It may seem uncommon for a humanities student to be involved in an international forum centered on business and innovation. Yet that is precisely what makes the story of Kharisma Qurrota Ayun compelling. A Master’s student in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Kharisma took part in the Korea Youth Summit 2026, organized by Youth Break the Boundaries from February 2–5, 2026, in South Korea.

Rather than attending as a project delegate, Kharisma contributed from behind the scenes as a member of the organizing committee. Far from being a secondary role, her position highlights an important point: global forums are not sustained by ideas alone, but also by the cultural fluency, communication skills, and coordination that make international collaboration possible. Her involvement invites a broader reflection on how the humanities, often perceived as distant from business and technology, play a vital role in knowledge diplomacy and cross-cultural engagement.

The summit’s central agenda, the International Symposium, brought together 34 young innovators from New Zealand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. Participants presented business-driven solutions to pressing global challenges, including green economic transitions and community-based empowerment initiatives. The symposium functioned not merely as a competition of ideas, but as a shared learning space where diverse perspectives met and evolved.

In this context, Kharisma’s academic training in literary studies proved unexpectedly relevant. Literature sharpens the ability to interpret narratives, understand cultural nuances, and engage with different worldviews, skills that are indispensable in multinational settings. In global conversations, persuasive storytelling and cultural sensitivity are often as important as technical feasibility. Her background equipped her to navigate complex intercultural dynamics while supporting the event’s overall coordination.

As part of the organizing team, she helped ensure the smooth execution of the symposium, facilitated communication among international participants, and maintained the flow of the program. The role demanded meticulous planning, adaptability, and intercultural competence: qualities that reflect the emerging practice of youth-led global diplomacy.

Kharisma’s experience underscores a broader message: humanities graduates are not confined to classrooms or textual analysis. They are equally positioned to contribute to global innovation ecosystems. Her journey illustrates that literature is not only about studying texts, but about cultivating the capacity to “read” societies, bridge differences, and shape meaningful dialogue.

From Yogyakarta to South Korea, her participation signals the growing presence of Indonesian youth in international arenas. It also reminds us that transformative global initiatives rely not only on groundbreaking ideas and capital investment, but on empathy, narrative intelligence, and collaboration across cultures.

[Master of Arts in Literature, Khotibul Umam]

The Master’s Program in Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held an Inauguration Night for New Students of the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year at Pondok As-Salam Kalimasada, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, on Saturday–Sunday, 14–15 February 2026. Carrying the theme “Our Literature, One Family,” the event marked the initial momentum in shaping the academic identity of master’s students.

The main session commenced on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (WIB) and featured the Head of the Master’s Program in Literature, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum. In his remarks, he emphasized that at the master’s level, students are expected to demonstrate a higher degree of academic maturity.

“Master’s students are not only required to master course materials. They must also understand the history and philosophy of UGM as the foundation for developing academic attitudes and ethics,” he stated.

Aprinus also highlighted the importance of building a collaborative academic culture. He stressed that an open tradition of discussion, accompanied by mutual support across cohorts, is a prerequisite for fostering a healthy, productive, and sustainable scholarly community.

The event also featured a sharing session with senior students—Khotibul Umam, Marsya Kamila, and Kharisma Qurrota A’yun—who shared their experiences regarding time management, academic dynamics, and strategies for preparing research proposals as initial preparation for graduate studies.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor of Philosophy at UGM, Prof. Drs. M. Mukhtasar Syamsuddin, M.Hum., Ph.D., who elaborated on UGM’s Five Pillars as the philosophical foundation of the university. He explained that UGM is grounded in five principal identities: a National University, a University of Struggle, a Pancasila University, a People-Oriented University, and a Center of Culture. These pillars serve as the institutional direction as well as ethical guidelines for the entire academic community.

“UGM is not merely an educational institution, but a space for shaping the nation’s character. Therefore, its core values must be embodied in students’ daily conduct,” he remarked.

During the discussion session, Mukhtasar Syamsuddin also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary openness, particularly for literature students. According to him, the complexity of social and cultural issues demands cross-disciplinary dialogue; therefore, students should not construct rigid boundaries between literature, philosophy, and other fields of study. This perspective is highly relevant to the reflective and humanistic character of literary studies.

The main session concluded at 9:30 p.m. and was followed by performances by the 2025/2026 Even Semester cohort, including poetry readings and musical performances that strengthened solidarity among members. After the evening program, participants rested and continued the agenda the following day.

On the second day, Sunday (15/2), activities began with congregational dawn prayer, followed by a morning walk and group games designed to reinforce togetherness. The event concluded with a session for sharing hopes and a group photo before participants returned to their respective homes.

Through this inauguration night, the Master’s Program in Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, reaffirmed its commitment to postgraduate education that is oriented not only toward academic achievement but also toward the cultivation of integrity, interdisciplinary awareness, and moral responsibility in upholding the university’s core values. The event marked the beginning of the intellectual journey of 33 new students in developing critical, reflective literary studies that contribute meaningfully to society.

[Master of Arts in Literature, Rini Febriani Hauri]

Yogyakarta, January 24, 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), hosted the 2026 The 1st CAUGM Korean Festival, a cultural event that offered the general public a hands-on experience of Korean culture. The festival was held on Friday (January 24) at the Margono Corridor, FIB UGM, and was open to anyone with an interest in Korea.

Korean Festival 2026 was a collaborative initiative between students of Universitas Gadjah Mada and Chung-Ang University (CAU), South Korea. The event aimed to strengthen cross-national cultural relations while serving as a platform for cultural exchange between Indonesia and Korea through an educational and entertaining approach.

A wide range of programs was featured during the festival, including Taste Korean Cuisines, which allowed visitors to sample Korean traditional foods in limited portions, as well as cultural experience booths that offered direct exposure to Korean culture. Visitors had the opportunity to try on Hanbok, traditional Korean attire, and to learn about traditional Korean musical instruments through interactive booths provided at the venue.

In addition, the event was enlivened by special performances from UGM and CAU students, as well as a Random Play Dance session that was open to visitors and became a major attraction, particularly for fans of Korean pop culture. The entire series of events began at 10:00 a.m. (WIB) and was open to the public without any mandatory registration.

The implementation of Korean Festival 2026 aligns with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education through the provision of cross-cultural learning spaces beyond the classroom, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through international collaboration between educational institutions in Indonesia and South Korea. The festival also reflects the spirit of SDG 11, which focuses on building inclusive communities by providing safe and open public spaces for cultural interaction.

Through Korean Festival 2026, FIB UGM reaffirmed its commitment as an academic space that supports cultural diplomacy, global exchange, and the strengthening of cross-cultural understanding among students and the wider community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January 2026 – January marks a moment to commemorate Eyang Sapardi Djoko Damono, an Indonesian poet born on January 20, 1940. His works are widely known for their closeness to everyday life and their use of simple language that nonetheless carries profound meaning. Through his poetry, Sapardi invited readers to become more sensitive to language, emotions, and the realities surrounding them.

Sapardi’s poems, including “Hujan Bulan Juni” (June Rain), often feel closely connected to the experiences of university students and younger generations. His light yet reflective choice of words makes his works accessible to read while simultaneously opening space for thought and interpretation. In this way, literature no longer feels distant or complicated, but instead becomes an integral part of daily life.

This spirit aligns with the values upheld by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, which positions language and literature as essential elements in fostering a culture of literacy. Through the works of Sapardi Djoko Damono, literature is understood as a medium capable of recording human experiences and portraying the social realities of its time.

The commemoration of Sapardi’s birthday also serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating reading and writing habits among students. Amid the rapid flow of information today, literary literacy helps sharpen critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to understand meaning beyond surface-level reading.

The literacy values inherited from Sapardi Djoko Damono also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through the strengthening of literacy culture and humanities-based learning, as well as SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by preserving and nurturing intangible cultural heritage through literary works.

Through the momentum of remembering Sapardi Djoko Damono, students are encouraged to continue nurturing literacy and to embrace literature as a space for reflection, dialogue, and the reinforcement of humanistic values in everyday life.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]30

Photo source: https://sl.bing.net/d8Hga0uT8Ka

Students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Class of 2025, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, staged a drama titled Weton Waton on Tuesday (12/16/2025). The performance took place at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, FIB UGM, at 6:00 p.m.

This activity was organized as part of the final exam assignment for the Communicative Spoken Javanese Language course taught by Dr. R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A. The performance of Weton Waton was directed by Safa Rahmatul H. as the production manager.

The drama Weton Waton tells the story of a domestic conflict between a husband and wife triggered by financial problems. The root of the problem lies in the husband’s decision to quit his job and get involved in cockfighting gambling. The ongoing conflict then prompts the wife’s parents to take the matter to a shaman. In the story, the shaman says that the couple’s domestic quarrels are caused by an incompatibility in their weton, which is called tiba pegat.

Through this performance, students sought to convey the message that problems should not be automatically attributed to a person’s character or nature based on their weton. In addition, this performance also presented knowledge about the concepts of dina, pasaran, and wuku, which are still believed by some Javanese people to be part of their tradition.

Based on an online interview with Yogi Setiyawan on December 28, 2025, the Weton Waton performance was a final exam assignment that required all students enrolled in the course to be directly involved in the performance. The theme of weton was chosen as an effort to highlight the tradition of calculating weton, dina, pasaran, and wuku that has developed in Javanese society.

“In preparing for the Weton Waton performance, our preparations can be said to still have a number of limitations. The challenges faced include script writing, group division, and funding constraints. From this process, we learned that good and open communication between members is very important in a performance,” said Yogi.

Yogi also expressed his pride in being involved in the premiere performance of the 2025 batch of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. He hopes that this activity can be a first step towards producing better works in the future.

The performance of the Weton Waton drama was not only a means of practicing Javanese language skills orally, but also a platform for students to create and apply their language skills in the form of a performance. In line with the teachings of KGPAA Mangkunegara IV in Serat Wedhatama, which states that ngelmu iku kalakone kanthi laku or knowledge must be implemented through practice, this performance is a tangible manifestation of reviving enthusiasm for the Javanese language while honing students’ creativity. Through activities such as this, students are expected to continue to preserve and revive Javanese culture through concrete efforts that benefit the community.

[Javanese Literature and Culture Studies, Haryo Untoro]