Yogykarta, 13/2/2025 – The International Student Orientation for the INCULS programme took place at the Auditorium on the 7th floor of Soegondo FIB UGM. The event aims to welcome new international students and provide important information about studying and living in Indonesia. The orientation is a significant step towards promoting cultural diversity and enhancing the educational experience for all students.

The event began with an inspiring speech from the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si. who emphasised the importance of cultural diversity in education. He highlighted how the presence of international students enriches the academic environment and encourages a deeper understanding of different cultures. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting inclusive and quality education.

After the Dean’s welcome, Dr. Wulan Tri Astuti, S.S., M.A., Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed., gave an overview of the INCULS programme. She discussed the curriculum and introduced the tutors, the various activities planned for the semester, the culture in daily life, as well as the support services available to international students. Her presentation was well received, as it provided valuable insights into how to live academic life in Indonesia. Some INCULS tutors also participated in the orientation. They emphasised the importance of engaging with the local culture and participating in community activities within SMEs and student clubs. This not only helps students adapt but also enriches their educational journey by allowing them to learn from various perspectives.

The event concluded with a group documentation session, where all participants, including dozens of new INCULS students, gathered for a memorable group photo. This moment symbolised the beginning of their journey in Indonesia and the friendships they would make along the way.

Overall, the International Student Orientation for INCULS was a positive tone-setting first step for the upcoming semester. The event reinforces UGM’s commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment that values cultural diversity and promotes global citizenship.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Archaeology students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM conducted a field study activity with a visit to Istura Gedung Agung or known as the Presidential Palace of Yogyakarta. As a fulfillment of the mandatory Basic Conservation and Restoration course, this visit involved two batches of Archaeology students, Class of 2021 and Class of 2022, totaling more than 70 students who were guided by the Head of the UGM Archaeology Department, Dr. Mahirta, MA… The students each departed and arrived at the location at 08.30 WIB to gather and give directions by the mentors and instructors regarding matters that need to be considered during the visit.

The tour of the visiting group began with an introduction to the outside of the complex building around Istura Gedung Agung such as the guesthouse and the main building of Istura Gedung Agung along with a brief introduction to the three main rooms where the President welcomed guests. Next, the group of students was directed to the museum building, the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace Museum, to conduct an exclusive tour of the museum’s historical object collections with the art object management guide of the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace Museum, Theresa Sekar Wening, who is also an alumni of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Undergraduate Study Program.

While visiting the museum, the group was shown collections of art objects painted by famous artists such as expressionism or abstract paintings by painter Affandi Koesoema as well as a number of ceramic pottery artifacts, necklaces, and others. Not only seeing paintings and historical artifacts, the students also analyzed the conservation methods and techniques of historical objects according to the objectives of the courses studied. Through interactive museum visits, students are expected to gain knowledge that can be practiced when managing historical and archaeological objects as part of museum management.

Saturday, May 25, 2024, the UGM Archaeology Student Association (HIMA), Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, held a 2024 Dialogue Room Webinar on Gender Archaeology with a sub-theme entitled, “Gender Studies Based on Archaeological Findings” which is open to the public. This webinar was guided by Haybah Shabira as the Moderator of the activity and two special resource persons, namely UGM Archaeology Lecturer, Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. and Archaeological Researcher at Pura Mangkunegaran, Tyassanti Kusumo Dewanti, M.A., who has a number of experiences and contributions in gender archaeological studies. This activity aims to increase the knowledge of archaeology students and the general public about the position or division of roles of people in the past, both men and women in living their daily lives in the social, economic, or political fields. The study is based on archaeological data findings in the form of reliefs, inscriptions, or ancient manuscripts.

The activity session was opened with remarks from the Advisor of HIMA UGM, Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., who paid attention to the importance of gender studies in the discovery of archaeological remains in the role and duties in the scope of society. Followed by the delivery of the first material given by Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., as an introduction and opening material to get to know more about gender archaeological studies in the discovery of archaeological remains. The next material was presented by Tyassanti Kusumo Dewanti, M.A., explaining previous research on the position and role of women in history, domination and power relations in 9th and 10th century Java, and evidence of the role of women based on findings in the inscription text. After the presentation ended, a question and answer session was opened to the webinar participants.

It is hoped that this Dialogue Room Webinar can be a forum for the general public and archaeology students to discuss and find out what archaeological issues are and be useful for prospective archaeologists if they face the same problems.

On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, held a Technical Guidance on Preparation for Submitting Articles to Scientific Journals in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Archaeologists (IAAI) Regional Commissariat of IAAI Yogyakarta Special Region-Central Java Province. The technical guidance aims to prepare technical drafts of prospective articles for undergraduate and postgraduate students and participants from IAAI to be submitted to scientific journals. The agenda of the activity is divided into two sessions, namely Session 1: Janus Journal Article Structure (OJS submission process) by facilitator Adwidya Susila Yoga, S.Pd., Session 2: Article Review (discussion of articles per author) by facilitator Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA…

In his presentation at the Article Review session, Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA, as the facilitator of the activity session presented material on matters that need to be considered in writing and preparing articles before submission for publication in scientific journals. On this occasion, he emphasized that the quality of written work depends on the mastery of understanding scientific article materials, the ability to structure ideas, how to formulate problems well, and how to convey objectives clearly. The role of keywords in the structural parts of scientific journals such as abstracts must also be considered with the presentation of sentences, a maximum limit of two hundred words, and the content of a complete concise report as an outline of the main content of the article.

The presentation of the article review session also provided examples of scientific articles as material for discussion studies. “Actually, it will be more interesting so that it can arouse a certain curiosity if there is a new element, whether it is an improvement or whether it is a development,” said Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a gathering event held by the UGM Buddy Club Community under the auspices of the UGM Office of International Affairs successfully succeeded the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024 held in the Hallway of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) Building, Vocational School UGM. This gathering is a big event that is held every year by inviting all international students, including exchange students from foreign countries, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and students of the UGM Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), to join together. The international students were accompanied by local UGM students who participated in an agenda of activities such as cultural exchange sessions, lecture experiences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, and tasting traditional food from the origin of the international students.

As the faculty with the largest number of international students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM through its international students who are members of the Indonesian language and culture introduction program, INCULS UGM, attended and enlivened the agenda of the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024. The agenda began with the Oebah Literature Dance that welcomed all invited guests, followed by remarks from Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., as Director of the UGM Directorate of Global Partnerships and Relationships, followed by remarks from the President of the UGM Buddy Club Community, Natasya Samuela Serefina. Both speeches gave a message of gratitude for the presence of all agenda guests in this activity as well as a moment to interact, get to know each other, and learn across different cultures.

The international and local students then enjoyed collaborative performances from local and international students, a fashion show, and a cultural exchange and batik making session that was open to all guests. Towards the closing of the event agenda, local cultural dances from the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) enlivened the closing of the event which ended with a flower giving session to commemorate Bring Flowers to Someone Day given to international and local students and invited guests by the committee. The event agenda was then closed with parting words to look forward to next year’s International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers.