A collaborative research study between the Department of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Department of Anthropology at Padjadjaran University (UNPAD) is currently underway (May – October 2024) focusing on eating habits and food-giving traditions for toddlers. The research, titled “Eating Habits and Food-Giving Traditions for Toddlers in Efforts to Prevent Stunting in Rural Sundanese Areas,” is being conducted by two researchers: Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A. from UGM and Erna Herawati, S.Ant., MA., PhD. from UNPAD. They are academics with extensive track records in anthropological research, particularly related to public health.

This study focuses on the eating habits and food-giving traditions for toddlers in Cileles Village, Jatinangor District, Sumedang, West Java. The village was chosen as the research site due to its paradoxical condition: despite having good access to natural resources and healthy food, it still has a relatively high stunting rate. This phenomenon indicates issues in consumption patterns and food-giving traditions. One interesting early finding is the high consumption of aci (tapioca flour)-based foods, which are suspected to contribute to the high stunting rate. Aci-based foods are often given as main meals, not just snacks, even to toddlers.

The main objective of this research is to enhance understanding of the eating patterns and food-giving traditions that can influence stunting in rural Sundanese areas. The study also aims to identify and promote local foods with good nutritional content while minimizing the provision of foods that can cause stunting. This research has broader implications in efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) points 1, 2, and 3, which are No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Good Health and Well-being for all ages. By improving the nutrition of toddler food and educating the community about the importance of healthy eating patterns, it is hoped that significant improvements in the health and well-being of the people in Cileles Village and other areas with similar issues can be achieved.

The research involving Dr. Atik Triratnawati and Erna Herawati is expected to make a significant contribution to efforts to address stunting in rural Sundanese areas. By highlighting the importance of understanding eating habits and food-giving traditions and identifying healthier local foods, this study aims to encourage positive changes in community eating patterns. The output of this research will be published in a scientific journal in October 2024, making the results accessible to various interested parties, both academically and practically. Thus, it is hoped that this research will not only provide new insights but also serve as a foundation for more effective health policies and programs in the future.

Author: Afif Naufal Widiadi

Purworejo, Thursday, March 7, 2024, in order to maintain the sustainability of the forest ecosystem, Lecturer of Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program of UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., initiated a Community Service (PKM) program in collaboration with Perhutani Forest Management Unit (KPH) South Kedu and PT Kreasi Wisata Global as the management of Menoreh Dreamland tourism, planting together on the commitment of Green Ecotourism. The commitment to Green Ecotourism is shown through steps such as the mass planting of 150 pine tree seedlings and the provision of green open spaces and “Peleluk Pohon” rides as a means to interact directly with nature as well as a symbol of gratitude to nature and awareness of the importance of maintaining forest ecosystems. The joint planting program applies ecological, social, economic, and cultural principles to educate, maintain, and improve environmental sustainability, community welfare, and business sustainability. Not only joint planting, this activity also held an interesting, aesthetic, and fun “Plant and Hug Trees” socialization and education accompanied by live poetry media by Ibu Novi and music/songs, to the general public and environmental activists.

Natural degradation due to human exploitation such as degradation, deforestation, illegal logging, and land conversion into housing or agricultural land are some of the main factors that have caused the decline in forest area around the world. To overcome this, a real approach is needed to increase and foster awareness of the sustainability of forest ecosystems that humans must always protect. One approach with potential solutions is through the concept of Green Ecotourism or ecotourism. This sustainable solution offers an effective platform for education and counseling to the community about the importance of protecting forest ecosystems.

The output of the Community Service activities that have been carried out by Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., are open to the public and can be accessed through the following link:

Policy Brief

• Policy Brief Raising Awareness of Oxygen Needs through Green Ecotourism Commitment (Case Study in Menoreh Dreamland, Kalilo, Kaligesing, Purworejo)

PKM Video

• Video of Green Ecotourism PKM Activities

Monday, May 20, 2024, UGM Vocational School together with UGM Innovation and Creativity Center (GIK) opened the INOVOKASIA 2024 Festival held from May 20, 2024 to June 1, 2024, at the UGM Vocational School. The increasing challenges of vocational needs in the future, this festival is present as a place to introduce the important role of Vocational education in the general public, including students, in the field of knowledge and skills to accelerate change and innovation in responding to technological developments. In its series of events, the INOVOKASIA 2024 Festival presents exhibition exhibitions, various competitions such as photography and poster design, workshops, talk shows, master classes, seminars, Talent Day, Movie Day, Sekip Walk, and music performances.

The festival was opened with remarks from the Dean of UGM Vocational School, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM, ASEAN Eng, who said the role of information technology to accelerate all knowledge that can be distributed so that change can occur. He also emphasized that Vocational students are ready to fill innovations, manufacturing works, cultural works, economic works, health works by joining hands with all faculties related to GIK. The hope of the innovation is to make Vocational School a “lighthouse” for other vocational schools by applying the movement method that has been applied by UGM Vocational School, so that one change has an impact on other changes. This model has spread to all students and lecturers, to accelerate the pace of change starting from the pattern of thinking to become more responsive to change.

In the next moment, the speech was continued by Garin Nugroho, Chief Program Officer of Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM, who emphasized the importance of vocational education for the future, especially for Generation Z to answer future challenges through increasing skill capacity for the Generation Z population which amounts to more than 60% of the total population in Indonesia. On the same occasion, Garin also said the INOVOKASIA 2024 Festival invited Vocational schools across Indonesia to map the ecosystem and challenges with the aim of preparing the next generation of Indonesia.

In line with Garin Nugroho, Aji Wartono, Head of Experience at Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM, also supported the organization of this festival as a place to prepare students to be able to jump directly into professional industries with vast potential and future opportunities. Aji reminded that Indonesia still has 150 manufacturing companies, the number of existing manufacturing companies is still relatively small, so further opportunities for the development of the manufacturing industry are wide open.

The opening event of the INOVOKASIA 2024 Festival can be a reference for the Faculty of Humanities UGM. Improving the quality of education and expanding student experience to prepare for the world of work according to changing industry needs is one of the goals of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM to always respond to changes accurately and precisely through industry cooperation.

Yogyakarta, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) together with Dompet Dhuafa Yogyakarta held a talk show themed The Struggle of Palestinian Women and Children Amid the Israeli Onslaught. The event was held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 709 Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event was attended by more than 100 participants consisting of students, lecturers, and a team from Dompet Dhuafa. The activity began with the opening, singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya and Gadjah Mada hymn, remarks from Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum. as Head of the Arabic Literature Department of UGM, remarks from Imam Hidayat, S.Pd.i, M.Pd. as a representative of Dompet Dhuafa, presentation of material guided by the moderator, question and answer session, closing, and ended with donations for the Palestinian people.

The main speaker of the event was Miss Fatma Alghusain, Executive Director of Amna Carefund. Miss Fatma is a female activist in Palestine who works to help the Palestinian people, especially women and children who are victims. In this event, Miss Fatma shared the spirit of struggle and resistance of the Palestinian people amidst the Israeli onslaught.

The current situation in Palestine is getting worse, especially after the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and Rafah. Palestinians face difficulties in accessing health services as well as damaged infrastructure and lack of shelter due to the blockade and genocide carried out by Israel. In addition, they also lack proper food, water and clothing supplies. This is very much felt by Palestinians, especially pregnant women and children.

Thus, this event is expected to make a valuable contribution in strengthening solidarity and awareness of the urgency of the struggle for human rights, especially in conflict-affected areas such as Palestine.

On Monday, March 4, 2024 a Thesis Proposal Seminar or Sempro was held offline for S-1 Cultural Anthropology students of FIB UGM. The Proposal Seminar was held openly, so that the academic community and the general public could see the seminar. This seminar was attended by 29 students who were divided into four clusters, namely the economic tourism cluster, lifestyle and health cluster, ecology and maritime cluster, and arts, gender, and labor cluster.

Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A as the Head of the S-1 Cultural Anthropology Study Program who was also present as a discussant lecturer in the proposal seminar this time delivered several comments, he conveyed a message related to the need for students to refer to SDG’s values in writing a thesis. He revealed that actually Gadjah Mada University has made a regulation where the final project, thesis, and thesis of students are required to refer to the values in the SDGs and all courses in the S-1 Cultural Anthropology Study Program have also referred to the values in the SDGs. However, from the seminars that have been held, almost none of them refer to or clearly link the thesis proposals that students present with the values in the SDGs. Responding to this phenomenon, he planned that in the future there will be a socialization related to embedding SDGs values in the thesis and thesis of Anthropology students.

In addition to mentioning about SDGs, Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A also responded to the seminar from a technical point of view, she advised related to the question sentence in the problem formulation. She revealed that there are still many students who underestimate the question sentence “why” and feel enough with the question sentence how, even though according to her if the why sentence is used in the right context, it will lead to broader and deeper research findings. He advised students who will take part in proposal seminars in the future to consider the aspect of the question sentence “why”.

From the proposal seminar that has been held, it can be seen that although the University has emphasized the importance of referring to SDGs values in the thesis, there are still gaps in its application by students. Support and socialization planning that will be initiated in the future are important steps to ensure that students can better understand and apply these principles in their thesis. In addition, messages related to the importance of asking “why” questions are also important points in improving the quality of research. All of this is an effort to encourage the achievement of the ideals contained in the SDGs, especially point 4 (Quality Education) through the contribution of Cultural Anthropology students at Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.