Yogyakarta, June 15, 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an inspiring talkshow titled “From Language Major to the Professional World” featuring alumni from the class of 2010. This event was part of the learning series for the course Comprehensive Korean II, aimed at providing students with insight and motivation regarding various career opportunities after graduation.

The 90-minute talkshow featured three alumni who have built careers across different professional sectors. Angela Pehulisa Meliala, currently serving as Head of the Analysis Division for the Indonesia and Vietnam regions at PT Mitra Aktif Adiperkasa, Tbk., shared her career journey that began through a management trainee program. She highlighted the importance of communication skills and critical thinking as essential competencies in the workplace.

The second speaker, Rachmat Aditya Hutama, is now a public servant in the Government of Victoria, Australia. He spoke about how the networks he developed during his studies at UGM—both within and beyond the Korean language field—greatly influenced his career path. Adit also shared tips on accessing essential career-related information, including Working Holiday Visa (WHV) registration, which became the starting point of his international career.

The third speaker, Sukmawati Nur Salamah, currently a civil servant lecturer in the Tourism Program at Universitas Brawijaya, emphasized the need to develop both hard and soft skills beyond language proficiency. She reminded students that there are no shortcuts to success, and that achieving one’s goals requires dedication and effort.

The talkshow was moderated by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., the course instructor. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of such forums to foster synergy between academia and the professional world. “Talkshows like this are important to broaden students’ perspectives. In the future, we hope to hold similar events regularly, in addition to organizing industry visits,” she stated.

Student enthusiasm for the event was notably high, with many sharing their impressions in the class group chat.

“We gained so many new insights and valuable lessons from this talkshow. It gave us a better idea of what to expect in the professional world, along with helpful career preparation tips. 감사합니다^^”

“Thank you so much for providing us with this opportunity to learn from insightful speakers. I’m so glad I joined!”

“This talkshow truly broadened our horizons. We feel fortunate to have participated in this class and to have gained so much knowledge and experience. 감사합니다! ”

Through this event, students of the Korean Language and Culture Program are expected to become more prepared and confident in navigating the professional world, equipped with both academic knowledge and relevant skills.

[Author: Alfiana]

Yogyakarta, 31/05/2025 – Another proud achievement came from mahadaya (students of Cultural Sciences). Nurcholish Ramadhan, a 2024 student from the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, successfully directed the production of a theater performance entitled Sat-Set. The show was performed by Teater Berdaya in Prabusena (Cultural, Art, and Islamic Appreciation Stage of PD IPM Bantul) 2025 on Saturday night, May 31, 2025 at 20.00 WIB, at the 1st Floor Hall of the Da’wah Building of PDM Bantul.

Sat-Set Theater tells the story of the love journey of Fikar, a 28-year-old man, the son of a panewu (sub-district head), who falls in love with Alya – the daughter of his late father’s best friend. An accidental meeting in the square is the beginning of Fikar’s love story. After some research, Fikar learns that Alya is the daughter of Paklik Pram, his father’s old friend. They stay close for a month, but Fikar never proposes. To provoke Fikar’s sincerity, Paklik Pram created the rumor that Alya would be married off. The plan worked. Although Fikar initially only expressed his feelings in front of Paklik and Bulik Pram, he finally received their blessing. Later, Fikar went to the park where he often visited with Alya. There they meet again after not seeing each other for several days. Finally, Fikar expresses his love and immediately asks Alya to marry him.

The uniqueness of Sat-Set theater lies in its source of inspiration. Nurcholish Ramadhan said that Sat-Set was inspired by Serat Riyanta, a Javanese literary work written by R. B. Soelardi in 1918. In an online interview conducted on June 12, 2025, Nurcholish explained that his interest in the fiber began with a course assignment. “After I read Serat Riyanta from beginning to end, I was interested and liked the story, so I had an idea to translate it into a performance,” he explained.

The production process of the performance was not free from challenges. Nurcholish mentioned that the limited duration required him to summarize the narrative of Serat Riyanta effectively, without losing the essence of the story. In addition, funding constraints were also an obstacle. Nevertheless, he was grateful that the performance could run optimally.

“Through this performance, I learned to go deeper into the work that was referred to when it was adapted into a theater script. Then, I feel happy to be able to accommodate the potential and talents of my fellow Muhammadiyah students in the arts,” he said.

Sat-Set Theater is a tangible form of nguri-uri ‘preserving’ and ngurip-urip ‘enlivening’ regional arts, literature, and culture. Past literary works hold a wealth of historical values, knowledge, moral and didactic teachings, and interesting stories to be revived. Through the excavation, preservation and utilization of these cultural treasures, the community not only benefits sustainably, but also builds a sense of pride in the nation’s noble identity. As Nurcholish said at the end of the interview. “A history and culture will always be preserved when there are people who want to nyinau (learn) and adum ilmu (share knowledge),” he concluded.

[Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, May 22, 2025 — The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program (BKJ) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) welcomed a visit from SMP Montessori on Thursday (22/5), held in Meeting Room 1 of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM.

This visit was part of an early introduction to higher education for junior high school students, particularly focusing on Japanese language and culture. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Head of the BKJ Study Program, Mr. Tatang Sumarsono, M.Hum., who expressed appreciation for the students’ interest in exploring cultural studies more deeply.

In her remarks, Ms. Rengganis Istikasari, representing SMP Montessori, explained that the visit marked the school’s initial effort to introduce students to the humanities faculty, after previously focusing more on visits to faculties in the exact sciences. “We want our students to understand what university life is like, both in terms of environment and academic substance,” she stated.

The event continued with a presentation on the vision and mission of the BKJ Study Program by Mr. Roby Winarso, M.Hum., followed by thematic lectures delivered by BKJ lecturers:

• Ms. Tuti Widiastuti, M.Hum. presented a session on Moral Education (Doutoku) in Japan, which is part of the compulsory curriculum at the elementary and junior high school levels. The session emphasized the development of students’ character through values such as sincerity, responsibility, simplicity, and self-control.

• Mr. Najih Fawaid, M.Hum. discussed the importance of aisatsu (greeting expressions) in Japanese society, which reflect politeness and social order. Expressions such as ohayou gozaimasu, konnichiwa, and yoroshiku onegaishimasu were highlighted as vital components of Japanese communication etiquette.

• Mr. Moeljadi, M.Hum. introduced the concept of omotenashi, a Japanese philosophy of service that emphasizes sincerity, attention to detail, and creating the best possible experience for others without expecting anything in return.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A segment. Aya, one of the students, asked an interesting question about ramen dining etiquette, which was enthusiastically addressed by the lecturers. The activity provided students with a direct experience of Japanese culture, not only in theory but also through interactive discussion with academic professionals.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, March 25, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held a coordination meeting to follow up on the results of the student mental health survey on Tuesday (25/3) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Soegondo Room 709. The meeting featured speakers from the UGM Mental Health Team, who discussed the next steps based on the results of the initial mental health screening previously conducted.

During the meeting, the UGM Mental Health Team conveyed that, based on the initial screening results, students categorized as having severe mental health concerns would be invited to participate in a follow-up mental health screening. This next stage aims to verify the need for psychological support and provide recommendations for appropriate mental health services tailored to each student’s condition.

The follow-up screening is conducted voluntarily and individually through a short interview with a psychologist at the Psychological Consultation Unit, Faculty of Psychology UGM. Students who agree to participate will be scheduled for a consultation session according to their availability. The entire follow-up screening process is free of charge.

Through this initiative, FIB UGM and the UGM Mental Health Task Force demonstrate their commitment to fostering a healthy, supportive, and inclusive academic environment for all students. This effort aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which emphasizes the importance of mental health as an integral part of overall well-being.

By continuing this program, FIB UGM hopes to raise awareness of mental health issues among students and build a campus culture that is more caring and responsive to the psychological well-being of the academic community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Jakarta – Muhammad Ghazi Al Ghifari and Amalia Faradilla, students of The Arabic Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, are participating in an internship program at the Directorate of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta. Students are assigned to the administrative subdivision under the guidance of Fehmi Kurnia, S.E., M.Tr.A.P., and Iqbal Fadli Muhammad, S.E.I., M.Si. The internship program, which runs from August 26, 2024, to November 29, 2024, aims to provide practical experience in managing zakat and waqf as part of Islamic philanthropy.

During the internship, students are involved in various activities, including analyzing data from the National Zakat Management Report (LPZN) 2022–2024, processing data on zakat collection and distribution, creating an amil (zakat administrator) data matrix, compiling and editing books, editing videos, and preparing presentation slides on zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and other religious social funds (ZIS-DSKL). They also have the opportunity to participate in official external activities, visit the National Amil Zakat Agency and Amil Zakat Institutions, attend the World Zakat and Wakf Forum 2024, and the inauguration of Firdaus Memorial Park.

Through this internship program, students gain a deeper understanding of zakat and waqf management as well as the relevant regulations. With the knowledge and experience they acquire, they are expected to contribute to improving the welfare of the community through Islamic philanthropy.

[S1 Sastra Arab, Amalia Faradilla]