Yogyakarta, April 7, 2026 – Students of the Master’s Program in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a field study as part of the Museum Collection Conservation course at the Affandi Museum and the Kotagede area on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The activity was supervised by Mrs. Dr. Mahirta, M.A., as the course lecturer, alongside Mrs. Mimi Savitri, M.A., Ph.D., and was attended by 11 students. The field study formed part of the learning process, providing students with the opportunity to carry out direct observations, particularly in relation to the conservation of museum collections and cultural heritage areas.

At the Affandi Museum, students observed museum curatorial arrangements, collection management, and conservation practices applied to various collection objects. Through this activity, students were expected to become familiar with different types of museum collections and their handling methods, while also understanding that each object requires a conservation approach tailored to its specific characteristics.

The field study continued with a visit to the Kotagede area. At this site, students observed the cultural heritage landscape and identified various conditions related to preservation efforts, including recognizing cases encountered in the field and understanding possible approaches to addressing them.

Through this series of field activities, students gained an understanding of conservation principles and their application, both in museum contexts and in cultural heritage areas. In addition, the field study introduced fundamental aspects of museum management and curatorial concepts as part of preservation practices.

[Archeology, Muhammad Irsyad]

Amid the noise of everyday life, many things seem to unfold as if by default: traffic jams, crowded markets, and casual conversations in digital spaces. Yet for a social scientist, these are far from ordinary occurrences. They are living “texts,” rich with meaning and waiting to be interpreted more deeply.

During a Social and Cultural Essay Writing Workshop held on Wednesday (April 8, 2026) by the Master’s Program in Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A. emphasized that the work of social scientists does not operate within fixed spatial boundaries. Their “laboratory” is life itself—a fluid, dynamic, and often unpredictable space.

According to Agus, social scientists inhabit a broad and ever-changing field of inquiry, as their object of study is human interaction across various dimensions of life. “All social phenomena—from traffic congestion to everyday habits—can serve as material for analysis that reflects social structures and public policy,” he explained.

He stressed that sensitivity is the key foundation of a social scientist’s work. With such sensitivity, seemingly mundane phenomena can be transformed into meaningful and critical analysis.

In the discussion session, participants highlighted the condition of social critics in Indonesia, who are perceived to face pressure from the state. Agus acknowledged that the situation is neither entirely hopeful nor entirely bleak. He argued that criticism will persist as long as social awareness remains alive within society.

“What matters is the courage to question reality while remaining grounded in one’s conscience,” he said.

He further asserted that subjectivity in social analysis is inevitable, but it must be anchored in rationality and a commitment to marginalized groups. This approach is essential for upholding social justice amid the complexities of power relations.

The discussion also addressed the shifting nature of social criticism—from what was once organic to forms that are increasingly complex due to interventions by various actors, including the state. In this context, social scientists are required to be more discerning in distinguishing between authentic, organic public voices and those that are manipulative.

Ultimately, being a social scientist is not only about analytical ability, but also about maintaining integrity. As reality becomes increasingly blurred, perhaps the only reliable compass is conscience—constantly reminding us that the primary task of social science is not only to understand humanity, but also to stand up for it.

[Master of Arts in Literature, Khotibul Umam]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2025 – A choir composed of students, lecturers, and administrative staff enlivened the Open Senate Meeting celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada by performing two popular Indonesian songs, “Ondel-Ondel” and “Rumah Kita.” The performance created an atmosphere of togetherness while celebrating cultural diversity through specially prepared musical arrangements.

The performance was arranged and conducted by Muhammad Rasyid Ridho, who also served as the trainer and conductor. The choir was supported by several accompanying musicians, including Riski Puluhulawa on piano, Emilia Widya Pranasari on viola, Sekar Arrum Sri Kinanthi on violin, and Fairuz Aufa Anza on kendang.

The first song performed was “Ondel-Ondel,” popularized by Benyamin Sueb in 1971. The song is widely recognized as a lively representation of Betawi culture that developed amid the dynamic life of Jakarta. Through its simple yet energetic lyrics, the song portrays ondel-ondel as a cultural icon in the form of giant puppets that were once believed to symbolize protection for the community.

Over time, ondel-ondel has become not only part of tradition but also a symbol of identity and cultural pride for the Betawi people. The song also reminds audiences of the importance of appreciating cultural heritage and preserving local wisdom amid ongoing societal change.

The choir then performed “Rumah Kita,” a song popularized by Achmad Albar together with the legendary band God Bless. Widely known since the late 1980s, the song conveys a heartfelt message about the meaning of home as a space for togetherness.

In the context of the FIB UGM anniversary celebration, the song was interpreted as a symbol of unity among members of the academic community. The campus environment, particularly at Universitas Gadjah Mada, is seen as a shared home where people from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, create, and build their future.

This choir performance, involving members from different groups within the faculty, added vibrancy to the series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Through music and performing arts, messages about the importance of unity, respect for diversity, and the preservation of local culture were warmly conveyed to the audience. These values form an essential foundation for fostering an inclusive and sustainable academic community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 30, 2026  – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again achieved international recognition. Based on the results of the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Subject, six study programs at FIB UGM have successfully secured positions in the global rankings.

The achievement in the Arts and Humanities field, which is ranked 189th globally, reflects the consistent academic quality of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM in the realm of humanities. This accomplishment is further strengthened by six study programs that are also ranked globally, namely Anthropology (ranked 51–100), English Language & Literature (151–200), Modern Languages (151–200), Archaeology (151–200), History (151–200), as well as other fields that highlight FIB UGM’s strength in cultural and humanities studies on a global scale.

This achievement is a source of pride for Universitas Gadjah Mada and further affirms FIB UGM’s position as one of the leading centers for cultural and humanities studies worldwide. The ranking also reflects the contributions of various stakeholders in building a high-quality, innovative, and globally competitive learning ecosystem. This aligns with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and excellent higher education.

In its official post on Instagram, FIB UGM expressed appreciation to all members of its academic community who contributed to this achievement. This success is expected to serve as motivation to continuously enhance the quality of education, research, and international collaboration in the future, while also supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the strengthening of global networks.

This achievement further reinforces FIB UGM’s commitment to advancing sustainable knowledge and cultural development that is relevant to global challenges, in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly in terms of cultural preservation and strengthening community identity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 27 February 2026 – In welcoming the 80th Dies Natalis of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM held a cemetery pilgrimage at the UGM Family Cemetery located in Sawitsari on Thursday (27/2) at 07:30 AM. This activity is part of the faculty’s regular agenda carried out annually as a form of respect and remembrance for the predecessors who contributed significantly to the development of the faculty and the university.

The event began with a joint prayer led by Dr. Ahmad Athoillah, S.Pd., M.A., a lecturer from the Department of History at FIB UGM. In a solemn atmosphere, participants prayed for the departed figures and members of the academic community while remembering their contributions to the development of academic traditions within FIB UGM.

The program continued with remarks delivered by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources of FIB UGM, Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A. In his speech, he stated that the pilgrimage serves as a moment of reflection for the entire academic community to appreciate the struggles and dedication of the faculty’s predecessors, while also strengthening the commitment to continue the academic values and spirit of service they have passed down.
Following the remarks, the event proceeded with a symbolic procession around the cemetery and the scattering of flower petals on the graves of figures who had made significant contributions to the development of FIB UGM. This procession symbolized respect and gratitude for the dedication of the predecessors who played an important role in shaping the faculty’s growth.

This pilgrimage is not only part of the series of events commemorating the 80th Dies Natalis of FIB UGM, but also reflects the values of honoring history, maintaining academic traditions, and appreciating the legacy of past scholars. These values align with the efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, through the strengthening of educational and reflective academic values, as well as Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage for sustainable societies.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]