Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – Coinciding with its 80th anniversary, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada launched a historical book titled Mengeja Waktu Merajut Warna, 80 Tahun Perjalanan Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Gadjah Mada. The book was presented to the Chair of the FIB Senate, Professor Bambang Hudayana, M.A., and UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia, Ph.D., as part of an effort to document the faculty’s long journey in developing literary and cultural studies in Indonesia.

The book was written by a team consisting of Abdul Wahid, Tatag Andriawan, Soraya Anugra Lia, and Lenna Aurelia Amalia. Although the writing process was completed within a relatively short period, it is expected to serve as an initial step in reconstructing the institutional history of FIB UGM over the past eight decades.

In the book’s introduction, the authors explain that this work represents an early effort to document more comprehensively the history of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences as one of Indonesia’s oldest higher education institutions in the fields of literature and culture. Through this historical exploration, the book also seeks to understand the meaning behind the transformations experienced by the faculty over time.

“This book is the first attempt to comprehensively reconstruct the 80-year journey of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences as the oldest higher education institution in Indonesia in the field of literature and culture, while also seeking meaning from this long historical process,” the authors wrote.

As a study of institutional history, the book explains the development of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM as an organization shaped by internal dynamics as well as external changes, including government policies, developments in higher education, and social dynamics. The institutional history approach does not merely record a chronology of events but also explains how an institution evolves and responds to changes over time.

Writing institutional history also plays an important role in preserving institutional memory. This memory includes physical aspects such as buildings, classrooms, organizational structures, and institutional artifacts, as well as non-physical aspects such as norms, rules, and workplace culture that develop within the institution.

For an academic institution, institutional memory has strategic value as it provides a basis for reflection in understanding the formation of collective identity while helping to shape future development.

In its preparation, the book was written chronologically to help readers understand the faculty’s development. The periodization used in the book is based on the changes in the faculty’s name throughout its history.

The discussion is divided into four main chapters. The first chapter covers the early development period from 1946 to 1955. The second chapter discusses the period of the Faculty of Letters and Culture from 1955 to 1982. The third chapter explores the Faculty of Letters period from 1982 to 2001. The fourth chapter discusses the Faculty of Cultural Sciences period from 2001 to 2025.

The authors acknowledge that the book still has limitations and does not yet fully capture the complexity of the faculty’s long history. Therefore, they hope the publication will serve as a starting point for more in-depth research on institutional and academic development within FIB UGM.

“We realize that this book is far from complete, let alone perfect. With humility, we hope it will receive constructive input so that it can be improved in the future,” the authors wrote.

The authors also expressed their gratitude to various parties who supported the writing process, particularly the FIB UGM Dean’s Office for the 2021–2026 period, which entrusted the team with the project.

The publication of this book is expected to serve as a reflection for the academic community to better understand the institution’s journey while strengthening its commitment to advancing knowledge, culture, and academic contributions to society.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., emphasized the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding international engagement in the development of humanities scholarship. He delivered the message during the Open Senate Meeting marking the 80th Anniversary of FIB UGM on March 3, 2026, in Yogyakarta.

In his annual report, Prof. Setiadi described the faculty’s 80th anniversary as a moment to reflect on its long journey while looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities. With the theme “Eight Decades of Building Civilization,” the faculty aims to further strengthen its academic contributions at both national and international levels.

“For eighty years, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada has undergone significant transformation and achieved notable accomplishments as a key pillar in the development of humanities scholarship,” he said.

He noted that the faculty’s achievements are the result of the collective efforts of its academic community, built upon the scholarly foundations laid by earlier generations.

One of the performance indicators highlighted in the report is the number of international students, which reached 150 students, exceeding the target of 100 students or 150 percent of the initial target. According to Prof. Setiadi, this reflects the growing international appeal of FIB UGM.

Research collaboration has also shown significant progress. The number of multidisciplinary research outputs reached 169 research titles, far surpassing the target of 84 projects, or about 201 percent of the target. This achievement indicates a stronger culture of collaborative research across academic disciplines.

In addition, FIB UGM recorded 2,378 news publications related to academic activities and community engagement in 2025, exceeding the target of 1,155 publications.

In terms of academic quality assurance, FIB UGM continues to strengthen the accreditation status of its study programs. Out of 21 study programs, 20 programs have received the highest accreditation status (Unggul) from BAN-PT, while the Master’s Program in American Studies has obtained the same status from LAMSPAK.

Several programs have also gained recognition from international accreditation bodies, including ACQUIN, AUN-QA, and FIBAA, further reinforcing the faculty’s position in global humanities education.

These academic achievements are also reflected in international rankings. The Anthropology, Archaeology, and English Literature programs are ranked first nationally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with global rankings in the 101–170 and 151–200 ranges. Meanwhile, EduRank placed FIB UGM’s literature field first in Indonesia among 68 institutions offering literary studies.

Prof. Setiadi also highlighted developments in student performance. Currently, FIB UGM has 4,346 active students, consisting of 3,448 undergraduate students, 672 master’s students, and 226 doctoral students. Academic data shows improvement in student performance, with the average undergraduate GPA increasing from 3.62 to 3.67, while the average study duration decreased from 4.42 years to 4.28 years.

He expressed appreciation for the contributions of lecturers, administrative staff, and students. Over the past four years, FIB students have achieved 23 international awards, 224 national awards, and 48 regional awards.

Concluding his remarks, Prof. Setiadi emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity, solidarity, and academic values within the faculty community.

“In the academic world, which upholds honesty, equality, and integrity, we must continue to nurture a culture of mutual learning, care, and mentorship while strengthening our solidarity as the FIB UGM community,” he said.

As it enters its eighth decade, FIB UGM aims to remain a productive space for the advancement of humanities scholarship and to contribute to the development of civilization through education, research, and community engagement. Such efforts reflect the broader commitment of higher education institutions to advance knowledge, expand global collaboration, and generate meaningful benefits for society.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 15 February 2026 – The Arabic Literature Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (IKMASA UGM) officially inaugurated its 2026/2027 executive board at Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The inauguration formed part of the IKMASA General Assembly series, which took place from December 2025 to February 2026.

The event was attended by all active students and alumni of the Arabic Literature Program at UGM. The inauguration ceremony was led by Dr. Nur Kholid, M.Pd., advisor to the Arabic Literature Student Association at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, who formally installed the IKMASA executive board for the 2026/2027 term.

The IKMASA General Assembly is an annual agenda held at the end of each executive term. The forum reviews the accountability report, evaluates organizational performance over the past year, and formulates the vision and mission for the upcoming period. It also serves as a platform for organizational restructuring and the election of new leadership.

The inauguration marked the final stage of the entire general assembly series. Through this ceremony, the newly appointed board obtained formal organizational legitimacy to carry out its mandate and implement work programs over the next year. The event was conducted offline at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences as a demonstration of organizational transparency and accountability to the Arabic Literature academic community.

With the new executive board officially in place, IKMASA is expected to continue ongoing programs while introducing initiatives that respond to students’ needs. Structured regeneration through the general assembly remains a key foundation for sustaining the organization and strengthening students’ role in fostering a collaborative and responsible academic environment.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, February 13, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a screening of When The Water Horse Seeks A New Home at the 7th Floor Auditorium of Soegondo Building on Friday (13/2) at 2:00 p.m. WIB. The event was attended by Cultural Anthropology students of the Faculty and presented a cinematic work that traces the journey of Rohingya refugees through the story of a small object washed ashore on the coast of Aceh.

Written and directed by Andrianus Oetjoe Merdhi, the film is based on the discovery of a small plastic animal figurine left behind on an abandoned boat once used by Rohingya refugees. The vessel was found stranded on a remote beach in Aceh, nearly two thousand kilometers from the figurine’s place of origin. The small object serves as a silent marker of human movement, loss, and resilience amid displacement.

According to its synopsis, the film follows the object’s journey across oceans and borders in search of its owner. This search unfolds the human story behind the experiences of refuge and forced displacement endured by the Rohingya community.

The project was co-produced by Gerhard Hoffstaedter of the University of Brisbane. The production received support from the University of Bielefeld and Volkswagen Stiftung. The screening, attended by Cultural Anthropology students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, provided a space for discussion on migration, identity, and collective memory. Through a reflective visual approach, the film invites audiences to understand the human dimension of cross-border displacement.

By focusing on a simple object, the film underscores that every trace left behind holds a story. Revisiting such traces becomes an important step in fostering empathy, broadening perspectives, and sustaining humanitarian values amid ongoing global dynamics.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

The Japanese Language and Culture Student Association (HIMAJE), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through its culinary community Hiryou Aikai, held a group cooking session to celebrate the completion of the End-of-Semester Final Exams. The activity took place on 20 November 2025, from 13:00 to 15:00 WIB, at the Soegondo Building corridor area, and was designed in a relaxed, picnic-style setting as a refreshing moment of togetherness after the exam period.

Hiryou Aikai serves as a platform for HIMAJE members who have an interest and talent in cooking. Through this community, members can channel their culinary creativity while improving their cooking skills in a collaborative and enjoyable atmosphere. Activities like this also help strengthen connections among students through simple yet meaningful shared experiences.

In this session, participants cooked gyudon, a popular Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of warm rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. The cooking process was carried out together—from ingredient preparation to plating—creating a warm, lively, and enthusiastic atmosphere throughout the event.

This cooking activity not only provided a fun way to unwind after final exams but also encouraged students to learn through hands-on experience while fostering a supportive community environment. Through similar initiatives, Hiryou Aikai is expected to continue serving as a creative space that enriches students’ organizational experience and promotes positive activities that support well-being and personal development within HIMAJE UGM.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid