Yogyakarta, May 18, 2025 — Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again achieved outstanding success at the King Sejong Institute (KSI) Yogyakarta 2025 Speech and Writing Competition. The event was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and was attended by active KSI students, KSI alumni, as well as students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

In this competition, two students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program succeeded in achieving remarkable accomplishments. Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani won 1st Place in the Writing category, while Adhyva Kaana Taqqiyaa won 3rd Place in the Speaking category. These achievements reflect the students’ comprehensive Korean language skills, both oral and written, and demonstrate the results of continuous learning within the study program.

One of the winners, Adzini, shared her enthusiasm for participating in the competition. “Since the beginning, I had been looking forward to KSI’s competition, so when the opportunity came, I immediately joined both the writing and speaking contests. I personally feel more confident in writing because it is my hobby, especially as the theme was about ‘dreams,’ which felt very close to me. The words just flowed naturally, as if I was writing in my diary. In my piece, I portrayed dreams through the metaphor ‘마음속에 있는 불빛이’ (the light inside the heart) with an emotional nuance to give it more depth. I’m so happy that my message was delivered and I was selected as the 1st place winner. This competition has been a valuable experience to test my abilities. I hope KSI continues to hold such events, and that more participants will join in the future. Thank you! KSI Yogyakarta 화이팅!”

Meanwhile, Adhyva, who participated in the speaking category, also shared her experience. “처음으로 참가한 대회라 정말 떨리기도 하고 설레기도 했어요. 전체적으로 너무 즐거웠고, 한국어문화학과 학생으로서 정말 값진 경험이었어요.” (“This was the first competition I’ve participated in, so I felt both nervous and excited. Overall, it was very enjoyable, and as a student of the Korean Language and Culture Program, it was truly a valuable experience.”)

The students’ participation in this event not only serves as a platform for developing Korean language proficiency but also contributes to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strengthening inter-institutional collaboration and enhancing the quality of globally-oriented education

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Sherina Azmi]

Yogyakarta, May 16, 2025 — Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), once again demonstrated their active participation at the national level. On Friday (5/16), six students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM took part in the Preliminary Round of the National Korean Debate Competition organized by KCCI. The preliminary round was conducted online via the Zoom platform.

This competition was joined by 12 participants from various universities across Indonesia who had previously passed a selection interview. The participants were then divided into two groups, each consisting of six individuals. In addition to their Korean language proficiency, the competition also tested participants’ critical thinking skills and their ability to deliver arguments effectively before the judges.

The UGM students who participated in this event were Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani, Alma Naya Kamila, Sabrina Zalfaa Arisanti, Mulya Ghefira Azzahra, and Layla Maryam Al-Muqaddas. Their participation became a valuable opportunity to sharpen their Korean language skills and broaden their academic horizons.

In separate interviews, the participants shared their impressions and messages regarding the competition.

“I’ve always wanted to try new things, but there’s always a lot to worry about. I was afraid, afraid of failing. But it’s okay to fail, right? So I gave it a try. I’m very grateful for making it to the semi-final; no matter what the result will be, I’m already thankful. However, it’s unfortunate that some of my friends from UGM didn’t make it. Meeting amazing people and gaining new experiences is such a wonderful thing. 모든 것이 새로우면 설레게 만든대요. 그리고 그것이 맞다고 생각해요^^.” — Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum

“I joined this competition with strong determination to challenge myself. Even though the team assignment was random, I was actually glad to meet new friends and exchange experiences and knowledge. I learned a lot during the preparation for the preliminary round, and I believe that thanks to our teamwork and cohesion, our team was able to win. It’s a bit funny that we will have to compete against each other later, but that’s what competition is. Finishing one round doesn’t mean I can relax right away because the semi-final and final are still ahead. I’m also a bit sad that not all UGM teams can go together to Jakarta, but I will do my best to represent them and the department. 마지막으로, 여기까지 함께했던 친구들 모두 정말 수고했고 멋졌어! 다음에 또 다른 대회 있으면 우리 꼭 다시 도전해보자!!”  — Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani

“I’ve never even debated in Indonesian before, so I was extremely nervous participating in this. Even though I didn’t make it to the semi-finals, the experience was truly priceless!” — Alma Naya Kamila

“At first, I joined just to challenge my courage, even though I was scared and worried because I had to compete against fellow UGM friends. But thanks to that, I got to meet new people and quickly became close with them even though we had never met before. This competition will definitely be an unforgettable experience. Thanks to all members of 태양팀 and good luck to my UGM friends who advanced!”  — Sabrina Zalfaa Arisanti

“Initially, I didn’t plan to join this competition because I felt scared and lacked confidence. But eventually, I challenged myself to at least try once. Having randomly assigned team members was a challenge in itself due to distance and each person’s busy schedule. On the competition day, the event went smoothly despite being held online. Interestingly, most of the opposing teams were friends I already knew. Even though our team didn’t make it to the semi-finals, we finished the competition feeling relieved and cheerful. It was a meaningful and memorable experience.” — Mulya Ghefira Azzahra

“When my friend invited me to join this debate competition, I was quite hesitant at first due to my lack of confidence. But with the support of my friends, I gathered the courage to participate. The training process was very enjoyable because I got to meet many amazing new people. Although I didn’t manage to advance, I’m glad I dared to take part in this competition. It was a very valuable experience for me. ⊂⁠(⁠(⁠・⁠▽⁠・⁠)⁠)⁠⊃” — Layla Maryam Al-Muqaddas

Through participation in this competition, it is hoped that UGM’s Korean Language and Culture students will be further motivated to continue developing their Korean language skills and build confidence in facing various challenges in the future.

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Nisa Khairuna S./Sherina Azmi]

Yogyakarta, 23/5/2025 – Korean Major Talk Show, also known as KOMETS, is an annual event organized by the Korean Language Student Association (Himahara) with the aim of introducing the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event features inspiring speakers from the program and is open to the general public. This year’s KOMETS was held online via Zoom on March 9, 2025, starting at 09:00 AM (WIB).

For 2025, KOMETS adopted the theme “Korean High School” with the tagline “A Journey To The Glory”, inspired by the popular South Korean drama Study Group. The theme reflects the perseverance and spirit of students in navigating a challenging journey toward discovering and preparing themselves for admission into the Korean Language and Culture Study Program. The event aspires to provide prospective students with in-depth insights into the academic environment and opportunities offered by the program at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the Chair of Himahara, Khalisha Zukhrufa Hayya Risatmoko, the Head of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Dr. Achmad Rio Dessiar, B.A, M.A, and the Chief Organizer of KOMETS 2025, Uut Sriutami. The opening was followed by a presentation by Sherina Azmi Ahmad, an administrative staff member of the study program.

The session continued with presentations from two speakers who have participated in exchange programs in South Korea: Nyimas Aliyah Prajnia Paramitha, recipient of the 2024 Hyundai CMK Global Scholarship, and Raden Ajeng Dian Sari, recipient of the 2024 Global Korea Scholarship. In the middle of the session, a fun interactive quiz on South Korea was held to engage the participants.

The final speaker was the event’s special guest star, Kim Suengwon, a student from Busan University of Foreign Studies and a 2024 awardee of the AIMS Program Exchange, who is currently studying at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

KOMETS 2025 was attended by approximately 55 enthusiastic participants and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The event successfully introduced the Korean Language and Culture Study Program to a broader audience. “Don’t be afraid to try, and keep striving until you succeed.” — KOMETS 2025 Speaker.

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Justin Liepangi]

Melbourne, 15-17 December 2024 – Lecturers from the UGM Korean Language and Culture study programme once again took part in one of the international conferences related to Korean Studies. This time Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi participated as a presenter from Indonesia in ‘The 4th Biennial International Conference and Annual Teacher Workshop’ organised by the Australian Association of Teachers of Korean (AUATK) held in Melbourne from 15 to 17 December 2024. This annual event attracts Korean language researchers and educators from around the world, providing a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in Korean language education.

In 2024, AUATK’s theme is ‘The Use of AI in Korean Language Teaching,’ a topic relevant to technological developments in education. The integration of artificial intelligence into language teaching is a significant step towards improving access to education. By utilising AI technology, educators can create a more inclusive learning environment that meets a variety of learning needs.

During the three-day event, the conference featured various academic activities, including a workshop from the Korean National Language Institute, paper presentations, and an AI Prompt Engineering Workshop. The event provided a platform for academics and educators to discuss and share insights regarding innovations in Korean language teaching methods. The conference can serve as an important platform to foster collaboration among educators and researchers in the field of Korean language education. By bringing together experts from different backgrounds, the event encourages the exchange of ideas and the development of new approaches in teaching Korean as a foreign language.

The following are our lecturers’ impressions of the conference:

‘Wonderful. I gained new experiences and networks. I think it is time for the UGM Korean Language and Culture programme to not only focus on Korean Studies in Korea but also around the world. It is possible that UGM researchers can collaborate with Korean language researchers from renowned universities in the world besides those in Korea.’ – Alfiana

The participation of UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Programme lecturers in this prestigious conference confirms the commitment to advancing the field of Korean language education. By sharing knowledge and experiences, educators can contribute to global discussions on best practices and innovative teaching methods. The conference is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on Quality Education, as well as Innovation and Infrastructure.

[Public Relations of Korean Language and Culture, Sherina Azmi Ahmad translated by Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 23/2/2025 – University Club Boulevard hosted a seminar and workshop aimed at improving the role of PELBAKORI instructors in preparing prospective Indonesian migrant workers to work in South Korea. Welcomed by the dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., the event was a follow-up to an audience held in January 2025 between the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) and PELBAKORI, which focused on the government-to-government (G to G) labour dispatch programme.

Seminar dimulai dengan upacara pembukaan yang mencakup lagu kebangsaan Indonesia, diikuti dengan pembacaan doa. Suasana penuh semangat saat para undangan disuguhkan penampilan tari kipas Korea (Buchaechum) yang dibawakan oleh para mahasiswi dari Program Studi Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Korea. Pertunjukan yang memukau ini tidak hanya menunjukkan keindahan budaya Korea, tetapi juga menciptakan suasana positif untuk kegiatan hari itu. 

One of the crucial issues identified in this programme is the language barrier faced by Indonesian migrant workers, which is a concern for Korean employers. Many workers have difficulty understanding work instructions, resulting in miscommunication and potential conflict. To address this, PELBAKORI is committed to improving the quality and skills of prospective migrant workers, especially in language acquisition, by collaborating with academic institutions.

Instructors from vocational training centres (LPK) that are members of PELBAKORI play an important role in this initiative. They are tasked with equipping migrant workers with the language skills necessary to succeed in South Korea. Therefore, it is imperative that these instructors continue to improve their teaching skills in Korean.

The Korean Language and Culture Study Programme at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has been a key partner of PELBAKORI since 2018. This collaboration aims to create synergy between academia, vocational training institutions, and KP2MI to improve the quality of prospective migrant workers. The ultimate goal is to prepare these workers to become ambassadors of the nation who contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, in accordance with KP2MI’s tagline #BerangkatMigranPulangJuragan.

The seminar was attended by distinguished guests, including Dwi Setiawan Susanto, Director General of Promotion and Utilisation of Overseas Employment Opportunities at KP2MI, and Abri Danar Prabawa, Director of Vocational Institutional Development for Indonesian Migrant Workers at KP2MI. Also present will be the heads of UPT BP3MI from Yogyakarta, Central Java, and East Java, as well as Shin Jiwon from the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS).

The event will also feature expert speakers, including Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., MA, Ph.D. from the department of Korean Language and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Didin Samsudin, S.E., M.M., CHCM., CIT. from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and Dr Hwang Who Young, M.A. from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Their insights will be invaluable in discussing challenges and solutions related to language training for migrant workers.

As part of the workshop, participants will engage in interactive sessions designed to improve their teaching methodologies and language teaching techniques. This practical approach aims to empower instructors to better prepare their students for the realities of working in South Korea, ensuring they can communicate and integrate well in the workplace.

This seminar and workshop is a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of access to education and decent work for all. By investing in the education and training of migrant workers, Indonesia not only improves their competitiveness but also fosters a more skilled workforce that can contribute positively to the economy.

In conclusion, collaboration between PELBAKORI, KP2MI, and academic institutions is crucial to the success of Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea. By overcoming the language barrier and improving the quality of training, this initiative will help create a generation of skilled workers who can be ambassadors for Indonesia abroad.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]