Yogyakarta, 18 November 2025 — As part of its ongoing effort to expand creative dialogue within the academic community, the Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Tracing Self-Identity Through Fiction” on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, in Room 204 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM. The event featured California-based writer of Vietnamese–Indonesian descent, Mazdo, as the keynote speaker, with Naria Nur Iftitah serving as moderator. Her presence drew enthusiastic attention from students, alumni, and literary researchers eager to explore how fiction can serve as a medium for reflecting identity, personal experience, and socio-cultural dynamics.

In her presentation, Mazdo explained that writing, for her, is a deep dialogue between personal experience, imagination, and the internal questions that continually shape her creative process. She introduced three of her short stories as examples of how she navigates identity through fiction. The first piece she discussed, When the Moths Came (2023), stems from her personal experience. “This story began from my experience living in an apartment where moths were flying everywhere— in the kitchen, around the living room, everywhere. I felt disturbed, but I thought it would be interesting to turn it into a short story,” she explained. From this simple experience, Mazdo crafted a narrative about a married couple dealing with the constant presence of moths, which disrupt their daily life and create emotional distance between them.

Her second story, The Collector (2024), is rooted in her time studying at the Southeast Asia Program building at Cornell University, which was filled with cultural artifacts. She invited the audience to examine how such objects hold long historical traces, including power relations between the United States and Southeast Asian nations. Through the perspective of two curious and innocent children, she demonstrates how Orientalism and colonial traces can be reimagined in fictional space.

Meanwhile, her story Cut Blooms (2025) highlights the relationship between two sisters—shaped by affection, misunderstanding, and an unbreakable emotional bond. Mazdo shared that the inspiration for this work came from her closeness to her own sisters. “When I write, inspiration can come from anywhere, even from my own life experiences. For example, Cut Blooms comes from my personal experience, but I do not write it literally as it happened. Since I write fiction, only small details that truly happened in my life are adapted into the story,” she explained. This statement helped the audience understand that fiction does not require literal adherence to real events, but instead transforms lived experience into a broader emotional structure.

The public lecture also aligned with values of social and cultural sustainability. Through her stories, Mazdo demonstrated that literature can serve as a tool for cultivating empathy, honoring diverse identities, and encouraging reflection on one’s place within larger historical contexts.

The question-and-answer session unfolded warmly and thoughtfully. The first question came from Marisa Santi (Kagama UGM), who asked about the narrative approach Mazdo most frequently uses, whether she prefers the author as an omniscient narrator or allows the characters full autonomy. Responding to this, Mazdo said, “I tend to use the first approach, where the writer serves as the narrator.” She added that this position allows her to guide the fictional world while still giving her characters space to move freely.

The next question was posed by Marsya Kamila, a student of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature, who asked whether Mazdo plans to write fiction that explicitly addresses migration or identity exploration in the United States, given that her parents migrated there. Mazdo responded enthusiastically: “Yes, because both of my parents come from Vietnam and Indonesia, I think it would be interesting to write fiction that gives voice to our origins and experiences.” Her answer indicates that family history and migration remain enduring sources of inspiration in her creative journey.

The event concluded with great appreciation from participants, who felt they gained new insights into how fiction operates as a tool for self-exploration, historical reading, and reinterpreting lived experience. The Master’s Program in Literature hopes that similar public lectures will continue to provide creative spaces that strengthen literary literacy while fostering cultural awareness and sustainability in society.

[Master’s Program in Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 13 November 2025 — The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, welcomed an academic visit from the Master’s Program in Literary Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro at Room 709, Soegondo Building, FIB UGM. The event was part of the ongoing implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two faculties in education, research, and community engagement.

The visit began with a warm welcome from the UGM Master’s in Literature team, who greeted the UNDIP delegation of lecturers and students. From the outset, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, reflecting the longstanding relationship between the two institutions.

The first remarks were delivered by the Head of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum. In his address, he expressed his delight in receiving the academic visit. He emphasized the personal and academic closeness he shares with UNDIP, stating that the meeting felt like a family gathering. “I feel very close to UNDIP. I once taught there, and several of the lecturers are my close friends. So today truly feels like meeting family,” he said, receiving warm responses from attendees.

This was followed by remarks from the Head of the Master’s Program in Literary Studies at Universitas Diponegoro, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M.Hum. He conveyed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to visit UGM in person and observe firsthand the learning atmosphere and academic dynamics of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature. He noted that the visit was valuable for gaining insights into program management and for strengthening inter-faculty collaboration.

The event continued with presentations of study program profiles from both institutions. Representatives from UGM’s Master’s in Literature and UNDIP’s Master’s in Literary Studies shared information on curriculum structures, research focuses, teaching models, and recent developments within their programs. The session was interactive, with each institution exchanging insights and experiences. UNDIP presented several interesting points regarding learning strategies and curriculum innovation, while UGM elaborated on its academic management approach, including how the program operates with six specialization tracks.

The discussion grew livelier during the Q&A session. One UNDIP lecturer inquired about how UGM manages to open six specializations at the master’s level—namely Indonesian Literature, Javanese Literature, English Literature, French Literature, Japanese Literature, and Arabic Literature. In response, Prof. Aprinus explained that launching a specialization requires at least ten interested students and available faculty members. If no students register for a specialization in a particular semester, the track will not be opened for that term. He emphasized that this system has been implemented for a long time.

Students from both universities were equally active in the discussion. A UNDIP student asked about the forms of assignments and examinations used in the UGM Master’s program. UGM students from various specializations then shared their experiences. Nada from Arabic Literature explained, “In the first semester, we study many theoretical foundations as preparation for writing the thesis later on, such as sociology of literature, feminism, post-structuralism, and postcolonialism. In the second semester we continue with specialization courses, and in the third and fourth semesters we focus on the thesis.”

Nai from English Literature added, “For final assessments or examinations, they are usually in the form of academic papers, and in some English Literature specialization courses, we also have weekly essay assignments.”. Meanwhile, Marsya from French Literature shared her experience as the only student in her specialization that year. “In my cohort, I happened to be the only one taking the French Literature specialization. However, the classes were still conducted, and the lecturers continued to provide materials. As for the final assignment, it is similar to other specializations—either a draft article or a submitted article to a SINTA-indexed or Scopus-indexed journal,” she explained.

The Q&A session created an intimate academic atmosphere as lecturers and students from both institutions exchanged questions, perspectives, and reflections. The interaction demonstrated a strong enthusiasm for learning from one another and building a broader academic network.

The academic visit concluded with hopes that the collaboration between UGM’s Master’s in Literature and UNDIP’s Master’s in Literary Studies will continue to grow through similar activities in the future. The meeting not only strengthened institutional ties but also opened meaningful avenues for knowledge exchange, enriching the academic experience for all participants.

[Master’s Program in Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 21 November 2025 – The Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again achieved global recognition. In the QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject 2025, the program secured a position within the 151–200 global range — a significant rise compared to the previous year. This improvement is primarily reflected in the indicators of academic reputation, H-index citation, and employer reputation. Among the 261 universities listed under the Archaeology category, UGM is the only institution from Indonesia included in this year’s ranking.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., stated that UGM’s Archaeology Study Program is the only archaeology program in Indonesia included in the QS WUR by Subject 2025. He explained that the academic reputation indicator represents a global assessment that measures academic quality and excellence in archaeological research through international surveys. “This year, the Archaeology Program achieved a score of 68.8 for academic reputation, and this is a remarkable accomplishment,” he said.

To strengthen academic reputation, the Department of Archaeology has implemented various collaborative strategies. These initiatives include encouraging lecturers and students to participate in international research funding competitions, engaging in joint research with global partners, and publishing research findings in reputable international journals and conferences. The faculty also provides in-kind support and co-funding to ensure balanced contributions in cross-country research collaborations.

In terms of employer reputation, the Archaeology Study Program earned a score of 57.7, reflecting strong trust from institutions and organizations that employ UGM archaeology graduates. This indicator also evaluates the extent to which graduates can contribute as researchers, professionals, or postgraduate students in global institutions. To strengthen alumni reputation, the department conducts benchmarking with archaeology programs both domestically and internationally to ensure that the curriculum and academic activities remain relevant to evolving disciplinary trends.

Guest lecturer exchange activities, conducted both online and offline, continue to expand opportunities for knowledge exchange regarding recent research developments. Students are also supported through opportunities to serve as international research assistants, participate in global seminars, and receive training in language and public speaking. These efforts aim to enhance students’ confidence when engaging in international academic forums.

Meanwhile, the Archaeology Program’s H-index score reached 50.4 this year, which, according to Setiadi, still requires further improvement. To enhance this indicator, lecturers and students are encouraged to publish their research in reputable national and international journals and to be active in global research networks and professional associations to increase the visibility and citations of their work.

These development efforts align with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in improving the quality of higher education, strengthening research, and expanding sustainable global partnerships. Through these strategic initiatives, the Archaeology Study Program of FIB UGM is committed to enhancing academic contributions and broadening the impact of archaeological research for society and the international community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 21 November 2025 — The Anthropology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again achieved international recognition. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the program secured a position within the 101–170 global range, making it the highest-ranked anthropology program in Indonesia and surpassing various other institutions in the same field.

This accomplishment marks the third consecutive year that UGM’s Anthropology Study Program has been listed among the world’s top 100, demonstrating consistent academic quality and the scholarly contributions of its academic community.

In the previous year, the program ranked within the 51–110 range globally. A comprehensive evaluation is currently underway to identify ranking indicators that have not yet performed optimally. The academic environment in the Anthropology Study Program is characterized by strong solidarity, enabling all members to contribute to improving academic performance.

One of the indicators receiving particular attention is publication citation, which has not been fully recorded. Several faculty publications were not captured in the citation tracking system. Despite this, the collaboration indicator shows positive development, with 15 international partnerships and 10 domestic collaborations successfully established. In addition, the program is committed to strengthening alumni tracking, increasing scholarly publications in the form of books and articles, and supporting faculty career development toward professorship.

As part of its contribution to global sustainability, this achievement aligns with efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in enhancing the quality of education, strengthening research and scientific publication, and fostering international collaboration that contributes to a sustainable academic ecosystem. The Anthropology Study Program of UGM remains committed to advancing the quality of education and research to generate positive impacts for society, scientific development, and the global academic community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 17 November 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada once again welcomed a visit from SMA Plus Pembangunan Tangerang Selatan and MAN 2 Ponorogo, with a total of 128 participating students and accompanying teachers. This activity aimed to introduce the academic environment, cultural atmosphere, and student activities at FIB UGM, as well as to provide insights for students regarding the campus life at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The visit was guided by the UGM Campus Tour team in collaboration with the Public Relations Office of FIB UGM. The program began with the screening of profile videos of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, followed by a presentation from the FIB Public Relations team on various admission pathways to UGM, the Single Tuition Fee (UKT) system, and an introduction to Autonomous Arts Bodies (BSO) and the student organizations within FIB.

After the presentation session, participants were taken on a tour to get a closer look at the facilities and learning environment at FIB UGM, followed by a campus tour of the Central Building (GSP), one of the main landmarks of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The visit proceeded interactively and enthusiastically, both from the participants and the guides.

This school visit aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Through this activity, FIB UGM actively contributes to expanding access to information on higher education and strengthening collaboration between universities and secondary schools to support the development of excellent and competitive human resources.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]