Yogyakarta, 4/2/2025 – The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program (KBTT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Coordination Meeting for the even semester of 2024/2025. This meeting was attended by all lecturers, including: Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., M.A., Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Lasiyo, M.A., M.M., Prof. Dr. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, M.A., Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, M.A., Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, M.Hum., Dr. Arifuddin, Lc. M.A., and Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A. The meeting commenced with remarks from the Head of the Intercultural Department, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. He emphasized the significance of collaboration among lecturers to create a better future for the study program and the students in the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program. “We must fulfill this teaching mandate to the best of our abilities for our collective progress,” stated Prof. Sangidu. This message aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in supporting quality education as a foundation for sustainable development.

The meeting continued with a session led by Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., the Secretary of the Intercultural Department, focused on the lecture system. The purpose of this session was to ensure that all participants shared a common understanding of the lecture system and the learning strategies that will be implemented in the upcoming semester. Attendees engaged in intensive discussions to design innovative teaching methods that cater to student needs and respond to global developments. It was agreed that strong collaboration among lecturers is essential for producing competent and competitive graduates successfully.

The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program aims to enhance its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through this coordination meeting, particularly focusing on quality education (SDG 4) and partnerships to achieve the goals (SDG 17). The collaboration among lecturers is expected to develop a curriculum that is not only academically focused but also promotes sustainable values. This initiative demonstrates the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program’s commitment to nurturing a generation capable of effecting positive change within the global community.

[Public Relations Master of Middle East Faculty of Cultural Sciences FIB UGM, Nafila Azzahra]

Yogyakarta, 25/1/2025 – The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Student Association (IMABTA) at Universitas Gadjah Mada held an online evaluation of the work program and finalized the accountability report for the IMABTA Management of 2024 on January 25, 2025. This event was attended by the Core Management of IMABTA 2024 and representatives of the prospective management candidates for 2025. The meeting began with remarks from Muhammad Rizqy Nawwari, the Chairperson of IMABTA 2024. He expressed his gratitude to all members of the management for their dedication in making the organization’s annual work program a success. Rizqy also conveyed his hope that this evaluation would provide valuable insights for the management in the upcoming year, enabling IMABTA to continue building strong and sustainable organizational governance.

Deputy Chairperson of IMABTA 2024, Farhan Aziz Wildani, expressed his appreciation to the management for their hard work over the past year. In his remarks, Farhan emphasized the importance of preparing the Articles of Association and Bylaws (AD/ART) to strengthen the organizational structure for the future. He hopes that the IMABTA 2025 management can prioritize this effort to ensure the sustainability of better organizational governance. This input aligns with the goal of supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 16, which focuses on creating effective, transparent, and inclusive institutions.

The event continued with a main session that included the evaluation of the work program and the finalization of the Accountability Report for the IMABTA 2024 management, led by the Secretary of IMABTA 2024, Aisyah Dian Azhar. During this session, various achievements and challenges encountered during the management period were discussed in depth to provide a clear overview for the next management team. This activity aims to ensure that IMABTA continues to adapt and evolve into a student organization that can positively impact its members and the wider community. This meeting marks the first step in building a strong institution in line with the values of the SDGs.

[Public Relations Master of Middle East Faculty of Cultural Sciences FIB UGM, Nafila Azzahra]

Yogyakarta, January 21, 2025 – The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program (KBTT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a meeting to prepare a new curriculum for 2025. The event took place in the Soegondo Building UGM and was attended by a team of curriculum-drafting lecturers, including Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., and Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A. They were assisted by two student staff members, Nafila Azzahra and Hermawati Putri Dian Insani. The meeting began with opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., the Head of the Intercultural Department. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to the attending lecturers and emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing a more relevant and adaptive curriculum. Prof. Sangidu also underscored the necessity of updating the curriculum to align with KBTT’s three main concentrations: Arabic Language and Literature, Arabic Culture, and Islamic Studies. Additionally, student input was taken into account when revising several key elements, such as Graduate Learning Outcomes (CPL), scientific vision, and course naming.

The intensive discussion was led by Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., the Secretary of the Intercultural Department, who provided a platform for lecturers to share their ideas. One notable suggestion came from Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, who proposed that the scope of Middle Eastern studies should extend beyond Arab culture. He recommended the creation of a special course that explores both Arab and non-Arab cultures, including those of Israel, Iran, and Cyprus. This proposal aims to enhance students’ understanding of cultural diversity in the Middle East, while also contributing to the development of an inclusive and comprehensive curriculum. 

Through this meeting, the KBTT Study Program aspires to create a curriculum that meets academic needs and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which focuses on quality education. With this initiative, the KBTT Study Program is dedicated to producing graduates who excel in their fields while also possessing a broader global perspective. This new curriculum is envisioned as a strategic step toward establishing sustainable education that is responsive to global dynamics and the needs of contemporary society.

[Public Relations Master of Middle East Faculty of Cultural Sciences FIB UGM, Nafila Azzahra]

The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Student Association (IMABTA) of UGM and the Indonesian Students Association of the Middle East Region (PPIDK Timtengka) conducted a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday evening, July 31, 2024, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM WIB at the Omega Education Group office, Senopati, South Jakarta. The signing of this memorandum was attended by representatives from both organizations. From IMABTA UGM, the signing was represented by Farhan Azis Wildani as Vice Chair of IMABTA UGM and Aisya Dianmar Adzani as Secretary. Meanwhile, from PPIDK Timtengka, the signing was represented by Siti Amaliah as Coordinator of the Indonesian Students Association of the Middle East and Africa. Representatives from several Indonesian Student Associations under the umbrella of PPIDK Timtengka were also present and actively involved in the event. Among the Indonesian Student Associations present at the event were PPI Oman, represented by Fu’ad Alfikr, and two prominent figures who are Ambassadors of Timtengka, Tubagus Muhammad (PPI Syria) and Hanifah Khairiyah (PPMI Egypt). Additionally, Imran Zarkasyi, Rifqy Ramdhani, and Imada Hanimul Haq from PPMI Egypt also attended and actively participated in the discussion forum for planning the realization of future collaborative activities between the two parties following the sacred ceremony.

The signing of the MoU between IMABTA UGM and PPIDK Timtengka is expected to be a strategic step in building cooperative relations between the two parties with the main goal of enhancing the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Additionally, the collaboration aims to strengthen academic relations and fortify the bonds of friendship among students. The forms of cooperation agreed upon include the exchange of information related to education, research, and community service intersecting between the two parties and plans for joint activities. In this regard, IMABTA UGM and PPIDK Timtengka are committed to continuing the collaboration agenda of the “Middle Eastern Culture Week,” which will be held annually. Moreover, both parties are committed to opening opportunities for student research collaboration and scientific publication in the Journal of Middle Eastern Culture & Religion Issues (MECRI).

Siti Amaliah, the Coordinator of PPIDK Timtengka, stated that the Middle East is a vast region that remains open for the study of its dynamics and culture. In the future, this international cooperation and collaborative commitment are expected to be a positive starting point for both parties.

“Students of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program (KBTT UGM) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) from the odd semester of 2023 successfully organized a Community Service Program (PKM) at Pabelan Islamic Boarding School, located in Pabelan Village, Mungkid Subdistrict, Magelang Regency, Central Java, on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The event, held in the Library Hall from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, featured a seminar titled ‘Middle East Talk: History and Culture’ and was attended by 54 final-year students of KMI.

The event began with an opening by the MC, followed by welcoming speeches from the head of the UGM PKM committee and Al-Ustadz Muhammad Muzakkir, M.Ag, Deputy Director of Dirasah Ulya at Pabelan Islamic Boarding School. He explained the origins of Pabelan Islamic Boarding School and its long-standing ties with UGM. “Pabelan Islamic Boarding School was founded by KH Hamam Dja’far al-Maghfurlah on August 28, 1965, and has had a personal connection with UGM for a long time. This is evidenced by several prominent professors from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Sangidu M.Hum and Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., who were former students at this boarding school.”

Following the speeches, the seminar proceeded with two sessions. The first session, titled ‘The Distinctiveness of the Middle East,’ was presented by Fahmi Mubarok Lc, and the second session was a sharing session on the academic world in the Middle East, presented by Naili Izzah Ramadhani, Lc. Muhammad Syahdan Hidayat, S.S., provided an overview of UGM’s academic programs and shared tips and tricks for applying to UGM.

At the end of the event, the Director of Kulliyatul Muallimin Al-Islamiyah at Pabelan Islamic Boarding School, Al-Ustadz Nur Musthofa S.H.I, gave a closing speech. He expressed gratitude to the UGM PKM students and motivated the students to master languages, especially Arabic and English. The event concluded with the presentation of a souvenir from UGM to Pabelan Islamic Boarding School, followed by a group photo session.”