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.

Monday, April 29, 2024, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM received a visit from Tgk Chiek Oemar Diyan Modern Islamic Boarding School from Aceh Besar Regency, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. This visit is part of a study tour organized by the boarding school for students accompanied by supervisors and representatives of the Modern Islamic Boarding School Tgk Chiek Oemar Diyan to introduce the students to the campus environment of Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially studies at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Not only as an introduction, but also as a motivation to pursue higher education, considering that one of the students named Ahmad Faiz Musyarraf successfully passed the Physics Engineering study program through the results of the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) Year 2023.

On this special occasion, one of the lecturers and Professor of the Anthropology Study Program, Prof. Dr. Irwan Abdul, also shared the story of his journey to study at the UGM Cultural Anthropology study program in his time. The professor, who was born in North Aceh, gave a message to the students to cultivate persistence and never give up, which was also the spirit of Prof. Dr. Irwan Abdul during his efforts to get an education at Gadjah Mada University and during his migration in Yogyakarta during his undergraduate studies at UGM. Through his message, he also mentioned the wide open opportunities in the future open to anyone who is brave and steadfast in the learning process.

The Visiting Professor National Seminar organized by the American Studies Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences on Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Auditorium of the Soegondo building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is one of a series of events to commemorate the retirement of Prof. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. The seminar was named “Seminar on Popular Culture and Literature” led by moderator: Dr. Herman Felani, M.A. with Prof. Ida who acted directly as Keynote Speaker. The National Seminar event also presented two professors, both of whom are alumni of the American Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, namely Prof. Mister Gideon Maru from Universitas Negri Manado who acted as the first presenter and Prof. Nuriadi from Mataram University who acted as the second presenter. Both Prof. Gidion and Prof. Nuriadi discussed the social society’s view on the phenomenon of American popular culture and literature and its influence in Indonesia.

According to the view of the speakers at the seminar, literature is something that is always synonymous with “fiction”, “the result of fantasy”, “imagination”, and “fabrications” made up by the author. Although not wrong, this view tends to “degrade” literature as a creative work, and a science in the social humanities. In fact, in a deeper sense, literary works are expressions of feelings, thoughts, views on life, character principles, and ideal visions of life that are owned or dreamed of by a writer either in the form of “fiction” (novels, short stories, folklore, legends, etc.), or “non-fiction” (letters, essays, speeches, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). This discussion can be seen from the themes discussed by the speakers: American Literature in the Puritan Era as well as Popular Culture. The extraordinary discussion was closed with comments from Prof. Ida, then continued with the giving of souvenirs and certificates for moderators and presenters as well as group photos.

In addition to the Seminar in Popular Culture and Literature, another agenda that attracted literature enthusiasts in the series of Prof. Ida Rochadi Adi, S.U.’s After-Duty events was the Book Review [R]EVOLUTION OF SASTRA IN THE DIGITAL ERA: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives whose author is none other than Prof. Ida herself. The agenda, which began at 10.30 at the same place and date, was also one of a series of retirement events for Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. Guided by two other moderators, Dr. Anna Sriastuti, M.Hum. from Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga and Dr. Rif’ah Innayati, M.A. from Trunojoyo University, Madura. Both explained that the book aims to respond to technological developments that are able to change the mature order of one discipline. While trying to capture the lament of a discipline that faces the dilemma of technological change, the book also tries to offer a framework of thought in responding to the development of the digital world in the world of literature using theoretical and historical perspectives. In addition to providing food for thought and contemplation, the book also provides new ideas on the phenomenon of literary works in the development of the digital world in the modern era. Finally, both speakers strongly recommended reading the book because it can really open up thoughts about literature in the digital era.

Yogyakarta, Saturday, March 9, 2024 – The culmination of the 18th annual Korean Day was held by the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The performers blended the cultures of the two countries through their costumes to adding a touch of Indonesian culture into their performances, for example by performing not only Korean songs, but also Indonesian songs.

This year, Korean Day was themed “Hallyunesia Wonderland” to celebrate Indonesian and Korean culture. The event was also enlivened by performances from various dongari (clubs) of UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program, namely Samulnori, Hansamchum, Katarsis Sing, Katarsis Dance, Talchum, and Buchaechum. There were food, beverage, and accessory tenants that filled the venue. The Random Play Dance session and the appearance of the guest star, Nadafid, were the highlights of the event. Then, there was also a Noraebang (karaoke) session which also closed the Korean Day 18 event.

The entire series of the 18th Korean Day event is expected to be a source of inspiration for Korean culture lovers, providing a forum for creativity and community while encouraging the preservation of Indonesian culture. In addition, Korean Day is one of the media forms of cooperation with parties who have contributed to the success of the event.