SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, two Professors of the Master’s Program in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., and Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., received awards from the Rector of Canal Suez University at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Prof. Syamsul Hadi is a Full Professor (Emeritus) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, specializing in Arabic language, while Prof. Sangidu is a Full Professor specializing in Arabic literature. The awards were given to both of them for their dedication to the advancement of Arabic language and literature scholarship. The awards were presented directly by Prof. Dr. Hassan Youssef, representing Canal Suez University, during his visit to Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The Professors from Canal Suez University stated that Prof. Syamsul and Prof. Sangidu are outstanding educators who have dedicated themselves to the progress of research and the development of knowledge in the field of Arabic language and literature since a young age. Representing Egypt – and the Arab world as a whole – they are honored by their perseverance in preserving the Arabic language and literature, which are important identities of the Arab nation. Cooperation between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Canal Suez University in the future is expected to be even better and extend to other fields.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 10: Reduced Inequalities

Familiarizing oneself with the facilities at UGM becomes an unforgettable experience for participants of the LPDP UGM 2024 Language Courses program. UGM provides equal opportunities for language courses participants, ensuring that they can immerse themselves in the campus atmosphere just like other UGM students. The Center for Language at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) UGM plays a crucial role by organizing a campus orientation on February 19, 2024, aiming to maximize the utilization of available facilities. During this activity, participants are accompanied by staff and members of the academic community from the Center for Language at FIB UGM, making them more acquainted with the campus environment.

This orientation not only introduces common facilities but also focuses on mobility awareness on campus for students with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments and wheelchair users. In an effort to enhance accessibility, Dr. Safirotu Khoir, the librarian of UGM’s Central Library, also provides information about the library. The introduction involves distributing activation cards for book borrowing at UGM’s Central Library, which is integrated with the FIB UGM library. Participants not only explore the campus but also express enthusiasm in utilizing the book borrowing facilities and study spaces in the library.

The opportunity to become acquainted with UGM’s facilities through the LPDP Language Courses orientation not only provides practical insights but also boosts the participants’ enthusiasm for learning and exploration. With facilities open to everyone, UGM remains committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports the development of every individual, including LPDP Language Enrichment participants.

SDGs 4: Quality Education

Devi Ayu Lisdiana, commonly known as Devi, is a student from the English Department who excels in the sports of Pencak Silat and Kickboxing. During the Rapat Senat held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, she was awarded as one of the outstanding students (mapres) in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

It all started when she saw a post about the faculty’s anniversary on FIB’s Instagram account. She then consulted with several lecturers in the English Deparment. This resulted in the decision that the Head of the English Department, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A., proposed Devi to be one of the outstanding students.

Here are the various achievements accomplished by Devi:

1. Runner-up at the AUB CUP 2021 Open Pencak Silat Tournament
2. Runner-up at the PORDA XVI DIY 2022 Pencak Silat
3. 1st place in the Women’s Low Kick Exhibition Kickboxing Category at PORDA XVI DIY 2022
4. 1st place in Class D Women’s Pencak Silat at the DIY Regional Championship 2023
5. Runner-up in Class D Women’s at the 2022 National Invitational Inter-College Championship UNY
6. 1st place in Class E Women’s Pencak Silat Tournament Grobogan 1 Open 2023
7. Runner-up in the Women’s Low Kick category at the 2023 Rambo Kickboxing
8. 1st place in the UPY CUP IV 2023 National Pencak Silat Championship
9. Runner-up in the Pre-PON Kickboxing 2023

This serves as evidence that non-academic achievements are just as important as academic ones. Devi is proof that balancing academic and non-academic achievements is crucial. She undoubtedly went through various long processes before successfully achieving these championships. She often faced failures, which she used as fuel to rise again and continue her journey.

May Devi’s journey and her myriad of achievements serve as motivation for students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, to always rise again even after thousand failures because failure is not the end of everything.

Congratulations to Devi Ayu Lisdiana!

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 10: Reduced Inequalities

On Friday, February 16, 2024, Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM hosted a workshop aimed at improving services for individuals with disabilities, particularly focusing on the academic community within FIB UGM, with the goal of supporting language enrichment for LPDP participants. The event commenced with a welcome address from the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., and continued with a discussion session led by Mrs. Wuri Handayani, S.E., Ak., M.Si., M.A., Ph.D. The discussion featured UGM students with disabilities from various faculties as speakers.

Mrs. Wuri initiated the discussion by sharing insights into the ethical considerations of interacting with individuals with disabilities. Throughout the Q&A session, UGM students with disabilities, accompanied by the UGM Disability Care Community, actively engaged in the dialogue. The questions posed by participants in the workshop addressed various aspects, with a particular emphasis on strategies for creating greater inclusivity in classroom teaching and learning activities for students with disabilities.

It is expected that this workshop will lead to an improvement in the services provided by the academic community of FIB UGM to participants with disabilities in LPDP language enrichment, making them more effective and targeted. The workshop serves as a platform for mutual learning and the development of a deeper understanding of the needs and best practices necessary to foster inclusivity in the academic environment.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program welcomed Yuki Murakami, a Master’s student in the Development Economics Study Program from Kobe University, Japan, as an intern. The internship lasted for sixteen days from February 13th to 29th, with Masato Nakahara, Ph.D., as the supervisor lecturer.

During his internship at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yuki Murakami participated in various academic activities, including assisting in teaching classes, correcting exercises, and attending academic program activities. As a teaching assistant in the Japanese conversation class (Kaiwa), Murakami explained and practiced how Japanese people speak well and naturally, from basic knowledge to Japanese speaking habits. Furthermore, in the Japanese Thought History class, he assisted the lecturer in explaining how Japan found solutions to catch up with other countries after the implementation of sakoku (鎖国), which was Japan’s policy of isolation from the outside world.

Throughout his two-week stay in Indonesia, the intern student who was also known as Murakami-san shared his interesting experiences. At first, he was worried that the classes he taught would be considered unattractive by students. However, he was surprised that the students were active in class and easily became friendly with him. For him, feeling warmly accepted in a new place is an unforgettable feeling. Likewise, for the students, Murakami’s contribution as an intern student in the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program for two weeks has been inspiring and has provided new insights which become an unforgettable experience for Japanese Language and Culture students.