The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada held a welcoming ceremony for students participating in the Exchange Program and the Independent Student Exchange (Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka / PMM) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The event took place in a warm atmosphere at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, FIB UGM.

The activity was attended by representatives of the FIB UGM Academic Team and was officially opened by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.E.A. This semester, FIB UGM welcomes 20 exchange students from various partner universities abroad, two of whom are enrolled in joint/double degree programs. Additionally, 10 PMM students from Faculties of Cultural Sciences at universities across Indonesia are joining the faculty.

In her remarks, the Vice Dean extended a warm welcome to all students, expressing her hope that they will easily adapt and make the most of their learning experience at UGM. The ceremony then proceeded with a technical guidance session on course registration (KRS) conducted by the FIB UGM Academic Team to ensure a smooth academic orientation for the incoming students throughout their study period.

The implementation of these exchange programs reflects FIB UGM’s concrete commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing inclusive and globally oriented educational opportunities, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening strategic academic collaborations with higher education institutions both nationally and internationally.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

A total of 12 students from Daito Bunka University, Japan, officially attended the opening of the 2026 Summer Program held at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building 2nd Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Tuesday (4/8/2026) at 10:00 AM WIB.

The event was opened by two Masters of Ceremonies (MC), Suryono (an NCCU student) alongside his co-host. The opening atmosphere was warm and friendly, filled with lighthearted moments during the welcoming remarks delivered by the Coordinator of INCULS FIB UGM, Dr. Rakhmat Soleh, S.S., M.Hum. The event then proceeded with a group photo session involving participants, teaching lecturers, and student tutors.

The Japanese students will undergo an intensive two-week learning program from August 4 to August 19, 2026. Throughout the program, they are enrolled in the Elementary 2 (A2) level, focusing on coursework such as Reading & Vocabulary, Writing and Grammar, as well as Listening and Conversation. Beyond academic study, participants will also gain direct cultural exposure through hands-on workshops in batik making and traditional gamelan music.

Following the opening ceremony, students immediately began their first class session at 10:00 AM WIB with Yayan Sensei. The first day concluded with a meet-and-greet session with their student tutors at 3:00 PM WIB to assist with their academic and cultural adaptation at FIB UGM.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Student Association of Japanese Language and Culture (HIMAJE), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized the Japanese Studies Lecture (Kuliah Seru Kejepangan/KSK) on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the 4th Floor of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event was open to the public and attended by students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program as well as participants from other faculties within UGM.

HIMAJE invited Lili Febriyani, S.S., M.Si., a lecturer from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, as the keynote speaker. She delivered a lecture entitled “The Visible and the Invisible: Reading Japanese Culture through Visual Media.”

The session began with a series of photographs taken in Japan, encouraging participants to share their initial observations and interpretations. The discussion then moved beyond what was immediately visible, inviting participants to explore the cultural meanings embedded within the images. In addition to photographs, the speaker introduced various forms of visual media—including scenes from Japanese television dramas, television commercials, magazine covers, and other visual materials—to demonstrate how Japanese culture can be understood through critical visual analysis. The lecture covered several topics, including Japanese homogeneity and conformity, changes in Japanese food culture, and shifting representations of masculinity as portrayed in different forms of media.

As one of the flagship programs of HIMAJE’s Education and Strategic Studies Division (DIKASTRAT), the Japanese Studies Lecture aims to broaden public understanding of Japanese Studies through engaging and accessible learning activities. The event was offered free of charge to encourage wider participation from students and the general public.

Author: Heni Putri Lestari

Editor: Lili Febriyani, S.S., M.Si.

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program received an accreditation visit from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT). This visit is part of the program’s efforts to improve academic quality standards, governance, and educational services in accordance with nationally established criteria. Through this accreditation process, the KBTT UGM Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies program affirms its commitment to continuous improvement and quality enhancement as a leading and competitive center for Middle Eastern studies.

In a series of visitation activities, this activity began with remarks from Prof. Indra Wijaya Kusuma, M.B.A., Ph.D. as Chief of Satuan Penjaminan Mutu dan Reputasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPMRU). The activity was continued by the BAN-PT assessor team in reviewing various documents, ranging from curriculum, graduate profiles, research activities and publications, to track records of community service. In addition, the assessors also conducted interview sessions with faculty leaders, study program managers, lecturers, education staff, students, and alumni representatives. The constructive dialogue between the assessors and the academic community of the KBTT UGM Masters Program provided a space for shared reflection to see the achievements, challenges, and opportunities for future study program development.

The Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies (MBTS) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) views this accreditation visit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen its superior quality, both in academic and non-academic aspects. Full support from all stakeholders is expected to help the study program achieve the highest accreditation ranking and strengthen its reputation as a reference for Middle Eastern cultural studies in Indonesia. With a spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, the KBTT study program is committed to continuously providing quality education that is responsive to the social, cultural, and scientific dynamics of the Middle East region.

Author:  Jesisca Amanda Florantika