Yogyakarta, 10/7/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again marked an academic milestone through the doctoral promotion session held on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Arina Isti’anah, a lecturer and researcher in the field of linguistics, officially earned her Doctorate degree after presenting a dissertation titled Ecological Discourse Analysis in Indonesian Tourism Promotion.

Through a corpus-based ecolinguistic approach, Arina’s research examined the language strategies used in the promotion of Indonesian tourism, focusing on English-language content on the official website of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Her findings revealed that the narrative tends to overemphasize the physical environment—portraying Indonesia as an exotic tropical country rich in natural resources, yet isolated.

In her presentation, Arina revealed that tourism promotion practices are not only influenced by advertising genres but are also ideologically loaded, leaning toward neoliberalism and capitalism. The exploration of hidden islands and the glorification of natural beauty are wrapped in commodification and privatization, ironically under the guise of eco-friendliness.

Concluding her presentation, Arina emphasized that greenwashing has become a common pattern in tourism promotion. The “eco” and “green” labels often found in tourism campaigns do not always align with true ecological values. She also highlighted the need for further research on the Indonesian version of these texts and the translation strategies involved, including expanding the corpus and applying multimodal discourse analysis to enrich ecolinguistic discussion.

The doctoral promotion, held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, was attended by scholars from various disciplines, students, and colleagues from different institutions. Their presence witnessed Arina’s meaningful contribution to the development of ecolinguistics studies in Indonesia.

With this achievement, Dr. Arina Isti’anah is expected to continue her contributions to critical linguistic and ecological studies, inspiring the next generation of academics to explore how language functions as an ideological tool shaping people’s views of the environment.

Yogyakarta, July 14, 2025 – Eka Nur Cahyani, a 2023 student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has embarked on a long journey in the world of dance. Since the age of 7, Eka has been acquainted with and has loved classical dance, particularly the Yogyakarta style, thanks to the support of her late father, who was a court servant (abdi dalem) at the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace.

“I started dancing since I was little, often brought to the palace by my father. Since then, I fell in love with classical dance and have continued learning until now,” she recalled.

Although she never studied at a formal dance studio, Eka gained knowledge from art teachers since elementary school and is now active as a member of UGM’s Swagayugama Student Activity Unit. There, she learns directly from the palace’s dance instructor, Dra. Veronica Ratnaningsih (Nyi Mas Riya Murtiharini).

Eka’s dedication to dance extends beyond performing. She has served as an instructor in the “Kampung Menari” program by the Yogyakarta City Cultural Office and has taught children in Pakembinangun. Since 2024, she has joined the Pamulangan Hamong Beksa at the palace, where she delves deeply into techniques, movement variations, philosophy, and ethics of Yogyakarta-style classical dance.

In addition to mastering Yogyakarta-style classical dance, Eka has broadened her horizons by studying Surakarta-style classical dances, such as Gambyong and Srimpi. Currently, she actively participates in the Pamulangan Hamong Beksa at the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace. Every Sunday at 12:00 PM, Eka attends the palace wearing full traditional attire (jangkep), consisting of a kebaya tangkeban, jarik seredan, sanggul tekuk and subal, subang, and carrying a Sampur Gendala Giri.

“I am motivated to keep learning because I come from an artistic family—my grandfather was a puppeteer (dhalang), my paternal grandfather was a court servant, and my mother is a sindhen (traditional singer),” she said.

For Eka, dancing is not merely about aesthetic movements but also a spiritual and personal expression. She believes that each dance movement embodies the philosophy of patience, sincerity, and harmony between the body, feelings, and rhythm.

“Dancing is a form of prayer. The movements teach us to be sincere and patient in facing life,” Eka expressed.

Since beginning her journey in dance, Eka has performed on numerous stages, from campus events like the Kraton Performance Tourism Package featuring the Senggana Duta play by Swagayugama at Bangsal Srimanganti, Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, and the Grand Swagayugama Performance at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, to national and international forums such as the 4th International Seminar on Malay-Javanese Studies (SEMEJA IV) and ASEAN in Today’s World.

Despite frequent performances, Eka maintains her enthusiasm for learning. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the concepts of wiraga (physical movement), wirama (rhythm), and wirasa (feeling), as well as knowing the names and meanings of various dance movements. According to her, consistency stems from love and the desire for continuous growth.

Eka Nur Cahyani’s journey in dance since the age of seven not only reflects her love for the art but also her tangible contribution to sustainable development. Through her activities in learning and teaching dance, especially to children, Eka supports SDG 4: Quality Education. Her role as an active woman in preserving culture aligns with SDG 5: Gender Equality. Moreover, her involvement in maintaining and revitalizing classical dance art strengthens SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by preserving intangible cultural heritage as the identity of Yogyakarta’s society.

Eka proves that cultural preservation is not solely the responsibility of previous generations but also a duty for the current generation to ensure a more cultured future.

“If we feel we have talent, it needs to be developed through continuous practice and not being afraid to try, because I believe learning will never lead to regret, and every process in learning will shape us into individuals with true identity.” – Eka Nur Cahyani

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 30 June 2025 – A total of 13 students from three higher education institutions are participating in an international collaborative program in the field of archaeology, organized by the Australian National University (ANU) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in cooperation with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This program is part of efforts to strengthen cross-national academic collaboration while providing a platform for knowledge exchange and research experience in the fields of culture and archaeology.

The program involves 4 students from ANU, 5 students from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and 4 students from Udayana University. The activities are held in two main locations: the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara.

This program is funded by the Australian National University and results from a collaboration between the School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia & the Pacific at ANU and the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The activities are coordinated by two archaeology experts: Dr. Shimona Kealy from ANU and Dr. Mahirta, M.A. from UGM, both of whom have extensive experience in archaeological research in Southeast Asia.

Throughout the program, students will engage in a variety of activities, including academic discussions, fieldwork, and cross-cultural studies. In Yogyakarta, participants will attend workshops and introductory sessions on archaeological methods and theories. Meanwhile, in Lombok, they will conduct direct field exploration and research at designated archaeological sites, honing their skills in observation, data recording, and artifact analysis.

The program is not only aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of Indonesia’s cultural heritage but also at strengthening academic networks between higher education institutions in Indonesia and Australia. With participants coming from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, this program serves as an ideal space for cross-cultural understanding, constructive academic dialogue, and collaborative learning experiences.

Furthermore, this program aligns with several goals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities, through cultural heritage preservation), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through this program, the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage are pursued collectively across nations for a sustainable future.

With the enthusiasm of the participants and the support from the involved institutions, this program is expected to be a concrete step toward building sustainable international cooperation in the fields of archaeology and cultural studies.

[Public Relations, FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, July 1, 2025 — The 4th International Seminar on Malay-Javanese Studies (SEMEJA) was officially held at UC Hotel, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), bringing together scholars from various institutions both domestically and internationally. One of the panel speakers contributing to the academic discussions was Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., M.A., a lecturer from the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In a session titled “How Did Islamic Religious Organizations Empower Society Through Cultural Heritage,” Dr. Fahmi presented a case study on Pasar Pasan in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. He elaborated on how cultural heritage preservation can become a dynamic tool for community empowerment, particularly through the involvement of Islamic organizations such as Muhammadiyah.

According to Dr. Fahmi, Kotagede is a living heritage site—a cultural heritage area that continues to be actively used in the daily lives of its community. Beyond preserving historical traces, this area serves as a space where cultural, religious, and economic values develop harmoniously.

A key point in his presentation highlighted a paradigm shift in heritage preservation—from being government-led to being increasingly driven by civil society and non-governmental organizations. Muhammadiyah, as one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, was cited as having taken an active role in community development rooted in cultural heritage in Kotagede.

Through the Pasar Pasan case study, Dr. Fahmi emphasized how this traditional market activity functions as a platform for residents to reinforce cultural identity while simultaneously enhancing the local economy. Pasar Pasan is seen as a community-led initiative that integrates cultural values with inclusive economic practices.

The discussion also addressed the importance of community engagement and collective memory in sustaining cultural heritage. The people of Kotagede are considered to possess a strong historical awareness, which supports the continued existence of heritage spaces—especially those located between the symbolic twin gates of Kotagede.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment. Seminar participants raised insightful questions, which Dr. Fahmi responded to enthusiastically, underlining the significance of collaboration among communities, academics, and religious organizations in preserving cultural heritage.

This event plays a crucial role in supporting the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through community-based cultural heritage preservation, it contributes to the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements, in line with SDG 11. Furthermore, educational values are promoted through the cross-cultural dissemination of knowledge and the strengthening of cultural identity awareness, reflecting the aims of SDG 4 on quality education. Equally important, the seminar embodies the spirit of SDG 17 by fostering strategic partnerships between academia, civil society, and local communities in social development based on local wisdom.

Through this discussion, participants gained new insights into community-based cultural preservation and the vital role of religious organizations in fostering inclusive and sustainable social development.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

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]