In a dedicated effort to empower students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and strive towards achieving SDG 4 – Quality Education, Pusat Bahasa organized a free IISMA Preparation during the winter break of 2024. The primary objective of this initiative was to provide support to the students aspiring to participate in IISMA Program 2024, which is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s broader initiative, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Programs. Held each morning from January 22nd to February 2nd, 2024, the bootcamp served as a platform to equip students with essential skills and strategies crucial for participation in IISMA Program 2024.

The mentoring team, comprising Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., Alvanita, M.Ed., and Diyah Ayu Puspitasari, S.S., M.A., played a pivotal role in guiding students through the intricacies of essay writing and interview strategies. Their collective expertise aimed to enhance the students’ chances of becoming recipients of the IISMA Program awards. By delving into these key aspects, the bootcamp not only offered valuable academic insights but also contributed to the personal and professional development of the participating students.

Beyond skill development, IISMA Preparation 2024 also provided tangible benefits for active participants. Students who attended a minimum of 70% of the sessions were entitled to receive a chance for the Academic English Proficiency Test (AcEPT) at Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM for free. This added incentive further reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering holistic growth and creating opportunities for students to excel both academically and beyond.

By: Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM

The Japan Foundation is a non-profit institution owned by the Japanese government which is specifically dedicated to international cultural exchange activities. This institution seeks to create various activities and provide facilities and information so that individuals can interact with each other with the aim of deepening mutual understanding between Japanese society and other countries through arts and cultural exchange activities, education and learning Japanese in abroad, and Japanese studies abroad, and also collect the material and then distribute it. Even though it is based in Tokyo, The Japan Foundation already has 24 branch offices spread throughout the world. One of them is in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Japan Foundation Jakarta is tasked with carrying out activities initiated by the head office, contributing to Japanese and Indonesian cultural exchange activities, supporting and collaborating with external organizations, conducting research, and providing information related to all cultural exchange activities carried out by The Japan Foundation.

In order to provide support and strengthen collaboration, the Japan Foundation (JF) Jakarta visited the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Gadjah Mada University on Friday 26th of January 2024 at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The visit from the Japan Foundation (JF) Jakarta was represented by Deputy Mr. Yamazaki Takaya and Mrs. Kadoi Minako from the division of Japan Language Education. On this occasion, a meeting was held to discuss the cooperation that has existed for approximately 35 years since the establishment of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Science, Gadjah Mada University in 1989. Apart from that, there were several important things that were also discussed, including making plans regarding future cooperation, discussing the development of Japanese science and the challenges faced in the current and future eras. It is hoped that this meeting will have a positive impact on the cooperative relationship between the two organizations in the future. In this way, the goals of both the Japan Foundation (JF) and the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, especially in the field of education, can be carried out well.

At the end of 2023, a collaborative work, “Harmony in Diversity: A Journey from Jogja to Singapore, and Back,” emerged as a result of an academic collaboration between English Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). This book explains the journey of diversity and interculturalism they experienced during a cultural exchange program, emphasizing the importance of celebrating diversity and eliminating boundaries.

The book is divided into several chapters, each written by two English Department’s lecturers; Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed., and Rahmawan Jatmiko, S.S., M.A., along with ten English Department students; Maulita Shinta, Misma Ro Daud, Jesse Puspita, Leni Cahya, Mellyana Nungki, Anisa Sofiana, Aulia Muchtarom, Gabriella Novianti, Anis Daika, and Nur Aini. They pour their ideas and thoughts on the concept of multiculturalism in Singapore and Indonesia, which makes the book become a pure reflection of multiculturalism that provides insights about cross-cultural interactions. Furthermore, students’ involvement also reflects their perspectives that have developed during the cultural exchange program.

Overall, “Harmony in Diversity: A Journey from Jogja to Singapore and Back” contributes to the on going discussion on multiculturalism and cross-cultural understanding. Through the lens of English Literature, the authors invite readers to explore a journey beyond geographical boundaries and contemplate the importance of cross-cultural communication and understanding. This collaboration is expected to serve as inspiration for future cultural exchange programs and academic collaborations, serving as a tool to promote a world where diversity is celebrated, and harmony is appreciated.