Yogyakarta, February 19, 2025 – The Arabic Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture titled Weaving Hopes, Achieving Dreams at the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th floor. The event aimed to ignite the spirit and motivation of students, particularly first-year students.

The lecture featured three inspiring and accomplished speakers: Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., Nuri Anjani, S.S. (UGM Arabic Literature Class of 2019), and Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S. (Class of 2020). Each speaker shared their experiences, insights, and practical tips related to future planning and personal development.

The event opened with a welcoming speech and motivational message from the Head of the Arabic Literature Program, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum. The main session followed with a talk show moderated by Nur Kumalatuz Zahroh, a 2022 Arabic Literature student.

The first speaker, Nuri Anjani, S.S., delivered a presentation titled “Youth Contribution to Humanity and Community Empowerment through NGOs.” She shared her professional journey in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the preparations, challenges, and lessons learned throughout her career.

The second speaker, Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S., presented “Self Exertion to Realize the Plans and Goals,” emphasizing the importance of present-day readiness to face future challenges, along with the steps to becoming a recipient of prestigious scholarships like LPDP.

The third speaker, Dian Kinayung, S.Psi., M.Psi., delivered a talk titled “My Dreams, My Future,” highlighting the significance of having dreams and outlining the essential steps to turn those dreams into reality.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session, presentation of souvenirs to the speakers, documentation, and a prized quiz session enthusiastically participated in by the students. Through this public lecture, the Arabic Literature Program at UGM hopes to equip students with better preparation and direction as they plan for their futures.

[Public Relation of Arabic Literature FIB UGM, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, 22/4/2025 – Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM plays a vital role in facilitating the Academic English Proficiency Test (AcEPT) for prospective students from Timor-Leste. This test was conducted as part of the admission process for new students at UGM and was held in Dili, Timor-Leste, on March 19, 2025. This initiative reflects UGM’s commitment to strengthening academic relations and international collaboration, especially with neighboring countries.

The AcEPT test is specifically designed to measure participants’ academic English proficiency. This competence is an essential requirement for international students aiming to pursue their education at UGM. The test serves not only to select qualified candidates but also to prepare them for the academic challenges they may encounter in a university setting, where English proficiency is critical for study and research.

Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM plays a central role in organizing this test, handling everything from preparation to execution. As an institution dedicated to supporting education and cultural development, the Language Center ensures that the AcEPT test adheres to high-quality standards. This reflects UGM’s dedication to providing access to quality education for the international community, including prospective students from Timor-Leste.

The successful implementation of the AcEPT test highlights UGM’s efforts to contribute to human resource development in Timor-Leste. As a leading university in Indonesia, UGM strives to reinforce its role as an inclusive and globally oriented educational hub. By facilitating this test, UGM not only provides opportunities for prospective students to achieve higher education but also builds a stronger bridge of collaboration between Indonesia and Timor-Leste through education.

This initiative also serves as tangible proof of Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM commitment to fostering the potential of young generations by providing high-quality educational services. The AcEPT test gives prospective students the opportunity to showcase their abilities and serves as a crucial first step in their academic journey at UGM.

[Public Relation of Fellas FIB UGM, Sabik Hikami]

Yogyakarta, April 14, 2023 – A proud academic achievement has once again been made by Hadijah Rima, a student of the Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), who has been selected as a presenter at the 2nd International Conference on Debate & Dialogue (ICDD2). This prestigious conference will take place in Doha, Qatar, on May 19–20, 2025, organized by QatarDebate under the auspices of the Qatar Foundation. This accomplishment stands as a testament to Rima’s perseverance and dedication in the field of debate and academic research.

Having been actively involved in Arabic-language debate since 2020, Rima has an impressive track record in various competitive forums. She previously participated in debate competitions organized by QatarDebate during the 2021–2022 period, an experience that broadened her perspective and honed her argumentative skills. The selection of her research paper to be presented at ICDD2 was the result of a highly competitive process, with over 300 abstracts and 100 full papers submitted by academics and practitioners from around the world. Meeting rigorous academic standards and undergoing thorough review by experts, the paper she began writing in August 2024 finally earned international recognition after passing multiple selection phases and was officially accepted in 2025.

QatarDebate, the main organizer of this conference, is Qatar’s national debate center established by the Qatar Foundation in 2008. This institution serves as a platform for promoting a culture of critical thinking, open dialogue, and constructive debate both in the Arab world and internationally. With the vision of “Enriching Dialogue, Empowering Minds,” QatarDebate equips young generations with in-depth argumentative skills and facilitates exploration of global issues from broader perspectives. As a part of the Qatar Foundation—a non-profit organization focused on education, research, innovation, and community development—QatarDebate strives to make a meaningful impact at local, regional, and global levels.

ICDD2 is a continuation of the inaugural conference held in 2023 and aims to strengthen interdisciplinary academic networks in the fields of argumentation, rhetoric, linguistics, dialogue, critical thinking, education, and Islamic philosophy. By bringing together scholars, practitioners, and debate and dialogue enthusiasts, the conference serves as an important forum for advancing intellectual discourse on a global scale. Its organization also highlights the growing expansion of debate and dialogue culture within modern academic contexts, which has developed significantly over the past decades.

In addition to her accomplishments in debating, Rima is also active as an academic translator, working with conference documents translated from Arabic to English, English to Indonesian, and Arabic to Indonesian. She frequently participates in various academic competitions and has received multiple awards. This year, she earned the prestigious LPDP Scholarship (PK 222) to continue her studies at UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature—an achievement that further solidifies her status as a talented young academic.

In an interview, Rima expressed her gratitude and disbelief at her achievement. She admitted that she never imagined her journey in Arabic-language debate, which began in 2020, would take her to the international stage. “It started as just trying out competitions, but it brought me this far,” she said. Rima also shared the major challenges she faced, including debating against native Arabic speakers. “I felt insecure and almost gave up, but I kept learning and sharpening my argumentation skills,” she explained. She emphasized that perseverance and genuine dedication to one’s field are essential, as opportunities often come from unexpected places. “If we are truly diligent, there’s always a way—and that’s where all the possibilities begin,” she concluded.

With her success in this academic event, Rima not only brings pride to UGM but also strengthens Indonesia’s representation in the international academic arena. Her participation in ICDD2 is expected to contribute significantly to the development of debate and dialogue studies, and to inspire younger generations to continue creating and exploring their academic potential at the global level.

[Public Relation Master of Literature, Anisa Dien Rahmawati]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/2025 – On April 15, 2025, an Open Session of the Dissertation Examination took place in the Open Session Room on the 3rd Floor of the KH. Mahrus Aly Tower at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. This event highlighted academic collaboration across campuses and countries. Professor Sangidu, M.Hum., a professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), was invited as a guest examiner, further strengthening the scientific partnership between the two esteemed institutions. The dissertation under examination was authored by Mohammed Ramadhan Abraheem Al-Shaykh Ali, an international student from Libya. His research focused on the principles of education illustrated in the stories of Sayyidina Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim, exploring their relevance in shaping human character through the values of the Qur’an.

This dissertation research thoroughly examines the educational methods found in the Qur’an, particularly through the inspiring stories of Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim. Utilizing content analysis, the researcher deconstructs relevant verses to uncover principles, approaches, and effective educational methods that contribute to shaping human behavior and morality. This study emphasizes that the Qur’an not only provides guidance to the right path but also offers solutions to psychological conflicts by integrating spiritual strength, reason, and self-control. These concepts have been relevant since the beginning of creation and continue to be significant today.

The presence of the Professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM as a guest examiner at this forum exemplifies cross-institutional and international collaboration in developing Islamic education with a global perspective. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on quality education (SDG 4), strengthening institutions (SDG 16), and fostering collaboration (SDG 17). By integrating Qur’anic values with sustainable development principles, we enrich the curriculum and enhance the role of Islamic universities in shaping a generation that is not only intellectually capable but also spiritually aware and socially responsible. This synergy aims to promote a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future while reinforcing Indonesia’s position as a hub for the advancement of progressive Islamic education on the global stage.

[Public Relation of Middle East Studies, Nafila Azzahra]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/25 — The Doctoral Promotion Open Examination of Dr. Ronidin was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The session took place in the Multimedia Room, 2nd Floor of the Margono Building, at 10.00 AM (WIB). This academic agenda marked the culmination of his doctoral journey in the Humanities Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In this open examination, Dr. Ronidin defended his dissertation entitled “The Expression of Minangkabau Tabedo in Novels by Minangkabau Authors Post-PRRI to the First Half of the New Order: A Genetic Structuralism Study.” The examination was supervised by Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum. as Promoter, and Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum. as Co-Promoter, and chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si.

This dissertation delves deeply into how the historical events of the PRRI (Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia) and the political transition during the early New Order period shaped cultural expressions and worldviews of Minangkabau authors through the medium of novels. Utilizing Lucien Goldmann’s genetic structuralism approach, reinforced by Lotman’s narrative theory, this research demonstrates how the Minangkabau tabedo worldview—characterized by difficult and dilemmatic social conditions—is reflected in literary texts.

The study examines five novels by Minangkabau authors: Dari Puncak Bukit Talang by Soewardi Idris, Panggilan Tanah Kelahiran by Dt. B. Nurdin Jacub, Saraswati Si Gadis dalam Sunyi by A.A. Navis, Warisan by Chairul Harun, and Bako by Darman Moenir. These novels depict the realities of Minangkabau society post-PRRI, amidst state hegemony and the shifting of traditional values, such as the role of the maternal uncle in the matrilineal system, the role of religion, and the relationship between the village and the diaspora.

Dr. Ronidin emphasizes that the Minangkabau tabedo phenomenon emerges as a representation of the tension between traditional values eroded by political realities and modernity introduced from external influences. In these novels, complex social realities are metaphorically portrayed through characters and narrative relationships, structurally reflecting the sociological conditions of Minangkabau society during that era.

This open examination not only affirms Dr. Ronidin’s intellectual capacity as an academic but also contributes significantly to Indonesian literary studies, particularly in understanding literature as a mirror of a society’s socio-political dynamics.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]