Yogyakarta, December, 9, 2025 – Paksi Raras Alit, widely known as Mas Paksi, has been awarded the 2025 UGM Outstanding Alumni Award for his significant contributions to cultural literacy development and the preservation of traditional arts. An alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, Mas Paksi is recognized as the founder of the JAWACANA Community, a cultural education platform that continues to expand access to cultural learning for the wider public.

Since its establishment, JAWACANA has consistently offered various programs such as cultural magazines, Javanese language classes, and inclusive, accessible art performances. These initiatives directly contribute to improving cultural education quality in society, aligning with UGM’s commitment to supporting sustainable development.

Mas Paksi’s contributions also reflect strong support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through expanding access to cultural education (SDG 4: Quality Education), strengthening local identity and community sustainability through the preservation of regional arts and languages (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities), and fostering collaboration among communities, academics, and cultural practitioners across various JAWACANA programs (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

This award further reinforces Mas Paksi’s role as a representative of FIB UGM alumni who brings tangible positive impact to society. Through JAWACANA, he demonstrates that cultural preservation can become an educational, sustainable movement that contributes significantly to strengthening local culture amid ongoing societal changes.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 4 December 2025 — The autonomous arts body BSO Sasoebah once again showcased its creative excellence in the performing arts by delivering a captivating performance at the opening of the Global Future Innovation Technology Summit (GIFTS) 2025, held at the GIK UGM Building. On this special occasion, BSO Sasoebah presented its newest dance work titled “Lelana Jagatriya,” a performance that blends traditional aesthetics with the concept of a symbolic journey across worlds, rich with humanitarian meaning.

GIFTS 2025 is an international-scale event that opens interdisciplinary spaces for discussion, ranging from technology and innovation to creativity and global collaboration. Notably, the event was also open to the public, providing opportunities for students and the wider community to enjoy the performance and the intellectual atmosphere it offered.

BSO Sasoebah’s performance successfully drew the attention of attendees, including more than 20 distinguished guests who are strategic partners of GIK UGM from various sectors. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between arts, innovation, and technology in fostering creative dialogue within academic environments. In addition to invited guests, the event’s openness to the public allowed the broader community to experience the dynamic and collaborative spirit of GIFTS 2025.

The event also reflects efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through its contribution to strengthening quality education and cultural preservation. In the context of the SDGs, this event demonstrates a commitment to creating inclusive learning spaces and promoting the preservation of cultural identity through performing arts. Moreover, GIFTS 2025 highlights global collaboration and innovation as part of building sustainable partnerships between educational institutions, creative communities, and professional sectors.

Through the performance of Lelana Jagatriya, BSO Sasoebah not only enlivened the opening of GIFTS 2025 but also reaffirmed the essential role of the arts in supporting sustainability, strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue, and inspiring the younger generation to continue creating.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, December, 8 2025 – The Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is collaborating with the Student Association of the Department of Puppetry (HMJ Pedhalangan) of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta to hold a collaborative Wayang Gedhog performance in commemoration of National Puppetry Day. The performance will take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. WIB at the Pendapa Tari ISI Yogyakarta. This event is a collaborative synergy between young artists from UKJGS UGM and HMJ Pedalangan ISI Yogyakarta in preserving this rare performing art.

The Wayang Gedhog performance to commemorate National Wayang Day was organized by HMJ Pedalangan ISI Yogyakarta, inviting UKJGS UGM to participate. As the coordinator of the Pedhalangan division at UKJGS UGM and a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at UGM, Muhammad Rafi Nur Fauzy explained that this is a great opportunity to introduce UKJGS’s work in the field of pedalangan, while also enlivening the National Wayang Day celebration. 

The role of puppeteer in this Wayang Gedhog performance was entrusted to Rafi, accompanied by music from other UKJGS members. This performance featured Wayang Gedhog because Wayang Gedhog performances are rarely staged. This type of puppet show had been dormant for a long time and was revived several decades ago. Wayang Gedhog performances are actually considered stiff because they are constrained by the palace hierarchy in their content. Wayang Gedhog was also featured as an introduction to the rich heritage of puppetry to the general public.

The story of Panji Laleyan Duta (Sayembara Keris Jaka Piturun) was chosen to be performed because it was relevant to the current situation and information that was happening and becoming a hot topic of discussion in society, namely the polemic over the change of king in the Surakarta (Solo) Palace. According to Rafi, we need to question how this Javanese monarchy can survive in the midst of a democratic situation. Not only in the Surakarta Palace, but also in Yogyakarta.

As a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at UGM, Rafi expressed his joy and pride at having the opportunity to perform Wayang Gedhog. Currently, not many puppeteers are willing to perform Wayang Gedhog because the performance is considered difficult due to its fixed accompaniment. Only a few puppeteers understand the performance. With the guidance of Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., a lecturer in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program, Rafi was able to successfully perform Wayang Gedhog, which is considered difficult.

The Wayang Gedhog performance supports the achievement of SDG point 4 Quality Education and point 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, namely as a medium of education and introduction to the treasure trove of wayang and enriching knowledge about cultural heritage in the academic environment, as well as an opportunity for the regeneration of performing arts and livelihoods for young artists. Not only that, this performance contributes to the achievement of SDG point 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by using the role of art as a means to voice constructive criticism of the leadership polemic in the Surakarta Palace. The participatory collaboration between UKJGS UGM and HMJ Pedhalangan ISI Yogyakarta supports the achievement of SDGs and point 17 Partnerships for the Goals.

[ Javanese Literature & Culture, Maysa Putri Fatihah]

Yogyakarta, December, 8, 2025 – The Grand Meeting of the Student Association of the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture (HMJ Kamastawa) was held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in the Auditorium of the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. During this General Meeting, a report on the activities of the 2025 management was presented, followed by a session on the Articles of Association/Bylaws (AD/ART), and concluded with a deliberation to elect the chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2026 term.

The General Assembly of HMJ Kamastawa is an annual mandatory event aimed at creating a forum for discussion among students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program. This forum was created as a platform for aspirations, opinions, and openness of HMJ Kamastawa as a special member organization under the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program. The General Meeting was attended by offline participants present at the forum and online participants via Google Meet.

This Grand Meeting was opened by the Master of Ceremony (MC). This was followed by a speech by the Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2025 period, Dwiyan Teguh Darmawan, and a speech by the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. After the speeches, the election of chairpersons I and II was held with the approval of the participants of the Grand Meeting. The chair of session I began the first session of the Grand Meeting with a report on the activities of the 2025 management. The first session of the Grand Meeting went well and quickly, with a few evaluations and suggestions from the participants of the Grand Meeting adding to the report.

The second session was marked by the handover from chairperson I to chairperson II. The second session was a hearing on the Articles of Association/Bylaws (AD/ART) of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2026 management period. The majority of participants in the second session of the Grand Meeting actively debated crucial points in the AD/ART that required adjustments to the situation and conditions. The decisions of the meeting were made through deliberation, voting, and unanimous approval by the participants of the Grand Meeting.

The final session of the HMJ Kamastawa Grand Meeting was the election of the chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2026 term. This election was carried out in the following stages.

1. Reading of the requirements for the chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa,
2. Nomination of chairperson candidates by participants of the Grand Meeting present at the forum,
3. Verification of the eligibility of chairperson candidates,
4. Presentation of personal statements by each chairperson candidate,
5. Question and answer session by participants of the Grand Meeting present at the forum with the chairperson candidates,
6. Deliberation on the election of the chairperson,
7. Announcement of the elected chairperson, and
8. Remarks by the elected chairperson.

The candidates for chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa nominated by the participants of the Grand Meeting were Wreksi Awinanggya Pinandhita, Bayu Seta Ardiansyah, Nurcholish Ramadhan, Inoora Putri Haliza, Muhammad Jundy Ashiddiqie, and Zahra Nova Putri. During the verification of the requirements for chairperson candidates, candidate Nurcholish Ramadhan was disqualified because he did not meet one of the requirements for chairperson candidates, namely not serving as chairperson in a student organization at Gadjah Mada University. After going through the deliberation stage for the election of the chairperson, a unanimous vote resulted in the election of Wreksi Awinanggya Pinandhita as the chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2026 period.

Wreksi Pinandhita stated that his election as chairman of HMJ Kamastawa would be a new challenge and must be carried out as well as possible as a mandate from the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Wreksi hopes that the management he will lead in the next year will run smoothly and better than the previous period with the support of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture student family.

The HMJ Kamastawa Grand Meeting directly contributes to the achievement of SDG point 4, Quality Education, which supports and develops students’ leadership and soft skills. Not only that, the Grand Meeting also supports the achievement of SDG point 16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, by practicing the grand meeting as the highest democratic and transparent forum. Finally, this activity is also in line with SDG point 17, Partnerships for the Goals. The presence of the HMJ Kamastawa Grand Deliberation is also a form of commitment by students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program to nguri-uri ‘preserve’ and ngurip-urip ‘revitalize’ the culture of the archipelago, especially Javanese culture.

[Javanase Literature & Culture , Maysa Putri Fatihah]

Saturday, November 22, 2025 – students from the Middle Eastern Studies Program at Gadjah Mada University held a Community Service activity at Sekolah Teladan Yogyakarta. This activity was part of the students’ efforts to make a positive contribution to society, particularly in increasing understanding of Middle Eastern culture, one of which was through education. The event was held at Teladan School in Yogyakarta with the theme “Middle East Talk: Building Global Insight through Education, History, and Middle Eastern Culture”. UGM Middle Eastern Culture Studies students collaborated with teachers and students at the school through various educational sessions featuring interactive discussions and games.

The event began with a speech from the Chair of PKM KBTT, Ahmad Fikri, followed by a speech from the Director of Teladan School. In his speech, the director emphasized the importance of community service activities as a way to apply what has been learned and to increase students’ social awareness of their surroundings. After the speeches, the next series of activities was a presentation on education in Egypt by KBTT students, Himma Hameesha and Fikri Labib. The two presented on many topics, ranging from Egyptian culture and social life in Egypt to tips on obtaining scholarships to study in Egypt. The next speakers discussed Yemen, with material presented by KBTT students Lanang Hutama and Lc.

At the end of the event, souvenirs were presented by KBTT students to the School Director as a representative of the Yogyakarta Teladan School community who had contributed to this activity. The event closed with a group photo session and the hope that similar activities could be carried out regularly as a form of real service from the world of education to the wider community. This community service activity is expected 

to strengthen the relationship between the world of education and the community, as well as broaden the horizons of students at Sekolah Teladan Yogyakarta to better appreciate global cultural diversity, especially that of the Middle East. Additionally, this activity also serves as proof that students of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program at UGM not only study for themselves but are also ready to make a positive impact on the surrounding community.

[Jesica Amanda Florantika]