October 8, 2026 — As the winners of the 2026 K-speech jingle singing contest, UGM students were granted the honor of being the opening act for the competition. This performance is showcased in a video accessible on the K-speech Association’s official YouTube channel, K-speech TV.

For this year’s competition, the UGM team represented Indonesia in the K-speech choral category, while Pramesti Rifna Saputri, a UGM alumna from the class of 2015, represented the country in the individual category. The contest was held on October 8, 2026, at the King Sejong Royal Tomb complex in Yeoju City.

UGM successfully brought home the Best Excellent Award (최우수상) in the group category, presented by the Overseas Koreans Agency (재외동포청). Meanwhile, in the individual category, Pramesti also won the Best Excellent Award, awarded by the Governor of Gyeonggi Province (경기도지사). The highest honor in the foreigner individual category, the Foreigner Grand Prize (외국인 대상) from the Prime Minister (국무총리), was awarded to Maissane Aboubaker Hassan from Djibouti.

Author: Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi

October 7, 2026 — The 1st K-Speech Eloquence Academic Seminar was held at the King Sejong Royal Tomb complex in Yeoju City. This seminar marks a new chapter in the 30-year history of the K-speech contest.

During the seminar, Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., a lecturer from the Korean Language and Culture study program, was invited as a presenter. This was a rare privilege, considering it was the inaugural seminar featuring only four presenters and three panelists. The four presenters included Prof. Jae Hoon Jung from The University of Queensland, Prof. Choi Yonggi from Konkuk University, Dr. Lee Hyeong Sam, and Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Meanwhile, Prof. Moon Heejin, Prof. Bae Yoongyung, and Prof. Seo Gyuwon attended as panelists.

The UGM lecturer was specially invited to present her classroom research on the implementation of K-speech exercises in the Speaking and Listening 3 course. The research explores the effect of self-efficacy and perceived impact on K-Speech final exam results within the Korean Language and Culture study program. Integrating K-speech training materials into a Speaking course had never been done before. Consequently, the association recognized this initiative as a major innovation that could be developed into a model for overseas K-speech education.

The integration of K-speech practices and structuring the final semester exam after the K-speech contest model at UGM was initially designed to introduce students to the K-speech oratory competition system. The goal was to spark student interest in participating in the K-speech oratory contest in Jakarta. Compared to 2023, the number of UGM participants has drastically increased from just 3 to around 30 students today.

For the lecturer, the event offered a novel experience, as there had never been an academic seminar dedicated to K-speech before. Moving forward, it is hoped that incorporating K-speech into the curriculum will continue, even if the instructors change, and that UGM students will consistently deliver their best performances to win future competitions.

Author: Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi

The Department of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a visiting lecture titled “Empowering Whom, Changing What? Politics, Rights, and the Challenges of Coastal, Fisherfolk, and Island Community Empowerment in Indonesia.” The event took place on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 09:00 to 11:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) at the 3rd Floor Auditorium of the Poerbatjaraka Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM.

The guest lecture featured Dr. Dedi Supriadi Adhuri, a researcher from the Research Center for Society and Culture at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Semarang, as the speaker. Open to the general public, the event was attended by students, lecturers, researchers, and individuals interested in maritime issues, with support from the Indonesian Anthropological Association (AAI).

The event was held in recognition of coastal communities, fisherfolk, and island populations as vital pillars of Indonesia’s identity as a maritime nation. However, these groups continue to face various economic, social, and ecological vulnerabilities. Challenges include limited access to marine resources, shifting policies, and unequal bargaining power. Through an anthropological lens, these issues are viewed not merely as technical problems, but as matters of social justice and the respect for community rights.

In his presentation, Dr. Dedi invited participants to examine maritime life in Indonesia, particularly the conditions of coastal and fishing communities. According to him, these groups are inextricably linked to the politics of empowerment and structural challenges in their struggle to survive while defending their rights. Questions such as “empowering whom and changing what” serve as an entry point to reevaluate existing empowerment programs—ranging from who truly benefits and how community rights are recognized, to the obstacles still faced on the ground.

This guest lecture format provided a platform for direct dialogue with an experienced researcher in maritime studies. Furthermore, the event strengthened the network between UGM, BRIN, and AAI in advancing anthropological studies in Indonesia. Through this initiative, the Department of Anthropology at FIB UGM hopes to foster critical awareness and concern among academics and the public regarding equitable empowerment for Indonesia’s coastal, fisherfolk, and island communities. The discussions are expected to equip students with perspectives and research that champion community interests.

Author: Aisyah Alya Muztahid

Sleman, 17 October 2026 — The Master’s Program in Linguistics at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the second phase of its community engagement program at Al Munawwar Mosque in Kuningan, Depok, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The program, themed “Melek Literasi Digital: Cerdas Memilih Informasi, Santun Berkomunikasi” (Digital Literacy: Making Informed Choices and Communicating Respectfully), focused on developing the skills needed to navigate digital information and use polite language on social media.

The event was attended by adult men and young people who regularly participate in religious study sessions at the mosque. Participants discussed the importance of critically evaluating information before accepting or sharing it, as well as using appropriate language when communicating in digital spaces. These skills are an essential part of digital literacy, as social media serves not only as a source of information but also as a space for interaction and the exchange of ideas.

The session was delivered by Prof. Dr. Suhandano, with Prof. Dr. Sajarwa serving as moderator. The program also involved faculty members and academics Drs. Tatang Hariri, M.A., Ph.D., Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, S.S., M.Hum., Achmad Rio Dessiar, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., and Dr. Merry Andriani, S.S., M.L.C.S. The presentation was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, giving participants an opportunity to discuss issues related to information sharing and communication on social media.

Through this initiative, the UGM Master’s Program in Linguistics seeks to strengthen digital literacy in the community, focusing not only on the ability to assess information critically but also on the use of appropriate and respectful language in online communication. Participants are expected to apply these skills in their daily social media use and contribute to a more thoughtful and responsible digital environment.

Author: Master’s Program in Linguistics

KAGAMA UGM, in collaboration with KAGAMA Batik and the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the 2026 National Batik Day Seminar on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Taking place at the Soegondo Auditorium, FIB UGM, the seminar carried the theme “Preserving Heritage, Nurturing the Future: Batik as a Cultural Identity and a Space for Innovation.” The event was organized to commemorate National Batik Day, which falls on October 2, 2026.

The event opened with a performance of the Golek Ayun-Ayun dance as a welcoming gesture to the guests in attendance. The event was made even more vibrant by a showcase of various types of batik from different regions, ranging from Jakarta batik to Madura batik. This series of activities served as an introduction to the richness of Indonesian batik motifs, the diversity of its traditions, and the cultural values embedded in this heritage.

The seminar featured Dr. Eng. Ir. Laretna Trisnantari Adishakti, M.Arch., a retired UGM lecturer and Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Heritage Cities Conservation and Management, as the keynote speaker. In her presentation, she explored various aspects of batik, including its history, local wisdom, and role in sociocultural movements and international relations diplomacy.

Dr. Eng. Ir. Laretna Trisnantari Adishakti, M.Arch., also highlighted the challenges of sustaining batik traditions amid changing times and emphasized the importance of developing sustainable preservation strategies. One of the key points she raised was batik’s role as a tool of diplomacy, both across the Indonesian archipelago and Southeast Asia, as well as on the global stage. Beyond serving as a cultural identity, batik also has the potential to support a regenerative economy—a system that not only generates economic value but also restores the environment, strengthens social and cultural life, and improves community well-being.

Following the keynote session, the seminar continued with a discussion moderated by Dr. Sulistyowati, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM. The seminar featured two speakers with distinct backgrounds and experiences: dr. CHR Sulistyono, M.Sc., FISQua, owner of Batik Nyah Kiok, which produces Lasem batik in Rembang, and Aji Setyowijaya, S.S., a Yogyakarta batik artisan who also specializes in batik tiga negeri, a traditional batik style combining influences from different regions.

In his presentation, dr. CHR Sulistyono, M.Sc., FISQua, explained the history of Batik Nyah Kiok and the development of Lasem batik, including the challenges involved in ensuring its continued survival. He noted that the existence of Lasem batik is closely intertwined with the customs and cultural practices of the communities that use it. Despite its strong historical and cultural significance, batik faces several challenges today. The declining number of artisans and limited generational renewal are issues that require serious attention. These conditions could hinder the continuity of the knowledge, skills, and batik-making traditions passed down from one generation to the next.

Meanwhile, Aji Setyowijaya, S.S., shared his experience of independently pursuing a career in batik. He emphasized the importance of paying greater attention to batik-making techniques and procedures, which he believes have not received sufficient consideration. According to him, batik preservation efforts should encompass the entire production process, including knowledge of the materials and tools used by artisans. Knowledge of production methods, material availability, equipment use, and technical skills must also be safeguarded to ensure that batik-making traditions continue to thrive. Attention to these production-related aspects is increasingly important in sustaining the livelihoods of batik artisans while creating opportunities for innovation without compromising traditional values.

Participants’ enthusiasm was evident in the wide range of questions and responses raised throughout the seminar. The discussions demonstrated that batik is not only an engaging subject from an aesthetic perspective but also a gateway to broader conversations about history, cultural identity, social practices, economic sustainability, and production challenges.

The 2026 National Batik Day Seminar broadened public understanding of batik’s role in Indonesian life, not merely as a cultural heritage, but also as a means of diplomacy, a source of historical knowledge, an economic opportunity, and a space for innovation. Its development must go hand in hand with community empowerment, including the empowerment of women, and environmental awareness, with artisans and communities recognized as essential parts of the batik ecosystem.

Through this seminar, the organizers invited the public to explore and preserve batik in its entirety, encompassing its motifs, philosophical values, knowledge, and skills passed down through generations. In this way, batik can be safeguarded not only as an expression of Indonesian cultural identity but also as a means of supporting community well-being and developing sustainably as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Writer : Haryo Untoro