Yogyakarta, 13 November 2025 — The Master’s Program in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies (KBTT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Arabic Study Program, hosted an International Public Lecture titled “Scepticism and Tolerance: A Case from Premodern Islamic Thought.” The event featured Prof. Ayman Shihadeh, a distinguished scholar of Islamic intellectual history from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Held at the Soegondo Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, the lecture was also livestreamed via the Arabic Study Program’s YouTube channel, allowing broader public access. The session was moderated by Tohir Mustofa, M.A., lecturer of the Arabic Study Program, and attended by students from both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

This public lecture highlighted the strategic synergy between the KBTT Program and the Arabic Study Program UGM, reaffirming their shared commitment to bringing world-class academic discourse to students and the wider community. Through its YouTube livestream, the event aimed to reach a wider audience, strengthen public intellectual literacy, and foster a culture of critical and constructive dialogue.

The lecture also supported key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through accessible high-quality academic learning, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting values of tolerance and dialogue, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through interdisciplinary academic collaboration.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, 21 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and supported by grant funding from the Korea Foundation, continued its online Korean Studies Series Lectures with the second installment of the program. The lecture, held on 21 November 2025 via Zoom, featured Dr. Kim Jihye from the University of Melbourne, who presented a talk titled “K-drama Under the Blanket: Hallyu and Everyday Life in South Korea.”

During the one-hour session, Dr. Kim delivered an English-language presentation explaining how modern South Korean cultural content—particularly Korean dramas (K-dramas)—circulates in North Korea through smuggling networks. Despite strict governmental bans on South Korean cultural media, many North Korean citizens continue to access and watch K-dramas as part of their daily lives.

The lecture was attended by more than 70 participants and moderated by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in the Korean Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. Throughout the session, participants actively engaged in the discussion and had opportunities to ask questions directly to the speaker.

Through the continuation of this second lecture series, INAKOS and the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM reaffirm their commitment to expanding academic collaboration and strengthening platforms for knowledge exchange. In the future, the organizers hope to offer more public lectures and further collaborative initiatives.

Written by : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S

Yogyakarta, December 8, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada has once again launched the Sibuya program, which provides free breakfast for students currently taking the Odd Semester Final Exams for the 2025–2026 academic year. The program is held on December 8, 11, 15, and 18, 2025 at the Kantin Sastra using a coupon system, and on December 9 and 16, 2025 in front of the Soegondo Building, where meal boxes are distributed. A total of 200 servings are provided each day.

The Sibuya program is supported by the Parents Association of Students (POTMA) and Dharma Wanita FIB UGM. Students can redeem their food coupons at the food court area of Kantin Sastra according to the scheduled dates.

The Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Setiadi, stated that the implementation of Sibuya reflects the faculty’s concern for students who are entering the exam period.
“Sibuya is our effort to support students who are about to take their exams. We hope this program brings them comfort and helps them feel more prepared for their finals. We also hope that more parties will participate in the future,” he said.

He added that the program is expected to help students, especially those who have not had the chance to eat breakfast before their exams.
“With Sibuya, we hope students can be assisted, particularly those who need breakfast, those who leave home without eating, or those who have not eaten at their boarding house, so they can take their exams with peace of mind. We are truly grateful to Dharma Wanita and the Parents Association for their full support of this program,” he explained.

The presence of Sibuya not only provides nutritional benefits and physical readiness but also fosters solidarity and a sense of community within the campus environment. The initiative stands as a tangible example of collaboration between institutions, families, and students in creating a caring and inclusive academic atmosphere.

Through this simple yet meaningful effort, Sibuya reminds us that attention to basic needs can be a powerful force in shaping a healthier and more empowered younger generation, equipped to face future challenges. This spirit of togetherness is expected to continue growing and inspiring sustainable development efforts in the field of education.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM,  Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 14 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Undergraduate Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and supported by funding from the Korea Foundation, held the first lecture in the Korean Studies Series Lectures. The session took place online on 14 November 2025 under the title “Korean Language Education in Singapore.” The invited speaker was Dr. Ji Seowon from the Centre for Language Studies, National University of Singapore.

For approximately one hour, Dr. Ji delivered a lecture in Korean, presenting an overview of Korean language education at NUS, where the subject is offered as a minor and an elective. Although Korean is not offered as a primary undergraduate major, the program at NUS enables students to reach an advanced level of proficiency. The teaching approach incorporates various methods, including flipped learning, reflection notes, project presentations, and the integration of AI in language learning.

The lecture was attended by more than 33 participants, including undergraduate students from the program, master’s students in Korean Language Education from institutions such as Chulalongkorn University and Kyung Hee University, as well as Korean language instructors from universities and training institutions (LPK). The event was moderated by Dr. Hwang Who Young, M.A.

This lecture is expected to serve as a platform for educators and learners to enhance the quality of Korean language education in Indonesia, while also strengthening international academic networks that contribute to the advancement of quality education.

Written by : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S

Yogyakarta, 5 December 2025 — A workshop on IoT-based smart classroom systems was held in room S 709 on the seventh floor of the R. Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event featured Irawan Wko Prabowo, S.T., M.Eng., who delivered a session on the implementation of automation technology and room temperature monitoring through a Building Management System (BMS).

The workshop discussed how BMS functions as a centralized computer system that controls mechanical and electrical equipment within a building. Irawan explained that integrating building systems is essential for operational efficiency, especially in modern classrooms that require comfort and stable learning conditions. “BMS allows administrators to regulate temperature, lighting, and building security from a single control point, enabling real-time monitoring,” he said.

In his presentation, Irawan outlined the main functions of BMS, including HVAC control to maintain air quality and room temperature, lighting management that adjusts to energy needs, as well as monitoring electricity use and security systems. All functions are connected through an integrated platform, making facility management more streamlined.

Participants also received an explanation of how BMS works, starting from the collection of sensor data that measures temperature, humidity, and energy usage, to the processing of this data by digital controllers that determine automatic actions. The information is displayed through a user interface accessible via computers and mobile devices. With this technology, building managers can monitor rooms remotely and make decisions based on real-time data.

The workshop emphasized the importance of efficient building management in addressing rising energy demands. IoT-based smart classroom technology is expected to support a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsive learning process. This initiative represents a strategic step toward promoting sustainable space management and fostering smarter, more responsible learning environments.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]