Yogyakarta, May 22, 2025 — The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program (BKJ) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) welcomed a visit from SMP Montessori on Thursday (22/5), held in Meeting Room 1 of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM.

This visit was part of an early introduction to higher education for junior high school students, particularly focusing on Japanese language and culture. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Head of the BKJ Study Program, Mr. Tatang Sumarsono, M.Hum., who expressed appreciation for the students’ interest in exploring cultural studies more deeply.

In her remarks, Ms. Rengganis Istikasari, representing SMP Montessori, explained that the visit marked the school’s initial effort to introduce students to the humanities faculty, after previously focusing more on visits to faculties in the exact sciences. “We want our students to understand what university life is like, both in terms of environment and academic substance,” she stated.

The event continued with a presentation on the vision and mission of the BKJ Study Program by Mr. Roby Winarso, M.Hum., followed by thematic lectures delivered by BKJ lecturers:

• Ms. Tuti Widiastuti, M.Hum. presented a session on Moral Education (Doutoku) in Japan, which is part of the compulsory curriculum at the elementary and junior high school levels. The session emphasized the development of students’ character through values such as sincerity, responsibility, simplicity, and self-control.

• Mr. Najih Fawaid, M.Hum. discussed the importance of aisatsu (greeting expressions) in Japanese society, which reflect politeness and social order. Expressions such as ohayou gozaimasu, konnichiwa, and yoroshiku onegaishimasu were highlighted as vital components of Japanese communication etiquette.

• Mr. Moeljadi, M.Hum. introduced the concept of omotenashi, a Japanese philosophy of service that emphasizes sincerity, attention to detail, and creating the best possible experience for others without expecting anything in return.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A segment. Aya, one of the students, asked an interesting question about ramen dining etiquette, which was enthusiastically addressed by the lecturers. The activity provided students with a direct experience of Japanese culture, not only in theory but also through interactive discussion with academic professionals.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, May 14, 2025 — As part of an effort to broaden academic perspectives, the Tadris Bahasa Indonesia Study Program at IAIN Madura conducted an academic visit (Studi Wawasan) to the Master in Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the L1 Seminar Room of the UGM Library and Archives Building, the event was attended by over 70 undergraduate students from IAIN Madura along with their faculty supervisors.

The main agenda of the event included an introduction to UGM, an overview of the Master of Literature curriculum and student activities, insights into academic life on campus, and a Q&A session discussing admissions and scholarships available for postgraduate study.

In his opening remarks and presentation, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., Head of the Master in Literature Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada, emphasized that the program not only offers academic learning in the classroom but also a variety of enrichment activities to support student development.

Meanwhile, Agus Purnomo Ahmad Putikadyanto, M.Pd., Head of the Tadris Bahasa Indonesia Program of IAIN Madura, expressed his hope that the visit would broaden students’ horizons and encourage them to pursue deeper academic engagement.
“We hope our students can learn and gain new insights into further education, so they are motivated to expand their knowledge even more,” he stated.

The Q&A session became one of the most engaging parts of the event. Nada Nadillah, a current student of the Master in Literature Program and recipient of the LPDP scholarship, shared her experience in obtaining the scholarship. She explained the application process, selection stages, and required documents in detail.
“There are various types of LPDP scholarships, such as regular and affirmative. The selection process includes administrative screening, a scholastic test, and a substantive interview. Requirements include a TOEFL score, academic transcript, and a study plan,” Nada explained in response to one of the participants’ questions.

Marisa Santi Dewi, an alumna of the Master in Literature Program at UGM, addressed a question about the difficulty level of gaining admission to a master’s program. She emphasized that the selection process is manageable if students prepare well in advance.
“Getting into the Master’s program is quite easy, actually. You just need a TOEFL score, a TPA test result, and your transcript. You can start preparing now—especially since you’re still in your fourth semester,” Marisa encouraged.

This academic visit served as a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two institutions. It aimed not only to provide insight into postgraduate education but also to inspire students from IAIN Madura to continue developing themselves academically. In addition to presenting information on curriculum structure, admissions pathways, and available scholarships, the event featured warm and interactive discussions with current students and alumni of the Master of Literature Program, enriching participants’ perspectives. As such, the visit was not only informative but also motivational, fostering greater readiness among students to pursue higher education in the future.

[Public Relation Master of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 1 May 2025 — In a relaxed and warm atmosphere, the staff of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held a recreational activity titled “FIB Mancing Mania” on Thursday (1/5). The event took place from 07.00 to 12.00 WIB at the fishing pond owned by Mr Suwanto, a retired FIB UGM staff member, located in Gondangan, Margomulyo, Seyegan, Sleman.

This inaugural fishing gathering served as a special moment for the staff to unwind and refresh, while also acting as a communal activity to strengthen collegial ties. The event was officially opened by the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., who expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm and team spirit of the staff. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining a sense of kinship and teamwork beyond formal institutional settings.

The warm atmosphere was evident in the participants’ interactions—fishing, sharing stories, and enjoying leisure time together in a natural, open-air setting. More than just a source of entertainment, the event became an informal space to foster solidarity and togetherness in the workplace.

Through “FIB Mancing Mania”, it is hoped that the spirit of cooperation, camaraderie, and a positive work environment will continue to grow and thrive among the FIB UGM staff.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 25/04/2025 – The visit of INCULS students from the Indonesian Tourism Specialization Class to Ullen Sentalu Museum opened new horizons in understanding the Javanese cultural heritage that lives and breathes through every corner of the museum. Located in the cool air of Kaliurang, the museum not only presents a collection of historical objects, but also serves as a dialogue space between the past and the present, where students can dive into noble values that remain relevant in modern tourism development. Each exhibition room, from Gua Selo Giri that showcases the palace’s batik to Kampung Kambang that tells the story of the palace princesses’ lives, holds lessons about the balance between preserving tradition and adapting to changing times.

Through direct interaction with museum guides from the local community, students realized the importance of involving the community in cultural heritage management. The way the museum empowers local residents as active custodians of traditions provides a clear example of how cultural preservation can go hand in hand with improving welfare. This experience taught them that authentic cultural tourism should grow from the roots of the community, not just be a show to fulfill market tastes. The students also learned that every batik motif, building architecture, and room layout in this museum contains a deep philosophy of life about human relationships with nature and each other.

The next activity was a session to try the freshly made jadah tempe. Students experienced firsthand the harmony of the savory taste of fermented tempeh with the sweetness of jadah from sticky rice, all wrapped in the fragrant aroma of banana leaves. Through this culinary experience, they understand how traditional food is not just a matter of taste, but also a medium for cultural preservation and local wisdom in processing natural resources. The visit to the jadah tempe producers completed their understanding of the full ecosystem of Javanese culture – from the philosophical values displayed in the museum to the real practices in people’s daily lives.

This direct interaction with traditional food artisans also opened the students’ eyes to the potential of culinary tourism as part of a holistic cultural tourism experience. They saw opportunities to develop tour packages that not only showcase historical objects, but also bring culture to life through sensory experiences such as tasting and making traditional food. This learning further strengthened their understanding of the importance of involving local communities in any tourism destination development, as well as maintaining the sustainability of culinary traditions as a priceless intangible cultural heritage.

This visit was also a living laboratory for students to observe best practices in cultural destination management. They saw how museums are able to create educational tourism experiences without reducing the sacred value of their collections, as well as how technological adaptations are made while maintaining the essence of tradition. This kind of learning shapes the perspective that tourism development must always consider sustainability. Not only in the environmental sense, but also the sustainability of cultural values and economic benefits for local communities. This experience at Ullen Sentalu and the jadah tempe production site is an important foundation for future tourism professionals to build a more responsible and meaningful destination development model.

[INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]