Yogyakarta, May 18, 2026 – The Arabic Language Education Program of Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and the Arabic Literature Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a study visit at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The activity served as a platform for students from both universities to exchange experiences, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen academic relationships. The event began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, the UGM Hymn, and the Universitas Negeri Jakarta March. A warm atmosphere was created through welcoming remarks delivered by student representatives and program leaders from both institutions.

During the main session, students from UNJ presented an overview of their study program, student activities, and various initiatives that have been implemented within their organization. The presentation was enthusiastically received by UGM students, who then shared insights into the academic environment and organizational activities within the Arabic Literature Program at UGM. This session provided an engaging forum for participants to gain a deeper understanding of each institution’s organizational culture and campus life. The event became even more interactive through a question-and-answer session conducted in a relaxed yet productive atmosphere. Various topics were discussed, ranging from the implementation of student programs to strategies for increasing student participation in both academic and non-academic activities. The exchange of ideas and experiences allowed participants to learn from one another and gain new perspectives on student organization management.

More than just an academic visit, this study visit served as an opportunity to strengthen friendships and foster closer ties between the Arabic Language Education Program of UNJ and the Arabic Literature Program of UGM. It is hoped that this activity will become the starting point for broader and more sustainable collaboration in the future, particularly in the areas of academics, student organizations, and student development.

Author: Indana Zulfa Maulida

A student of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), class of 2023, Pandhita Hapsari, achieved an outstanding accomplishment by securing a place in the Top 10 of the 2026 Prime Minister’s International Malay Speech Competition (PABM), held in Malaysia. The international Malay speech contest brought together participants from various countries, including Burundi, Italy, Russia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several others. The contestants came from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Pandhita’s achievement attracted attention because she comes from a Javanese background rather than a Malay cultural environment. Meanwhile, many other participants were native Malay speakers or originated from regions with strong Malay cultural roots. Despite this, Pandhita successfully competed against international participants and advanced to the Top 10. In the competition, Pandhita delivered a speech on the challenges faced by the Malay language in the modern era. She highlighted the impacts of globalization, the rapid development of digital technology, and the changing communication patterns among younger generations on the sustainability of the Malay language today.

The competition series lasted for one week, from 2 to 9 May 2026. The preliminary round was conducted online approximately one week before the participants’ departure announcement. After arriving in Malaysia on 2 May, participants competed in the quarterfinal round on 4 May, the semifinal round on 6 May, and the final round on 8 May 2026. Although she did not win the championship title, Pandhita expressed gratitude for the valuable experience and opportunities she gained throughout the competition.

“For me, this was not merely a competition, but also an opportunity to learn about culture, language, and to meet people from various countries,” she said. During her stay in Malaysia, Pandhita also experienced the warm hospitality extended by the organizing committee and the local community toward international participants.“We were welcomed very warmly during our time there. This experience has made me appreciate our shared language and culture even more,” she added. Pandhita returned to Indonesia on Saturday, 9 May 2026, after the entire series of activities had concluded. Her achievement of reaching the Top 10 in an international competition is expected to inspire Indonesian students to continue striving for excellence and confidently compete on the global stage.

Author : Pandhita Hapsari

Yogyakarta, April 18, 2026 – Amid the demands of academic life, IKMASA, through its Department of Interests and Talents under the Dur Mufassal Cabinet, organized Fun-Minton as a refreshing activity for students. Held at the Sendowo Sports Hall from 3:30 to 6:00 PM, the event created a warm atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and a strong sense of togetherness.

Fun-Minton was open to all Arabic Literature students, regardless of their badminton skills, including those who simply wished to participate in a casual and enjoyable manner. Participants were welcome to attend directly at the venue in sports attire. Beyond promoting physical activity, this event also served as a platform to strengthen relationships among members and to foster a supportive environment within the Arabic Literature community. The interactions that took place throughout the event contributed to a positive and enjoyable atmosphere.

Through Fun-Minton, students are encouraged to maintain a healthy balance between academic and non-academic activities while also reinforcing a sense of solidarity. This initiative reflects IKMASA’s commitment to providing a productive, healthy, and collaborative space for all its members.

Author: Indana Zulfa Maulida

Five students from the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), recently completed an internship at the Sleman Regency Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The program spanned approximately three months, running from mid-September to the end of November 2025. This initiative provided students with the opportunity to hone both the hard and soft skills essential for their future careers. Their responsibilities were diverse, encompassing administrative management, archiving, public service, and event reporting.

To maximize their learning experience, the students were divided into two sections based on their specific areas of focus. Three students were assigned to the Madrasah Education Section, while the other two were placed in the Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren) Education Section.

This internship offered valuable insights into the operational mechanisms and procedures within government and educational institutions. Furthermore, it allowed the students to bridge the gap between their academic knowledge and real-world practical application.

Author : Sheila Adriani

Shah Alam, 18 December 2025 – Three students from the Arabic Literature program at Universitas Gadjah Mada recorded notable achievements at the Modern Languages Olympiad 3.0, held at Universiti Teknologi MARA UiTM in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The international competition brought together participants from various countries in a series of multilingual contests, with the main events culminating on 18 December 2025.

In the Arabic Poetry Recital category, Pandhita Hapsari, an Arabic Literature student from the 2023 cohort, won first place and also received the award for Best Script. Another student, Muhammad Hayyi’ Rosyada from the 2024 cohort, secured third place in the same category. Meanwhile, Haris Arfakhsyadz Azka Maula, also from the 2024 cohort, achieved second place in the Arabic Champion Orator category and earned a special award for Best Impromptu Speech. Throughout their participation in Malaysia, the students were officially accompanied by Dr. Zurfa Purnamawati, M.Hum., a lecturer in Arabic Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, who supported during the competition.

MLO 3.0 was organized by the Academy of Language Studies at UiTM as a language competition featuring four main categories: Malay, English, Arabic, and Mandarin. The event series began with participant registration on 30 October 2025, followed by video submissions for the preliminary round until 6 November 2025. The judging process took place from 10 to 15 November 2025, with the announcement of preliminary results on 18 November 2025. The face-to-face final round was held on 16 December 2025 and concluded with a closing ceremony the following day.

In its official description, the organizing committee stated that the Poetry Recital category is a multilingual poetry writing and recitation competition that encourages expression in multiple languages while celebrating cultural diversity and unity. The Orator Champion category is described as a multilingual speech competition that facilitates the exchange of ideas across traditions, enriching the cultural value of public speaking.

These achievements reflect the students’ strong academic capacity and competitive language skills at the international level. Active participation in global forums of this kind reinforces the role of language as a bridge for intercultural dialogue and highlights the importance of education development that promotes cross-national collaboration for a more sustainable future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]