On Thursday, April 18, 2024, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM participated in a series of UNESCO Jakarta events together with Tidar University and Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta to commemorate World Heritage Day 2024. UGM Archaeology students joined the one-day event held at Campus II of Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta. This activity is an effort from UNESCO to raise public awareness, especially among young people or students, on the diversity of cultural heritage and draw people’s attention to the vulnerability of existing cultural heritage and steps to protect it. This activity also demonstrates collaboration for the management of cultural heritage sites that include aspects of conservation and interaction with heritage preservation communities for sustainable development.

The event began with an opening in the lobby of the Campus II building of Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta with an exhibition consisting of local crafts. The local works were inspired by Indonesia’s cultural heritage, such as leather wallets in the shape of Borobudur, typical Borobudur wedang powder, card games about cultural heritage conservation, miniature Prambanan temples, and others. The opening began with a group photo followed by representatives from UNESCO Jakarta, UGM, Tidar University, Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta, and Borobudur Conservation Center. The event then proceeded to the Campus II Auditorium for the opening by the representatives and a special opening by the Head of Culture Unit UNESCO Jakarta, Moe Chiba followed by a representative from Borobudur Conservation Center, Mr. Brahmantara. Followed by a panelist session by two main speakers.

The first and second main speakers, Mr. Brahmantara from Borobudur Conservation Center and Ms. Dian Nisa Anna Rahmayani, from Sangiran Conservation Center gave a panel presentation session entitled, “World Heritage Management, Community Engagement and Current Challenges”. This panel presentation presented how a cultural heritage site is managed and the interaction of the management institution to the community with current challenges. Cases used as examples were the management of Borobudur, Sangiran, and the presentation of various cultural heritage site mapping techniques.

The students of the three universities attended the event by sitting in groups and enlivened the event by voicing yells from each group and participating in two game sessions at the interval. Both games were in the form of cultural heritage site puzzles that emphasized the role of group cooperation to solve the puzzles together. Students were given 15 minutes to complete the puzzle. The winners of the puzzles were then awarded prizes after the event ended.

The commemoration of World Heritage Day held by UNESCO Jakarta supported by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ) had an important impact on the community, especially on students. The introduction of local culture and crafts as well as the exposure of how to manage a cultural or world heritage site is the essence of building collective awareness. Awareness to maintain and preserve cultural heritage that becomes regional and national identity.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Access to education | SDGs 4: Equal access | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDG 9: Cooperation | SDGs 9: Financial services | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Global partnership

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Cultural diversity | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDGs 4: Education in developing | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Culture | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Community | SDG 16: Peace justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Capacity building | SDGs 17: Foreign direct investments | SDGs 17: Global partnership

On Thursday, April 25th 2024, Ms. Alfiana, a lecturer from the Korean language and culture major, presented her paper titled “The social economic background of Indonesian students and their determining factor to study in Korea” in the Daegu University Center for Multiculturalism and Social Policy’s (DU CMSP) colloquium. The colloquium was attended by multidisciplinary educational professors and researchers who showed their interest in Korean studies in Indonesia by asking numerous questions despite the lack of research in both countries.

Currently, research on Korean studies is dominated by Korean language-related topics. But unfortunately, compared to the Southeast Asia region’s countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, the number of research studies was left behind. Thus, DU CMSP welcomes the new path of research collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Science (FIB) at UGM and offers a research collaboration agreement. The agreement was signed by DU CMSP’s chief, Prof. Yun Jae Woon, after a colloquium, and later signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Science, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S. Sos, and M. Si in Indonesia. This collaborative research agreement expects to build strong cooperation between two institutions and boost the number of research publications in Indonesia and Korea, especially those related to Korean studies. Research and publications in the long term have a role to play in offering problem resolutions for some current issues in Korea, such as inequality among immigrants, which becomes the world’s sustainable development goal number 10, to reduce inequality. 

The lecture continued to the next day, April 26th 2024, at the 2024 DCU CMS ASKA DU CMSP Joint International Conference, which was held at Daegu Catholic University in Gyeongsan City, Korea. A representative of UGM, Ms. Alfiana, was given a chance to open the first term by presenting her research, “The culture shock and reverse culture shock among Indonesian exchange students: focusing on UGM students.” The joint international conference between the Center of Multicultural Society of Daegu Catholic University, the Association for the Studies of Korean Living Abroad, and the Center for Multiculturalism and Social Policy has opened up chances for Korean students and professors to understand the condition of Indonesian exchange students in Korea. Some students from UGM also listened to the lecturers by zoom. In the future, it is expected to hold a joint international conference in Indonesia. 

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDGs 4: Basic literacy | SDGs 4: Education | SDGs 4: Access to education | SDGs 4: Education in developing | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDGs 9: Enterprises | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Culture | SDGs 10: Education | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Adaptable | SDG 16: Peace justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 16: Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Capacity building | SDGs 17: Civil society partnerships | SDGs 17: Global partnership

Yogyakarta, April 16, 2024 – The Center for Language Studies (Pusat Bahasa) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), proudly organized the inaugural event for the English Academic of Purposes (EAP) program, in collaboration with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). The occasion marked the commencement of the EAP program tailored for the recipients of the DXHR (Development of Exhaustive Human Resources) scholarship under Bappenas’ Pusbindiklatren for the year 2024.

The distinguished ceremony, held at the FIB UGM premises, was graced by the presence of esteemed personalities from both academia and governmental institutions. Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, inaugurated the event. His presence and support underscored the significance of fostering academic excellence and international collaboration in Indonesia’s educational landscape.

Accompanying Prof. Setiadi was Mr. Wignyo Adiyoso, S.Sos, MA, Ph.D., the Head of Pusbindiklatren Bappenas, along with his team and the entire cohort of prospective scholars. Mr. Pandu Pradana, representing Pusbindiklatren Bappenas, delivered insightful presentations, elucidating the program’s objectives, scheme, and anticipated outcomes. 

The EAP program stands as a testament to Indonesia’s commitment to nurturing a cadre of highly skilled professionals equipped with proficient English language abilities and academic prowess. Participants of this program are slated to embark on a transformative educational journey, commencing with the first year of Master’s studies within Indonesia. This phase of their academic pursuit is generously funded by the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/Bappenas.

However, the program’s scope extends beyond national borders. Following the completion of their initial year, participants will have the invaluable opportunity to further their studies at one of our esteemed partner universities in Japan. This subsequent year of study will be supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), facilitating not only academic enrichment but also fostering cross-cultural exchanges and international cooperation.

The EAP program encapsulates the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and global engagement. It serves as a beacon of hope for the future, wherein talented individuals are empowered to contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s development trajectory while forging lasting bonds with the global community. As we celebrate the inauguration of this transformative initiative, we look forward to witnessing the remarkable achievements and contributions of its participants in the years to come.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Education | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDG 16: Peace justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 16: Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Fostering innovation | SDGs 17: Civil society partnerships