Good news comes from three undergraduate students in Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, who achieved a proud accomplishment at the 2026 National Excellence Competition (NEC). The NEC was organized by Eduhub Incubator in collaboration with Mataram University. The competition took place on May 9–10, 2026, at the Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The team, consisting of Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat, Aly Aydeed, and Nadila Aryani Az-Zalfa, won a Gold Medal in the Tourism and Creative Economy Research Essay category under the guidance of Agus Indiyanto, S.Sos., M.Si.

The competition’s theme was “Integrating Critical Thinking, Social Innovation, and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Capabilities within the Framework of Inclusive Development and Achieving the SDGs in Indonesia.” In their paper, the team addressed the issue of event management and tourism waste in Yogyakarta, which is still considered a challenge in supporting sustainable tourism.

As a solution, the team proposed an innovation in the form of a circular economy-based event management agency. This concept is designed to integrate event management with waste reduction and reuse systems, thereby creating a more environmentally friendly event ecosystem while supporting the creative economy sector in a sustainable manner.

It is hoped that this achievement will motivate other students to remain critical of phenomena occurring in society, to present innovative ideas, and to contribute to addressing various social issues through research and academic work that has a positive impact on the community.

Author: Dewi W – adapted from a report by Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat

Photo: Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat et al.

On the afternoon of March 12, 2026, at the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Gaffari Rahmadian invited the Master’s class Paradoxes of Market and Development to examine the relationship between humans and non-humans in development discourse through a new perspective. Drawing on Giorgio Agamben’s philosophy of potentialities, Dr. Gaffari developed this concept to analyze the relationship between humans and nature within narratives of development.

For many policymakers and corporations, “potential” is a powerful term often paired with promises of job creation, increased foreign exchange, and economic progress. However, through Agamben’s lens, Dr. Gaffari challenged this logic. Potential, he argued, is not something static or merely a “resource waiting to be extracted.”

“Potential is a capacity or force—present in both objects and humans—that has not yet been realized into something actual,” he explained. He further emphasized that potential also includes the capacity not to realize itself. This is where true freedom lies—when communities possess potential yet refuse to be governed by systems that seek to exploit it, that is where they are genuinely free.

After the presentation, the classroom atmosphere became more dynamic. Graduate students immersed themselves in a deep discussion, unpacking various real-world cases and connecting Agamben’s theoretical framework with the socio-political realities they observe.

Author : Daiva Keefe
Photo : Dr. Des Christy

Yogyakarta, December, 12, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), officially launched the Implementation of an Internet of Things (IoT)–Based Smart Classroom System for Room Temperature Automation and Monitoring on the 7th floor of the R. Soegondo Building.

This activity is part of the UGM Sustainability Campus Action Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences 2025, which aims to optimize the management of learning spaces through the efficient and sustainable use of digital technology. In its initial phase, the IoT-based Smart Classroom system has been installed and operated in four rooms within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences as an effort to enhance comfort and effectiveness in academic activities.

During the launching event, the FIB UGM Information Technology Team presented the application dashboard used to operate the Smart Classroom system. The dashboard enables centralized control and remote monitoring of room temperature. The system operates using the UGM WiFi network as its main infrastructure. As long as the WiFi connection is active, the system can function optimally; however, when the network is unavailable or disrupted, the automation system will also cease to operate.

The launching event was attended by faculty leaders, representatives of lecturers, educational staff, students, and technical support teams. The series of activities included remarks from faculty leadership, implementation briefings, a technical presentation by the FIB IT Team, and the official launch of the IoT-based Smart Classroom system. In the final session, participants were invited to visit the rooms that have been equipped with IoT-based temperature control devices to observe the system’s implementation firsthand.

The implementation of the IoT-based Smart Classroom aligns with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The provision of a comfortable and adaptive learning environment supports SDG 4 (Quality Education). Energy efficiency through automated temperature control contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Furthermore, the use of technological innovation in campus facility management reflects support for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Through the implementation of this system, FIB UGM reaffirms its commitment to continuously integrating technology, humanistic values, and sustainability principles in the development of its academic environment.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 5 December 2025 — A workshop on IoT-based smart classroom systems was held in room S 709 on the seventh floor of the R. Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The event featured Irawan Wko Prabowo, S.T., M.Eng., who delivered a session on the implementation of automation technology and room temperature monitoring through a Building Management System (BMS).

The workshop discussed how BMS functions as a centralized computer system that controls mechanical and electrical equipment within a building. Irawan explained that integrating building systems is essential for operational efficiency, especially in modern classrooms that require comfort and stable learning conditions. “BMS allows administrators to regulate temperature, lighting, and building security from a single control point, enabling real-time monitoring,” he said.

In his presentation, Irawan outlined the main functions of BMS, including HVAC control to maintain air quality and room temperature, lighting management that adjusts to energy needs, as well as monitoring electricity use and security systems. All functions are connected through an integrated platform, making facility management more streamlined.

Participants also received an explanation of how BMS works, starting from the collection of sensor data that measures temperature, humidity, and energy usage, to the processing of this data by digital controllers that determine automatic actions. The information is displayed through a user interface accessible via computers and mobile devices. With this technology, building managers can monitor rooms remotely and make decisions based on real-time data.

The workshop emphasized the importance of efficient building management in addressing rising energy demands. IoT-based smart classroom technology is expected to support a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsive learning process. This initiative represents a strategic step toward promoting sustainable space management and fostering smarter, more responsible learning environments.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 14 November 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to developing an environmentally responsible campus by organizing a Workshop on Waste Management and Recycling at the Multimedia Room, RM Margono Building. The program forms part of the UGM Sustainability Campus Action FIB 2025 initiative and serves as a concrete effort to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

In her opening remarks, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FIB UGM, Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., Ph.D., emphasized the essential role of the academic community in maintaining environmental sustainability. She noted that an eco-conscious culture can only be achieved through shared awareness and collective participation across all campus components. The workshop thus served as both a discussion forum and a practical training platform to build new perspectives and habits in waste management, especially for administrative staff, cleaning personnel, the landscaping team, and representatives of LEM FIB UGM, all of whom participated enthusiastically.

The main session featured Prof. Ir. Wiratni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM., an environmental engineering expert who presented the fundamental concepts of waste management based on the 3R principles—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. During her presentation, Prof. Wiratni elaborated on the importance of separating organic and inorganic waste, simple recycling techniques applicable in office settings, and case studies of waste management implementation in other campuses. She also highlighted the challenges UGM continues to face in reducing waste production and outlined practical strategies that each work unit can adopt to contribute to long-term solutions.

The event continued with an interactive discussion session between the audience and the speaker. Student participants conveyed their evaluations and aspirations regarding improved facilities to foster a cleaner faculty environment and strengthen discipline in waste sorting. Meanwhile, representatives from the cleaning team shared various ongoing efforts in handling inorganic waste such as leaves and food remnants. “Food waste has thankfully been managed by turning it into animal feed. As for fallen leaves, some are discarded, shredded, and processed into compost,” explained one of the FIB cleaning staff members. The dialogue remained lively as participants exchanged insights on waste management practices currently implemented across UGM, particularly within FIB.

The workshop produced several positive outcomes, including improved staff understanding of waste categories and management methods, as well as stronger collective awareness of the urgency of waste reduction on campus. Several work units also expressed their commitment to implementing continuous waste sorting practices. As a follow-up, FIB UGM plans to provide additional waste-sorting facilities around the faculty and conduct regular monitoring led by the FIB Sustainability Team. These steps align with the faculty’s long-term efforts to support UGM’s green campus goals in accordance with the SDGs.

Through this initiative, FIB UGM hopes that all staff and students can become agents of change in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resource-efficient academic environment. The workshop reinforces FIB UGM’s dedication to advancing a culture of sustainability and strengthening its contribution to global sustainable development goals, positioning the campus as a real-world model of environmentally friendly practices for the broader community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]