Yogyakarta, November 5, 2026 – A student in the Cultural Anthropology program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, has achieved a string of outstanding accomplishments at the regional and national levels. Almuttaqin, a third-semester student from West Sulawesi, demonstrated his dedication and academic passion by sweeping six prestigious awards at the Musabaqah Syarhil Qur’an (MSQ) competition.

As the presenter on his team, Almuttaqin delivered profound, straightforward, and rhetorical Islamic arguments and insights. His ability to elucidate the substance of Qur’anic verses was key to his team’s success in impressing the judges at various competitions.

The following are the six achievements Almuttaqin has earned during his three semesters at Gadjah Mada University in the Syarhil Qur’an category:
1. 1st Place, National Syarhil Qur’an International Creativity Festival
2. 2nd Place, National Musabaqah Syarhil Qur’an Multitalented Santri Festival
3. 2nd Place in the National “Semarak IAT UIN Walisongo Semarang” Syarhil Qur’an
Competition
4. 2nd Place in the National “Dakwah Management” Syarhil Qur’an Competition
5. 2nd Place in the DIY-Central Java Regional “Masjid Syuhada” Syarhil Qur’an
Competition.
6. 1st Runner-Up in the Syarhil Qur’an Competition at the IAT UIN Sunan Kalijaga
National Fair.

Not only in the field of Syarhil Qur’an, but his interest in communication also led him to win 3rd Place in the National Podcaster Competition. Almuttaqin emphasized that these achievements are just the first step toward making a broader impact on his hometown and his alma mater.

“As a young person from Polewali Mandar, my time at UGM has given me great enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. Syarhil Qur’an is my way of conveying religious messages while also making an initial contribution inspired by the spirit of young people from rural areas who have limited access to education. I want this rhetorical skill to serve as a bridge to encourage young people from rural areas to have the courage to pursue higher education and compete on the national stage,” he stated.

This achievement serves as concrete evidence of Almuttaqin’s commitment and reflects a tangible contribution to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. His rhetorical skills and expertise as a speaker extend beyond the competition stage; they are relied upon as tools for critical communication and a cultural approach in directly engaging with the community. Armed with anthropological insight and rhetoric grounded in local religious values, Almuttaqin is able to bridge the moral messages he conveys so that they are received in an inclusive, communicative, and down-to-earth manner amidst the social dynamics of the community.

Author: Elwafie

Bandung, September 27, 2026 – The Japanese Language and Culture Student Association (HIMAJE) of Universitas Gadjah Mada held a study visit with the Japanese Language Student Association (HIMABAJA) of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The event provided an opportunity for both student associations to get to know each other, share organizational experiences, and expand connections among students.

Through this event, HIMAJE and HIMABAJA had the opportunity to exchange stories and insights about student organization life at their respective universities. The meeting served not only as a platform for sharing information but also as an opportunity to learn more about each association’s activities and organizational environment.

The study visit brought together students from two universities with different experiences and perspectives. The ideas and experiences shared throughout the event were expected to provide new inspiration for organizational development and encourage fresh ideas for both associations.

Through the 2026 Study Visit, HIMAJE hopes to maintain its positive relationship with HIMABAJA. More than just a visit, the event served as a step toward building connections, broadening perspectives, and opening up opportunities for collaboration among Japanese language students.

Author: Sahla Naura Noor Sabrina

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