Yogyakarta, July 2, 2025 — Muhammad Bagus Ulin Nuha, a 2023 student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, is a student who actively develops his potential in the fields of Master of Ceremony (MC) and public speaking.

Bagus’s interest in public speaking began at an early age. While in elementary school, he frequently participated in Indonesian speech competitions. His talent became even more prominent in junior high school, where he won first place in a speech contest. These experiences became the starting point of his journey into the MC world, which he continues to pursue to this day.

“For me, public speaking is not just about performing in front of others—it’s about learning from your surroundings and constantly improving yourself,” said Bagus.

Although academics remain his main priority, Bagus still makes time outside of class to practice and hone his voice. This commitment has given him considerable experience as an MC. One of his notable experiences was being entrusted as the MC for the Gadjah Mada Festival. He is also active as a volunteer, particularly in the event division.

Beyond MC work, Bagus also explores other forms of performing arts. He once studied dance at FIB and performed the traditional Jathilan dance at the 13th Gugur Gunung event organized by the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program in 2024. He considered this a new step in his personal development journey.

That same year, he was also entrusted to guide the Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024 event, which further sharpened his public speaking skills. In addition, Bagus has served as MC for several UGM graduation ceremonies. This year, he was accepted as a part-time student staff at UGM’s Office of Public Relations and Protocol, assigned to the protocol division.

All of these activities align with UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which encourages the development of life skills and vocational training among students. Bagus exemplifies how students can grow beyond the classroom, proving that education is not only about academics but also about shaping character and practical competence.

Furthermore, his experiences in MC and protocol work also support SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by fostering early professional readiness during his studies. Through these experiences, students like Bagus are equipping themselves with relevant skills to face the future world of work.

Bagus emphasizes that everyone can develop their potential, as long as they have the willingness and consistency to grow. He also aims to prove that students of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture have many opportunities to thrive in various fields.

“To all my fellow FIB students—get to know your potential and don’t be afraid to try. FIB and UGM provide platforms for us to grow and develop,” he concluded.

[Public Relations FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, July 1, 2025 — Ardhanamesvari Nuringtyas Aji, fondly known as Vari, is a student in the 2023 cohort of the English Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada. Now entering her fifth semester, Vari continues to actively pursue her passion for music, writing, and exploring new creative experiences — all while juggling her academic responsibilities.

Vari’s talent and enthusiasm for music didn’t appear out of nowhere. From an early age, she was introduced to music, and during her junior high school years, she began collaborating with Kak Hamdani, a teacher who is also a music arranger. This creative partnership has continued to this day. Thanks to that connection, Vari was invited to join a music festival project titled Festaland, organized by a BTS fan community called BTS Homeground — a group of BTS-loving mothers who held a self-funded celebration in Prambanan to mark BTS’s comeback.

At the event, Vari performed BTS songs, including the powerful track “ON.” Her appearance was further elevated through collaborations with various performers, such as Key Dance Dynamic, The Seven Percussion, and the Belik drum group from Lombok. In addition to performing BTS songs, Vari also sang an original piece written by Bu Niken, one of the event’s initiators.

Her musical journey didn’t stop in Prambanan. Vari has independently released several original songs now available on digital music platforms like Spotify. Some of the songs the public can enjoy include “Right Time,” “Satu Cita,” “Kita Indonesia,” and “All On You.”

One of her proudest achievements came when she competed in the national song composition competition FLS2N (now FLS3N). Her song “Satu Cita” won first place at the Yogyakarta regional level and received a special award at the national level.

Vari also collaborated with local Yogyakarta musicians, including the band Langit Sore, through songs titled “Cinta Lainnya” and “Selamat Tinggal Sayang.” She also co-wrote “Kita Indonesia” with a fellow event division member named Cinta, which was specially composed and performed in a collaborative performance featuring various UGM student activity units during the Opening Ceremony of PIONIR Gadjah Mada 2024. This song holds a special place in her heart, as it was performed by more than 50 fellow UKM members and watched by over 10,000 participants of Gadjah Mada Muda 2024 at Pancasila Field, UGM.

Beyond music, Vari currently serves as the President of IMAJI (English Literature Student Association). She is also working on an album of original compositions and has recently begun exploring the world of filmmaking after being involved in a film production — a new creative field she is eager to develop further.

Despite her seemingly busy schedule, Vari believes youth is the best time to explore and try new things. “I just simply do the things that I love,” she said. Vari encourages her fellow students, especially those at FIB, to boldly try new experiences without being afraid of what others might think.

“Just go for the things you want to do. Don’t worry about what people say. While you’re still young and have the opportunity — why not?” — Vari

Vari’s story is a true reflection that being a university student does not mean you have to put your creativity on hold. With her exploratory spirit and fearless curiosity, she proves that limits only exist when we create them ourselves.

Her journey also embodies the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education, creativity, and innovation. By inspiring others to do the same, Vari champions the value of education in developing talent and creativity in the arts.

[FIB Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

Javanese as one of the cultural riches of the Nusantara has regained its living space through the creativity of the younger generation. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held an unusual final semester exam. In the Creative Spoken Javanese course, students were challenged to create a short film in Javanese, as a form of preserving and reactivating regional languages ​​amidst the current of modernization.

Three groups of students successfully produced three short films titled Cumawis, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta?, and Pitutur Kinasih. Each film contains a story full of meaning and depicts the dynamics of contemporary Javanese society with the mother tongue as its main medium.

The film Cumawis presents a narrative about the struggles of a simple family in facing a financial crisis, leading them to deeper problems. The film Cumawis can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CqL_lC2bg. Meanwhile, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? raises the inner conflict of a student named Cinta who is faced with a choice between loyalty to friendship, demands of the organization, and the turmoil of personal feelings. Anggit Galuh, as Galuh’s character in this film, explained that the film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? was inspired by the film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (AADC) by adjusting the concept of the setting, cast, and plot of the story without leaving its essence. The film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZ3BgXgmfY. As for Pitutur Kinasih, it presents a reflective journey of the character Alfon who tries to rise and rebuild his life after experiencing a misfortune. The film Pitutur Kinasih can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4Byr1uH4k. 

This creative approach provides space for students to not only hone their oral language skills, but also to understand the cultural context and local values ​​contained in learning Javanese. Mr. Bima S. Raharja, S.S., M.A., the lecturer of the Creative Spoken Javanese course, emphasized that language is not only learned, but also brought to life, optimized, and appreciated through a creative process. 

This activity reflects the spirit of supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), especially point 4th on Quality Education and point 17th on Partnerships for the Goals. In this context, collaboration between educational institutions and students creates real contributions to the preservation of regional languages.

Language is the identity and soul of a nation. Therefore, maintaining the existence of the Javanese language also means maintaining the sustainability of Javanese culture itself. Through film media, the younger generation is invited to make Javanese a living, relevant, and ever-evolving language. Such efforts need to receive attention and support from various parties so that Javanese remains an active part of the lives of Indonesian society.

[Javanese, Language and Literature, Maysa Putri Fatihah]

Yogyakarta, June 17, 2025 – Fourth- and sixth-semester undergraduate students of the Archaeology Program held an exhibition across various corners of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. This exhibition was organized as part of their final semester assignment (UAS), with each group presenting a different theme. One of the highlighted themes was “The Lifestyle of UGM Students Through the Ages,” which described the daily lives of UGM students and how they have changed over time.

The everyday life of students has shaped a unique lifestyle, influenced by technological advancements. From food choices to how meals are stored and carried, such as lunchboxes, to the evolution of fashion trends among students and the shift in study habits from handwriting to typing—all of these reflect the dynamics of student life.

Another group presented the theme “Reading Pop Culture: Its Influence on UGM Students’ Lifestyle and Identity.” Pop culture has become an inseparable part of students’ daily lives. Through digital media, music, film, fashion, and fandom practices, pop culture has created unique communities. Within the campus dynamic, this culture continues to shape students’ identities through the encounter between local values and global currents.

The exhibition attracted many visitors. It provided students the opportunity to showcase their research and creativity while raising awareness about the importance of education in understanding cultural dynamics.

In this exhibition, each group displayed unique objects and explained each item. This practical approach not only made the exhibition more enjoyable but also emphasized the importance of experiential learning in education, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to quality education.

The students expressed that the exhibition was a valuable experience that enhanced their understanding of archaeology and cultural studies. They highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork in preparing the exhibition, which helped them develop essential skills for their future careers.

Their hard work and creativity underscored the importance of such exhibitions in fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness among students. They encouraged more initiatives like this to promote a deeper understanding of the relationship between education and cultural identity.

Overall, the exhibition was a resounding success, showcasing the creativity and dedication of UGM archaeology students while contributing to a broader discourse on education and cultural identity.

[Public Relations of FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 16/06/2025 – The Master’s Program in American Studies held a seminar titled “Introduction to Bodies that Haunt: Rethinking the Political Economy of Racialized Death.” Taking place in Room 709, 7th Floor of the Soegondo Building at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, this event served as a platform for critical discussions on racial violence, politicized death, and cultural memory within a global context—particularly in the Americas and Southeast Asia.

Moderated by Achmad Munjid, Ph.D., the seminar featured two prominent speakers with strong backgrounds in cultural studies, feminism, and historical memory: Dr. Emily Itamura and Dr. Rachmi Diyah Larasati.

The discussion began with an introduction by the moderator, who drew parallels between horror films and everyday life, highlighting the mass production of ghosts in popular culture. From this point, the seminar explored the meaning of “bodies that haunt”—a term that goes beyond traditional ghostly figures, referring instead to collective trauma, unresolved death, and suppressed forms of knowledge.

Dr. Rachmi Diyah Larasati opened the first session by examining the concept of ghosts through a local Indonesian lens. She explained that in Indonesian culture, ghosts often emerge as warnings, memories, or connections to unresolved political violence. In her talk, titled “Train and Its Fugitive Rhythms: Reflecting on Political Violence through Sound Aesthetics,” Dr. Rachmi encouraged the audience to interpret sounds and rhythms—such as train noises—as invisible archives of political violence. These sounds, she argued, act like ghosts: ever-present and evocative, even if not always consciously perceived.

She emphasized the importance of seeing ghosts not simply as supernatural beings, but as a way of rereading history shaped by trauma. Ghosts become embodied through shadows, feelings, sounds, and memories that seep into our everyday lives.

Building on this, Dr. Emily Itamura led participants into the historical trauma of the Cambodian genocide through her presentation “Love Story, Ghost Story: The Cambodian Genocide, Labour Extraction, and Hout Bophana.” She highlighted how love stories can become ghost stories within the context of violence, and how female figures like Hout Bophana continue to haunt post-genocide development narratives.

Dr. Emily argued that the United States, as a modern imperial power, is a haunted space—saturated with the legacies of colonialism, racism, and capitalist extraction of nonwhite bodies. She pointed to Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities in Minnesota as groups who carry the “ghosts” of war and forced migration—now inextricably woven into the fabric of American cultural life.

The conversation between Dr. Rachmi and Dr. Emily unfolded into a rich cross-cultural dialogue, blending feminist theory, imperial critique, and ethnographic approaches to explore how haunted bodies continue to reappear in collective memory, art, and sound.

The event concluded with a powerful insight: ghosts are not simply objects of fear, but forms of alternative knowledge about trauma, violence, and histories left unresolved. Ghosts act as reminders that not all experiences can be archived or silenced by official historical narratives. They emerge through sound, shadows, and emotions—quietly shaping how we remember the past and envision the future.

This seminar served as a reflective space where theory met lived experience, popular culture intersected with violent histories, and Indonesian localities resonated with global traumas. A poignant reminder: haunted bodies are not meant to be dismissed—they are meant to be heard.

[Humas FIB, Alma Syahwalani]