees.

The talkshow featured three distinguished speakers: Joko Susilo, Founder of Gunungkidul Menginspirasi and Head of Training and Consultancy at the Nalar Institute; Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, M.Eng., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM; and KPH H. Yudanegara, Ph.D., Head of the Office of Village Community Empowerment, Population, and Civil Registration of the Yogyakarta Special Region, who delivered the keynote address. The discussion was moderated by Antonia Elena Listya Araminta, the 2025 Environmental Ambassador of Yogyakarta, who led the session warmly and interactively.

As the key initiator, IKMASA played a central role in conceptualizing the event, designing its program flow, and fostering institutional collaboration to strengthen youth engagement in village development. The forum served as an important platform for students to engage directly with experts and practitioners on contemporary rural issues, including local potential development, technological innovation, and sustainable community empowerment.

The event attracted a diverse audience, including UGM students, high school participants from Yogyakarta, and delegates from various universities such as UPN and UNDIP, enriching the collaborative atmosphere and strengthening inter-institutional involvement in advancing rural communities.

Following the talkshow, the committee announced the winners of competitions held under the Gemilang Desa 2025 series and presented awards to the participants. The program was officially closed by Faris Zakiy Ramadhan, a 2023 Arabic Study Program student and General Coordinator of Gemilang Desa, who underscored the vital role of students in driving ideas and initiatives for village development.

Through the collaboration between IKMASA and BEM KM UGM, the SEDASA Educational Talkshow not only served as an inspiring space for young people to deepen their understanding of rural issues but also demonstrated a concrete contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

With strong collaborative energy, SEDASA 2025 reaffirms that UGM students (through the active involvement of IKMASA) are capable of becoming agents of change who contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Indonesian villages and communities.

Author: Lisa Atika

Yogyakarta, 15 November 2025 — Universitas Gadjah Mada once again became a vibrant center of Korean cultural celebration through the Festival Oullim Korea Yogyakarta: 20th Korean Day, held at the UGM Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK). This two-decade celebration was made possible through collaboration between the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM) and the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia (KCCI). The festival was officially opened by UGM Rector, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., alongside KCCI Director Kim Yong Woon and distinguished guests from government institutions, academia, and cultural communities. Their presence underscored the significance of the festival as a thriving cultural interaction platform within the university environment.

The festival opened with the spirit of Oullim, meaning harmony, showcased through collaborative performances blending Indonesian and Korean traditional arts. A captivating fusion of Indonesian mask dance and Javanese gamelan with Korean fan dance and bukchum (traditional drum dance) delighted audiences. This performance was the result of an intensive week-long collaboration between students of SMKN 1 Kasihan and a visiting Korean art instructor. Students of the Korean Language and Culture Program at FIB UGM supported the process as cultural interpreters and assistants, ensuring smooth communication and rehearsals that culminated in a widely praised performance.

Beyond the stage performances, the festival featured a wide array of programs highlighting the richness of Korean culture. Shows by Salmunori UGM, music and dance showcases, dongari exhibitions, noraebang, and random play dance sessions all contributed to the lively atmosphere. One of the most striking highlights was the Hanbok Fashion Show featuring works by Leesle, a renowned South Korean designer known for dressing prominent Korean celebrities. On this occasion, Leesle presented a special hanbok collection crafted using Indonesian batik fabric, creating designs that symbolized harmonious cultural fusion. The interplay of colors, patterns, and silhouettes embodied the true meaning of Oullim as a representation of unity expressed through artistic beauty.

The festival’s dynamic atmosphere was further enriched by Korean culinary booths serving complimentary dishes to visitors, from tteokbokki to a variety of popular street foods. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) participated by providing information on South Korean tourism, interactive activities, and destination promotions. Various Korean cultural institutions and communities also contributed, enhancing the festival with educational programs, entertainment, and inclusive cultural engagement. Their involvement reinforced Yogyakarta’s position as one of Indonesia’s key centers for Korean cultural exchange.

In her remarks, the UGM Rector emphasized that the twenty-year continuity of Korean Day reflects the strong cultural relations between Yogyakarta and South Korea, as well as the university’s role in promoting international collaboration. The festival serves as a cultural meeting ground that enriches students’ perspectives and expands UGM’s global network through mutually beneficial partnerships. With its overarching theme of Oullim, the festival fosters an environment that embraces diversity and encourages deep appreciation of cross-cultural heritage.

Through the 2025 Festival Oullim Korea Yogyakarta, UGM hopes to further strengthen collaboration in cultural exchange, education, and academic partnerships between Indonesia and South Korea. The event aligns with key principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education through intercultural learning opportunities; SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities through cultural preservation; and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through cooperative engagement among universities, government bodies, and international cultural organizations. In this way, the festival stands not only as a celebration of art but also as a meaningful contribution to building harmonious and sustainable global relations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, October 24, 2025 – Two students from the Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) — Sultan Amirul Muttaqin and Jibriel Sayyid Ishaq — have successfully advanced to the semifinal round of the Al-Istiqama International Arabic Public Speaking Competition 2025. They are two of only 17 participants selected from various countries who made it through after an intense and highly competitive preliminary stage.

In the semifinal round, the competition continues to be held online, with participants required to submit a new video speech addressing a different theme from the previous round. This stage serves as a crucial opportunity for Sultan and Jibriel to demonstrate their analytical depth, creative thinking, and contextual argumentation skills on pressing global issues.

The Arabic Study Program continues to provide comprehensive support for Sultan and Jibriel during this phase, including guidance in speechwriting, training in articulation, intonation, and body language, as well as assistance with video recording and editing. This ongoing support reflects the program’s strong commitment to nurturing students’ linguistic, rhetorical, and cultural competencies on the international stage.

Sultan and Jibriel’s participation in this competition also exemplifies the Arabic Study Program’s contribution to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Their success not only brings pride to the university but also serves as an inspiration for fellow Arabic Literature students to continue developing their potential, engaging in international arenas, and representing Indonesia through language, intellect, and culture.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, October 26, 2025 – The Muslim Family of Cultural Sciences (Keluarga Muslim Ilmu Budaya – KMIB) from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully held a social service event titled “Rabita: Raih Berkah, Bagikan Cinta” (Gain Blessings, Share Love) at the Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA – Child Social Welfare Institution) Omah Ngaji Jogja. This year, the Rabita activity adopted the theme of “Environmental Hygiene” as a form of student concern for the importance of cleanliness and environmental sustainability, while also realizing the spirit of community service.

The event was attended by KMIB members, administrators and fostered children of LKSA Omah Ngaji, as well as students participating in the KMIB Soft Skills class. Their presence added to the spirit of togetherness and strengthened the value of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) throughout the series of activities. The event proceeded with great enthusiasm and cheerfulness, reflecting the collaborative spirit between the students, administrators, and the fostered children of LKSA Omah Ngaji in carrying out social activities.

The series of activities included education on waste sorting, tree planting, and an interactive activity of painting trash bins. Through these activities, KMIB FIB UGM aimed to cultivate awareness of the importance of cleanliness and environmental sustainability from an early age, while creating a fun and memorable learning experience for the children.

Dian Patmisari, the Chief Executive of Rabita, explained that the program not only focused on environmental cleanliness but also instilled humanitarian values, gratitude, and social concern. She stated that Rabita: Gain Blessings, Share Love is a manifestation of gratitude and care from the KMIB extended family towards others, as well as a means to strengthen kinship (silaturahmi) and foster the spirit of Islamic brotherhood (ukhuwah Islamiyah) among students.

More than just a social activity, Rabita served as a platform for FIB UGM students to channel positive energy and strengthen the spirit of community service (one of the Three Pillars of Higher Education – tri dharma perguruan tinggi). Through the theme of “environmental hygiene,” this initiative instilled the awareness that maintaining cleanliness is part of worship and a shared responsibility as the nation’s next generation.

The administrators of LKSA Omah Ngaji Jogja welcomed the implementation of Rabita and appreciated the attention and concern of KMIB FIB UGM for their fostered children. Events like this can provide emotional and educational benefits for the children, as besides fostering environmental awareness, they also instill the value of togetherness and cheerfulness through direct interaction with the students.

The Rabita: Gain Blessings, Share Love activity also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through efforts to create a clean environment, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing environmental education to the fostered children, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through concrete action to maintain cleanliness and green the environment, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through tree planting and natural preservation education, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for The Goals) through collaboration between FIB UGM students and LKSA Omah Ngaji Jogja.

(KMIB FIB UGM, Hilmi Anugerah Alghani)