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

The Sleman Regency Culture Office (Kundha Kabudayan) holds a Memetri Magazine Writing Training Workshop every year. This year, the workshop took place on Thursday, (02/15/2024) at Floating Resto Sleman. This workshop was attended by various groups, including Pasbuja (Javanese Cultural Arts Society), FGSM (Sleman Teachers Forum), and five students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2023. They are Rafif Wicaksono, M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, Audrey Gizella Islamey, Rela Sazkia, and Zidna Nabila.

This year’s “Memetri” Magazine Writing Training Workshop was devoted to writing Javanese-language feature works. The goal was to train the participants to write features, increase creativity, and preserve the Javanese language. There were various materials presented by the speakers, such as formulas for writing features, methods of writing features, and how to choose references for features to be written. Dra. Wiwien Widyawati Rahayu, lecturer of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, was also a resource person in this workshop. She conveyed the method for finding feature sources.

Audrey Gizella expressed her opinion on the workshop. “Alhamdulillah, this workshop was very fun, not boring, and I gained new knowledge to write features.” Rafif Wicaksono added, “This activity is very useful for us, especially since our study program is also related to literature. Therefore, we can know the intricacies of good and correct feature writing,” he said.

The organization of the “Memetri” Magazine Writing Training Workshop is a concrete effort to train the younger generation to be able to write features as well as participate in the preservation of Javanese culture. Educational efforts and cooperation from various parties in preserving culture are in accordance with the goals of sustainable development, namely improving the quality of education (point 4) and partnerships to achieve goals (point 17). 

Author: Zidna Nabila | Editor: Haryo Untoro

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

On Tuesday, January 20, 2024, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences held the first meeting with students who are currently enrolled in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences through the Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka (PMM) Program. The meeting was attended by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum, along with 17 students from various universities in Indonesia and 5 international students from Italy, Japan, and Korea.

Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum congratulated the students who were accepted into the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Additionally, she provided a brief overview of life at FIB UGM and in Yogyakarta. She suggested the students to explore various aspects of life at UGM and in Yogyakarta, both academically and non-academically, in hope that it would give them new experiences.

The activity continued with guidance on filling out the Kartu Rencana Studi (KRS) / study plan by the Unit of Academic and Student Affairs. They conveyed information about campus regulations that the students should be aware of and provided an overview of various courses that they could take. During this agenda, their enthusiasm for studying at this faculty was evident, with some expressing interest in taking courses such as Indonesian Cultural Practices, particularly Traditional Dance.

In essence, the PMM program aims to provide students with a different learning experience, offering them the opportunity to experience teaching and learning activities at other universities. Additionally, they gain the experience of building relationships with students and professors at FIB UGM, with the hope of opening up possibilities for future collaboration and cooperation.

SDGs 4: Quality Education

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, marked an unforgettable day for 140 graduates of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), where they proudly received their new titles as Bachelor’s degree. The event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si, the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., and representatives from each department and study program within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

In this graduation period, Mutiara Cantikan, a student of the Cultural Anthropology Study Program, achieved the highest GPA of 3.99, followed by Garin Arivian Muhammad with a GPA of 3.96 from the Arabic Literature Study Program.

The event began with a welcoming speech from Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos, M.Si. He also gave some advice on the importance of considering the past as a source of learning and emphasized the need to look forward. The first step, he mentioned, is to finish the things in front of us. This graduation ceremony signifies the success from the efforts in the previous years. The program continued with an entertaining performance of the Būchaechum dance by students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, who are part of the Dōngari Student Activity Unit. The ceremony was closed with a prayer led by Hamdan, S.S., M.A.

Congratulations to all the graduates! A bright future awaits you!

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

On Monday, February 2nd, 2024, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program received a visit from students of Reitsumeikan University, Japan. The event took place in Room 405 (gamelan room), Margono Building, 4th floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The participants of this visit were 20 students accompanied by one supervisor and 14 UGM students from the UGM Buddy Club organization. 

During the visit, seven student representatives from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program gave a presentation about the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program and the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Family Organization (HMJ Kamastawa). Furthermore, they introduced Karawitan musical instruments as part of Javanese culture. The introduction was carried out by explaining the musical instruments, demonstrating the instruments, and presenting a traditional Javanese song entitled “Suwe Ora Jamu.” After the presentation, Reitsumeikan University students were allowed to try various gamelan instruments guided by student representatives.

The visit was then closed with a documentation session and the souvenirs handover to Reitsumeikan University. With this visit, Reitsumeikan University students had the opportunity to have a deep and better understanding of Indonesian culture, especially Javanese culture. This activity can be an important tool to introduce the beauty of the archipelago’s culture to the international community. Attempts to introduce and explore the traditions and culture of the archipelago are in line with the fourth point in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) : Quality Education.

SDGs 4: Quality Education

Banda Neira has become a trending destination, drawing the attention from both local and international visitors. For Sherina, an Archaeology student at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, wo conducted her Community Service Program (KKN) on the island, Banda Neira is not just a tourist spot but a personal heaven. Belgica Fort, one of its popular icons, holds a special place in her heart. Sherina is fascinated by the fact that every arranged stone on the island holds a story and a mystery from the past waiting to be unraveled. Sherina said, “Many people do not know much about this fort, or they only know it from the backside of the one thousand rupiah banknote, without detailed explanations. What was the fort used for in the past? What were the functions of each room? What is the significance of its five sides? Was it for surveillance or other purposes?”

As an archaeology enthusiast, Sherina discovered various tangible and intangible remains in Banda Neira, particularly within the fort. She also engaged in discussions with the rector of Banda Neira University who shared their interest in historical remains. Interestingly, the historical remains spread across Banda Neira span various eras, as she mentioned, “Banda Neira is full of colonial remains, and as a person who is interested in colonial heritage, Banda Neira is like a heaven. However, the remains there are not limited to the colonial era as I visited a museum called ‘Rumah Budaya,’ where I found artefacts from the prehistoric era, such as thorns and fish bones.”

Sherina’s journey was beyond textbooks and classroom, delving into the secrets of history and the intricacies of Banda Neira. In the end, Sherina’s adventure in Banda Neira reflected the profound impact of hands-on experiences in fostering a deeper appreciation for history and cultural heritage. Through this writing, she invited fellow students to explore untouched territories and preserve the history embedded in our cultural heritage.

Photo 1: Banda Neira