Khabib Anwar, widely known by his digital persona “Rektor Desa” (Village Rector), continues to promote village empowerment through a creative, digital-based approach. He is recognized as a village empowerment practitioner, creative mentor, and local economic mobilizer who focuses on content development and YouTube optimization.

Through the identity of “Rektor Desa,” Khabib carries a vision of bringing educational standards and professionalism to the village level. He believes that villages should not be left behind in the digital transformation, particularly in utilizing social media as a platform for education, promoting local potential, and strengthening community-based economies.

In various sharing sessions, Khabib emphasizes that becoming a beginner YouTuber is not about owning expensive cameras or sophisticated equipment. “It’s not about how expensive your camera is, but how strong your willingness is to start telling stories,” he said. He stressed that the most crucial step is having the courage to begin with whatever tools are available, because consistency in creating content is far more valuable than luxurious equipment.

According to him, digital platforms such as YouTube can serve as strategic spaces for rural communities to showcase local potential, promote MSME products, and share inspiring grassroots stories. With the right content strategy and sustained commitment, villages can build economic independence while expanding their market networks.

Khabib Anwar’s initiatives and ideas are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8) by strengthening the creative capacity of rural communities. The use of digital technology to expand access to information and economic opportunities also supports reducing inequalities (SDG 10) and building sustainable communities (SDG 11). Furthermore, this effort reflects the importance of partnerships and collaboration within the digital ecosystem (SDG 17).

Through consistency and the courage to take the first step, “Rektor Desa” demonstrates that digital transformation can begin in villages, by villages, and for the advancement of villages themselves.

Yogyakarta, February 27, 2026 – Ramadan Fest GIK x Swaragama has brought a unique and vibrant Ramadan atmosphere to the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) area of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Initially held from February 18 to March 1, 2026, the event has attracted enthusiastic participation from students and the wider community.

Designed as a creative and collaborative ngabuburit (pre-iftar gathering) space, the festival features a diverse range of MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) tenants offering various culinary delights and products. Among them are Nasi Goreng Berkah, Meowtcha, Bunaaca, and many other local businesses providing iftar meals and trendy snacks. The presence of these tenants not only enlivens the Ramadan atmosphere but also serves as a platform for promoting and empowering local entrepreneurs.

Due to the overwhelming enthusiasm of visitors, the organizers have extended the event until March 8, 2026. This extension provides a wider opportunity for the academic community, including students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, to enjoy a warm and productive ngabuburit experience at GIK UGM.

The organization of Ramadan Fest is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By supporting local MSMEs, the event contributes to SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development. Furthermore, the collaboration between GIK UGM and Swaragama reflects the spirit of partnership highlighted in SDG 17, strengthening the creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university environment. By creating an inclusive and positive social space during Ramadan, the festival also supports SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Through Ramadan Fest GIK x Swaragama, UGM not only provides an enjoyable iftar gathering space but also fosters collaboration, creativity, and economic empowerment during the meaningful month of Ramadan.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Dili, Timor Leste, 13 February 2026 – The Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) facilitated a meeting between the delegation team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Keluarga Alumni Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA) Timor Leste. The meeting was guided by the spirit of “learning from the past, reflecting on the present, for our better shared future” as the foundation for collaboration.

Held at the DIT campus, the meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Manuel Vong, Ph.D., Chair of KAGAMA Timor Leste (former Minister of Tourism of Timor Leste and former Rector of DIT); Aderita Mariana Takeleb, M.Sc., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at DIT; Napoleon, Head of Fiscal Affairs of KAGAMA; the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at DIT; Mica Barreto Soares, Ph.D., Director of the MBA Program at DIT; Celline, Head of the Center for Cultural and Arts Studies at Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL); as well as lecturers and researchers from UNTL’s Faculty of Social Sciences, many of whom have written extensively on Indonesia–Timor Leste relations.

In his remarks, the Chair of KAGAMA Timor Leste emphasized that the organization’s current strategic programs focus on improving welfare through the agriculture and fisheries sectors, clean and healthy politics, tourism–arts–industry, and sustainable creative culture. Social inequality remains a primary concern, and collaboration with UGM is expected to strengthen quality education and research as key foundations for addressing these disparities.

The meeting produced several short-term follow-up initiatives, including:

• Training on article writing (both technical and substantive aspects) and journal management and development;

• Collaboration between UGM and KAGAMA Timor Leste in media news writing (public relations and communications);

• Organizing a sport tourism event in the form of a heritage fun walk, involving students from UNTL and DIT as the organizing committee;

• A Literary Festival through UGM’s international community service program (KKN) in border areas, in response to a request from the Education and Cultural Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Timor Leste for arts training programs (including gamelan, Indonesia–Timor Leste collaborative dance, and the writing of folk tale books).

UGM and KAGAMA Timor Leste also agreed to adopt a cultural approach as the foundation for cooperation across higher education institutions in Timor Leste. This synergy is expected to broaden the societal impact of knowledge and scholarship, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The visit conducted by Universitas Gadjah Mada received support and sponsorship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) as the main sponsor of the organization Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Under-Represented Scholars of Asia (CHSS). CHSS itself is a transnational inclusivity initiative established by the Association for Asian Studies (AAS).

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

It may seem uncommon for a humanities student to be involved in an international forum centered on business and innovation. Yet that is precisely what makes the story of Kharisma Qurrota Ayun compelling. A Master’s student in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Kharisma took part in the Korea Youth Summit 2026, organized by Youth Break the Boundaries from February 2–5, 2026, in South Korea.

Rather than attending as a project delegate, Kharisma contributed from behind the scenes as a member of the organizing committee. Far from being a secondary role, her position highlights an important point: global forums are not sustained by ideas alone, but also by the cultural fluency, communication skills, and coordination that make international collaboration possible. Her involvement invites a broader reflection on how the humanities, often perceived as distant from business and technology, play a vital role in knowledge diplomacy and cross-cultural engagement.

The summit’s central agenda, the International Symposium, brought together 34 young innovators from New Zealand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. Participants presented business-driven solutions to pressing global challenges, including green economic transitions and community-based empowerment initiatives. The symposium functioned not merely as a competition of ideas, but as a shared learning space where diverse perspectives met and evolved.

In this context, Kharisma’s academic training in literary studies proved unexpectedly relevant. Literature sharpens the ability to interpret narratives, understand cultural nuances, and engage with different worldviews, skills that are indispensable in multinational settings. In global conversations, persuasive storytelling and cultural sensitivity are often as important as technical feasibility. Her background equipped her to navigate complex intercultural dynamics while supporting the event’s overall coordination.

As part of the organizing team, she helped ensure the smooth execution of the symposium, facilitated communication among international participants, and maintained the flow of the program. The role demanded meticulous planning, adaptability, and intercultural competence: qualities that reflect the emerging practice of youth-led global diplomacy.

Kharisma’s experience underscores a broader message: humanities graduates are not confined to classrooms or textual analysis. They are equally positioned to contribute to global innovation ecosystems. Her journey illustrates that literature is not only about studying texts, but about cultivating the capacity to “read” societies, bridge differences, and shape meaningful dialogue.

From Yogyakarta to South Korea, her participation signals the growing presence of Indonesian youth in international arenas. It also reminds us that transformative global initiatives rely not only on groundbreaking ideas and capital investment, but on empathy, narrative intelligence, and collaboration across cultures.

[Master of Arts in Literature, Khotibul Umam]