Ciamis, 25 April 2026 — The Department of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Community Service Program (PkM) and Expert Lecture at Universitas Islam Darussalam on 25–26 April 2026. The event brought lecturers, students, and the pesantren community together in a setting that combined academic discussion with everyday interaction.

The visit also continued an existing connection between the two institutions, especially through Prof. Dr. K.H. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur. In his remarks, he described the program as more than a formal academic agenda. For him, it was a form of silaturahim, where knowledge is shared in a more personal and open way.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Aris Munandar, who spoke about the role of American Studies in reading global influence. He pointed out that influence does not always come in direct or visible forms. In many cases, it appears through everyday habits such as academic writing, publication systems, and standards that scholars gradually follow. 

Therefore, according to him, the American Studies program plays an important role in helping scholars critically recognize and navigate these subtle influences, which often emerge through habits in academic writing, publication systems, and scholarly standards.

Several speakers then presented their topics in parallel sessions. Dr. Mahmudah discussed feminism in Arabic literature and its place in Islamic education. Dr. Amin Basuki focused on how American academic patterns can be seen in SINTA-indexed journals, especially in the way articles are structured and evaluated. Dr. Muhammad Zakki Masykur talked about Arabic and the works of Javanese ulama which showed that local traditions remain active in knowledge production. Meanwhile, Dr. Stedi Wardoyo explained how morality in Japanese society often grows from family life and social habits, not only from religion.

Outside the formal sessions, the program also included shared activities such as joining the Shalawat Burdah gathering with the pesantren community. Moments like this made the visit feel less formal and more connected. It showed that community service is not only about delivering material, but also about building relationships.

As an institution that provides education from early levels to university, Universitas Islam Darussalam also offers space for future collaboration, especially in character education. This program, in a simple way, shows that academic cooperation can grow through meeting, talking, and spending time together.

Yogyakarta, April 26, 2026 — Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati conducted a community service activity by delivering a lecture related to her field at Teladan State High School in Yogyakarta. The title of her lecture posed the question “Masuk Angin (Catching a Cold): A Blessing or a Curse?” and opened up a relevant discussion in the health and well-being sector. The term “masuk angin” has long been part of Indonesian society. The public’s understanding of “masuk angin” highlights the importance of an inclusive and culturally-based approach to health.

Many people still rely on traditional methods such as scraping therapy, herbal remedies, and rest as initial treatments. These practices reflect local wisdom that has the potential to support the healthcare system, provided they are balanced with appropriate medical education. “Masuk angin” is described as a Javanese concept of illness caused by an excess of wind elements within the body. Javanese cosmology forms the basis for health and illness; in medical anthropology, this is referred to as the hot-cold theory.

Prof. Atik explains that “masuk angin” is not a disease or sickness. However, she notes that “masuk angin” falls under magico-religious models—meaning this condition arises from spiritual or supernatural causes, so its treatment follows accordingly, such as scraping therapy (kerokan/pijat), consuming herbal remedies (jamu), and other practices. Additionally, it is referred to as holistic models, where health is viewed as the result of a balance among various aspects of life—not merely the physical. Physical conditions may be influenced by psychological, social, environmental, or spiritual factors, such as stress or an unhealthy lifestyle. She also explained that “wind entering the body” is categorized into several types: ordinary (mild) wind, severe wind, and “kasep” wind (sedentary wind). Her interpretations regarding “masuk angin” include health disorders (illness), failure to adapt, a reflection of low bodily resilience, a signal to rest, and “angin duduk” as a result of magical influences.

Prof. Atik focuses on the field of health from an anthropological perspective. This is because health literacy is key to building a community that is aware of its physical condition. Appropriate education can help the public distinguish between mild symptoms and serious illnesses requiring medical intervention. Additionally, a culture-based approach helps reach communities with limited access to formal healthcare services. By integrating local knowledge into the healthcare system, it is hoped that no group will be left behind.

This discussion underscores that traditional practices such as “catching a chill” are not always an obstacle to health development; rather, they can serve as a bridge toward a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, academics, and the community is key to achieving this goal.

Author: Dewi Widyastuti
Photo: Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A.

Yogyakarta, April 21, 2026 — Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) inaugurated Prof. Dr. Mutiah Amini, M.Hum. as a Professor of Urban Social History at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The inauguration ceremony took place at the UGM Central Building. In her inaugural speech, Professor Amini sharply highlighted the gap between city comfort slogans and the reality of the residents’ social spaces.

The inaugural speech was titled “History and Citizens’ Imagination of Urban Social Space.” Professor Amini chose the word imagination as a reflection of various social phenomena in contemporary public spaces. She observed the contradiction between citizens sleeping on the streets seeking pity and the various prideful acronyms used by city governments. Slogans such as Bandung Bermartabat, Semarang Kota ATLAS, Surabaya HEBAT, and Yogyakarta Berhati Nyaman seem to imply the promise of a perfect urban space to live in.

“From this reflection, it is certainly important to question whether the abbreviations or acronyms created remain the aspiration of all city governments and their citizens today. Or conversely, are these acronyms merely a fleeting hope?” explained Professor Amini, introducing her ideas.

Professor Amini then referred to Kartini’s thoughts on comfortable urban spaces as a starting point for discussion. She explained that the idea of creating urban social spaces since the colonial era has actually brought significant impacts that are often overlooked. Society became increasingly aware of the boundaries between private and public spaces. The function of the house during modernization slowly shifted. Houses often lost their role as a place that provides comfort and a sense of belonging for families, turning simply into a physical space for temporary shelter.

Citizens’ imagination of a healthy and harmonious urban space continued to live on until the independence period. The complexity of public spaces raised various concerns regarding floods, evictions, and domestic and industrial waste issues. The middle class then used mass media to voice their resignation through opinion columns. Pleas such as “where should we turn” commonly appeared in newspapers to demand the restoration of lakes and other public spaces.

Unlike the middle class, the urban poor had their own way of realizing their collective imagination. This group tended to occupy available urban public spaces. Professor Amini cited Lefebvre’s view, which refers to this phenomenon as a space of representation. The space is brought to life through various symbols and imaginations of its users as a way to manifest the collective memory of city residents.

Historical facts show that Kartini had thought about urban humanitarian and social issues comprehensively since over a century ago. Professor Amini emphasized this as an important self-criticism for modern-era historians. Kartini paved the way for the idea that all government policy formulations must be drafted carefully and comprehensively.

Urban regional planning ultimately demands a balance between physical development and the fulfillment of basic human rights. The provision of an aesthetic, harmonious, and healthy living space is an absolute prerequisite for the sustainability of a just social system. Inclusive spatial planning policies are the main key to ensuring a city is truly capable of supporting and adequately protecting all its residents for future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

The Faculty of Cultural Studies Library is pleased to announce a new book collection designed to broaden horizons, foster a love of reading, and support the knowledge and personal development of our patrons. This collection includes 12 books in the field of literature and 8 books in the social sciences, all tailored to meet readers’ needs.

Literature Collection

The latest collection in the field of literature features 12 compelling novels by various national and international authors, spanning diverse genres and narrative perspectives, including contemporary fiction, historical and cultural novels, young adult novels, and literary works addressing social and humanitarian themes.

The 12 novel titles soon to be available at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences library are as follows:

• As Long As The Lemon Tree Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
• Semua Ikan di Langit by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie
• Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati by Brian Khrisna
• Aroma Karsa by Dee Lestari
• Gadis Kretek by Ratih Kumala
• Mosquerade Hotel by Keigo Higashino
• Pasta Kacang Merah by Durian Sukegawa
• 24 Jam Bersama Gaspar by Sabda Armandio
• Kapan Nanti by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie
• Dawuk by Mahfud Ikhwan
• Satine by Ika Natassa
• Gelombang by Dee Lestari

Social Sciences Collection

The new book collection in the social sciences features 8 books covering history, social realities, leadership, and personal development. 

The 8 titles are as follows.

• Ratu Adil Ramalan Jayabaya & Sejarah Perlawanan Wong Cilik
• Hidup Bersama Raksasa Manusia Dan Pendudukan Perkebunan Sawit
• Sejarah Korea Semenanjung Korea Dari Masa Ke Masa
• Leaders Eat Last
• Keseharian Orang Buangan Di Kamp Colonial
• Dari Industri Gula Hingga Batik Pekalongan
• Sila Ke-6: Kreatif Sampai Mati
• Sukses Sidang Skripsi

The new book collection is now available and can be accessed through the library’s circulation services starting in April 2026. Detailed information regarding titles, authors, and classification numbers can be viewed through the Open Access Catalog Online (opac.lib.ugm.ac.id). 

The library invites all patrons to utilize this latest book collection as a source of reading, learning, and inspiration. Come on, let’s go to the library!

 Author: Arifah Nur F.

Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program have once again gained the opportunity to participate in a student exchange program at prestigious universities in South Korea. This opportunity has been awarded to three students through a scholarship program from the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation (Hyundai Motor CMK), which will take place over two semesters (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027).

Continuing the achievements of previous years, students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program have once again been selected as awardees of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. This prestigious scholarship offers various benefits, including full tuition coverage, living expenses support, and opportunities to experience Korean culture firsthand. In addition, recipients will gain insights into corporate culture in South Korea and participate in a variety of academic and non-academic activities organized by the CMK Foundation.

The three selected students will pursue their studies at three renowned universities: Yonsei University, Korea University, and Seoul National University. This achievement is not only a source of pride for the students but also strengthens the academic reputation of the study program.

Justin Liepangi, a 2024 student of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program who will study at Yonsei University, expressed his gratitude and pride:

“Becoming one of the Awardees of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship 2026 is a great honor for me. I was able to obtain this scholarship thanks to the support of my family and friends who have encouraged me to keep moving forward. For me, this journey is clear proof that the limits of our abilities often exist only in our minds. I applied for the Hyundai CMK Foundation Scholarship to go beyond those limits. Do not be afraid to try! We often hesitate because we fear failure, when in fact the greatest failure is never daring to try at all. Seize every opportunity, because we never know which door will lead us to greater dreams.”

Meanwhile, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani, a 2023 student of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program who will study at Korea University, shared her excitement and pride:

“Ending up at Korea University feels a bit unreal, in the best way possible. That’s why being selected as one of the Hyundai CMK scholarship awardees means more to me than I can put into words. From this opportunity, I hope to take myself further—both to deepen my education in Korea at its source and to gradually build the direction of my future. And of course, I will devote my youth fully to this experience. ‘나의 청춘을 걸겠습니다,’ just as the words say. I also hope that one day I will be able to meaningfully give back to society as much as I have received.”

Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum, a 2023 student who will study at Seoul National University, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity:

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected as an Awardee of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship 2026 and to be given the opportunity to study at Seoul National University. This opportunity will be a very meaningful experience for me. Studying abroad has always been one of my greatest dreams. ‘인생은 뭐가 있어? 도전해야지!’ With this motto, I hope that the dynamics of life I will experience during this exchange will become an unforgettable chapter in my life story, encouraging me to bravely pursue many of the things I aspire to achieve.”

The achievements of these three students are expected to inspire others to continue developing their academic potential and to seize global opportunities. Furthermore, their participation in this program is anticipated to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Indonesia and South Korea.

Author: Eunike Serafia N.S