Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – The Austrian Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with the Jakarta Concert Orchestra to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Austria. The “Symphony of Friendship” Orchestra Concert was held on Wednesday (8/5) at the Jakarta Concert Hall, iNews Tower Building. Several distinguished guests, such as the Austrian Ambassador to Indonesia, the Director General for American and European Affairs of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as diplomats and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strategic partners, were invited to attend the concert.

The orchestra concert, conducted by Avip Priatna, was divided into two parts. In the first part, the Jakarta Concert Orchestra performed works by Anton Bruckner and Johann Strauss. Renowned Austrian violinist Julian Walder, the main guest star of the “Symphony of Friendship” Orchestra Concert, performed a solo of Korngold’s Violin Concerto in the second part.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Writer: Arviani Fayzaila Ramadhanti, Translator: Aldiza, Editor: Rifal Fadlurrahman]

On Tuesday, The UGM History Department held a public lecture titled “How to Teach the History of Timor Timur in Indonesia” (9/10). Prof. Dr. Asvi Marwan Adam, a historian and researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), was the keynote speaker for this lecture. The primary goal of this public lecture was to raise awareness about the history of Timor Timur, which is often presented with a limited or biased perspective.

In his opening address, Dr. Abdul Wahid, Head of UGM’s History Department, noted that this topic is particularly intriguing since it deals with a former Indonesian province and is rarely discussed in depth by academics.

“Timor Timur is our neighbor. We are so close to each other, yet unfortunately, very few Indonesians have thoroughly studied its history,” said Abdul Wahid.

In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Asvi Marwan Adam explained that his deep interest in the history of Timor Timur stemmed from the fact that it has largely disappeared from the history curriculum in Indonesia.  

“With Prabowo’s election as president and the appointment of several ministers who previously served in Timor Timur, could this pose a challenge in teaching Timor Leste’s history? Will the history being written or taught be aligned with those currently in power, meaning that military violence in the past could be covered up?” he questioned.

He emphasized that writing the history of Timor Timur is incredibly complex, especially due to the numerous human rights violations that occurred there. This complexity is reflected in the many films, books, novels, and memoirs focusing on human rights abuses in Timor Timur. Prof. Asvi’s presentation sparked an engaging and lively discussion, with the audience enthusiastically asking questions over two separate discussion sessions.

The panel concluded that a deep understanding of Timor Timur’s history is crucial to be presented objectively and openly within Indonesian education. Understanding the historical events in Timor Timur will help Indonesians view the past with a broader perspective and comprehend its impact on regional relations and humanitarian issues. By studying this history, young generations can become more critical of political interference in historical narratives and better appreciate the importance of justice and reconciliation processes.

[PR of FIB UGM: Aldiza, Translated: Aldiza, Photo: Adnan, Putu]

Bachelor student of Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Ida Ayu Purnama Novanka Larasati, who is familiarly called Dayu, recently recorded a brilliant achievement in the world of acting. Dayu won 2nd place in the Playwriting Competition at the 2024 National Student Arts Week (PEKSIMINAS) held at Jakarta State University on September 4, 2024. The event lasted for one week, from September 2-7, and was attended by participants from 24 provinces, including West Java, West Sumatra, Maluku, and Kalimantan.

As a student who is active in arts activities, Dayu has been involved in theater since high school grade 1. Currently, she is also active in Teater Gadjah Mada as Coordinator of Human Resource Development, where her duties include developing members’ skills and managing external and internal projects. In her role, she and her team have successfully organized external projects with Pionir UGM 2024 and Gelanggang Expo 2024, as well as participated in events such as “Agustusan with TGM” and PEKSIMIDA DIY 2024.

Her extensive experience in theater, from directing, to writing, to backstage, has strengthened her skills in leadership and teamwork, which is evident in the various projects she has managed. Her win at PEKSIMINAS adds to her list of prestigious achievements in the field of literary and acting arts. With this achievement, she became one of the outstanding students of the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Yogyakarta, 12 September 2024 – On Thursday, 12 September 2024, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a preparatory meeting for E-Monitoring and Evaluation (E-Monev) of Public Information Disclosure in 2024 online through the Zoom platform. This meeting involved various internal stakeholders of the faculty as well as representatives from related units at UGM.

This meeting had two main agendas that were discussed comprehensively. The first agenda discussed the E-Monev Timeline for Public Information Disclosure Year 2024. The E-Monev process begins in January 2024 with the collection of data and required documentation. Furthermore, the data evaluation and analysis process will last until June 2024, with the final report and recommendations to be published in August 2024. The establishment of this timeline is expected to ensure a structured and timely implementation of E-Monev.

The second agenda discussed the assessment parameters that will be applied in the questionnaire/SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire) for E-Monev Public Information Disclosure 2024. The parameters to be assessed include five main aspects: Announcing Public Information, Providing Public Information Documents, Website Development, Procurement of Goods and Services, and Institutionalization.

This meeting aims to ensure that the E-Monev process can be implemented effectively and to increase transparency and accountability in the management of public information at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The participants hope that the results of this E-Monev will provide useful insights and feedback to improve the quality of public information services in the faculty. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM is committed to ensuring that the implementation of E-Monev goes smoothly and has a positive impact on improving information disclosure in the institution.

Yogyakarta, September 11, 2024 – Room S709 Soegondo Building 7th Floor Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) was filled with academics, students, and the general public who enthusiastically attended the national seminar entitled “Palestine: From Nakba to Tufan Al-Aqsa” on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. The seminar was held to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Hindun, M.Hum., an expert in language, communication, and culture who has devoted herself for many years at UGM.

Dr. Hindun, M.Hum. is a lecturer at Faculty of Humanities UGM with specialization in Arabic literature, communication, and culture. She completed her master’s degree at the Faculty of Humanities UGM with a thesis on Emha Ainun Nadjib’s Asmaul Husna poems and Al-Ghazali’s “Al-Maqshadul-Asna”. In 2016, he earned his doctorate at the Department of Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM with a thesis entitled “Palestinian Arab Resistance in the Poetry of Maḥmūd Darwīsh: A Study of Adab al-Muqāwamah al-Ayyūbī.”

The seminar, hosted by Dr. Hindun, presented an in-depth discussion on Palestinian history and literature, focusing on two major events that shaped the narrative of the Palestinian struggle. “Nakba” refers to the tragedy of the expulsion and suffering of the Palestinian people in 1948, and ‘Tufan Al-Aqsa,’ a term used to describe the current situation in the region.

With the end of the seminar, the Faculty of Humanities UGM affirmed its commitment to continue supporting research and studies relevant to global issues, including the Palestinian conflict and literature. The seminar was also a moment of reflection and appreciation for the dedication of Dr. Hindun who has made great contributions in the academic and research fields over the years.