Yogyakarta, September 11, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) warmly welcomed a cultural visit from Osaka University, Japan, in an event filled with hospitality and the spirit of cultural exchange. Organized by the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, this program served as an important moment to strengthen international relations through deeper cultural understanding.

The event opened with a performance of Tari Sasanti Manghayu-hayu by students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Department. The dance, rich in symbolism, represented a gesture of welcome while highlighting Javanese traditional values of hospitality and harmony.

Head of the Department, Dr. Dra. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., expressed her pride in the continuation of this meaningful academic tradition.
“Looking at what has been accomplished over the years, this activity is extraordinary, especially for our students, as it provides invaluable experiences in interacting with both domestic and international students,” she remarked.

A warm response also came from Osaka University, represented by supervising lecturer Dr. Yumi Sugahara. She shared that student visits to Yogyakarta have been conducted since 2013, with an average of 30 students visiting FIB UGM every two years. This consistent collaboration reflects the strong commitment of both institutions to building cultural bridges that mutually enrich one another.

During the cultural presentation session, Osaka University students introduced various aspects of life in Japan. They presented summer traditions, showcased Japanese culinary specialties along with food sample-making techniques, and introduced both digital and traditional Japanese games. Additionally, they shared traditional toys and explained Japanese perspectives on religion and spirituality, offering participants deeper insights into the broader way of life in Japan.

This event was not only a platform for cultural exchange but also embodied the spirit of sustainable development as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The collaboration between FIB UGM and Osaka University underscores their shared commitment to providing inclusive and quality education (SDG 4) and fostering global partnerships for sustainability (SDG 17). Such exchanges provide students with opportunities to learn beyond geographical and cultural boundaries, shaping a young generation that is more open-minded, tolerant, and globally oriented.

Through this program, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again demonstrated its role as a hub for cultural and intellectual exchange, consistently encouraging international cooperation for a more sustainable and harmonious future.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, August 4, 2025 – Muhammad Hafidz Haikal Amirza, commonly known as Haikal, a 2022 cohort student of the Cultural Anthropology Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is currently participating in the Community Service and Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) UGM Period II of 2025 in Bantane Village, Rainis District, Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. This region is one of Indonesia’s outermost points, directly bordering Davao del Sur, Philippines, making it a strategic yet challenging location for community service programs.

Haikal is part of the KKN Merintis Rainis team in the education sector, consisting of seven students (3 males, 4 females). Throughout the program, all members reside together in the house of the Head of Bantane Village. The presence of the KKN Merintis Rainis team has been warmly welcomed by the villagers, marked by a spirit of mutual cooperation. From the onset, the community exhibited a strong sense of kinship, with men voluntarily erecting a welcoming tent and women preparing meals to share. Such communal spirit is also evident in various village activities, from birthday celebrations and weddings to traditional and religious events.

During nearly two months of service, Haikal focused on the education and socio-cultural sectors, aligning with his background in anthropology. He and his team designed and implemented various activities, including cultural classes for village children and nature-based character education or nature schools. To support the transformation of primary education in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas, Haikal and his team also facilitated multimedia and information technology training for teachers at SDK Torsina Bantane. This program aims to enhance educators’ capacity to deliver creative and adaptive learning in line with technological advancements.

Additionally, Haikal contributed to the establishment of the Bantane Village Youth Organization (Karang Taruna) as a platform to harness the potential of the village’s younger generation. He was also involved in reorganizing the school library, assisting in teaching at both elementary and high school levels, and supporting resident data collection through the Siga Mobile application, which is part of a technology-based public service system.

An output of the KKN Merintis Rainis program is a study titled “Borders as Social Spaces: Exploration of Identity and Marginalization (Case Study of Bantane Village, Rainis District, Talaud Islands Regency).” This research highlights the unique social dynamics and cultural identity of the Bantane community.

During his stay in Bantane, Haikal observed various interesting and distinctive aspects. He noted that the spirit of mutual cooperation remains vibrant, nightly gatherings serve as warm social interactions, and strong tolerance exists among residents. The clean, pollution-free environment, clear skies, and abundance of coconut trees characterize the village landscape. However, challenges such as frequent power outages and limited communication signals are part of the daily reality.

Haikal’s activities during KKN also directly align with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through educational assistance and technology training for teachers and village children, Haikal contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and quality education for all. His involvement in resident data collection, library revitalization, and the formation of the village youth organization also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by strengthening social and institutional capacities at the local level.

Furthermore, by choosing a service location in a 3T area, Haikal and the KKN team strive to promote equitable development and service access, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by reaching regions that have been less accessible to development. The successful collaboration between students, village government, schools, and the community also reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in sustainable development.

Haikal also conveyed a message of encouragement to his peers at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM who will participate in the next KKN period:

“Best wishes to FIB friends who will undertake KKN. It will be a very valuable experience for you not just about service, but also about how we learn and integrate with the existing community. Use the knowledge you’ve gained on campus to make an impact and contribute to Indonesian society.”

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 10/7/2025 – The Department of History at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), recently held a public lecture aimed at igniting intellectual enthusiasm and fostering critical interdisciplinary discussions. The event, titled “Decolonizing Photography Archives: Research Issues in the Colonial Era and Its Visual Documentation,” took place in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building and featured Dr. Martin Slama, a senior researcher from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, as the keynote speaker.

In his presentation, Dr. Slama unveiled the findings from the 1928-1929 expeditions conducted by Austrian and German scientists to the Dutch East Indies. This limnological expedition not only produced around 3,000 photographs highlighting the ecology of rivers and lakes but also meticulously documented the lives of local communities, capturing everything from traditional ceremonies and religious activities to daily routines. Notably, many of the images were taken using stereo photography technology, which provided a three-dimensional effect.

However, despite their significant scientific value, these photographic archives have remained exclusively stored in Vienna, Austria. The limited access to these images has been a central critique raised during the discussion: how can these photographs be recontextualized for the communities from which they were taken? How can they be transformed from mere colonial heritage into a window for social, cultural, and historical reflection?

Dr. Slama emphasized that mere digitization is not enough. He argued that a decolonization approach is necessary in presenting these digital archives, allowing local communities in Indonesia to access, understand, and reinterpret the images in today’s context. “These colonial photographs must be given new life, not just as visual objects, but as part of a narrative that involves the communities that were once their subjects,” he stated.

The discussion was dynamic and filled with enthusiasm. Faculty members, students, and academics from various fields actively engaged in questioning and dialogue, demonstrating the importance of the intersection between history, visuality, and archival ethics in post-colonial studies.

Through this public lecture, the Department of History at UGM not only opened an academic space for learning about the past but also challenged participants to think critically about the present and how colonial legacies can be reconstructed for a more just and inclusive future. The event highlighted the role of education in addressing historical injustices and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural heritage.

As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the decolonization of photographic archives is not merely an academic exercise but a vital step towards reconciliation and empowerment for the communities depicted in these images. By engaging with these archives, participants were encouraged to reflect on their own identities and histories, fostering a sense of ownership over their cultural narratives.

In conclusion, the public lecture served as a reminder of the power of education in shaping societal perspectives and the importance of reexamining historical narratives. The collaboration between scholars and local communities is essential in ensuring that the legacies of the past are not forgotten but are instead transformed into tools for education and social justice.

Yogyakarta, 10 July 2025 – Internship students from National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan, participated in the Kamis Pon Berbudaya (Cultural Thursday) event, a regular celebration held by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This activity is part of FIB UGM’s initiative to introduce international students to the values of Javanese culture particularly those rooted in the Special Region of Yogyakarta through participatory and educational approaches.

The NCCU students wore traditional batik attire and were accompanied by part-time staff members from FIB UGM’s Public Relations team, Alma and Candra. Through this event, they gained a deeper understanding of the meaning and philosophy of Kamis Pon in Javanese tradition, especially in the Yogyakarta context.

Alma and Candra explained that Kamis Pon refers to the convergence of Thursday (Kamis) and Pon, one of the five-day Javanese market cycles (pasaran). They also shared that previously, traditional dress days were observed on Kamis Pahing, commemorating the relocation of the Yogyakarta Palace from Ambarketawang to its current site. In 2024, however, the Yogyakarta Regional Government designated Kamis Pon as the official commemoration day of Yogyakarta’s founding, following Governor’s Circular No. 400.5.9.1/40 dated January 8, 2024.

This day carries strong symbolic meaning within Javanese society, particularly in the Kraton (palace) of Yogyakarta, where Kamis Pon is considered sacred. It is often used for spiritual activities, reflection, and cultural preservation as a form of respect for ancestors.

“This is something completely new for us—wearing batik on a specific day,” shared one of the NCCU students.

The active involvement of international students in this cultural activity aligns with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by promoting cross-cultural education and the safeguarding of intangible heritage.

By consistently organizing Kamis Pon Berbudaya, FIB UGM continues to foster an inclusive space for intercultural dialogue, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to learn from one another and build a broader understanding of cultural diversity.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

In a world where logic often reigns supreme, Pandhita, an Arabic literature student, believes that storytelling can evoke emotions that logic cannot reach. “When I played the role of a mother betrayed by her son, I saw the audience crying,” she states with conviction, her eyes gazing into the distance. For Pandhita, storytelling is not merely a performance or entertainment; it is a profound way to convey messages, stir emotions, and touch the human side that is often overlooked by rational thought. Her love for storytelling began in elementary school.

It was during a county-level storytelling competition that Pandhita first realized the power of a tale. Winning the competition was not the most memorable part; rather, it was the moment she understood how a story could make an audience laugh, ponder, or even shed tears. From that point on, storytelling transformed from a hobby into a life path that she believed could benefit others. She is convinced that imparting life values does not always require advice or counsel; light-hearted stories with deep meanings can be more readily accepted and absorbed. “Khairunnās anfa‘uhum linnās, the best of people are those who are beneficial to others,” she emphasizes, quoting an Arabic proverb that serves as her guiding principle in her work.

As she delved deeper into the world of storytelling, more doors began to open for her. Her storytelling skills led her to be trusted as a mentor in various fields, from the Arabic and English languages to general subjects. One of her most unique experiences was participating in a Korean storytelling competition, despite never having formally studied the language. Armed only with songs and dramas she had watched, she attempted to mimic the pronunciation and expressions, all in the name of broadening her horizons and learning a new language. This experience reinforced her belief that stories can serve as a medium for cross-linguistic learning.

Her ability to craft narratives and convey messages also made her a sought-after contributor to educational video projects. People entrusted her with the important task of delivering messages in a coherent, lively, and meaningful manner. However, one unforgettable moment was when she became a storyteller at a social event for children in marginalized areas. The audience may have been small, but when she performed the story of “The Crying Stone,” the room fell silent and emotional. “When I acted as a mother scorned by her child, I saw those children crying along with me. They were not just listening; they were feeling,” she recalls. It was then that Pandhita realized she was not just telling stories; she was bringing meaning to life.

This skill also led her into the professional world as a moderator and event host. For her, being an MC is not just about reading an agenda; it’s about creating an atmosphere, maintaining the audience’s enthusiasm, and keeping her own energy stable from start to finish. She combines narrative techniques with vocal modulation, light metaphors, and smooth transitions to make each segment of an event feel alive. In fact, storytelling once saved her during a high-pressure interview. When her mind went blank due to a question, she chose to respond with a narrative approach. “I simply told a simple analogy, packaging complex language into something straightforward and easy to understand, and the interviewer smiled,” she reminisces.

For Pandhita, storytelling is a bridge between the mind and the heart. She rejects the notion that storytelling is only for children. Instead, she believes that through stories, we can learn empathy, sensitivity, and social awareness. The world is filled with small yet meaningful things; we often just don’t take the time to see them. Therefore, she uses storytelling as a way to help others re-examine their lives from a warmer perspective. In various educational and motivational forums she attends, Pandhita always carries one important message: literacy and language are the keys to the future. “Unfortunately, many still overlook this,” she says softly.

When asked about her dreams, Pandhita confidently replies that she wants to create storytelling workshops open to everyone. A safe space where people can share their stories without fear of judgment. For her, storytelling is not about performing perfectly or impressively, but about honesty, courage, and self-acceptance. “Everyone has a story. And every story has power,” she asserts. She believes that being an inspiring person is not always about grand achievements; sometimes, it is enough to be a good listener or a sincere storyteller.