Yogyakarta, February 19, 2025 – The Arabic Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture titled Weaving Hopes, Achieving Dreams at the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th floor. The event aimed to ignite the spirit and motivation of students, particularly first-year students.

The lecture featured three inspiring and accomplished speakers: Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., Nuri Anjani, S.S. (UGM Arabic Literature Class of 2019), and Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S. (Class of 2020). Each speaker shared their experiences, insights, and practical tips related to future planning and personal development.

The event opened with a welcoming speech and motivational message from the Head of the Arabic Literature Program, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum. The main session followed with a talk show moderated by Nur Kumalatuz Zahroh, a 2022 Arabic Literature student.

The first speaker, Nuri Anjani, S.S., delivered a presentation titled “Youth Contribution to Humanity and Community Empowerment through NGOs.” She shared her professional journey in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the preparations, challenges, and lessons learned throughout her career.

The second speaker, Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S., presented “Self Exertion to Realize the Plans and Goals,” emphasizing the importance of present-day readiness to face future challenges, along with the steps to becoming a recipient of prestigious scholarships like LPDP.

The third speaker, Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., delivered a talk titled “My Dreams, My Future,” highlighting the significance of having dreams and outlining the essential steps to turn those dreams into reality.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session, presentation of souvenirs to the speakers, documentation, and a prized quiz session enthusiastically participated in by the students. Through this public lecture, the Arabic Literature Program at UGM hopes to equip students with better preparation and direction as they plan for their futures.

[Public Relation of Arabic Literature FIB UGM, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

On Monday 13th of May 2024, the English Literature Program held an alumni talk with Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi had worked as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus since 2016. The year of 2020 was the year of retirement for Drs. M. Wahid Supriyadi as an Indonesian ambassador.

The Career Talk was attended by all students of the UGM English Literature Program batch 2021, 2022, and 2023. The event was opened by the host Aimar Prabhaswara Dzakri, the President of the English Literature Department Student Association (IMAJI) 2023. The event continued with a warm welcome by the Head of the English Literature Program, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A.

This event aims to enhance students’ understanding of careers in politics and diplomacy. The importance of knowing contemporary issues regarding relations between countries is to create an educated society, strengthen universal solidarity, and be aware of the latest global news. In essence, individuals are part of a large group of people in the world. An individual has a role and contribution to the development and peace of the world.

Story after story was told by Pak Wahid to the students. The story starts from his career journey to the tips given by Pak Wahid to students who want to pursue their career path in diplomacy. He shared tips by saying to broaden the understanding of global issues through reading a lot of the latest news, both those happening in Indonesia and those happening in a worldwide scale.

During the question and answer session, Pak Wahid said that not only students of international relations-related study programs have the opportunity to work in foreign institutions/ministries. He said that anyone can pursue a career as a diplomat, both men and women. He also advised the students to avidly read various books and make reading books a hobby. It is no secret that books can help improve critical thinking, one of the elements needed by students and it is essential in the professional world.

The event ended with the awarding of a book written by Mr. Wahid to one of the student participants who actively asked questions during the activity. The title of the book is Diplomasi Ringan dan Lucu Kisah Nyata. After the awarding session, Pak Wahid and the students took selfies together and had a group photo session.

SDGs 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDGs 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

To realize the 8th and 9th commitment points in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), namely Decent Work and Economic Growth as well as Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the Department of History again successfully held an Alumni Menyapa workshop on Thursday, February 15, 2024. On this occasion, the Department of History presented four speakers from Kasagama (Keluarga Alumni Sejarah Universitas Gadjah Mada) at once, namely Lieutenant CAJ M. Ivan Harish, S.Sej., Kenanga Sekar Putri, S.Sej., Hendra Permana, S.Sej., and Dian Eka Fitriani, S.Sej. to share their post-graduation experiences with the prospective graduates of Period II FY 2023/2024.

The first speaker shared his experience of having a career in the military, precisely at Disjarahad (Army Historical Service). The second speaker shared his experience working at MyEduSolve, a company engaged in digital literacy. Meanwhile, the third and fourth interviewees, a husband and wife team, shared their experiences working at Museum Multatuli and ANRI (Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia) respectively.

In general, all four interviewees agreed that the career path for history graduates is wide open. It was also agreed that apart from writing, one of the main strengths possessed by history graduates is data analysis skills. This skill is one of the important indicators required by various fields of work today. However, life after graduation requires careful preparation. The step starts with recognizing one’s potential and preparing various supporting instruments in applying for a job, such as continuing to practice to improve one’s potential and preparing a good LinkedIn and CV (curriculum vitae).

“I summarize a little that what needs to be realized first is what your abilities are. One of the skills that we already have from our history major, and have also been equipped from the Department through internships or apprenticeships is our ability to write. That is the initial grip. So whether we want to be in the Army Historical Service, or start-ups, or ANRI and museums, our strength in writing, analyzing data, assembling periodization, and so on is a provision that turns out to be quite important in the world of work. And overall, thank you to Kasagama and the Department for providing today’s activities which are very helpful for us as fresh graduates,” said Aulia, a History major from 2019.

“The Kasagama alumni gathering conducted by the Department is very helpful for me in the future for the career path that I will choose or live after college. I am very grateful to the Department and the performers who have provided insight or initial knowledge to me about the world of work. And hopefully, in the future the graduates and I get a job or choice of level (red: career) that is following what is desired and the best for each, “said Sada, a student majoring in History class 2019.

Indeed, in recent years the History Department has continued to strive to improve additional skills for its students. Good communication has also been established with Kasagama to motivate, bridge, and increase self-confidence for prospective graduates. This is an effort to realize that the learning process does not stop at graduation. What has been acquired while studying at the Department of History is a provision that if developed can be more dense, contained, and useful because history is a source of inspiration for many things.