Jakarta, April 17, 2024, Public Virtue Research Institute (PVRI) together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Indonesia held the 8th edition of the A.E. Priyono Democracy Forum. Entitled “The Future of Indonesian Democracy,” the event took the form of a public forum at the Erasmus Huis Auditorium in Jakarta attended by speakers from STF Driyarkara, BRIN Political Research Center, Project Multatuli, and the ASEAN Youth Forum.

To start the day, PVRI and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Indonesia also organized an informal meeting that provided a space for Indonesian students who have concerns about the development of democracy in Indonesia. Among the eight students represented at the meeting was Cornelius Prabhaswara Marpaung, an undergraduate student of Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In a lively and relaxed discussion, attended by staff of the Political Affairs Department of the Royal Netherlands Embassy to Indonesia as well as PVRI, everyone was able to express their concerns, hopes and expectations for the development of democracy in Indonesia. In keeping with his interests, Cornelius raised the issues of health and social inclusion for marginalized groups as important factors to consider to support the development of not only procedural, but also substantive democracy in Indonesia.

The event lasted until late afternoon, and was closed with a visit to the exhibition booths of various civil society groups at Erasmus Huis Jakarta with the speakers and Embassy staff.

UGM Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program invited Prof. Dr. Hassan Youssef, Professor from Canal Suez University Egypt in a public lecture “The Development of Arabic Literature: Theory and Application” on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Room 709 Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The public lecture was attended by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum., lecturers of the Study Program, as well as students of the KBTT Master Program and the Arabic Literature Bachelor Program and a number of students from outside UGM.

In his remarks, the Vice Dean of FIB UGM explained two important points. First, the orientation of implementation is no longer to the ‘instrinsic’ of literary works, but must look at it more in relation to the culture of society. Second, the demand for international exposure for all academicians which can be done by involving lecturers from abroad and also providing financing opportunities abroad for students who want to disseminate their research.

The event continued with the presentation of material from Prof. Dr. Hassan Youssef. He explained that Arabic literature continues to develop from the pre-Islamic or Jahiliyah era to the contemporary period. Each era has its own advantages. For example, the excellence in the Jahiliy era was Muallaqat poetry. In the era of the arrival of Islam, his poems began to leave reproaches and insert the language of the Qur’an as a da’wah to spread Islam. The advantages of Arabic literature in contemporary times are the freedom of poetic patterns and the use of language that is easily understood by the public. The development of Arabic literature continues to move dynamically following the times. Therefore, students are encouraged to always actively follow its development and examine it so that they can understand the novelty in the world of Arabic literature.

Two students of the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Fahmi Mubarok and Lutfi Nurfadli became Liaison Officers and Translators at the Hajj and Umrah Organizers Association (Himpuh) Deliberation on Wednesday-Friday, February 27-29, 2024 at the Marriot Hotel Yogyakarta. The event was attended by Prof. Hilman Latief, M.A., Ph.D. as the Director General of Hajj and Umrah of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The two students accompanied Mashariq’s VIP guests from Saudi Arabia, Wael Mohammad M. Rasheedi and Mohammedamin Hassan M. Andergiri.

Fahmi Mubarok and Lutfi Nurfadli are graduates from two leading universities in the Middle East, Al-Azhar Cairo University in Egypt and Yarmouk University in Jordan. Armed with experience and communicative Official (Fusha) and Local (Ammiyah) Arabic language skills, these two outstanding students successfully translated directly the remarks of Saudi Arabia’s VIP guest representatives at the event. They also received positive responses and good appreciation from the VIP guests who were accompanied. Thus, knowledge of Arabic and Arabic language skills, especially spoken language, play an important role in establishing and improving the quality of cooperation between countries.

Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a handover of office (Sertijab) of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (HMJ Kamastawa) for the 2024/2025 period. The inauguration of the new management took place on Thursday, February 29th 2024, at 04.00–05.00 PM WIB in the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, fourth floor. The event was attended by Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum, as the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., as the advisor of HMJ Kamastawa, representatives of the HMJ Kamastawa board for the 2023/2024 period, and the new HMJ Kamastawa board for the 2024/2025 period.

The event began at 04.00 PM WIB with the opening by Bagus Ulin Nuha, a student of the class of 2023, as the announcer. Followed by opening remarks from Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., and Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A.

Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., then read the minutes of the event and continued with the reading of the oath followed by all HMJ Kamastawa administrators for the 2024/2025 period. The inauguration and symbolic pinning of the sign of office to the Chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa 2024/2025 was carried out by Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. Adjit Royan Mustafa Ganda Sukma, Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2023/2024 period, removed the sign of office and pinned it to Gilang Cahyo Nusantara, Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period.

As a moment of farewell and welcome, Adjit Royan Mustafa Ganda Sukma said farewell on behalf of the 2023/2024 HMJ Kamastawa board. Meanwhile, Gilang Cahyo Nusantara gave a speech representing the management of HMJ Kamastawa 2024/2025. The next session was the handover of mementos from Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., to representatives of each division of the HMJ Kamastawa management for the 2022/2023 period. The event was closed with a prayer led by Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., before being closed by the MC.

The handover of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period is an important momentum for the new management to continue and improve the quality of the organization. Hopefully, the new management can implement excellent programs in the future, especially the 13th Fall of the Mountain and the XXX Imbasadi Nusantara Cultural Gathering 2024. Thus, it is hoped that HMJ Kamastawa will be able to continue to play an active role, make a positive contribution, and maintain the good reputation of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Congratulations and success to the management of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period!

Developing interest in learning Javanese fiction writing among students is one of the good efforts made by the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. This effort is reflected through the organization of structured courses. However, the study program makes other efforts to identify hidden talents, improve students’ basic competencies, and ensure the sustainability of this interest. One of them is to bring students closer to writers and authors who are qualified in this field through writing training and mentoring activities.

The open offer was conveyed to students through a class communication group. The class community has been formed in the context of training activities in writing children’s stories by Budi Sardjono (Gubug Nyawang Giri), a qualified author under the pseudonym Agnes Yani Sardjono. This activity was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, starting at 07.30 WIB until completion at Gubug Nyawang Giri-Sleman, in collaboration with PASBUJA (Paguyuban Sastra dan Budaya Jawa) Kawi Merapi Sleman through its Sleman School of Literature (S3). This community is supported by the community service program organized by Wiwien W. Rahayu, a lecturer in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program since 2022, on an ongoing basis.

The offer did not receive a variety of responses, except from six students who were interested in seizing the opportunity. These students are Dian Nitami, Maysa Putri, Siti Nurhayati, Pingky Putri, Ilman Nafia, and Nisrina Dyah.

“I want to learn to be a writer, develop ideas, and be interested in writing children’s stories,” was Nisrina’s reason for accepting the offer. Another reason for Maysa’s participation was “..to use it to raise my intention, enthusiasm, and motivation to write,” she explained. The same thing was also conveyed by Ilma Nafia and Dian Nitami. The positive energy given by the author through the story of his experience is one of the attractions of the student’s participation.  It could be that this can trigger a passion for fiction writing among Javanese Literature Study Program students. So that in the future, the response to existing opportunities will be more optimal.

Not just a hobby, the choice to become a writer is one of the offers made to students. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program is committed to providing strategic programs to support the development of fiction writing skills. The fulfillment of this is done seriously and continuously through the development of partnerships with various parties. Through the implementation of the tri dharma of higher education, this goal is expected to be achieved.