The Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Research Progress Seminar for the Professor Scheme on 4 September 2024. This seminar was held online and open to all FIB UGM academic community, with the aim of monitoring and advancing the research process of Professors in this faculty.

The Professor Research Scheme is a stimulus programme designed to improve the quality and quantity of research publications. The programme aims to assist Professors in finalising their scientific papers to be ready for publication, either as books with ISBN or articles in international journals. To achieve this goal, all academic potential at FIB UGM is optimised through various integrated programmes supported by strict quality assurance mechanisms.

This year, the professors participating in the research scheme are:

• Dr I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A. with research entitled ‘Literary Vocabularies in Indonesia.’
• Dr Faruk, S.U. who presented research entitled ‘Post-Classical Naratology: Theories and Applications.’
• Dr Bambang Hudayana, M.A. with research titled ‘Money Politics Culture in the 2024 Presidential Election: A Case Study in Dusun Community, Yogyakarta Special Region.’

Each presentation session was followed by an interactive discussion involving seminar participants. The event aimed to provide constructive feedback and facilitate the exchange of ideas between researchers and the audience. The Professors’ Scheme Research Progress Seminar is expected to continue to support professors in achieving quality publication targets and strengthen the position of the Faculty of Humanities UGM in the international academic world.

Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., Assistant Expert at the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was a presenter at the English and TOEFL ITP training activities that took place on 24-26 June 2024. This activity was conducted in a hybrid manner, combining face-to-face and online sessions, with support from Bappenas NTB.

The training aimed to improve participants’ skills in English, especially in preparation for TOEFL ITP, which includes Listening Comprehension, Structure and Writing Expression, and Reading Comprehension. The event was designed to provide in-depth understanding and effective strategies in dealing with the various components of the TOEFL ITP exam.

Participants came from various academic and professional backgrounds. Participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the training. This evaluation aims to measure the achievement of the training objectives and determine areas that need improvement for similar activities in the future. With this training, Adiba Qonita Zahroh hopes to make a positive contribution to the participants’ preparation for the TOEFL ITP and improve their overall English language skills.

At the ‘English and TOEFL ITP Training’ activity held on 24-26 June 2024 via online yesterday, Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., who is an Expert Assistant at the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, introduced a TOEFL Pocket Book. This book is specifically designed to help students, educators, and institutions in understanding and preparing for the TOEFL Institutional Testing Programme (ITP) exam.

The book, titled ‘Handbook of TOEFL ITP’, is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed information on the structure of the TOEFL ITP exam, question types, preparation strategies, as well as additional resources to ensure examinee success. ‘The purpose of this book is to provide a useful tool for those who want to better prepare for the TOEFL ITP. We hope that this book can be the main reference that facilitates the learning process and prepares test takers for the TOEFL challenge,’ said Adiba Qonita Zahroh.

This project has the support and co-operation of Bappenas NTB, demonstrating their commitment to educational development and exam quality improvement at the local level. This handbook is expected to be a valuable resource for various groups involved in TOEFL ITP preparation. With the launch of this book, Adiba Qonita Zahroh hopes to make a significant contribution towards improving TOEFL ITP exam results as well as supporting broader education efforts in the area.

On 20 July 2024, Mohamad Yusuf, Lektor III/d from the Department of Anthropology, carried out Community Service activities on UGM Campus with the title ‘Writing Public Opinions’. The output of this activity is an opinion entitled ‘Building Tourism for What and For Whom?’, which is disseminated through newspapers. This opinion criticises the tourism development paradigm that currently focuses more on fulfilling the interests of large capitalist groups, while basic human values are often ignored.

In his writing, Yusuf voiced his concern over the direction and goals of tourism development, which is considered increasingly distant from the needs of local communities and humanity. He emphasises the importance of an approach that is more equitable and oriented towards common welfare, not just the benefits of a few parties. It is hoped that this opinion piece will spark further discussion and reflection on a more inclusive and sustainable future for tourism.

‘Solidarity Indonesia for Palestine’ aims to provide up-to-date information on the situation in Gaza and Palestine in general, highlight the effects of war on women and children, and implement and expand cooperation with partners, such as Dompet Duafa DIY and Amna Care Fund. This activity was held on Thursday, 28 March 2024, at Musholla An-Najah, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The Executive Director of Amna Care Fund delivered the material in Arabic so a translator companion was needed, Dr Mahmudah, M.Hum.

The activities also included fundraising conducted conventionally and through transfers or QRIS, with the total funds collected reaching almost 5,000,000.00. The funds will be channelled to the Amna Care Fund through Dompet Duafa DIY to support the dispatch of medical teams to Gaza, especially for the treatment of women and children with permanent disabilities. The event was closed with a group photo session.