Two students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka, have successfully been selected as recipients of the Undergraduate–Master’s (S1–S2) Fast Track Program at FIB UGM. The announcement was made on Friday (17/7/2026) through the official social media account of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Through this program, students have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate (S1) and master’s (S2) studies concurrently, allowing them to complete their study period in a shorter time. Both students chose to continue their studies in the Master’s Program in Literature at FIB UGM.

In an online interview conducted on Monday (20/7/2026), both students expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for being selected as recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program. For Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy, the program serves as an opportunity to deepen the knowledge he has acquired during his undergraduate studies. “I aspire to gain a deeper understanding of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture so that the knowledge I acquire can later benefit society,” he explained. Likewise, Meifira Arini Pitaloka viewed the opportunity to continue her studies through the Fast Track Program as a chance to further develop her academic interests while broadening her knowledge. “I want to continue exploring what I am passionate about by making the most of every opportunity and determination I have,” she said.

Regarding their prospective research at the master’s level, the two students have different academic interests. Rafi hopes to further explore Javanese literature and culture, particularly the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java. “I am interested in further studying Javanese literature and culture, for example, the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java, while the world of Panji itself is more widely associated with Malang,” he explained. Meanwhile, Meifira plans to explore a broader range of literary studies. “I want to try not to limit myself only to Javanese literature. My planned research will still be related to images, perhaps in areas such as comic literature or children’s literature,” she shared.

Both students have also prepared themselves to face the challenges of participating in the Fast Track Program. According to Rafi, the greatest challenge lies in managing his time effectively in order to balance undergraduate and master’s studies. “I want to be more disciplined, make better use of my time for my studies, and set aside time for field research,” he said. On the other hand, Meifira believes that mental preparedness is an equally important aspect. In addition to striving to do her best, she also emphasized the importance of prayer and self-awareness throughout the academic journey. “I will do my best, never forget to pray, and continue building self-awareness in facing the challenges ahead,” she explained.

Concluding the interview, both students shared messages for their fellow students, encouraging them to remain enthusiastic and consistent throughout their academic journey. Rafi encouraged students to consistently pursue what they are genuinely passionate about so that the learning process becomes more enjoyable. “Consistently pursue what you truly enjoy. That way, the learning process will become more enjoyable. Stay motivated, and go through it with ease. Melu ilining banyu ning ora nganti keli (go with the flow of the water, but do not let yourself be carried away by it),” he said. Meifira also shared a similar message. According to her, every choice that has been made should be pursued wholeheartedly and with full responsibility. “Do what you love and love what you do,” she said.

The achievement of Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka in becoming recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program is expected to inspire other students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program to continue developing their academic potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them. It is hoped that their journey in pursuing master’s studies will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, particularly in the fields of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

Authos: Haryo Untoro

The Korean Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), held the opening ceremony for the “2nd CAUGM” on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The opening ceremony took place in the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium. This cultural exchange program will run from July 20 through August 1.

The event was attended by 24 students from Chung-Ang University and 70 students from the Korean Language and Culture Program at FIB, UGM. Over the course of two weeks, participants will take part in various activities, such as cultural exchange classes, language exchange sessions, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

At today’s opening ceremony, students from both countries presented lively cultural performances. Students from Chung-Ang University performed K-Pop dances and songs, a taekwondo demonstration, and traditional Korean musical instrument performances. Equally captivating, UGM students also presented traditional Indonesian cultural performances, including the Edan-edanan dance, the Sintren dance, singing, and pencak silat.

In addition, one of the main events in this series of collaborative activities is the Korean Festival, which will be open to the public on July 25. The general public and the campus community are invited to attend and experience Korean culture firsthand.

Through this series of activities, students not only gain academic experience but also have the opportunity to interact directly with participants from other countries. This type of cultural exchange is expected to broaden their global perspective, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen ties among students from both institutions.

Author: Juleha (朱殷萱Chu Yin Hsuan)

“Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara,” better known as Gamasutra, once again enlivened the Gamelan Festival organized by the Faculty of Philosophy on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This festival is an annual event held as part of the Faculty of Philosophy’s anniversary celebrations. This year’s festival featured 52 gamelan groups, both from within and outside Gadjah Mada University. The event took place over two consecutive days, Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 2026.

Gamasutra performed six gendhing pieces: “Ladrang Sumyar,” “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik,” “Ketawang Manggung Sore,” and “Ayak-ayak Pamungkas RRI.” “These gendhing pieces were performed with the intention of reviving a repertoire that hasn’t been performed in a long time, and to reintroduce traditional children’s songs,” said Yanuar, a student in the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences who initiated this repertoire.

Each of these pieces has a different meaning. “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” and “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik” are children’s songs with cheerful rhythms. “Ladrang Sumyar,” which serves as the main piece in Gamasutra’s performance, is presented with a distinctly different feel. “Unlike Ladrang Sumyar, which is usually performed in the laras pelog pathet barang, we perform it in laras slendro pathet manyura,” said Yanuar. These pieces are also reconstructions of old recordings from RRI Yogyakarta, RRI Kraton Yogyakarta, SMKI Yogyakarta, and Karawitan Condong Raos.

Gamasutra’s participation in the Karawitan Festival is part of the efforts by students at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, to continue revitalizing, preserving, and reintroducing the richness of Javanese karawitan to the wider public. Through a repertoire ranging from classical gendhing to children’s songs, Gamasutra demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the continuity of the karawitan art tradition amid the changing times.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

On Monday, July 20, 2026, the American Studies Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, held a public lecture titled “The United States, the Middle East Conflict, and Implications for Indonesia: Geopolitical Dynamics, U.S. Interests, and Strategic Opportunities for Indonesia.” The public lecture featured Dr. Wajid Fauzi, M.PM., as the speaker. He is currently a Ph.D. student in American Studies and is set to graduate on July 22. He also served as Indonesia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Yemen (2012–2016) and Syria (2019–2025).

The lecture covered the Middle East as a region that has become a focal point for the study of international politics, the role of the United States in the region, and the strategic implications for Indonesia’s interests. The guest lecture was opened by Dr. Achmad Munjid, M.A., Ph.D., a lecturer in the American Studies Program. He emphasized that it is crucial for the public to recognize the significant impact that the current conflict between the United States and the Middle East has on Indonesia. This is also the reason why this public lecture was organized.

The presentation was then followed by a talk by Dr. Wajid Fauzi, M.PM. He encouraged participants to take a holistic view of the Middle East—not only through the lens of its wars and conflicts, but also by examining the layers beneath the surface. These include energy routes, trade routes, rivalries among regional powers, and competition among major nations with interests in the region.

Dr. Wajid Fauzi explained that the Middle East is not merely a region of conflict, but a geopolitical arena where global interests converge, power struggles unfold, and the quest for international legitimacy takes place. “Geopolitics teaches us that geography is not merely about the location of a country or the boundaries of a region, but rather a factor that shapes the distribution of power, economic interests, military strategies, and can even influence another country’s foreign policy toward that region,” he emphasized. He concluded that, in other words, geography is not a neutral factor but a source of advantage.

Conflicts in the Middle East also have implications for Indonesia, such as in foreign policy, the protection of Indonesian citizens, energy security, trade, food security, and national security. Indonesia is expected to continue pursuing an independent and active foreign policy and to serve as a “bridge builder” or diplomatic mediator in maintaining international peace.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

Yogyakarta, July 17, 2026 — On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM held an informational session on IoT scales as part of the 2026 UGM Sustainability Campus Action program. The event took place in the Multimedia Room of the Margono Building and featured Dr. Ir. Thomas Oka Pratama, S.T., M.Eng., IPP, from UGM’s Sensor and Controlled Systems Laboratory. This session served as training for educational support staff on managing the faculty’s waste using IoT scales.

IoT scales are devices that measure the weight of waste generated at collection points (pick-up points) in real time, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) system. The weight data is used for digital monitoring, evaluation, and planning of waste management policies. During the session, participants were instructed on how to use the IoT scales to manage waste generation. FIB support staff were also asked to practice using the IoT scales.

Through the implementation of IoT scales, FIB UGM aims to strengthen a waste management system that is more accurate, measurable, and data-driven. The use of this technology is expected to enhance the capacity of support staff to support sustainable waste management while also contributing to UGM’s Sustainability Campus Action 2026 commitment. This initiative aligns with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs point 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and also supports SDGs point 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDGs point 13: Climate Action.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]