The Faculty of Cultural Sciences Gadjah Mada University (FIB UGM) hosted an educational visit from SMA 1 Banyudono on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium, FIB UGM. The event was attended by 83 students, accompanied by their teachers, as part of an effort to introduce students to the world of higher education.

The visit aimed to provide insight into higher education, particularly the various degree programs available at FIB UGM. During the presentation session, participants received information about the faculty’s profile, academic strengths, the new student admission process, and career prospects for graduates of the various degree programs offered by FIB.

In addition to learning about the degree programs, the students also gained an overview of the various learning support facilities available on the FIB UGM campus. These facilities include lecture halls, a library, language labs, and various resources that support the development of students’ competencies in both academic and non-academic fields.

This event also introduced student life at FIB UGM through presentations on student organizations, Badan Semi Otonom (BSO), and various programs that students can participate in. Through these sessions, participants were encouraged to understand the importance of developing their interests, talents, and leadership skills while pursuing higher education.

Through this visit, it is hoped that students from SMA 1 Banyudono will gain a more comprehensive understanding of the college environment and the opportunities for personal development available at FIB UGM. This event also serves as a means to strengthen the relationship between the FIB UGM, and high schools in support of improving access to information on higher education for the younger generation.

[Humas FIB UGM, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa] 

The Faculty of Cultural Studies at Gadjah Mada University conducted an in-person on-site evaluation for the accreditation of Program Studi Magister Kajian Budaya Timur Tengah (MKBTT), organized by the Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi (BAN-PT), on Friday, June 12 2026. The event was attended by the BAN-PT Assessment Team, the University’s Quality and Reputation Assurance Unit, the Dean and Vice Deans of the Faculty of Cultural Studies, the Chair of the Intercultural Studies Department, the Secretary of the Intercultural Studies Department, the Chair of the MKBTT Program, the MKBTT Program Accreditation Team, the Faculty of Cultural Studieses academic staff, and the program administrators.

Held in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building, the series of events was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si. He welcomed the BAN-PT Assessment Team to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences via an online broadcast. “We welcome you with open arms, and we also welcome all feedback and suggestions for future improvements,” he said.

The Head of the UGM Quality and Reputation Assurance Unit, Prof. Dr. Indra Wijaya Kusuma, M.B.A., also expressed his hope that all study programs at UGM, particularly those in the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), would achieve “excellent” accreditation. “I am confident that the study programs at the Faculty of Cultural Studies already meet UGM’s standards and have fully implemented their Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI), so hopefully this will help ensure the completeness of data and other requirements needed for accreditation,” he said.

The event continued with opening remarks and guidance from BAN-PT assessor Dr. H. Adi Suryadi, M.A. He explained that the vision serving as the foundation for assessing quality is realized through the Tri Dharma. It is hoped that this has been effectively implemented through the governance framework already in place at the Faculty of Cultural Studies.

According to guidance from assessor Deasy Silvya Sari, Dr. S.IP., M.Si., the assessment process will be divided into two sessions: a qualitative assessment and a quantitative assessment. The facility tour will take place in the afternoon. “We hope the process will go smoothly,” she concluded.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

Yogyakarta, June 19, 2026 – 8,178 students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) were officially deployed to participate in the 2026 Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) Period II. The deployment ceremony, held at the Lapangan Pancasila UGM, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, Faisol Riza, who is also an alumnus of the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences and a member of the UGM Alumni Association (KAGAMA).

In his remarks, Faisol Riza encouraged the thousands of students who will carry out community service across various regions of Indonesia. He emphasized that KKN is not merely an academic requirement, but also an opportunity to cultivate a strong sense of nationalism through direct engagement with local communities.

According to him, a spirit of nationalism and confidence in carrying out every stage of community service will serve as valuable assets for students, both in successfully completing the KKN program and in finishing their higher education. He also encouraged students to make the most of their field experience as a means of understanding community needs while developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

The UGM students will undertake the KKN program for 50 days, from June 20 to August 8, 2026. They will be assigned to 32 provinces across Indonesia, including frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions, where they will implement various community empowerment programs tailored to local needs.

On the same occasion, UGM Rector Ova Emilia stated that KKN serves as a learning platform that enables students to apply their academic knowledge while making meaningful contributions to Indonesian society. She also reminded all participants to prioritize their health and safety and to uphold the good reputation of their alma mater throughout the program.

Through the deployment of the 2026 KKN-PPM Period II participants, UGM hopes its students will become agents of change who provide meaningful solutions to community challenges while strengthening the values of service, social responsibility, and national spirit, as emphasized by Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza.

Author: Alma Syahwalani

Photo: @UGM.Yogyakarta

The American Studies Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is currently preparing for the 2nd American Studies International Conference (ASIC), which will be held on September 10-11, 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

This international conference marks the second implementation of ASIC after the first conference was successfully conducted in 2018. After several years of hiatus, ASIC returns as an academic forum that brings together researchers, lecturers, students, and practitioners from various fields of study.

ASIC 2026 carries the theme “Global America: Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges.” The theme highlights the dynamics of America in a global context, particularly related to cultural exchange, migration, territorial borders, digital media, and various other transnational issues.

The organizing committee stated that the conference is expected to become a platform for academic discussion that encourages interdisciplinary and international collaboration. In addition, ASIC 2026 is also part of the effort to strengthen the position of American Studies in Indonesia in responding to contemporary global issues.

Various subthemes will be discussed during the conference, including:

• American Literature
• American Transnational Culture
• Politics in the US
• Film and Media Studies
• Religion in the US
• Environmental and Ecological Issues in the US
• Diaspora in the US
• American Border
• Digital Lives and Virtual Realities
• Migration to and from the US

Currently, the committee continues to finalize various preparations, ranging from academic coordination and conference publication to the opening of the call for papers for both national and international participants. ASIC 2026 is also supported by several institutions and communities, including American Studies Students and Alumni Association (ASSAA), American Studies Society of Indonesia (ASSINDO), Jogja Film Academy, PTA Sinematik Indonesia, and CARITRA Indonesia.

Previously, the first ASIC conference in 2018 brought together academics and researchers to discuss globalization and cultural identity issues within the perspective of American Studies. Through its second implementation, ASIC 2026 is expected to once again become a space for academic exchange that remains relevant to current global developments. 

Further information regarding ASIC 2026 can be accessed through the official ASIC website at asic.fib.ugm.ac.id

[American Studies]

Yogyakarta, 14 November 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to developing an environmentally responsible campus by organizing a Workshop on Waste Management and Recycling at the Multimedia Room, RM Margono Building. The program forms part of the UGM Sustainability Campus Action FIB 2025 initiative and serves as a concrete effort to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

In her opening remarks, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FIB UGM, Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., Ph.D., emphasized the essential role of the academic community in maintaining environmental sustainability. She noted that an eco-conscious culture can only be achieved through shared awareness and collective participation across all campus components. The workshop thus served as both a discussion forum and a practical training platform to build new perspectives and habits in waste management, especially for administrative staff, cleaning personnel, the landscaping team, and representatives of LEM FIB UGM, all of whom participated enthusiastically.

The main session featured Prof. Ir. Wiratni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM., an environmental engineering expert who presented the fundamental concepts of waste management based on the 3R principles—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. During her presentation, Prof. Wiratni elaborated on the importance of separating organic and inorganic waste, simple recycling techniques applicable in office settings, and case studies of waste management implementation in other campuses. She also highlighted the challenges UGM continues to face in reducing waste production and outlined practical strategies that each work unit can adopt to contribute to long-term solutions.

The event continued with an interactive discussion session between the audience and the speaker. Student participants conveyed their evaluations and aspirations regarding improved facilities to foster a cleaner faculty environment and strengthen discipline in waste sorting. Meanwhile, representatives from the cleaning team shared various ongoing efforts in handling inorganic waste such as leaves and food remnants. “Food waste has thankfully been managed by turning it into animal feed. As for fallen leaves, some are discarded, shredded, and processed into compost,” explained one of the FIB cleaning staff members. The dialogue remained lively as participants exchanged insights on waste management practices currently implemented across UGM, particularly within FIB.

The workshop produced several positive outcomes, including improved staff understanding of waste categories and management methods, as well as stronger collective awareness of the urgency of waste reduction on campus. Several work units also expressed their commitment to implementing continuous waste sorting practices. As a follow-up, FIB UGM plans to provide additional waste-sorting facilities around the faculty and conduct regular monitoring led by the FIB Sustainability Team. These steps align with the faculty’s long-term efforts to support UGM’s green campus goals in accordance with the SDGs.

Through this initiative, FIB UGM hopes that all staff and students can become agents of change in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resource-efficient academic environment. The workshop reinforces FIB UGM’s dedication to advancing a culture of sustainability and strengthening its contribution to global sustainable development goals, positioning the campus as a real-world model of environmentally friendly practices for the broader community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]