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

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada reaffirmed its presence by participating in the annual Global Edufair held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Taking place from 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM Western Indonesia Time, the event successfully captured the attention of thousands of students from all over Indonesia, with the majority of visitors coming from Yogyakarta and its surrounding areas.

As an international-scale education exhibition, this year’s Global Edufair featured more than 80 higher education institutions (exhibitors) from 21 countries worldwide, spanning across Asia, Australia, and Europe. The presence of these global institutions not only enriched visitors’ perspectives but also aimed to build national social capital, enhance the quality of Indonesia’s human resources (HR), and facilitate the younger generation in exploring extensive global study opportunities without losing their local cultural identity.

During the event, FIB UGM occupied a booth inside the GIK Joglo, alongside other participating faculties. Each booth presented an interactive display featuring various pamphlets, academic profiles, and promotional media to assist high school students interested in learning more about the diverse study programs and majors at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

High enthusiasm was clearly visible from the students’ visits. “I want to go to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences because it has an Archaeology major, and I’ve been interested in culture since high school,” said a student from SMA Negeri 9 Yogyakarta.

This enthusiasm was also concretely recorded through visitor scan data. This year, a significant increase in visitor numbers was recorded compared to the previous year, with more than 60 people crowding the FIB booth between 09.00 AM and 04.00 PM alone. This high volume of visits serves as a positive indicator that the younger generation’s interest in the fields of culture and literature continues to grow.

Through its participation in this global event, it is hoped that FIB UGM will continue to develop, increasingly become the dream faculty for high school students wishing to delve into cultural sciences and literature, and consistently serve as a comfortable nurturing space to produce outstanding generations supporting an advanced Indonesia.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

A remarkable achievement has once again been made by a student of the Bachelor in Japanese Language and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Callista Putri Nathania won Second Place in the 5th Yogyakarta Special Region Japanese Presentation Contest 2026, held on October 17, 2026, at the E7-A Amphitheater, 5th Floor, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

This year’s competition carried the theme “What Is Happiness?”, encouraging participants to express their perspectives and thoughts on the meaning of happiness through presentations in Japanese. The theme provided participants with an opportunity to further develop their Japanese language proficiency while presenting their ideas critically and creatively.

In the competition, Callista Putri Nathania demonstrated her Japanese language proficiency and presentation skills, earning her second place. This achievement reflects students’ enthusiasm for developing their Japanese language abilities, particularly in oral communication and public speaking.

Callista’s achievement is expected to inspire other students to continue improving their Japanese language skills and take part in various competitions at both regional and national levels.

The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, FIB UGM, appreciates Callista’s accomplishment and extends its congratulations on this achievement. May this success serve as a stepping stone toward even greater accomplishments in the future.

Author: Felisha Bethrix