Yogyakarta, December, 9, 2025 – Paksi Raras Alit, widely known as Mas Paksi, has been awarded the 2025 UGM Outstanding Alumni Award for his significant contributions to cultural literacy development and the preservation of traditional arts. An alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, Mas Paksi is recognized as the founder of the JAWACANA Community, a cultural education platform that continues to expand access to cultural learning for the wider public.

Since its establishment, JAWACANA has consistently offered various programs such as cultural magazines, Javanese language classes, and inclusive, accessible art performances. These initiatives directly contribute to improving cultural education quality in society, aligning with UGM’s commitment to supporting sustainable development.

Mas Paksi’s contributions also reflect strong support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through expanding access to cultural education (SDG 4: Quality Education), strengthening local identity and community sustainability through the preservation of regional arts and languages (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities), and fostering collaboration among communities, academics, and cultural practitioners across various JAWACANA programs (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

This award further reinforces Mas Paksi’s role as a representative of FIB UGM alumni who brings tangible positive impact to society. Through JAWACANA, he demonstrates that cultural preservation can become an educational, sustainable movement that contributes significantly to strengthening local culture amid ongoing societal changes.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 22 November 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Universitas Gadjah Mada has once again achieved an impressive accomplishment at a national-level entrepreneurship event. In the competition organized by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), the FIB Mandira Heritage Team secured 1st Place in the Growing Business Category at the 2025 KMI Expo, the culminating event of the Indonesian Student Entrepreneurship Program (KMI).

This event brought together young entrepreneurs from universities across Indonesia in a collaborative atmosphere that encouraged innovation and sustainability. Mandira Heritage Group stood out with its ideas that combine cultural themes, creativity, and digital technology. Products such as Mandira Brick, Mandira Puzzle with Augmented Reality technology, Bimba Brush, and JAKI, an interactive 3D puzzle, captivated both visitors and judges. Strong product design, compelling visual creativity, and rich cultural narratives made UGM’s booth one of the most striking among the participants.

This achievement was made possible through the guidance of Fahmi Prihantoro, M.A., a lecturer from the Department of Archaeology, who supported the team from concept development to final execution. The accomplishment further strengthens FIB UGM’s position as a faculty that not only focuses on humanities studies but also encourages students to innovate within the cultural-based creative industry.

Mandira Heritage’s success aligns with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the commitment to advancing quality education and strengthening culture-based creative economies. Through the use of digital technology in cultural preservation and education, this initiative supports the creation of inclusive and innovative learning experiences. Additionally, participation in a collaborative event that brings together universities nationwide reflects efforts to reinforce national partnerships as part of sustainable development.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, November 29, 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Universitas Gadjah Mada recorded an impressive achievement at the 2025 Gadjah Mada Sports and Arts Week (PORSENIGAMA). Based on the official recap, the FIB contingent secured victories across various sports and arts categories, in both individual and team competitions, highlighting the strong competitiveness of its students beyond academic fields.

In the athletics division, FIB earned three achievements through I Putu Arya Ananda Adi Nugraha Santosa, who won third place in the Men’s 1500 m, Yustisia Raka Saputra who claimed first place in the Men’s Long Jump, and Ahmad Mikail who took third place in the Men’s 200 m. In orienteering, Rangga Rayhan Paristyo and Shang Narendra Paramarthadewa Suryaputra secured second place in the General Team category.

Outstanding results also came from the FIB Men’s Hockey Team, which won first place. The team members included Alif Yoga Pratama, Arjuna, Fadly Bayu Laksono, Jonathan Ephram Purnomo, Reihan Mandiri Wangsa, Rasendriya Evan Muhammad Walia, Ferdika Dwi Cahya, Firlan Maulana Sayogya, Ibrahim, Jonathan Kefas, Muhammad Farhan, and Muhammad Thoriq Aziz. In addition, Rasendriya Evan Muhammad Walia received the Top Scorer award.

In judo, Wanita Perkasa Bijaksana earned third place in the Women’s +57 kg category and second place in the Women’s +57 kg Tachiwaza category, while Dewan Gusti Dinantaka took third place in the Men’s +90 kg Tachiwaza. In karate, Muhammad Faiz Darmawan won second place in the Men’s Individual Kata, followed by Human Irsyad Sabil in third place for the same category. Kevin Naufal Bagaskara secured third place in Men’s Kumite +60 kg, and Sarah Jasmine Kahiking earned third place in Women’s Kumite +55 kg.

In archery, Affa Arif Hukmana Rahayu won second place in the Men’s Barebow Individual Qualification and third place in the Individual Elimination in the same division. FIB also excelled in pencak silat, with Labibah Haya Nurmaulidza taking first place in Women’s Class C and Lakshita Pradnya Dayinta claiming first place in the Women’s Artistic Single category.

Achievements in the arts category also strengthened FIB’s position. Alna Hafifah won first place in Poetry Reading, Najmah ‘Ulya Syahidah secured first place in Comic Strip, and the monologue category received the Best Directing title. In scriptwriting, Berekhya Kiri Grace Syandana earned third place. In modern dance, FIB won first place through the team consisting of Azra Khansa Ahista Melody Putri Wijayanto, Fransisca Cindy Putri Tet Hun, Justin Liepangi, Kyla Ajizah Rahardhi, Nadia Nasywa Naila Pentha Calista, Nadira Renata Nur Setyaningrum, Nicola Shevarelia Bima Putri, Oryza Sativa Rosyadi, Salsabila Rizky Alifa Zul’am, and Syaira Radhwa Aqila. For traditional dance, Alexandra Gendhis Danurdara, Arba’Athun Nisa Adhya Nur Baity, Audrey Gizella Islamey, Ermin Dhiva Nurhaliza, and Hapsari Inez Kinasih secured third place in the group category.

In the keroncong vocal category, Muhammad Isa Dafa Hakam won first place in the Men’s Solo performance, and Dian Patmisari earned second place in the Women’s Solo category.

These achievements reflect the commitment of FIB students to developing their full potential through healthy, collaborative, and quality-oriented competition. The accomplishments not only bring pride to the faculty, but also emphasize the importance of support and facilities for interest and talent development within higher education environments, contributing positively to the growth of character and the competitive capacity of the younger generation.

Photo: pixabay.com
[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 18 November 2025 — As part of its ongoing effort to expand creative dialogue within the academic community, the Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Tracing Self-Identity Through Fiction” on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, in Room 204 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM. The event featured California-based writer of Vietnamese–Indonesian descent, Mazdo, as the keynote speaker, with Naria Nur Iftitah serving as moderator. Her presence drew enthusiastic attention from students, alumni, and literary researchers eager to explore how fiction can serve as a medium for reflecting identity, personal experience, and socio-cultural dynamics.

In her presentation, Mazdo explained that writing, for her, is a deep dialogue between personal experience, imagination, and the internal questions that continually shape her creative process. She introduced three of her short stories as examples of how she navigates identity through fiction. The first piece she discussed, When the Moths Came (2023), stems from her personal experience. “This story began from my experience living in an apartment where moths were flying everywhere— in the kitchen, around the living room, everywhere. I felt disturbed, but I thought it would be interesting to turn it into a short story,” she explained. From this simple experience, Mazdo crafted a narrative about a married couple dealing with the constant presence of moths, which disrupt their daily life and create emotional distance between them.

Her second story, The Collector (2024), is rooted in her time studying at the Southeast Asia Program building at Cornell University, which was filled with cultural artifacts. She invited the audience to examine how such objects hold long historical traces, including power relations between the United States and Southeast Asian nations. Through the perspective of two curious and innocent children, she demonstrates how Orientalism and colonial traces can be reimagined in fictional space.

Meanwhile, her story Cut Blooms (2025) highlights the relationship between two sisters—shaped by affection, misunderstanding, and an unbreakable emotional bond. Mazdo shared that the inspiration for this work came from her closeness to her own sisters. “When I write, inspiration can come from anywhere, even from my own life experiences. For example, Cut Blooms comes from my personal experience, but I do not write it literally as it happened. Since I write fiction, only small details that truly happened in my life are adapted into the story,” she explained. This statement helped the audience understand that fiction does not require literal adherence to real events, but instead transforms lived experience into a broader emotional structure.

The public lecture also aligned with values of social and cultural sustainability. Through her stories, Mazdo demonstrated that literature can serve as a tool for cultivating empathy, honoring diverse identities, and encouraging reflection on one’s place within larger historical contexts.

The question-and-answer session unfolded warmly and thoughtfully. The first question came from Marisa Santi (Kagama UGM), who asked about the narrative approach Mazdo most frequently uses, whether she prefers the author as an omniscient narrator or allows the characters full autonomy. Responding to this, Mazdo said, “I tend to use the first approach, where the writer serves as the narrator.” She added that this position allows her to guide the fictional world while still giving her characters space to move freely.

The next question was posed by Marsya Kamila, a student of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature, who asked whether Mazdo plans to write fiction that explicitly addresses migration or identity exploration in the United States, given that her parents migrated there. Mazdo responded enthusiastically: “Yes, because both of my parents come from Vietnam and Indonesia, I think it would be interesting to write fiction that gives voice to our origins and experiences.” Her answer indicates that family history and migration remain enduring sources of inspiration in her creative journey.

The event concluded with great appreciation from participants, who felt they gained new insights into how fiction operates as a tool for self-exploration, historical reading, and reinterpreting lived experience. The Master’s Program in Literature hopes that similar public lectures will continue to provide creative spaces that strengthen literary literacy while fostering cultural awareness and sustainability in society.

[Master’s Program in Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 21 November 2025 – The Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has once again achieved global recognition. In the QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject 2025, the program secured a position within the 151–200 global range — a significant rise compared to the previous year. This improvement is primarily reflected in the indicators of academic reputation, H-index citation, and employer reputation. Among the 261 universities listed under the Archaeology category, UGM is the only institution from Indonesia included in this year’s ranking.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., stated that UGM’s Archaeology Study Program is the only archaeology program in Indonesia included in the QS WUR by Subject 2025. He explained that the academic reputation indicator represents a global assessment that measures academic quality and excellence in archaeological research through international surveys. “This year, the Archaeology Program achieved a score of 68.8 for academic reputation, and this is a remarkable accomplishment,” he said.

To strengthen academic reputation, the Department of Archaeology has implemented various collaborative strategies. These initiatives include encouraging lecturers and students to participate in international research funding competitions, engaging in joint research with global partners, and publishing research findings in reputable international journals and conferences. The faculty also provides in-kind support and co-funding to ensure balanced contributions in cross-country research collaborations.

In terms of employer reputation, the Archaeology Study Program earned a score of 57.7, reflecting strong trust from institutions and organizations that employ UGM archaeology graduates. This indicator also evaluates the extent to which graduates can contribute as researchers, professionals, or postgraduate students in global institutions. To strengthen alumni reputation, the department conducts benchmarking with archaeology programs both domestically and internationally to ensure that the curriculum and academic activities remain relevant to evolving disciplinary trends.

Guest lecturer exchange activities, conducted both online and offline, continue to expand opportunities for knowledge exchange regarding recent research developments. Students are also supported through opportunities to serve as international research assistants, participate in global seminars, and receive training in language and public speaking. These efforts aim to enhance students’ confidence when engaging in international academic forums.

Meanwhile, the Archaeology Program’s H-index score reached 50.4 this year, which, according to Setiadi, still requires further improvement. To enhance this indicator, lecturers and students are encouraged to publish their research in reputable national and international journals and to be active in global research networks and professional associations to increase the visibility and citations of their work.

These development efforts align with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in improving the quality of higher education, strengthening research, and expanding sustainable global partnerships. Through these strategic initiatives, the Archaeology Study Program of FIB UGM is committed to enhancing academic contributions and broadening the impact of archaeological research for society and the international community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]