Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada welcomed the arrival of new students of the Bachelor of Cultural Anthropology Study Program in the 2024 Kampung Budaya, Students Orientation Program. Keprodian, which is a series of Kampung Budaya 2024 Pioneer events, is a medium for new students to get to know anthropology study programs in general. This activity discusses ranging from the KRS system, ethics in contacting anthropology lecturers to the habit of calling Mas / Ma’am to anthropology lecturers. At this year’s Keprodian event, Mrs. Atik as the Head of the Study Program conveyed some advice to new anthropology students, one of which was ethics in contacting lecturers. For example, when contacting lecturers, it should be done during working hours. With smiling faces, the new students listened carefully to the information given.

The department was not very busy that morning, many lecturers including Mas Pujo as the Head of the Department of Anthropology UGM were traveling abroad. Even so, lecturers and staff who could not or who were present were still introduced followed by exposure to programs such as tandem research, field research teams, and so on. The administrators of Kemant (Anthropology Student Family)-an association of anthropology students at UGM-also introduced themselves and explained their work programs.

Author: Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha
Photo : Puspita Nindya Sari

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the Master of Arabic Language Education (PBA) of Universitas Darussalam Gontor visited the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies (KBTT) of Universitas Gadjah Mada for a comparative study at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Soegondo Building 7th Floor. This activity was attended by the Professor of Arabic Linguistics, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., Chairperson of the Department of Intercultural Studies UGM, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Secretary of the Department of Intercultural Studies UGM, Dr. Mahmudah M.Hum., Chairperson of the Master of Arabic Language Education Study Program of Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Dr. Agus Yasin, M.Pd.I. and involved 100 students from both study programs. In his speech, Prof. Sangidu said that UGM and Unida have a long-standing kinship. This cooperation can be utilized to support the tri dharma of higher education, namely education and teaching, research and community service.

The event continued with curriculum presentation from both study programs. The KBTT Master’s curriculum was presented by Dr. Mahmudah M.Hum., while Unida’s PBA Master was represented by Dr. Agus Yasin, M.Pd.I. The Chairperson of Unida’s PBA Study Program said that the vision of the PBA Master is “To become a Master of Arabic Language Education study program with national and international reputation in the development of Arabic language learning methodologies based on the Islamization of knowledge with the pesantren college system”. This presentation opened insights and active discussions between students, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the event participants. The visit ended with a lecture by Unida students taught by Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., in Arabic Language and Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. in Arabic Literature.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Study Program has carried out the activity “Welcoming New KBTT Students for the Even Period of 2023/2024”. This activity was attended by lecturers in the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program, namely Prof. Dr. Lasiyo, M.A., Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Dr. Hindun, M.Hum., Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum., Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, M.A., Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, M.Hum., and Dr. Imam Wicaksono, M.Hum. The event was opened by the Head of the Department of Intercultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. Prof. Sangidu emphasized that the admission of new students for the odd period is a concrete effort made by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to provide opportunities for scholars to deepen their knowledge in the realm of the Middle East.

Acara dilanjutkan dengan pemaparan kurikulum oleh Sekretaris Departemen Antarbudaya FIB UGM, Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum. Kurikulum merumuskan bahwa profil Alumni KBTT memiliki kesempatan besar dalam pekerjaan, mulai dari akademisi, peneliti, dan diplomat. Demi mencapai profil lulusan yang berkualitas, dibutuhkan kerja keras dari mahasiswa untuk mengembangkan keilmuan dengan riset dan menarasikannya dalam publikasi karya Ilmiah. Dr. Mahmudah mengatakan “Magister Kajian Budaya Timur Tengah merupakan prodi kajian antarbudaya yang cakupannya luas. Penelitian dengan objek antar negara, baik dalam ranah sastra, bahasa, dan sosial, dapat dilakukan dengan catatan menjadikan ketiganya sebagai “jendela”. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat dikembangkan dan dipublikasikan dalam jurnal bereputasi agar bisa dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat”.

The Department of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a departmental workshop for lecturers and departmental support staff. This activity was held on Thursday-Friday, August 8-9, 2024, at Sambi Resort, Pakembinangun, Pakem, Sleman. The purpose of this activity is to evaluate the work achievements and work plans of the department. This is the realization of the 4th SDG’s target, namely Quality Education.

This activity consists of several sessions which are divided into two days. The first session on the first day was the preparation of the 2024/2025 Odd Semester Course Schedule. This session was presented by Dr. Realisa D. Masardi. The preparation of this schedule is intended to synchronize the schedule and the division of the person in charge of the course. The next session was the 2025-2030 Curriculum Plan presented by Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi. In this session, anthropological issues that are relevant to current world conditions and forecasts of future world conditions were presented. This shows that the Department of Anthropology will produce graduates who are relevant to the times. The last session on the first day was the Empowerment Anthropology Curriculum and Final Project. This session was presented by Dr. Gaffari Rahmadian and Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi.

The second day of the event focused on upgrading the staff and faculty of the Department of Anthropology. It was divided into three sessions. The first session was on staff promotion strategies and staff rank presented by Prof. Pujo Semedi. The next session was the staff recruitment plan which was also presented by Prof. Pujo Semedi. And the last session on this activity was secretarial by Fajrul, Head of Staff of the Anthropology Department.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a gathering event held by the UGM Buddy Club Community under the auspices of the UGM Office of International Affairs successfully succeeded the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024 held in the Hallway of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) Building, Vocational School UGM. This gathering is a big event that is held every year by inviting all international students, including exchange students from foreign countries, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and students of the UGM Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), to join together. The international students were accompanied by local UGM students who participated in an agenda of activities such as cultural exchange sessions, lecture experiences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, and tasting traditional food from the origin of the international students.

As the faculty with the largest number of international students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM through its international students who are members of the Indonesian language and culture introduction program, INCULS UGM, attended and enlivened the agenda of the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024. The agenda began with the Oebah Literature Dance that welcomed all invited guests, followed by remarks from Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., as Director of the UGM Directorate of Global Partnerships and Relationships, followed by remarks from the President of the UGM Buddy Club Community, Natasya Samuela Serefina. Both speeches gave a message of gratitude for the presence of all agenda guests in this activity as well as a moment to interact, get to know each other, and learn across different cultures.

The international and local students then enjoyed collaborative performances from local and international students, a fashion show, and a cultural exchange and batik making session that was open to all guests. Towards the closing of the event agenda, local cultural dances from the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) enlivened the closing of the event which ended with a flower giving session to commemorate Bring Flowers to Someone Day given to international and local students and invited guests by the committee. The event agenda was then closed with parting words to look forward to next year’s International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers.