No less than other well-known study programs, it turns out that being a student of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture can also carry pride and inspire other people around! For example, Dian Nitami (Dian) and Miktahul Ulumudin (Ulum) below. Both are students majoring in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, class of 2023 and 2024.

Dian and Ulum were invited to the annual Campus Expo event held by the MAN 1 Tulungagung alumni association, through the Tulungagung Student Communication Forum (FKMT). This Campus Expo was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at MAN 1 Tulungagung. Like Campus Expo events in general, here Dian and Ulum are in charge of educating and sharing experiences about being UGM students. They discussed topics around UGM entrance selection, college fee education, KIP scholarships, and a glimpse of UGM itself.

The Campus Expo itself was attended by 1st – 3rd year, but the seminar session was specifically attended by 3rd year where the class was certainly preparing for the exam to enter college. Dian was invited to be one of the speakers because she was one of the lucky students who had the opportunity to study at UGM with funding assisted by a scholarship. So at this event Dian gave a testimonial that scholarships at UGM are very open to students from any entrance selection path.

From Dian and Ulum’s point of view, MAN 1 Tulungagung students were certainly very happy because they could meet their seniors who were studying at UGM. Then the impressive occasion was when the speakers entered, they were greeted with the Pionir celebration song with the enthusiasm of Mantasa (the name for MAN 1 Tulungagung students) overflowing. Even in the closing session, it was enlivened again by the Pionir celebration dance so that this indicated that MAN 1 Tulungagung students were really enthusiastic about participating in this seminar session.

For Dian, the impression gained from this experience was a sense of joy because this was the first time Dian had the opportunity to be a speaker who of course could educate and motivate the MAN students.

With this valuable story from Dian and Ulum, it is hoped that this can be an inspiration for other student to always be able to provide benefits and spread positive enthusiasm to people around them, that being part of the family of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture students is a pride and not less cool than other majors.

[Public Relation Javanese Literature Faculty of Arts UGM, Fega Achillea Maydena]

Yogyakarta, 28/1/2025 – As the host of Temu Budaya Nusantara (TBN) XXX Imbasadi, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) remains serious in the competition that is part of the big series. The earnestness of the UGM delegation, represented by ten students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, paid off with championships in three branches of the competition, including the following:

1. 1st place in the National Scientific Writing Competition (LKTIN) – Haryo Untoro, Daffa Pharaja Mustofa, and Miktahul Ulumudin

The work competed in LKTIN has the title Implementation of Asthabrata Concept as the Foundation of Generation Z Life. This study raises the material object in the form of Asthabrata’s leadership concept in Yasadipura I’s Serat Rama, which turns out to be relevant and can be a life guide for generation Z.

2. 1st place in Batik Design Competition – Meifira Arini Pitaloka

The batik designed by Meifira Arini Pitaloka presents a butterfly with various batik motifs on its wings, as well as other supporting motifs. From her work, there is an in-depth philosophy of Indonesian culture as the identity of the people of the archipelago, with its various forms, patterns, and philosophies, and continues to live and develop throughout the ages.

3.     3rd Place in Storytelling Competition – Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’

Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ presented a story entitled Nyai Rangga Wati. The story focuses on the quarrel between a couple, Joko and Wati, in Malioboro. During the argument, Joko did not want Wati to continue her desire to become a Jathilan player, which he considered an ancient and backward art. The argument ended with their relationship breaking down. In the end, Wati continued to pursue her dream as a Jathilan dancer and was dubbed by the community as Nyai Rangga Wati.

Imbasadi’s XXXth Nusantara Cultural Gathering took place over five days, from November 11-15, 2024. The event themed Manggala Gajah Mada: Ancala Raksi Budaya ‘Pioneer Gajah Mada: Bagai Gunung Pengharum Budaya’ took place with a variety of events, such as various competitions, batik, tilik UGM, until the peak night in the form of awarding champions, wayang kulit performance of the Gajah Mada Kridha play, and cultural tours to Pura Pakualaman.

There are seven (7) competitions held, namely cultural performances, National Scientific Writing Competition (LKTIN), fairy tale competition, batik design competition, Tiktok archipelago competition, documentary film competition, and essay competition.

The delegates who participated in the event consisted of the 3 youngest batches, from the batch of 2022 there was Haryo Untoro, then from the batch of 2023 represented by Meifira Arini Pitaloka and Nisrina Almasevi, while the batch of 2024 was represented by Dhaffa Pharaja Mustofa, Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’, Harvesto Qodam Sahaja, Miktahul Ulumudin, Nurcholish Ramadhan, Noviyanti Alfitri, and Shabrina Fitra Azzahra.

With the implementation of the XXXth National Cultural Meeting, it is hoped that it can generate enthusiasm for students to continue to appreciate, explore, preserve, and develop traditional and cultural heritage in Indonesia. The existence of the TBN-XXX can also be a place to strengthen the relationship of students of regional language and literature study programs throughout Indonesia, and unite the spirit to realize the goals of sustainable development for the advancement of national civilization. 

Our gratitude goes to all parties who participated in supporting and organizing this activity. Thank you also to all students majoring in regional literature throughout Indonesia who have attended and tried together to preserve and enliven the diversity of Indonesia in full harmony. Hopefully in the future, Imbasadi can present real efforts in cultural preservation and spread benefits to the people of Indonesia. 

Indonesia is diverse, Imbasadi unites

[Public Relation Javanese Literature FIB UGM, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, 7/1/2025 – Monash University in collaboration with Gadjah Mada University’s Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) is running an innovative program dedicated to beginners learning Indonesian language and culture called the Monash Global Immersion Guarantee through the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) as the program intermediary. The program not only offers in-depth language learning, but also strengthens international cooperation, in line with the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in supporting quality education and strengthening global partnerships.

The program is designed to provide a learning experience that is practical and relevant to everyday needs. The main focus of learning is on conversation, so participants can directly apply Indonesian in real situations. This method not only increases participants’ confidence in speaking, but also accelerates the language acquisition process. Participants are invited to participate in simulated daily conversations, such as shopping at the market, ordering food at a restaurant or giving directions. These activities are combined with cultural introductions such as the use of typical expressions that reflect the uniqueness of Indonesian society. With this approach, participants not only learn the language, but also understand the social and cultural context in which it is embedded.

One of the uniqueness of this program is the tutor session which is guided by Universitas Gadjah Mada students. In this session, UGM students act as mentors who help participants re-understand the material that has been taught. This approach provides an opportunity for participants to get a local perspective from native speakers, as well as strengthening the relationship between students from both countries. The tutors not only guide participants in understanding grammar and vocabulary, but also share personal experiences about life in Indonesia. This creates a more intimate and interactive learning atmosphere, where participants feel more comfortable to ask questions and discuss. The session also encouraged in-depth cultural dialogue, opening participants’ minds to the values and traditions that exist in Indonesia.

The collaboration between Monash University and Universitas Gadjah Mada in this program is a clear example of efforts to strengthen global partnerships through cultural diplomacy. The program not only aims to teach languages, but also to create a more harmonious relationship between Indonesia and Australia. Participants who understand Indonesian language and culture have the potential to become a bridge in various bilateral cooperation, ranging from education to trade.

This cultural diplomacy also provides long-term benefits for both countries. As more individuals understand Indonesian values and traditions, opportunities for closer collaboration in various sectors open up. The program serves as a platform to build a mutually beneficial relationship, where both sides can learn and develop together. The program makes a significant contribution to the achievement of the SDG’s, especially in supporting quality education and strengthening international relations. With a focus on conversation, participants are trained to communicate effectively in Indonesian, which opens up new opportunities in tourism, trade, and education.

Through tutoring sessions by UGM students, the program also provides social benefits to the local community. Students involved in the program have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience while developing communication and leadership skills. This creates a widespread positive impact for both participants and tutors.

The Indonesian language and culture learning program launched by Monash University and Gadjah Mada University on 7 January 2025 is a strategic step in supporting sustainable development. With a focus on conversation-based education and interactive tutor sessions, the program not only improves participants’ language competency, but also strengthens the relationship between Indonesia and Australia. Through a combination of education, technology and cultural diplomacy, the program creates a broad positive impact on both individuals and communities. By continuing to support initiatives like this we can build a more inclusive, harmonious and sustainable world.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 17/1/2025 – The Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada successfully held a workshop with the theme “Management of Social Media and Websites in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Environment” on Friday, January 17, 2025 in the Margono Multimedia Room. This activity aims to improve the competence of managing social media and websites within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University.

Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada as part of higher education institutions that are committed to increasing innovation and contribution globally, also realizes the importance of effective and sustainable social media and website management. In the rapidly growing digital era, social media and websites have become the main means of conveying information and building an institutional image that is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop was attended by 19 participants who are managers of social media and websites of the Study Program, Language Center, and The Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. It was opened with an ice breaking session to increase the concentration of the participants which was then continued with the presentation of material by representatives of the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. and Muhammad Farhan, S.P. related to the management of social media and websites of study programs, work units, and information related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Material presentation by the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of FIB UGM

In the material presentation, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. explained many things related to management and maintenance procedures, design and captions, direct messages, tags, collaboration posts, adding new posts, categories, and information related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the participants also gained an understanding of how to analyze the development of a content uploaded on social media through the Meta platform delivered by Muhammad Farhan, S.P.

With this workshop, the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada emphasized its commitment to jointly build an effective and sustainable social media and website management system. Through a strong synergy between the managers of the Study Program, Language Center, and The Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) with the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, it is expected that the strengthening of information delivery and institutional image in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will increase.

[Humas FIB UGM, Bulan Churniati]

The Department of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada invited Professor Emeritus Sabine Troeger from the University of Bonn to teach a research methodology course. She is both an experienced educator and practitioner with decades of experience in development studies and climate change. Among her achievements is involvement in the design and implementation of programs by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) in various African and Asian countries. The course was held in 14 sessions during September 2024 and was attended by both undergraduate and graduate Anthropology students. The general lecture with Professor Sabine also served as a preparatory class for undergraduate students selected to participate in the 2024 Merdeka Campus Competition Program (PKKM).

In this course, students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of applying participatory methods, widely used to engage communities in empowerment programs. Rather than just listening to lectures, students tried using several tools, such as Venn diagrams, spider diagrams, and well-being matrices, to understand how they can be applied in field data collection. In the second half of the course, students presented readings from scholars like Jurgen Habermas, Foucault, and Robert Chambers, which helped them apply theories to their own research.

Although the course was conducted in a block system with consecutive sessions, participants’ enthusiasm remained high from start to finish. This was due to the varied teaching methods and the active role students played in presenting their ideas. Professor Sabine Troeger expressed her delight in conducting the course and seeing the students’ enthusiasm. To close the course, she invited her students to dinner for an informal discussion about their research interests for the future. The hope is that through such activities, quality education as aligned with SDG 4, and partnerships for shared goals as aligned with SDG 17, can be achieved.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Writer: Novilatul Ananda Ramadhani, Editor: Aldiza]