Ciamis, 25 April 2026 — The Department of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Community Service Program (PkM) and Expert Lecture at Universitas Islam Darussalam on 25–26 April 2026. The event brought lecturers, students, and the pesantren community together in a setting that combined academic discussion with everyday interaction.

The visit also continued an existing connection between the two institutions, especially through Prof. Dr. K.H. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur. In his remarks, he described the program as more than a formal academic agenda. For him, it was a form of silaturahim, where knowledge is shared in a more personal and open way.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Aris Munandar, who spoke about the role of American Studies in reading global influence. He pointed out that influence does not always come in direct or visible forms. In many cases, it appears through everyday habits such as academic writing, publication systems, and standards that scholars gradually follow. 

Therefore, according to him, the American Studies program plays an important role in helping scholars critically recognize and navigate these subtle influences, which often emerge through habits in academic writing, publication systems, and scholarly standards.

Several speakers then presented their topics in parallel sessions. Dr. Mahmudah discussed feminism in Arabic literature and its place in Islamic education. Dr. Amin Basuki focused on how American academic patterns can be seen in SINTA-indexed journals, especially in the way articles are structured and evaluated. Dr. Muhammad Zakki Masykur talked about Arabic and the works of Javanese ulama which showed that local traditions remain active in knowledge production. Meanwhile, Dr. Stedi Wardoyo explained how morality in Japanese society often grows from family life and social habits, not only from religion.

Outside the formal sessions, the program also included shared activities such as joining the Shalawat Burdah gathering with the pesantren community. Moments like this made the visit feel less formal and more connected. It showed that community service is not only about delivering material, but also about building relationships.

As an institution that provides education from early levels to university, Universitas Islam Darussalam also offers space for future collaboration, especially in character education. This program, in a simple way, shows that academic cooperation can grow through meeting, talking, and spending time together.

Yogyakarta, April 29, 2026 – The Academic Division of the Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully organized the event titled “Suluh Rindu” Book Discussion and Mini Writing Workshop, featuring prominent Indonesian novelist Habiburrahman El Shirazy at the Soegondo Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Open to the public, the event aimed to enrich participants’ understanding of the creative writing process, particularly in developing ideas and experiences in creative writing, as well as emphasizing the importance of moral values in literary works.

The author, widely known as Kang Abik, explained that writing ideas can emerge from simple phenomena in everyday life. Observations of social realities, cultural contexts, and daily life dynamics can serve as endless sources of inspiration. He illustrated this through the creative process behind his novel Suluh Rindu, which was inspired by the phenomenon of rural areas being left behind by younger generations who migrate in search of better opportunities. Villages tend to become lively only during certain occasions, such as religious holidays. This phenomenon was then developed into the story of a character who travels to Egypt and experiences an inner struggle upon returning to his hometown, particularly when confronted with his father’s final wishes.

Habiburrahman also emphasized the importance of dramatic elements in literary works. According to him, a compelling story should be able to evoke readers’ emotions through strong conflict and meaningful resolution. Beyond mere entertainment, literature carries a moral responsibility. Values such as spirituality, humanity, justice, and civility should serve as the foundation of any literary work. “A good piece of writing is not only engaging to read, but also leaves a lasting impression on its readers,” he stated.

During the question-and-answer session, it was also highlighted that writing experience does not have to come solely from personal experiences. Writers can gain insight from reading, listening to others’ stories, and observing their surroundings. In addition, moral boundaries in writing depend on the author’s perspective and purpose, while still taking into account cultural values and ethical considerations.

The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation by Tohir Mustofa, S.S., M.A., and Abdul Jawat Nur, M.Hum., followed by a group documentation session. The high level of enthusiasm shown by participants reflects a strong expectation for similar forums to continue as spaces for learning, discussion, and growth for both aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts.

Penulis: Putri Azkia Nisfiatul Laili

Ciamis, April, 25 2026 – Two lecturers from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Department of Intercultural Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dr. Stedi Wardoyo, S.S., M.A. and Dr. Sri Pangastoeti, M.Hum., served as speakers in a Community Service Program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PkM) held at Universitas Islam Darussalam (Unida) and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam, Ciamis.

The event, titled “Religion and Morality in Japanese Society,” took place in Meeting Room 208 of Universitas Islam Darussalam from 10:34 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. and was attended by approximately 50 participants, consisting of university students, lecturers, and school students from Universitas Islam Darussalam and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam.

During the session, Dr. Stedi Wardoyo and Dr. Sri Pangastoeti compared religious values in Indonesia, particularly Islamic values, with socially based moral values in Japan, such as maintaining harmony in society. Both speakers also invited participants to reflect on the differences between these two moral systems, especially in their practical implementation in everyday life.

The discussion, which lasted around one hour and thirty-seven minutes, highlighted similarities between the two moral frameworks at the conceptual level, while also revealing disparities in their social practice. Participants showed strong enthusiasm throughout the event and actively raised questions, particularly regarding real-life cases that reflect gaps between moral values and social practices, such as theft, corruption, and other social issues.

Together with the audience, the speakers also discussed the possible impacts and long-term consequences arising from inconsistencies between moral principles and actual social behavior. The dynamic discussion reflected the participants’ strong interest in the intercultural theme presented during the program.

This community service activity represents UGM’s ongoing contribution to sharing intercultural perspectives with academics, students, and the wider community. Dr. Stedi Wardoyo expressed his hope that the comparison would encourage deeper reflection on individual morality. Meanwhile, Dr. Sri Pangastoeti hoped that understanding morality would not remain merely personal, but would also be practiced in everyday life to create a more positive impact on individuals, families, society, and the nation.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to both speakers by representatives of Universitas Islam Darussalam and Pondok Pesantren Darussalam as a token of appreciation for the knowledge and insights they had shared.

Author: Ahmad Affandy Ainurridho Zulkifli
Editor: Barra Taura Nursaid

Academics, researchers, and practitioners in the field of anthropology are invited to participate in a panel titled “Decolonizing Anthropology in a Multipolar World: Methodological Critiques from a Global South Gaze” as part of the 9th International Symposium of the Journal of Indonesian Anthropology, which will be held from August 4 to 7, 2026.

This panel seeks to open a space for critical reflection on how anthropology can be decolonized in an increasingly multipolar world. Its main focus is to challenge the methodological assumptions that have long dominated ethnographic research, particularly approaches that remain centered on Western perspectives. Through this forum, participants are encouraged to question established methodological frameworks while exploring more inclusive alternatives. A major highlight of this panel is the experience of researchers from the Global South conducting research in the Global North. This perspective is considered essential to enrich discussions on a more “pluriversal” anthropological methodology, an approach that acknowledges the diversity of viewpoints and knowledge production. By bringing these experiences to the forefront, the panel aims to shift the epistemic center toward a Global South perspective.

Through this call for papers, the organizers invite written contributions that offer a fresh reading of these issues. Topics may include cross-contextual field experiences, critiques of knowledge hierarchies, and methodological innovations rooted in local and collaborative perspectives.

This is an opportunity for researchers not only to share their findings but also to help shape the future direction of a more reflective anthropology. Submit your abstract and be part of this engaging panel. Abstracts must not exceed 300 words and should be submitted by May 18, 2026, at https://simposiumjai.ui.ac.id/.

Author: Public Relations of Doctoral Program in Anthropology

We invite academics, researchers, and practitioners to participate in a discussion regarding the future of the anthropology discipline at the 9th International Symposium of the Journal of Indonesian Anthropology (ISJAI), which will take place from August 4 to 7, 2026. “Decolonizing Anthropology Beyond the Neoliberal University” is a reflective panel initiated by Aryo Danusiri from Universitas Indonesia and Elan Lazuardi from Universitas Gadjah Mada. This panel aims to address the most pressing challenges currently facing the field of anthropology.

Amid the rapid transformation of universities worldwide, which is increasingly driven by ranking systems, audits, accreditations, and publication pressures, Indonesian anthropologists and their global peers find themselves caught in a vortex of clashing knowledge frameworks and authorities. This panel seeks to dissect how these forces shape research and scholarship, alongside their impact on daily teaching practices, classroom dynamics, and the production of knowledge itself. Rather than simplifying the concept of “decolonization” to superficial curriculum adjustments, this discussion encourages deeper scrutiny. Participants are challenged to critically examine how established academic traditions, canonical texts, and methodological norms might still reproduce colonial and managerial structures. Concurrently, the panel creates room for new approaches rooted in community engagement, collaborative learning, and field-based pedagogy.

A compelling dimension of this panel is its emphasis on expanding learning spaces beyond conventional university settings. Contributors are encouraged to explore how formal, informal, and experimental classrooms can cultivate pluralistic ways of knowing that are grounded in Indonesia’s diverse social realities. Themes such as gender, intersectionality, and the frequently overlooked labor of translation across languages, cultures, and academic hierarchies are central to this discourse.

Contributors interested in this panel’s theme are invited to submit a 300-word abstract by May 18, 2026, via https://simposiumjai.ui.ac.id/. For further information, please contact: aryo.danusiri@ui.ac.id or e.lazuardi@ugm.ac.id.

Author: Public Relations of the Undergraduate Program in Cultural Anthropology