Yogyakarta, 7/5/2025 – Faculty of Ushuludin, Adab, and Humanities of UIN Salatiga made a significant visit to the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The event took place in the Auditorium Margono and was attended by students from various programs, including Quranic Studies, Arabic Literature, and Islamic Theology and Philosophy. The primary aim of this visit was to gain insights into the curriculum and learning methodologies of the Cultural Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies programs at FIB UGM.

The event commenced with an opening ceremony that set a warm and collaborative tone for the day. The opening remarks highlighted the importance of educational partnerships and the role of civil society in fostering academic exchanges. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education and partnerships for the goals.

Following the opening, a representative from UIN Salatiga, Prof. Dr. Mubasirun, M.Ag., delivered a welcoming speech. He emphasized the significance of collaboration between institutions and the sharing of knowledge, which is essential for enhancing educational quality. His remarks resonated with the audience, underscoring the importance of civil society partnerships in achieving educational objectives.

The Faculty of Cultural Studies at UGM was represented by Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., who also provided a welcoming address. He expressed his enthusiasm for the visit and the potential for future collaborations. His speech highlighted the importance of cultural studies in understanding diverse perspectives, which is crucial in today’s globalized world.

The first session of the event focused on Cultural Anthropology, presented by Dr. Elan Lazuardi, M.A. He provided an overview of the program, discussing its curriculum and the methodologies employed in teaching. The session was interactive, with students engaging in a Q&A session, allowing them to delve deeper into the subject matter and clarify their queries.

Following the discussion on Cultural Anthropology, the second session was dedicated to Middle Eastern Studies (KBTT). Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., led this session, providing insights into the unique aspects of the program. The students from UIN Salatiga were particularly interested in the comparative studies and cultural exchanges that the program offers, which are vital for understanding the complexities of the Middle Eastern region.

The event fostered an environment of sharing and learning, with students from both institutions exchanging ideas and experiences. This interaction not only enriched their academic knowledge but also strengthened the bonds between the two faculties, paving the way for future collaborations.

As the event drew to a close, the participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from one another. The closing remarks emphasized the importance of continued partnerships in education, which is essential for achieving the SDGs related to quality education and fostering inclusive and equitable learning opportunities.

In conclusion, the visit of the Faculty of Ushuludin, Adab, and Humanities of UIN Salatiga to FIB UGM was a successful event that highlighted the importance of educational collaboration. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange and reinforced the commitment of both institutions to work together in promoting quality education and cultural understanding.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 24/3/2025 – On Friday, March 21st, 2025, Keluarga Mahasiswa Antropologi (Kemant) UGM went westward to the Faculty of Engineering, to visit the Library of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (DTMI). DTMI has been sending invitations to student bodies all across the university to visit their library, to share what they’ve been developing these past few months: a library that provides a comfortable public space for students. The library sits on the southern part of the department building, right next to the parking lot. The space inside it is moderately big, about twice the size of the Anthropology Reading Room on the fifth floor of Soegondo. In front of the entrance, sits a locker for students to put their bags in.  Next to that is the receptionist table, and next to that are rows of tall bookshelves filled all the way to the top. Books of many different kinds can be found; from the typical engineering books about Autocad and metallurgy, to fictional novels and even some biographies. Beside these bookshelves, many students are sitting in an arrangement of tables – some are doing their homework, some are playing board games, and some are merely socializing with each other. The library has a built-in decibel-meter, used to measure the sound level in the room; it beeps loudly when the sound goes over a certain threshold, a reminder to the students to keep it down. Aside from the main room with shelves and tables, the library also holds two isolated rooms – walled up with glass – to serve as meeting/reading rooms, where students who need more silence can go and sit.

Dhika, a third-year mechanical engineering student serving part-time as the library keeper, explained that this vibrant atmosphere is a relatively new experience. Back then, the DTMI Library was a cramped space that seldom held visitors. With dreams of an easy and accessible public space for students, Dhika and a few friends of his then advocated for the improvement of the library. The space was renovated, lifting up the ceiling and widening the interior. The book collection was expanded to hold more kinds of books, not just limited to engineering guides. Some professors also donated to the library’s collection; not just books, but also board games to enrich the place. Another thing that changed was the opening hours. Whereas back then the library was only open during working hours on Monday to Friday, nowadays the place can be accessed by students from morning until night, seven days a week. With these changes, the library became a gathering place where students can spend their time on campus, facilitated by the existence of myriad books and games in the library. The once-barren place is now filled with student activity, and the whole place became more lively.

After the tour, the Kemant representatives were free to explore the library by themselves. Some read the new book additions that haven’t been sorted into shelves, but most tried to play the board games that are available. While accompanying the excited students, Dhika reiterated the point of this visit: spreading awareness to students from all over UGM about the importance of a common space such as the DTMI Library, and to help realize the dream of a public space for students from all faculties and departments.

[Public Relations of Cultural Anthropology, Amadeus Abhirama Paramanindita]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Prof. Dr. Kodiran, M.A., Professor of Anthropology. He passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 12.45 at the age of 85.

During his lifetime, Prof. Kodiran was known as a friendly, patient figure, and always created a comfortable atmosphere, both in the academic and work environment. His determination and dedication in developing the scientific field of anthropology became a role model for colleagues and students.

Born in Semarang, Central Java, on August 15, 1939, Prof. Kodiran began his career as an educator at Gadjah Mada University in 1967. In 1999, he obtained the title of Professor, which was then officially confirmed at the University Open Meeting on June 3, 2000. During his service, he received the 25-Year Loyalty Award from UGM in 1992, as a form of appreciation for his outstanding dedication and contribution.

The departure of Prof. Dr. Kodiran left a deep sorrow for the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, especially the Anthropology Study Program, which greatly lost a diligent scientist and a persistent educator. May the deceased get the best place by His side and the entire family left behind be given strength and fortitude.

Yogyakarta, 28 October 2024 – The Department of Anthropology of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a seminar entitled “Refugee Protection in Indonesia and Beyond” on Monday, 28 October 2024. Located in the Multimedia Room, Margono Building 2nd floor, the seminar attracted participants from various backgrounds, including students, academics, and legal practitioners.

The event, which took place from 13.30 to 16.00 WIB, presented a number of expert speakers who discussed various aspects of refugee protection, both in Indonesia and in a global context. Here are some of the topics presented by the speakers:

1. Prof. Martin Jones from the University of York, UK, presented material on “Moving Beyond Protection Space”. He highlighted the need for innovative approaches in moving beyond the boundaries of protection space for refugees amid global policy challenges.
2. Fitria, S.H., M.R., Ph.D. from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, presented the topic “Legal Pluralism and Refugee Protection in Aceh”. In her presentation, Fitria explained the legal complexities faced by refugees in Aceh and the importance of legal pluralism in ensuring more inclusive protection.
3. Dr. Elan Lazuardi from Universitas Gadjah Mada explored the health challenges for refugees in Jakarta and surrounding areas in the topic “Unregulated Health Protection for Refugees”. He argued that health protection is still an issue that needs to be better regulated in national policy.
4. Dr. Realisa Masardi also from Gadjah Mada University, provided additional perspectives on refugees in Indonesia.

The seminar was welcomed enthusiastically by the participants, who had the opportunity to explore refugee protection issues through direct discussions with experts. Participants appreciated the importance of this seminar in providing a new understanding of the dynamics and challenges faced by refugees in Indonesia and the world. With the success of this event, the Department of Anthropology UGM is expected to continue to be a forum for critical discussions on crucial humanitarian issues at the national and international levels.

Bachelor student of Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Ida Ayu Purnama Novanka Larasati, who is familiarly called Dayu, recently recorded a brilliant achievement in the world of acting. Dayu won 2nd place in the Playwriting Competition at the 2024 National Student Arts Week (PEKSIMINAS) held at Jakarta State University on September 4, 2024. The event lasted for one week, from September 2-7, and was attended by participants from 24 provinces, including West Java, West Sumatra, Maluku, and Kalimantan.

As a student who is active in arts activities, Dayu has been involved in theater since high school grade 1. Currently, she is also active in Teater Gadjah Mada as Coordinator of Human Resource Development, where her duties include developing members’ skills and managing external and internal projects. In her role, she and her team have successfully organized external projects with Pionir UGM 2024 and Gelanggang Expo 2024, as well as participated in events such as “Agustusan with TGM” and PEKSIMIDA DIY 2024.

Her extensive experience in theater, from directing, to writing, to backstage, has strengthened her skills in leadership and teamwork, which is evident in the various projects she has managed. Her win at PEKSIMINAS adds to her list of prestigious achievements in the field of literary and acting arts. With this achievement, she became one of the outstanding students of the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Gadjah Mada.