Yogyakarta, August 6, 2026 — As part of the PIONIR Kampung Budaya program, new students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in a study program orientation session on August 6, 2026. The session provided an opportunity for new students to become more familiar with the academic environment that will be part of their educational journey in the Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

During the session, students were introduced to the study program’s profile, various academic and non-academic activities within the study program, as well as the faculty members who will support them throughout their studies. Students were also introduced to the new curriculum, which will be implemented for the 2026 cohort.

The curriculum revision is part of the study program’s ongoing evaluation and development, taking into consideration various inputs, including feedback from students and alumni. Through this revision, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program seeks to provide more diverse learning opportunities while giving students greater flexibility to develop competencies according to their interests and areas of specialization.

One of the major changes in the 2026 curriculum is the addition of courses and the introduction of three areas of specialization: Linguistics, Literature, and Culture. Students have the opportunity to select two areas of specialization according to the curriculum track they pursue. This structure allows students to develop a more focused academic interest while broadening their understanding of Korean Studies from different perspectives.

In addition to changes in the course structure, the 2026 curriculum also implements the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 3 and Type 7, in accordance with Article 13D of UGM Rector’s Regulation Number 19 of 2025. Unlike the previous curriculum, which only implemented Type 7, the new curriculum provides alternative pathways for specialization, allowing students greater flexibility in determining their academic direction.

Under the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 7, students may pursue one area of specialization, with the following structure:

1. University curriculum courses: 23 credits;
2. Faculty curriculum courses: 4 credits;
3. Core study program curriculum courses: 90 credits;
4. Study program specialization courses: 15 credits; and
5. Elective courses: 15 credits.

Meanwhile, the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 3 allows students to pursue two areas of specialization. This curriculum consists of:

1. University curriculum courses: 23 credits;
2. Faculty curriculum courses: 4 credits;
3. Core study program curriculum courses: 90 credits; and
4. Two groups of study program specialization courses, each consisting of 15 credits.

The introduction of the new curriculum during the study program orientation is expected to help new students understand the academic options available to them from the beginning of their studies. With a more diverse and flexible learning structure, students will not only gain a strong foundation in the Korean language and culture but will also have opportunities to develop expertise according to their individual interests.

Through the 2026 curriculum, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program continues to develop an adaptive learning environment that responds to students’ needs and developments in the field, while strengthening connections with academic partners at the international level. This curriculum enhancement is expected to provide a strong foundation for students to develop academic competencies, intercultural perspectives, and readiness to pursue diverse opportunities at both national and global levels.

Author: (Aura Adiba W.L/Eunike Serafia N.S)

Yogyakarta, October 19, 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again served as the venue for the 102nd Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). The event, held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, was attended by 219 participants for TOPIK I and 203 participants for TOPIK II. As an internationally recognized language proficiency test, TOPIK serves as an important instrument for learners of the Korean language to assess their mastery and readiness to pursue further studies or careers in Korean-speaking environments.

As part of its commitment to supporting student development, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, provided registration fee support for students who took part in the test. This year, 41 students received Rp100,000 each. This support, offered annually, reflects the program’s ongoing effort to help students continuously sharpen their language proficiency through internationally certified examinations. The initiative is also expected to motivate students to further enhance their academic and professional competencies while strengthening their readiness to face various challenges and opportunities in the world of work.

Through the implementation of TOPIK on campus, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program not only facilitates students in assessing their Korean language proficiency but also seeks to strengthen graduates’ preparedness for the workforce and broaden their opportunities to contribute on a global scale. This initiative represents the program’s continuous commitment to fostering a high-quality and competitive learning environment that remains relevant to global developments.

Photo: Pixabay

Author: Eunike Serafia N.S

Jakarta, 23/5/2025 – Two students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully secured 2nd Place at the National Korean Debate Competition for Indonesian University Students. The competition was held at Auditorium 1, CGV FX Sudirman, Jakarta, on Friday, May 23, 2025. This semifinal-final round was participated by selected students from various universities, including two representatives from UGM’s Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

Unlike typical debate formats, participants in this competition were not informed of the motion or their teammates until the day of the event, as all team assignments and debate positions were determined randomly on-site. In the semifinal round, teams were divided into 3 vs 3 format with the motion, “학생의 편리를 위해 대학교 도서관이 24시간 운영을 해야 된다” (“For the convenience of students, university libraries should operate 24 hours a day”). The two UGM representatives, Adzini and Melinda, were randomly placed on the same team and successfully advanced to the final round. Once again, in the final round, they found themselves on the same team. The final round continued with the motion, “소셜미디어 상에서의 익명성은 긍정적인 영향보다는 부정적인 영향을 더 많이 초래한다” (“Anonymity on social media brings more negative impacts than positive ones”).

The competition concluded with comments from the judges, a dance cover performance, and an awarding session. In this event, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani and Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program successfully won 2nd Place in the team category.

In a separate interview, Melinda shared her experience, “Before the competition started, so many thoughts ran through my mind, especially because we were carrying the name of UGM and our study program, which had supported our journey to Jakarta. However, by the grace of God, we managed to deliver a result by winning 2nd place. Although it was not the best result, it was achieved through our utmost efforts. This competition has become an unforgettable part of my life.”

Meanwhile, Adzini also shared her story and the challenges she faced during the competition. “I used to be someone who was afraid to speak up, even just to express my opinion. But now, being able to participate in a debate competition and win 2nd place is a proud achievement for me. I believe that the biggest challenge in a competition doesn’t come from your opponents, but from within yourself. During this competition, I doubted myself many times — could I really do this? Especially when carrying the name of my university and study program. But amidst the doubt, I remembered words from a sunbae: ‘Winning is a bonus. What matters is that we finish what we’ve started.’ Whatever the result, I’m grateful because this is the outcome of my best efforts. Eventually, through this experience, I’ve been able to grow again. And finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me to stand here. All of this is thanks to everyone’s support~!!”

(Sherina Azmi)

Yogyakarta, May 18, 2025 — Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again achieved outstanding success at the King Sejong Institute (KSI) Yogyakarta 2025 Speech and Writing Competition. The event was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and was attended by active KSI students, KSI alumni, as well as students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

In this competition, two students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program succeeded in achieving remarkable accomplishments. Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani won 1st Place in the Writing category, while Adhyva Kaana Taqqiyaa won 3rd Place in the Speaking category. These achievements reflect the students’ comprehensive Korean language skills, both oral and written, and demonstrate the results of continuous learning within the study program.

One of the winners, Adzini, shared her enthusiasm for participating in the competition. “Since the beginning, I had been looking forward to KSI’s competition, so when the opportunity came, I immediately joined both the writing and speaking contests. I personally feel more confident in writing because it is my hobby, especially as the theme was about ‘dreams,’ which felt very close to me. The words just flowed naturally, as if I was writing in my diary. In my piece, I portrayed dreams through the metaphor ‘마음속에 있는 불빛이’ (the light inside the heart) with an emotional nuance to give it more depth. I’m so happy that my message was delivered and I was selected as the 1st place winner. This competition has been a valuable experience to test my abilities. I hope KSI continues to hold such events, and that more participants will join in the future. Thank you! KSI Yogyakarta 화이팅!”

Meanwhile, Adhyva, who participated in the speaking category, also shared her experience. “처음으로 참가한 대회라 정말 떨리기도 하고 설레기도 했어요. 전체적으로 너무 즐거웠고, 한국어문화학과 학생으로서 정말 값진 경험이었어요.” (“This was the first competition I’ve participated in, so I felt both nervous and excited. Overall, it was very enjoyable, and as a student of the Korean Language and Culture Program, it was truly a valuable experience.”)

The students’ participation in this event not only serves as a platform for developing Korean language proficiency but also contributes to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strengthening inter-institutional collaboration and enhancing the quality of globally-oriented education

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Sherina Azmi]

Yogyakarta, May 16, 2025 — Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), once again demonstrated their active participation at the national level. On Friday (5/16), six students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM took part in the Preliminary Round of the National Korean Debate Competition organized by KCCI. The preliminary round was conducted online via the Zoom platform.

This competition was joined by 12 participants from various universities across Indonesia who had previously passed a selection interview. The participants were then divided into two groups, each consisting of six individuals. In addition to their Korean language proficiency, the competition also tested participants’ critical thinking skills and their ability to deliver arguments effectively before the judges.

The UGM students who participated in this event were Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani, Alma Naya Kamila, Sabrina Zalfaa Arisanti, Mulya Ghefira Azzahra, and Layla Maryam Al-Muqaddas. Their participation became a valuable opportunity to sharpen their Korean language skills and broaden their academic horizons.

In separate interviews, the participants shared their impressions and messages regarding the competition.

“I’ve always wanted to try new things, but there’s always a lot to worry about. I was afraid, afraid of failing. But it’s okay to fail, right? So I gave it a try. I’m very grateful for making it to the semi-final; no matter what the result will be, I’m already thankful. However, it’s unfortunate that some of my friends from UGM didn’t make it. Meeting amazing people and gaining new experiences is such a wonderful thing. 모든 것이 새로우면 설레게 만든대요. 그리고 그것이 맞다고 생각해요^^.” — Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum

“I joined this competition with strong determination to challenge myself. Even though the team assignment was random, I was actually glad to meet new friends and exchange experiences and knowledge. I learned a lot during the preparation for the preliminary round, and I believe that thanks to our teamwork and cohesion, our team was able to win. It’s a bit funny that we will have to compete against each other later, but that’s what competition is. Finishing one round doesn’t mean I can relax right away because the semi-final and final are still ahead. I’m also a bit sad that not all UGM teams can go together to Jakarta, but I will do my best to represent them and the department. 마지막으로, 여기까지 함께했던 친구들 모두 정말 수고했고 멋졌어! 다음에 또 다른 대회 있으면 우리 꼭 다시 도전해보자!!”  — Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani

“I’ve never even debated in Indonesian before, so I was extremely nervous participating in this. Even though I didn’t make it to the semi-finals, the experience was truly priceless!” — Alma Naya Kamila

“At first, I joined just to challenge my courage, even though I was scared and worried because I had to compete against fellow UGM friends. But thanks to that, I got to meet new people and quickly became close with them even though we had never met before. This competition will definitely be an unforgettable experience. Thanks to all members of 태양팀 and good luck to my UGM friends who advanced!”  — Sabrina Zalfaa Arisanti

“Initially, I didn’t plan to join this competition because I felt scared and lacked confidence. But eventually, I challenged myself to at least try once. Having randomly assigned team members was a challenge in itself due to distance and each person’s busy schedule. On the competition day, the event went smoothly despite being held online. Interestingly, most of the opposing teams were friends I already knew. Even though our team didn’t make it to the semi-finals, we finished the competition feeling relieved and cheerful. It was a meaningful and memorable experience.” — Mulya Ghefira Azzahra

“When my friend invited me to join this debate competition, I was quite hesitant at first due to my lack of confidence. But with the support of my friends, I gathered the courage to participate. The training process was very enjoyable because I got to meet many amazing new people. Although I didn’t manage to advance, I’m glad I dared to take part in this competition. It was a very valuable experience for me. ⊂⁠(⁠(⁠・⁠▽⁠・⁠)⁠)⁠⊃” — Layla Maryam Al-Muqaddas

Through participation in this competition, it is hoped that UGM’s Korean Language and Culture students will be further motivated to continue developing their Korean language skills and build confidence in facing various challenges in the future.

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Nisa Khairuna S./Sherina Azmi]