Yogyakarta, September 29, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its Entrepreneurship lecture series with the fifth meeting featuring Sofian Munawar, S.S., M.A., Founder of Ruang Baca Komunitas. In this session, students were invited to explore the concept of social entrepreneurship, a business approach that prioritizes solving social, environmental, and community issues through innovative and sustainable methods.

The lecture highlighted that social entrepreneurship is not merely profit-driven but instead focuses on social missions, innovation, sustainability, and generating real impact for communities. In the context of literature and language studies, this can be applied through creative literacy initiatives such as reading and writing workshops, digital literacy development, promoting a reading culture, and expanding public access to educational resources.

Students of the Arabic Study Program were also introduced to various examples of social entrepreneurship practices, both globally and locally. Inspiring cases such as Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Warby Parker in the United States, and Indonesia’s National Literacy Movement showcased how social enterprises can improve quality of life while fostering independence. Locally, best practices from Yogyakarta were presented, including CV Agradaya Indonesia, which promotes sustainable spice farming; Yayasan Penyandang Cacat Mandiri, which empowers people with disabilities through woodcraft; and Sayur Sleman Academy, which trains young agripreneurs. These examples served as both motivation and inspiration for students to see the potential in their own fields.

The lecture also addressed the challenges facing literacy movements, such as limited resources, lack of student motivation, and barriers to technology access. However, students were encouraged to view these challenges as opportunities for innovation through collaboration among schools, families, and communities. This perspective reinforced the idea that literacy is not confined to classrooms but is brought to life through community activities, local culture, and digital platforms.

Through this session, Arabic Study Program students not only gained a conceptual understanding of social entrepreneurship but were also challenged to develop real initiatives rooted in literature and language that could bring tangible benefits to society. This lecture also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening literacy movements, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering social enterprises that create meaningful jobs, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through inclusive community empowerment programs.

[Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]

Yogyakarta, 18 September 2025 – The Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), organized the 14th Gugur Gunung Exhibition as part of its annual anniversary celebration. Held on 17–18 September 2025, the exhibition showcased various aspects of Javanese cultural heritage, ranging from manuscript displays and traditional games to traditional musical instruments presented in an interactive manner.

In addition, the exhibition also featured food stands that visitors could enjoy, adding comfort and convenience to the overall exhibition experience.

The Gugur Gunung Exhibition serves as an important platform for academics, students, and the wider community to further appreciate, engage with, and preserve the richness of the Javanese language, literature, and culture. Through this activity, the Study Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture reaffirms its commitment to sustaining traditions while strengthening the relevance of cultural studies in contemporary society.

This initiative aligns with the commitment of FIB UGM to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through the promotion of inclusive access to cultural learning, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage and local traditions as part of the nation’s collective identity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 21, 2025 – Several students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Farewell Concert as both a form of preparation and a collective prayer before competing in the Hamengku Buwono X Cup 2025, which will take place on October 11–12, 2025.

The event opened with remarks from the President of UGM Marching Band, I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, an Archaeology student from the 2022 cohort who has served two consecutive terms in the UGM Marching Band Student Activity Unit. This was followed by a speech from Hempri Suyatna, S.Sos., M.Si., representative of UGM’s Student Affairs Directorate (Ditmawa), who expressed appreciation and extended full support to the students competing in the championship.

The Hamengku Buwono X Cup is a prestigious national-level marching band competition held regularly in Yogyakarta. It serves as a platform for marching band teams from across Indonesia to showcase their talent, creativity, and sportsmanship.

In this year’s event, UGM Marching Band will feature players from various study programs, including:

• Ataya Sasya Rayna Heradie, Pit Instrument Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2024)
• Tabita Nada Kirana, Pit Instrument Player (Cultural Anthropology, 2024)
• Andieni Ika Bela Safitri, Brass Player (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2024)
• Thiery Vincent Masarrang, Brass Player (French Literature, 2024)
• Dian Khairani, Color Guard (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
• Sylvy Muthqia, Color Guard (Tourism, 2023)
• Keysha Alya Nashifa, Battery Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
  

In addition, four students hold key managerial roles:

• I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, President (Archaeology, 2022)
• Alma Syahwalani, Head of Public Relations (Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, 2023)
• Keysha Almira Putri, Drill and Display Coach, Program Director of the Farewell Concert (Tourism, 2023)
• Melati Srigita Putri, Head of Human Resources (History, 2023)
  

The Farewell Concert served not only as a send-off event before the competition but also as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and support from the UGM academic community. With a spirit of togetherness, UGM Marching Band aspires to bring pride to the university while also contributing to the preservation of marching band music in Indonesia.

This activity also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By supporting the development of students’ potential in the arts and culture, the event fosters quality education. The Farewell Concert and participation in the national competition reflect students’ active role in sustaining performing arts as part of both local and national cultural identity. Moreover, the event represents collaboration between students, the university, and the community—embodying the spirit of partnership to achieve sustainable development.

[Public Relations, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 17, 2025 – The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Historiography of Indonesian Islam.” The event featured Yumi Sugahara, a scholar from Osaka University, as a visiting lecturer to discuss cross-national perspectives in writing the history of Indonesian Islam.

In her presentation, Sugahara emphasized that historiography is not merely “a record of events,” but also reflects cultural perspectives in constructing historical narratives. She highlighted the differences between Japanese and Indonesian historians, particularly in relation to the intersections of Islam, culture, and national history.

Several significant scholarly works were referenced in her lecture, including M.C. Ricklefs’ A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1200 (4th edition, Macmillan Education UK, 2008), regarded as one of the most authoritative references in modern Indonesian historiography, and Anthony Reid’s Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450–1680 (Yale University), which explores the early modern period of maritime Southeast Asia.

The question-and-answer session unfolded dynamically, with discussions ranging from how Japanese and Indonesian societies differently perceive the relationship between religion and national history, to the contrasting perspectives of Japanese, Western, and Indonesian historians in interpreting Islamicate culture in the archipelago.

This public lecture offered fresh insights for students and academics on cross-cultural approaches to the historiography of Indonesian Islam while also strengthening international academic networks.

The event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering historical literacy and critical understanding, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through academic collaboration across nations.

[Public Relations Office, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 17 September 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), hosted a school visit from SMA Cikal Amri, East Jakarta. The event was warmly received by the Public Relations team of FIB UGM and provided students with the opportunity to experience academic life and the campus environment at UGM.

The program began with a presentation on the history of FIB UGM, its vision and mission, as well as various academic and non-academic activities. The interactive session allowed students to ask questions and gain deeper insights into learning opportunities and student life at FIB UGM.

After the presentation, the group joined a faculty tour. On the fourth floor, they were introduced to the Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), a unit that facilitates Indonesian language and cultural learning for international students. The tour continued to Gedung Margono, home to various study programs of FIB UGM. In the same building, students were also invited to visit the Mandala Majapahit Archaeology Museum and the Archaeology Laboratory, both of which play an important role in supporting research and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Through this visit, the students of SMA Cikal Amri not only gained new insights into academic life but also experienced firsthand the importance of preserving language, literature, and culture in both national and international contexts.

This activity reflects FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through the introduction of inclusive access to higher education, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage in its museum and archaeology laboratory.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]