Yogyakarta, November 13, 2025 – The Middle Eastern Studies Program (KBTT) and the Arabic Literature Program at Gadjah Mada University held an inspirational discussion session with Visiting Lecturer Prof. Ayman Shihadeh from SOAS University of London. This activity was held after the International Public Lecture, which was part of the event series, and took place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the KBTT Study Program meeting room. The discussion was attended by several enthusiastic students from the KBTT and Arabic Literature Study Programs at UGM who were eager to learn about Prof. Ayman Shihadeh’s academic experiences and international insights.

During the session, Prof. Ayman shared his experiences and views on teaching, research, and academic development at SOAS, as well as the importance of fostering collaborative relationships between universities worldwide, particularly in the fields of cultural studies and tolerance. He also presented the new MA Islamic Humanities program launched by SOAS in 2025. He gave a detailed presentation on the new study program, which offers several concentrations, including social studies, history, literature, religion, and others. This further increased the enthusiasm of the participants because the study program is very relevant to the fields of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies and Arabic Literature.

In addition, this discussion also provided an opportunity for students to ask questions and share their views on the development of study programs and the potential for international cooperation that can be optimized in the future. Prof. Ayman emphasized the importance of openness in thinking and developing insights in facing global challenges. The event concluded with a group photo session and informal discussions that strengthened the academic relationship between UGM and SOAS and opened up opportunities for further collaboration. This event was an important step in introducing UGM’s Middle Eastern Cultural Studies students to a global perspective and strengthening academic ties with renowned institutions around the world, such as SOAS University of London. The discussion is expected to have a positive impact on academic development and international cooperation in the future.

Author: Jesisca Amanda

Yogyakarta, November 14th, 2025 –  The Ethnography of Maluku and Nusa Tenggara class held by the Department of Anthropology featured a guest lecturer. Danishwara Nathaniel (Mas Dan) is a PhD candidate from the Geneva Graduate Institute, currently doing research on Ternate, Northern Maluku. During the first session of the class, Mas Dan presented part of his research, titled Visual Activism and Maritime Identity in Indonesia’s Extraction Frontier. In this research, Mas Dan highlights the importance of visual media for the activist movement that is going on in Maluku, which historically has always been an important frontier for natural resources. During the colonial era, the resources being fought over were mainly spices; nowadays, minerals and mines are the resources being extracted from Northern Maluku. Mas Dan explained that Ternate is a sacrifice zone: a specific area that is being ‘sacrificed’ to better the lives of people in other parts of the world. In this context, Maluku’s nature is being destroyed by nickel mines, used for lithium batteries to power electrical vehicles.

Mas Dan further explains the importance of visual and digital media to help put the situation in Northern Maluku on a spotlight. In the past, maps were the visual media being used by colonial forces to plan the conquest of Ternate. This topdown, unspecified view makes the location seem static and controllable, void of any living elements that have their own agencies. Now, visual media helps the people of Ternate to voice their resentment towards the extraction project that they are facing. News and articles are being published all throughout the internet by international journalists and NGOs, spreading awareness about the impacts of green energy development. Mas Dan also mentions that visual and digital media can also be used to dampen the work that the activists have put in. This is mainly done by the government or stakeholders in the mining industry, through the launching of counter-narratives and censorship of the news.

In the second session of the class, Mas Dan brought in his friend as well as his interlocutor (through Zoom Meetings) to share more about the Ternate situation to the class. Adlun Fiqri is an activist from Halmahera who has been vocal in the struggle against the mining industry going on in his hometown. Mas Adlun is also a bachelor of anthropology from Universitas Airlangga, and even did an exchange semester here in UGM. Mas Adlun shared his experience of documenting and actively fighting the mining industry, even being captured a couple of times. He also explains the difference that the mines have brought to local communities: people are becoming more wary and less friendly, after facing countless encounters with the generally aggressive agents from the mines. The main point that is being projected through this class by Mas Dan and Mas Adlun is that Northern Maluku is currently a victim of the growing green energy movement. Visual and digital media can serve as loudspeakers to the world that Northern Maluku is not okay, and spread the word about the impacts of industries on local communities.

Author: Amadeus Abhirama Paramanindita

Yogyakarta, September 27, 2025 — A spirit of collaboration and youth empowerment filled the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, as the Arabic Study Program Student Association (IKMASA) partnered with the Department of Village Community Development, BEM KM UGM, to hold the inspirational talkshow SEDASA: Suara Pemuda untuk Kemajuan Desa (Youth Voices for Village Advancement). The event, part of the Gemilang Desa 2025 program, took place on Saturday afternoon (27/9) from 13.00 to 15.30 WIB, drawing enthusiastic participation from attendees.

The talkshow featured three distinguished speakers: Joko Susilo, Founder of Gunungkidul Menginspirasi and Head of Training and Consultancy at the Nalar Institute; Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, M.Eng., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM; and KPH H. Yudanegara, Ph.D., Head of the Office of Village Community Empowerment, Population, and Civil Registration of the Yogyakarta Special Region, who delivered the keynote address. The discussion was moderated by Antonia Elena Listya Araminta, the 2025 Environmental Ambassador of Yogyakarta, who led the session warmly and interactively.

As the key initiator, IKMASA played a central role in conceptualizing the event, designing its program flow, and fostering institutional collaboration to strengthen youth engagement in village development. The forum served as an important platform for students to engage directly with experts and practitioners on contemporary rural issues, including local potential development, technological innovation, and sustainable community empowerment.

The event attracted a diverse audience, including UGM students, high school participants from Yogyakarta, and delegates from various universities such as UPN and UNDIP, enriching the collaborative atmosphere and strengthening inter-institutional involvement in advancing rural communities.

Following the talkshow, the committee announced the winners of competitions held under the Gemilang Desa 2025 series and presented awards to the participants. The program was officially closed by Faris Zakiy Ramadhan, a 2023 Arabic Study Program student and General Coordinator of Gemilang Desa, who underscored the vital role of students in driving ideas and initiatives for village development.

Through the collaboration between IKMASA and BEM KM UGM, the SEDASA Educational Talkshow not only served as an inspiring space for young people to deepen their understanding of rural issues but also demonstrated a concrete contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

With strong collaborative energy, SEDASA 2025 reaffirms that UGM students (through the active involvement of IKMASA) are capable of becoming agents of change who contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Indonesian villages and communities.

Author: Lisa Atika

Yogyakarta, 15 October 2025 — After receiving its accreditation rating from SINTA earlier this year, Lembaran Antropologi, a journal managed by the Department of Anthropology at UGM, has once again achieved a new milestone. It was awarded the title of Winner of the Award for Governance of Nationally Accredited and Scopus-Indexed Scientific Journals, Period I of 2025 by the Directorate of Research. The announcement was delivered through Decree No. 12517/UN1.P2/Dit-Lit/PJ.00.02/2025, in which Lembaran Antropologi ranked 9th out of 12 journals that successfully passed the selection.

Lembaran Antropologi aims to promote academic discourse and anthropological analysis in the study of human relations, culture, and society across the Global North and South. The journal publishes two issues each year: Issue 1 (January–June) and Issue 2 (July–December). In its second issue, the journal releases a special edition, a thematic issue often developed in collaboration with experienced researchers in relevant fields. Submissions are open and free of charge. We warmly welcome contributors to share their best work!

Penulis: Penulis: Novilatul Ananda Ramadhani

The English Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada has reaffirmed its academic excellence through its achievement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, placing in the 151–200 band globally and securing the top position in Indonesia. Within the same subject cluster, Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia also appeared in the global rankings.

This recognition reflects the program’s continued commitment to strengthening its academic and international standing, aligning with UGM’s mission to provide inclusive, high-quality education in support of SDG 4: Quality Education.

From the beginning of their academic journey, students follow a carefully designed series of developmental programs. After completing PPSMB, all new students participate in POPSI, an orientation initiative that offers international exposure through classes taught by lecturers currently studying abroad and sessions with global figures such as ambassadors. The program also emphasizes national identity and campus ethics, ensuring that students balance global awareness with strong civic values.

Cross-cultural learning is further encouraged through joint classes attended by students from Japan and Taiwan, enabling UGM students to build international networks and broaden their intercultural competence—an effort that resonates with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

The program also maintains a close partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through this collaboration, students can take part in short academic programs in Singapore and host NUS participants in return. These exchanges not only enrich academic experience but also serve as a platform for introducing Indonesian culture to the global academic community.

Beyond academics, the English Literature program supports student creativity through English Days, an annual theatre production. Students are responsible not only for performing but also for managing the entire event, from concept development to fundraising. This hands-on experience strengthens organizational, creative, and leadership skills, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Digital literacy and media management are also nurtured. Through courses in writing and journalism, students gain the skills needed to manage the program’s website and social media channels. The program further contributes to academic assessment by developing AcEPT, UGM’s official Academic English Proficiency Test used for university admissions.

In terms of research and publication, the program’s academic journal has been open to English literature departments across Indonesia since 2024 and has recently earned a Sinta 3 accreditation, reflecting its growing scholarly impact.

The strong alumni network and contributions from retired faculty also play an important role in supporting the program’s development. Their insights and guidance help students pursue continued academic and professional achievements, reinforcing a collaborative academic environment in line with SDG 17.

Through consistent initiatives, active support from academic staff, and a culture of continuous improvement, the program sends a significant number of students to participate in the Indonesia International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) each year. Their global experiences later inspire and benefit future cohorts.

By staying focused on its long-term vision, the English Literature Study Program at UGM demonstrates that sustained progress, collective commitment, and integration of sustainable development values naturally lead to international recognition.

Photo: freepik.com

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]