Yogyakarta, 4 October 2025 – The Arabic Student Association (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) warmly welcomed the Arabic Literature Student Association (HIMASA) from Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) during their comparative study visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event aimed to strengthen academic and organizational ties while fostering collaboration and friendship between student associations.

The SANJUNG program was attended by all representatives of IKMASA UGM’s 2025/2026 management board from each department, accompanied by IKMASA Chairperson Candra Solihin. Meanwhile, the HIMASA UNPAD delegation, consisting of around 60 members, was led by HIMASA Chairperson Moch Cahya Kurnia.

The event began with welcoming remarks from both organization leaders, followed by presentations of work programs from each department and division. The participants then engaged in focused discussion sessions organized into small groups, each consisting of one to two departments, allowing for deeper exchanges of ideas and experiences. The program concluded with a documentation session held in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building.

This visit served not only as a platform for sharing organizational best practices but also as a meaningful step toward building lasting partnerships and academic collaboration among Arabic student associations across Indonesia.

Author: Department of External Relations of IKMASA

Who says Arabic Literature students only deal with texts and Middle Eastern culture? Faris Zaky, an active student from the Arabic Literature program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), proves otherwise. He has successfully demonstrated that a background in the humanities is not a barrier to making a real contribution in the professional world.

Starting with a desire to fill his semester break with productive activities, Faris discovered an internship opportunity. Upon reading that one of the positions available was in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), he immediately felt intrigued, even though he initially hesitated, thinking his major was not directly related. With the courage to try, he decided to seize the opportunity. This decision turned out to be fruitful. He was accepted and began an internship experience that introduced him to various community dynamics.

Faris’s interest in social issues is not new. Since the beginning of his studies, he has been active in various community activities such as Ikmasa Mengabdi, Gemilang Desa, Ramadhan di Kampus, and being part of the organizing team for PIONIR Gadjah Mada 2024. From these experiences, his sensitivity to social issues and planning skills have grown, which are now essential assets in his role in CSR.

Despite coming from an Arabic Literature background, Faris found that many skills he acquired during his studies are highly useful in the workplace. The writing and communication skills he honed during his studies became his main assets in conveying information to the community in a clear and understandable manner. Additionally, his experience in managing organizational programs equipped him with the ability to accept criticism, respond to problems with solutions, and prepare public communication materials with appealing visuals—such as graphic design and video editing—all of which support CSR work in the field.

During his internship, Faris was involved in various community development programs covering agriculture, livestock, health, tourism, and the economy. One of the programs he is most proud of is the development of the Bina Mandiri Farmer Group in Pulosari Village through the innovation of biodigester technology that produces bio slurry. This product was then developed into Bio Slurry Plus, an original innovation from PLTP Gunung Salak that has not been implemented elsewhere. This program has proven to increase productivity in the agricultural and livestock sectors and is one of the reasons why the CSR program of PLTP Gunung Salak received the Gold award—the highest level in the national CSR program assessment.

In carrying out his role, Faris also faced challenges, especially in changing the habits of the community that were not entirely appropriate, particularly in agriculture and livestock. He and his team chose to educate gradually, consistently, and with a persuasive approach so that the messages of change could be accepted without offending deeply rooted habits. Throughout this process, Faris upheld local values and culture. He believes that the principle of “where the earth is stepped, there the sky is upheld” is key to building community trust, especially when working in an environment rich in cultural values, such as the area around the Halimun Gunung Salak National Park, even though the program’s target area is outside the conservation zone.

This internship experience has transformed Faris’s perspective on the relationship between literature, social issues, and the professional world. He realized that the knowledge he studied, which he initially thought was only relevant in academic or cultural studies, actually has a close connection to practical needs in the field. Literature is not just about texts; it is also about understanding social contexts, building empathy, and effectively conveying ideas—elements that are crucial in community development. For him, the worlds of literature and work do not oppose each other; rather, they support and strengthen one another.

After completing his internship program, Faris is determined to continue engaging in social activities and deepen his knowledge in community development. He also wants to explore the skills he has honed, such as event planning, design, video editing, and writing, which he believes are highly needed in the social work sector. Faris Zaky’s story is a testament that the courage to step forward, consistent interest, and adaptability can lead students from any discipline to make a real impact on society—even within state-owned enterprises.

Yogyakarta, May 10, 2025 – IKMASA Future Leaders 2025 was successfully held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Carrying the theme “Think Beyond the Urgent: Leading with Strategy, Not Stress”, the event featured Nafesya Amrina Rasyada, S.S., as the keynote speaker.

The program was attended by members of the Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikatan Mahasiswa Sastra Arab or IKMASA) and aimed to encourage participants to understand the importance of strategic thinking in decision-making—especially in high-pressure situations.

In her presentation, Nafesya emphasized the diversity of critical thinking frameworks, highlighting the need for individuals to adapt their decision-making processes to context, timing, and specific needs. Her session covered various perspectives on decision making, types of urgency in both personal and professional settings, the qualities of an ideal leader in decision-making situations, and practical steps toward becoming a responsible individual who can own their decisions—whether right or wrong.

This initiative is part of IKMASA’s ongoing leadership and character development program, designed to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Through this mentoring session, participants were encouraged to distinguish between decisions made under emotional pressure and those resulting from reflection and well-thought-out analysis—an essential skill for future leaders in both organizational and professional environments.

[Public Relation of IKMASA FIB UGM]

Yogyakarta, 24 April 2025 – IKMASA Mentoring #1 was successfully held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, carrying the theme “Ownership Over Obligation: Working With Purpose, Not Just Pressure.” The event featured Garin Arivian Muhammad, S.S., as the main speaker and was attended by students of the Arabic Study Program at UGM who are members of Ikmasa. The mentoring session aimed to foster a deeper awareness of responsibility as a core foundation for both personal and professional growth.

In his presentation, Garin emphasized that responsibility is more than just an obligation imposed from outside, it is a conscious attitude toward one’s role and the impact of one’s actions. His talk covered the meaning of responsibility from various perspectives, the different types of responsibility (personal and professional), and practical steps to become a responsible individual, such as keeping promises, owning one’s actions, setting realistic goals, and engaging in regular self-reflection.

This event is part of Ikmasa’s Leadership and Character Development program, designed to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Through this mentoring session, participants were encouraged not only to understand the concept of responsibility but also to apply it meaningfully in academic life, organizational involvement, and future professional paths.

[External Relations Division of IKMASA]

Yogyakarta, April 26, 2025 – The Student Association of Arabic Study Program (IKMASA) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation from the Student Association of Arabic Language and Literature (HMPS BSA) of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) in a collaborative visitation program titled IKMASA Berkunjung (SANJUNG). This visit was part of HMPS BSA UAD’s initiative to strengthen organizational quality, evaluate performance, expand networks, and foster innovation among students of Arabic Literature.

The event brought together the executive members of IKMASA 2025/2026 and HMPS BSA UAD 2024/2025, including both chairpersons—Candra Solihin (IKMASA UGM) and Galih Yoga (HMPS BSA UAD). The program featured a warm silaturahmi (bond-building session) between the two organizations, including cabinet presentations by both chairpersons, division-level sharing sessions, and a campus tour followed by a group photo session.

Held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, specifically in Room 709 of Soegondo Building, the event began at 09.00 AM with an Opening Ceremony. The agenda included a Qur’anic recitation and a communal singing of the Indonesian national anthem, “Indonesia Raya.” Welcoming speeches from representatives of both organizations followed, expressing shared hopes and the purpose behind this inter-campus initiative.

In the main session, each chairperson presented their respective organizational structures and work programs, aiming to inspire mutual collaboration and exchange of ideas. From 10.30 to 11.00 AM, the program continued with a dynamic interdepartmental sharing session that provided a valuable forum for discussion, reflection, and the exchange of experiences and strategies.

The visit concluded with a campus tour of UGM, giving guests from HMPS BSA UAD a closer look at the university environment while strengthening the personal and institutional connections between the two groups.

It is hoped that this event will serve as the foundation for future collaboration and continued communication between IKMASA UGM and HMPS BSA UAD. Beyond building organizational insight, the program also fostered meaningful relationships and a spirit of unity among Arabic Literature students from different institutions.

SANJUNG marks a positive step forward in promoting inter-university dialogue and collaboration. Activities like this demonstrate that the spirit of student organization and cooperation can flourish not only within UGM and UAD but also across other Arabic Literature programs throughout Indonesia—encouraging a more connected and empowered academic community.

[External Relations Division of IKMASA]