Yogyakarta, October 17, 2025 – The Indonesian Culture and Language Learning Service (INCULS), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), has officially opened registration for the Regular Program – Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. This program offers international students the opportunity to explore Indonesia through its language, arts, and traditions, right in Yogyakarta, a city renowned as the cultural and educational heart of the nation.

The program, which will take place from February 16 to June 19, 2026, is designed to provide a learning experience that focuses not only on language skills but also on cultural understanding. Through this initiative, INCULS contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), by providing inclusive access to language and cultural education for learners from around the world.

Students are placed according to their language proficiency levels, ranging from Beginner (A1, A2) to Advanced (C2.1, C2.2). The curriculum covers reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary, delivered through interactive methods that connect classroom learning with real-life communication.

Beyond classroom activities, participants are invited to experience Indonesia more deeply through various cultural enrichment programs, such as Batik workshops, Gamelan (traditional music) classes, and visits to cultural and historical sites around Yogyakarta. Through these cross-cultural experiences, the program also supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by fostering intercultural understanding and strengthening international friendships.

INCULS additionally offers elective courses such as Indonesian Culture, History and Politics, Tourism, and Translation, allowing students to broaden their academic perspectives based on their interests. At the end of the semester, participants will receive an official certificate and academic transcript, which can be transferred to their home universities.

Through collaboration with various international institutions and participation from students across the globe, INCULS also advances SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering cross-cultural learning environments that enhance global understanding of Indonesia while strengthening international academic networks.

Registration for the Regular Program – Even Semester 2025/2026 can be completed online via admission.ugm.ac.id/registration. Further information is available at bit.ly/INCULSHowtoApply and bit.ly/INCULSBrochure

With the spirit of “At INCULS, language meets culture, and learning becomes a journey of discovery,” UGM invites international students to join and explore the richness of Indonesia’s language, culture, and humanity. ✨

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM,  Alma Syahwalani]

Monday, October 6, 2025 – What if development did not have to repeat the same failed models?

This question is the main premise of the book Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia: Alternative Practices from the Grassroots and Social Movements. On Monday, October 6, 2025, the Department of Anthropology held a soft launch of the book Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia: Alternative Practices from the Grassroots and Social Movements. This book is the result of collaboration between a number of researchers who highlight various social, political, and geographical contexts in the Southeast Asian region. Through various field studies and theoretical reflections, this book places alternative development as its main focus, while inviting readers to reimagine the meaning of progress from the perspective of communities that have often been marginalized in mainstream development discourse.

Furthermore, the authors also invite us to question the perspective that limits people’s experiences within the framework of the nation-state. The division of regions such as “Southeast Asia” is in fact inseparable from the excesses of colonialism, which sought to compartmentalize social and cultural spaces into separate entities. Through this lens, Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia not only discusses alternative forms of development, but also how we can reimagine cross-border relationships—both historical and cultural—which are in fact a vital source for the emergence of grassroots development practices.

At the book’s soft launch on Monday, two of its authors, Ananeza P. Aban, PhD Researcher from Ghent University, and Jose Monfred C. Sy, PhD Researcher from the University of Hong Kong, were present to give a brief presentation on the outline of the book and the main topics discussed. Both highlighted how local initiatives and social movements in various Southeast Asian countries can become forms of alternative development that seek to break away from colonial formats and renegotiate power relations in the global context.

This event also provided a space for participants to revisit the concept of development, which has been dominated by global perspectives and mainstream economic policies. Through this launch, the authors hope to open a broader conversation about the future of development in the region, how grassroots experiences can be a source of inspiration for a more inclusive and sustainable direction of development, and encourage researchers to participate in documenting local development practices—especially in Southeast Asia.

[Antropologi Budaya, Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha]

Yogyakarta, 24 September 2025 – The Arabic Student Association (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) warmly welcomed members of the French Student Association (HIPER) from Yogyakarta State University (UNY) during their comparative study visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event aimed to strengthen ties, foster collaboration, and build sustainable relationships between student associations.

The Sanjung program was attended by all representatives of IKMASA UGM’s 2025/2026 management board from various departments, accompanied by IKMASA Chairperson Candra Solihin. Meanwhile, the HIPER UNY delegation consisted of around 60 members, led by HIPER Chairperson Moch Cahya Kurnia.

The event began with opening remarks from both association leaders, followed by presentations of each department’s or division’s work programs. Participants then joined breakout discussion sessions in small groups comprising one to two departments from each association. The program concluded with a photo session held in Room 209 of the Soegondo Building.

This Sanjung activity aligns with the 17th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 17): Partnership for the Goals, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving shared objectives. Through this initiative, IKMASA UGM and HIPER UNY not only strengthened inter-organizational relationships but also contributed to building interdisciplinary academic and cultural networks. Such collaborations are expected to inspire new sustainable ideas, enhance student solidarity, and take a meaningful step toward creating a more inclusive and empowering educational environment.

[Publication Division of IKMASA]

Yogyakarta, October 13, 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, organized a book distribution event for History of Korea to students enrolled in the course Cross-Cultural Understanding Between Korea and Indonesia. The event took place in Room 305, Building F, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, alongside the KAGAMA Korea Scholarship Award Ceremony for the Odd Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.

The History of Korea book, authored by Prof. Yang Seung-yoon, Head of the Special Branch of KAGAMA South Korea, was symbolically presented by the Head of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program. This initiative represents a form of academic support aimed at enhancing the quality of learning and enriching students’ understanding of Korean history and culture.

Through this activity, students are expected to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Korea’s historical development over time. The book also serves as an additional learning resource to support the History of Korea course and to strengthen students’ global literacy in understanding diverse socio-cultural contexts.

Moreover, this activity reflects the ongoing synergy between the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM and KAGAMA Korea in fostering sustainable international academic collaboration. This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing educational quality and promoting cross-national cooperation in alignment with the principles of sustainability.\

[Language and Korean Culture, Eunike Serafia N.S]

Banjarmasin, October 5, 2025 — Three students from the Arabic Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, proudly represented UGM as delegates in the 18th National University Qur’an Recitation Competition (MTQMN XVIII), held at Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.

The delegates were Muhammad Candra Solihin (Arabic Literature, Class of 2023, Contemporary Calligraphy Male category), Pandhita Hapsari (Arabic Literature, Class of 2023, Qur’anic Debate in Arabic), and Hasifa Zara (Arabic Literature, Class of 2024, Qur’anic Debate in Arabic). In addition, Muhammad Shofyyulloh (Cultural Anthropology 2023) as an official, also accompanied the group from UGM.

Before advancing to the national stage, the three students had to undergo a series of rigorous selection processes. These included internal selection at UGM, followed by an online pre-national selection involving hundreds of students from various universities across Indonesia, before finally being chosen as UGM’s official representatives.

The 18th MTQMN brought together around 1,500 students from universities throughout Indonesia, with the competition running over five days. The event featured an opening ceremony, preliminary rounds, final rounds, and a closing ceremony.

This prestigious competition aims to strengthen students’ Qur’anic character, nurturing a generation with noble character, academic excellence, and the ability to contribute to the nation.

UGM provided full support for its delegates, including regular training, academic guidance, and full facilitation of competition needs. Such support reflects the university’s commitment to fostering achievements while upholding UGM’s reputation on the national stage.

The participation of Arabic Literature students in categories such as Qur’anic debate in Arabic highlights the strong relevance between academic learning and competition. It not only sharpens language mastery but also broadens networks and strengthens the tradition of Islamic scholarship on campus.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]