At the end of 2023, a collaborative work, “Harmony in Diversity: A Journey from Jogja to Singapore, and Back,” emerged as a result of an academic collaboration between English Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). This book explains the journey of diversity and interculturalism they experienced during a cultural exchange program, emphasizing the importance of celebrating diversity and eliminating boundaries.

The book is divided into several chapters, each written by two English Department’s lecturers; Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed., and Rahmawan Jatmiko, S.S., M.A., along with ten English Department students; Maulita Shinta, Misma Ro Daud, Jesse Puspita, Leni Cahya, Mellyana Nungki, Anisa Sofiana, Aulia Muchtarom, Gabriella Novianti, Anis Daika, and Nur Aini. They pour their ideas and thoughts on the concept of multiculturalism in Singapore and Indonesia, which makes the book become a pure reflection of multiculturalism that provides insights about cross-cultural interactions. Furthermore, students’ involvement also reflects their perspectives that have developed during the cultural exchange program.

Overall, “Harmony in Diversity: A Journey from Jogja to Singapore and Back” contributes to the on going discussion on multiculturalism and cross-cultural understanding. Through the lens of English Literature, the authors invite readers to explore a journey beyond geographical boundaries and contemplate the importance of cross-cultural communication and understanding. This collaboration is expected to serve as inspiration for future cultural exchange programs and academic collaborations, serving as a tool to promote a world where diversity is celebrated, and harmony is appreciated.

On Wednesday, November 22, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held a book review event named “Bedah Buku: Arung Samudera Nusantara dan Kosmopolis Rempah” in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building. This event is one of a series of the Seminar Series Kosmopolis Rempah, as the result of collaboration between the faculty along with Kundha Budaya DIY and the Tim Kosmopolis Rempah UGM.

This event was attended by Dr. Sri Margana, M. Hum. as a speaker and book author. Apart from that, there were three responders with different scientific backgrounds, namely Dr. Widya Fitria Ningsih, History lecturer at FIB UGM; Prof. Dr. M. Baiquni, M.A., Professor of Development Geography UGM; and Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Gardjito, Spice Expert, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, UGM. There was also Prof. Dr. Mustofa, M.Kes., Professor of Pharmacology and Therapy FKKMK UGM and Head of the Tim Kosmopolis Rempah UGM, as the moderator.

Sri Margana started the event by explaining the background to the writing and substance of her book. He said that his book is a response to an application of “Jalur Rempah” as a world heritage by the Indonesian government and the establishment of the Spice Cosmopolis Research Unit at UGM. According to him, the term Jalur Rempah is problematic because it refers to a colonial trade route marked only by physical colonial remains, such as forts and ports. Starting from this issue, he proposed to highlight the influence of spices themselves, namely the creation of a culture of using spices. Therefore, he uses the term “cosmopolis” because the culture of spices has spread throughout the world. He also proposed the word “cosmopolis” to name the UGM Spice Cosmopolis Research Unit.

Widya as the first responder then highlighted this book from a historiographic perspective. According to her, the dominant use of foreign sources can be an opportunity for further studies to use local sources. By using local sources, local perspectives that are not recorded by foreign sources can be told. Apart from that, she also hopes that there will be further studies on spices in Indonesia from a gender perspective. According to her, the historiography on this matter is still dominated by narratives about men’s roles. In fact, spice culture cannot be separated from the role of women, such as in trading, planting and processing spices.

After that, the presentation was continued by Prof. Baiquni, emphasizing the strong connection between history and geography. From the spice trade, humans have established relationships with their environment. The role of spices in human life cannot be completely replaced by current technology. Therefore, spices can be a reminder for people to preserve their environment.

Relations between people from different islands to continents were also established through the spice trade. This relationship then produces a cultural product, one of which is food. Prof. Sri Gardjito explained that spices and the sea as trade intermediaries greatly influenced our food today. From spices and the sea, there is intercultural interaction which results in a combination of processing techniques, ingredients, and even the taste of food. This is considered to be the impact of the cosmopolitan spice trade. One example of the results of the spice trade is black pepper chili sauce, which still exists today and the spices have not changed.

Yogyakarta, July 7th, 2023 – The Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, collaborated to organize a Summer Program that was held from July 7th, 2023 to August 7th, 2023. Chung-Ching Shiung, Ph.D., a lecturer and archaeologist from National Cheng Kung University, mentored his students in conducting the Summer Program together with Dr. Mahirta, M.A., the Head of the Department of Archaeology at FIB UGM. The focus of the program was on analyzing pottery and other excavation findings from the result of a research project conducted in Tidore back in 2019.

The Summer Program also included visits to several Hindu-Buddhist temples in the Yogyakarta area and to a pottery and batik center in Bayat, Klaten.

The collaboration between NCKU and the FIB UGM Department of Archaeology, not only benefited the students in terms of analyzing the excavation research findings, but it also enriched their experiences through cultural and knowledge exchange. The involvement of international researchers brought a different perspective, expanding archaeology knowledge. This collaboration is in line with SDGs Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals, which aims to strengthen international global partnerships, and Goal 4, Quality Education, which aims to promote opportunities for quality and sustainable education.

Photo 1: Analysis of excavation findings collaborating with UGM Students

Photo 2: Cultural learning on batik making in Bayat Village, Klaten

Research collaboration is encouraged by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada recently. One such research collaboration is a research project between the Department of Anthropology UGM and the Department of Cultural Anthropology Udayana, which took the topic of “Balinese Local Genius: Key to Stunting Reduction in Pedawa, Bali.”. This research was funded by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and is part of an implementation of SDG Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

The research was conducted by four researchers: Atik Triratnawati and Novitasari Ardianti from UGM, and Aliffiati and Azzahra Alivya Prasetio from Udayana University. The research was conducted in Pedawa Village, Buleleng, a Bali Aga village that maintains traditional lifestyles and parenting practices. The research was conducted in June, August, and September 2023.

The research findings showed that Balinese local genius, which is still strongly held by the Pedawa community, positively impacts the health of mothers and babies. This is evident in the community’s adherence to adat or the culture, such as following a series of birth ceremonies, using local ingredients as the main food source for toddlers, and the emergence of gender equality in the family. The success of stunting reduction in this village is also supported by modern medical services, including midwifery agencies, the success of the Family Planning program (Keluarga Berencana Program), and the strong empowerment of cadres.