On Sunday, 21 July 2024, at 16.00 WIB, at the Jejak Imaji Community Secretariat, Banguntapan, Bantul, a literary community discussion was held. The discussion was held as one of the agendas to commemorate the decade-long journey of the Jejak Imaji community. The community has produced several poetry and short story writers who were published in many mass media and won a number of writing competitions. The celebration was held for approximately one week, from 20-28 July 2024 with a variety of agendas presenting 40 writers, artists, academics, culturalists, literacy activists, and musicians.

At the literary community discussion event, Saeful Anwar, a lecturer at the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Programme, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, said that there are three general trends of literary communities in Yogyakarta, namely those that offer celebrations of works, discussions to legitimise works, and relationships to expand the perspective of the work. For Anwar, Jejak Imaji is the third type of community, where members find space to collaborate together in entering the world of literature.

Yogyakarta, July 27, 2024 – Evi Idawati’s Literary House in Sedayu, Bantul, recently organized an intensive workshop entitled “Piwulang Sastra Menatah” which aimed to teach poetry writing skills to teenagers in Yogyakarta. This activity is aimed specifically at those aged between 17 and 21 years old.

The workshop officially opened on July 14, 2024, and on July 24, 2024, the training event entered its third agenda by presenting two renowned speakers in the field of literature, namely Hasta Indriyana, an accomplished poet, and Saeful Anwar, S.S., M.A., a poetry writer and lecturer at the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

In the session, Saeful Anwar shared valuable insights into the process of creating poetry. He explained that a poet’s perseverance often correlates with his ability to pay attention and absorb the things around him. Anwar emphasized the importance of originality in literary works, which he said are often inspired by the poet’s own social environment.

“Poetry is different from prose in terms of the limited number of words available, which makes poetry more honest because it has to be straight to the point without many additions,” Anwar said. He also introduced the 3T concept taught by Ki Hadjar Dewantara: titeni (observe), imitate and add. This concept aims to encourage workshop participants to be more critical in writing and add uniqueness to their poetry.

This activity received an enthusiastic response from the participants, who felt that they got a lot of inspiration and new techniques in writing poetry. With this workshop, it is hoped that more Yogyakarta teenagers will be able to explore and develop their literary talents through poetry.

Yogyakarta, August 26, 2024 – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a meeting with the Linguistics Master Program of Nusa Cendana University (Undana) on Monday, August 26, 2024. The meeting took place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Poerbatjarakan Building 1st Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

This event aims to provide input to the Undana Linguistics Master Program regarding strategies and best practices in building and managing a quality Linguistics Master Program. Present at this meeting were representatives from FIB UGM consisting of: Dr. Nur Saktingrum, M.Hum., Dr. Suhandano, M.A., Dr. Sailal Arimi, M.Hum., Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum., and Dr. Ramayda Akmal, M.A. Meanwhile, from Undana, there were also representatives who came all the way from Kupang, NTT: Dr. Sebastianus Fernandez, M.Pd., Dr. Jermy Balukh.

In this meeting, the representatives of FIB UGM shared their experiences and insights on how to develop an excellent Master of Linguistics program, including tips and tricks to attract more enthusiasts. The discussion covered various aspects such as curriculum development, innovative teaching methods, and effective promotion strategies.

The meeting is expected to provide valuable guidance and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions for the development of linguistics education in Indonesia. Thank you to all participants for attending and contributing to this constructive discussion.

On August 7, 2024, a significant educational event took place in the hall of Kalurahan Kelapa, located in Kalurahan Kelapa, North Thousand Islands Sub-district, Thousand Islands Regency, DKI Jakarta. This initiative aimed to improve the understanding of tourism and tourist characteristics among the local community, particularly the members of the Tourism Awareness Group (POKDARWIS) from both Kalurahan, namely Kalurahan Kelapa and Kalurahan Harapan. The event was organized in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the importance of environmental preservation, basic education, ecosystem protection and ocean conservation.

The event began with remarks from local government representatives, who highlighted the important role of tourism in the local economy. Speakers emphasized that sustainable tourism practices are essential to maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance of the islands. This is in line with the SDG goal to protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism.

After the opening remarks, a presentation on Tourism and Traveler Characteristics was delivered, which focused on various aspects of tourism, mainly marine tourism in accordance with the location of the venue, namely the sea and beaches of Harapan Island and Kelapa Island. Experts in the field shared insights on tourism and the characteristics of modern travelers, including their preference for green travel options and their growing awareness of environmental issues. This information is vital for local communities, as it helps them tailor their services to the expectations of eco-conscious travelers.

One of the key topics discussed was the importance of ecosystem protection. Participants learned about the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the impact of tourism on these environments. The event emphasized the need for responsible tourism practices that minimize damage to local wildlife and habitats. This education is crucial to ensure that the natural resources of the islands are preserved for future generations.

In addition to ecosystem protection, the event also addressed the importance of ocean conservation. Speakers highlighted the threats posed by pollution and overfishing, urging communities to adopt practices that protect their marine environment. Local fishermen and tour operators were encouraged to participate in ocean conservation efforts, reinforcing the idea that healthy oceans are essential for sustainable tourism.

Educational sessions also included discussions on basic education of the ocean and its resources, as well as its role in promoting sustainable tourism. Participants are encouraged to engage in continuous learning and share their knowledge with others in the Pokdarwis community. This approach not only empowers individuals but also builds a culture of sustainability, particularly in the two aforementioned kalurahan.

In subsequent sessions, participants engaged in interactive activities designed to reinforce the concepts learned during the presentation. These activities included discussions and Q&As, role-play scenarios, and demonstrations of sustainable tourism practices. The enthusiasm among participants was palpable, reflecting their commitment to becoming responsible stewards of the environment.

The event closed with a commitment from POKDARWIS members to apply the knowledge gained in their daily practices. They pledged to promote green tourism initiatives and educate visitors on the importance of protecting the local environment. This collective effort is a significant step towards achieving the SDGs related to environmental sustainability and community empowerment.

Overall, the educational event held at Kalurahan Kelapa Hall was an encouraging success. The event not only provided valuable information on tourism and its impact on the environment, but also built a sense of community responsibility towards ecosystem protection and ocean conservation. Local communities are now better equipped to welcome tourists while ensuring the preservation of their natural heritage.

Yogyakarta, August 15, 2024 – In an effort to improve cooperation and academic development, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Universitas Andalas (UNAND) conducted a benchmarking visit to the Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday, August 15, 2024. This visit aims to obtain valuable input in the context of establishing a new Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND.

The visit from FIB UNAND was led by Prof. Dr. Herwandi, M.Hum., Dean of FIB UNAND, along with Dr. Zulqaiyyim, M.Hum., Head of History Department, and Alfa Noranda, S.S., M.A., Lecturer of History Study Program. They were welcomed by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FIB UGM, as well as Dr. Mahirta, M.A., Head of the Department of Archaeology, Dr. Anggraeni, M.A., Head of the Archaeology Study Program, and Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., Secretary of the Archaeology Study Program in Room C103 of FIB UGM.

In this meeting, Dr. Zulqaiyyim said that FIB UGM, as the “elder brother” of FIB UNAND, is expected to provide guidance and constructive input related to the improvement of the proposal for the establishment of the Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND. This discussion aims to optimize the quality and relevance of the new study program to be established.

This benchmarking event is part of the commitment of both institutions to improve the quality of education and research in the field of archaeology, as well as strengthen collaboration between FIB UGM and FIB UNAND. With this exchange of experience and knowledge, it is hoped that the new study program at FIB UNAND can soon be realized with high standards.