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]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) awarded two outstanding alumni during the peak of its 80th anniversary celebration in the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium. The awards were presented to Setya Amrih Prasaja, S.S., M.Pd., and Dra. Rini Suryati as a token of appreciation for their dedication to the advancement of science and education, as well as their tangible contributions to the broader community.

The first outstanding alumni award was given to Prasaja, a graduate of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Prasaja is widely recognized as the driving force behind the digitization of the Javanese script. His efforts to integrate this traditional script into the international standard (Unicode) have now produced results, allowing the Javanese script to be widely used across various digital devices, such as mobile phones and computers.

In addition to his role as the founder of the Segajabung community, Prasaja currently serves as the Head of the Language and Literature Section at the Department of Culture of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. His contributions are considered crucial in maintaining the relevance of local culture during an era of massive digital transformation.

The second award went to Suryati, who is also an alumna of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Suryati is a senior journalist for the Jakarta bureau of the Kedaulatan Rakyat daily newspaper, having built her career since 1992. Her reporting focuses on strategic issues in politics, social affairs, and education.

Throughout her career, Suryati has recorded various journalistic achievements, including an assignment at the 2023 Hajj Media Center and conducting an exclusive interview with President Joko Widodo. Beyond journalism, she is also an active author whose books received national recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2025.

The initiative by the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences to appreciate its alumni demonstrates the educational institution’s commitment to continuously supporting the development of high-quality human resources. Efforts to preserve language through technology and strengthen literacy through journalistic work represent a long-term investment. This serves as a vital foundation for preserving cultural heritage and continually educating the nation for a more inclusive future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – Student creativity once again enlivened the celebration of the 80th Dies Natalis of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada. A student from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), Wanita Perkasa Bijaksana, presented an innovative work in the form of a pop-up book titled “8 Decades of Building Civilization,” which visually illustrates the historical journey of FIB UGM through an interactive format.

The pop-up book was created as an effort to present the history of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences in a more engaging and accessible way. Through a visual approach, the work portrays the long journey of FIB UGM from its early establishment to its present development. The pop-up format was chosen because it incorporates three-dimensional elements, allowing readers to experience the history in a more vivid and interactive manner.

In the book, Wanita Perkasa Bijaksana carefully selected several significant events and historical milestones that represent the dynamic development of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. These events are presented through creatively designed visual illustrations that depict the institutional transformation, academic achievements, and contributions of FIB UGM in advancing humanities scholarship.

The presence of this pop-up book is not only an artistic creation but also an educational medium that introduces the history of the faculty to students, members of the academic community, and the broader public. Through this innovative visual medium, historical narratives that were previously conveyed mainly through text can now be understood in a more communicative and engaging way.

This creative initiative also aligns with the spirit of developing inclusive and innovative education while supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which promotes access to quality learning through creative methods, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through efforts to preserve and disseminate cultural knowledge and institutional history.

Through the pop-up book “8 Decades of Building Civilization,” students of FIB UGM demonstrate that the creativity of the younger generation can serve as an important medium for preserving institutional memory while conveying historical values to future generations in more innovative and inspiring ways.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]