SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Adaptation | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

After attending their first lecture for about 3 weeks, it would be incomplete if they did not get to know each other better. Therefore, the Master of Literature new students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences held a familiarity night to strengthen the bond between the master of literature students. The activity was held at Villa Kalimasada in Kaliurang for two days starting from 2nd to 3rd of March 2024. Their spirits were not dampened despite the heavy rain on the day of their departure. Gathering at the Faculty, they left together for the villa at 4pm and returned home at 10am the next day. 

With this activity, it is hoped that the Master of Literature new students of 2024 even period can familiarize themselves with each other so that all forms of lecture activities in the future can run well. In order to achieve this goal, various event agendas were compiled that were able to strengthen their closeness, starting with personal introductions to get to know more, eating together, and playing games that they prepared themselves to make the atmosphere of the activity more fun and not boring.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDGs 17: Partnerships For The Goals

On Friday, March 8, 2024, as many as 16 UGM Archaeology students accompanied by three Department of Archaeology lecturers participated in the Borobudur Youth Engage 2024. This program is part of the cultural introduction program from UNESCO to youth, especially university students. The Borobudur Youth Engage 2024 program with UNESCO Jakarta collaborates with some universities such as Universitas Gadjah Mada through the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Atma Jaya University, and Tidar University. In this activity, UGM Archaeology participated in a tour around Borobudur Temple and Borobudur Temple Tourism Area to learn the history of archaeological remains and management of cultural heritage management.

The UGM Archaeology group departed from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM at 05.30 WIB and arrived at Borobudur Temple at 06.30 WIB. When arriving at the location, the UGM Archaeology group went to the registration desk and was given special equipment in the form of sandals called upanat sandals. Upanat means footwear which is suitable to be mentioned as special sandals that must be used when visiting Borobudur Temple as a preventive measure from the Borobudur Conservation Center to prevent damage to the temple’s andesite stones. Uniquely, the shape of these upanat sandals follows the shape of the footwear found on Karmawibhangga Relief No. 150 from the walls of Borobudur Temple.

After registration, UGM Archaeology students including Atma Jaya University and Tidar University students visited the pavilion not far from the registration location to watch historical presentations and introduction of supporting sites around the Borobudur Temple area. After watching the presentation, the students departed on foot to the Borobudur Temple courtyard area. Arriving at the courtyard area, the students were assisted by a guide who explained the points of interest around the Borobudur Temple area which is a tourist attraction that is often visited by domestic and foreign visitors. The guide then invited the group to climb Borobudur Temple for a further tour of the meaning of the reliefs and statues around the temple.

After the temple tour ended, the group of students and lecturers visited one of the cultural heritage sites around Borobudur Temple, namely the Brongsongan Site. At this site, students are invited to have an interactive discussion with questions and answers about the Brongsongan Site which has some temple-style relics. After visiting the Brongsongan Site, the group followed the last agenda which was a meeting session and presentation by successful figures from the management of the Borobudur Temple area, one of which was the famous Batik Nawasena craft to the international scene.

This activity ended at 14.00 WIB, with the UGM Archaeology group returning to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The implementation of one of several activities from UNESCO is a start for UGM Archaeology students to recognize and learn more about local cultural heritage.

SGDs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SGDs 17: Partnerships For The Goals

On Monday, February 26, 2024, 16.00-17.30 WIB, the UGM Japanese Language and Culture Study Program (BKJ) held an offline light discussion on the topic ‘Current State of Japan’ with Aoyama Tooru, Ph. D. who is an Emeritus Professor from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The discussion was attended by lecturers and students of BKJ UGM from all active batches.

The discussion agenda was opened with an explanation of the current condition of Japan by Aoyama-sensei. Coinciding with the new year 2024, January 1, 2024, in Japan, precisely Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture faced an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale at 14.10 local time. The earthquake not only damaged many public facilities and homes but also affected the access roads to the affected areas. The severe damage hampered access to disaster relief by the Japanese government. The affected area is a rural area filled with elderly people, so most victims have difficulty moving quickly in a precarious situation. Alas, the earthquake and its damage have the potential to make the area disappear from the map of Japan. This is because young people in Japan are choosing to live in cities with better facilities. Based on Aoyama-sensei’s explanation, the session continued with a dynamic and interactive question-and-answer session. Afterward, the discussion session was characterized by various questions about current social issues or problems in Japanese society. One of them was the link between the shoushikoureika (少子高齢化) problem, known as the problem of low birth rate and high elderly population, and the future of Japan.

The discussion with Aoyama-Sensei gave Japanese Language and Culture students valuable experience that can improve their critical thinking skills. By studying social cases in Japan, students not only broaden their horizons but also hone their creativity in formulating solutions to existing or even similar problems in Indonesia. This activity is a window of inspiration for students to learn and enrich their perspective on the current condition of Japan.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals | SDGs 17: Global Partnership | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage | SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9 : Cooperation

The sound of raindrops and orchestral music created a very serene and comfortable atmosphere that afternoon in the Open Field of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The students, who at that time were relaxing, discussing with their fellow students and doing assignments, were also carried away by the atmosphere and really enjoyed the performances from the Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO) plus the melodious voices of two vocalists from Paramadaya, Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Yes, this was an activity from GMCO called “GMCO Tour De Faculty”, where they went around visiting each faculty to present their beautiful playing to the public for free. Exactly on Tuesday, 5th of March 2024, it was the turn of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to receive this warm visit.

GMCO or Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra is one of Gadjah Mada University’s Arts UKM which specializes in the field of orchestral music which has been established since 2008. Currently, they have more than 140 active members including players and managers consisting of Gadjah Mada University students from various departments and educational levels. Not only did it aim to introduce their community to many people in each faculty, but it also turned out that this activity was also a commemoration of their 16th anniversary. Ms. Nurul Rafika, as chairman of GMCO, representing her colleagues said that they really hope that all of you can enjoy this offering.

SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Affordable credit | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Education | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Community

Dr. Suhandano, Dr. Sailal Arimi, and Drs. Tatang Hariri along with Master of Linguistics students across generations, carried out a ‘Students Gathering’ as well as the ‘The KALINGGA Handover Ceremony 2024’ on Friday, 23 February 2024. In this activity, various discussions related to academic activity in the Master of Linguistics UGM took place actively, such as transparency of student assessments and holding a prayer room in the Soegondo building so that lectures took place more efficiently. On this occasion, Dr. Suhandano also said that there would be a new application related to assessment, namely ‘Sioba’. Furthermore, final semester assignments also need to provide options other than articles and there is also a need for thesis research mentoring by lecturers. It is hoped that through this activity students will be more motivated to publish journals and be big on writing their theses so they can complete it on time.

The system of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) embraced in September 2015 by the UN, the worldwide improvement motivation for the primary time alludes to culture. The benefits of keeping up and progressing culture are accomplished through socially educated and viable execution of advancement objectives. Thus, discussion forums between lecturers and students can be a good culture to support and improve the quality of the learning environment.

In this activity, the stewardship of KALINGGA for the next 1 year was also officially appointed by Dr. Suhandano, witnessed by the previous year’s KALINGGA Management and students from across generations who were present. In the next 1 year, KALINGGA is expected to become a forum that can accommodate the aspirations of Master of Linguistics students, support the growth of student achievement and innovation, including creating useful activities in the field of Linguistics and society.