Yogyakarta, 17 April 2025 – Pusat Bahasa of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) partnered with the Indonesian International Education Foundation (IIEF) to successfully organize the TOEFL Digital On-Site test today. The test took place at FIB UGM, with ten participants arriving at the venue starting at 7:30 AM. The official test began at 8:00 AM.

The participants expressed enthusiasm for enhancing their English language skills, recognizing it as a crucial factor for thriving in the increasingly interconnected global landscape. The test employed digital methods, which not only ensured efficiency but also promoted eco-friendliness by significantly reducing paper use. This reflects UGM’s commitment to leveraging technology in providing high-quality education.

To guarantee a smooth execution of the test, the Language Center of FIB UGM and IIEF ensured that the facilities met international standards for TOEFL testing. The venue offered modern amenities and accessibility, while the organizers provided pre-test briefings to help participants perform confidently and without technical difficulties.

The event served as both an opportunity for individuals to evaluate their English proficiency and a strategic step toward realizing Indonesia’s vision of producing globally competitive human resources. Through its collaboration with IIEF, UGM demonstrated the importance of partnerships between educational institutions and related organizations in expanding access to quality education across the country.

This initiative also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which emphasizes the need for inclusive and equitable quality education. By focusing on individual skill development, the program represents a tangible commitment by educational institutions to foster positive change on both local and global scales.

[Public Relation of Fellas FIB UGM, Sabik Hikami]

Yogyakarta, 28/4/2025 – The Association of Indonesian Regional Language and Literature Students (Imbasadi) held a cultural webinar titled “Mencintai yang Dekat, Mengenal yang Jauh: Imbasadi Menjawab Tantangan AI dan Global lewat Kebudayaan Daerah” (Loving What is Near, Understanding What is Far: Imbasadi Responds to the Challenges of AI and Globalization through Regional Culture) on Sunday (April 13, 2025). The event was part of the series commemorating Imbasadi’s 32nd anniversary.

The webinar featured R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., a lecturer from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, as the keynote speaker. Noviyanti Alfitri, a student from the same program and a member of Imbasadi’s Research and Community Service Division (P2M), served as the moderator.

In his presentation, R. Bima Slamet Raharja highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting the preservation and expanding public access to the literary and cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago. However, he emphasized that the use of such technologies must be carried out wisely, ensuring that cultural wealth remains respected, safeguarded as a national treasure, and continues to provide lasting benefits.

This cultural webinar demonstrated Imbasadi’s and the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program’s strong commitment to preserving and advancing regional languages, literatures, and cultures amidst the pressures of globalization. The initiative also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of quality education, sustainable cities and communities, and partnerships for the goals.

[Public Relation of Javanese Literature, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, 22/04/2025 – As part of an effort to deepen understanding of the dynamics of Indonesian politics, Indonesian Culture and Language Study (INCULS) students visited the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) DPRD Building and the DIY Governor’s Office. The visit not only provided insight into the legislative and executive processes at the local level, but also implicitly touched on the principles of sustainable development, particularly in terms of inclusive, transparent and accountable governance.

During the visit to the DPRD DIY, INCULS students discussed with the lecturers the role of the legislature in public policy making. They highlighted the importance of community participation in the political process, which is in line with peace processes that emphasize effective, inclusive and transparent governance. At the Governor’s Office, INCULS students had the opportunity to tour and hear about the challenges and strategies of development in Yogyakarta. Topics such as cultural preservation, poverty alleviation, and improving access to education were discussed. The DIY government emphasized the importance of collaboration between academics, communities, and policy makers to achieve sustainable development. Youth and students play a key role in driving innovation and monitoring public policies.

The visit not only enriched students’ understanding of Indonesian politics, but also made them realize that good public policy is the foundation of achieving the SDGs. By understanding the democratic process and governance, INCULS students are expected to become agents of change who promote sustainable development, both locally and globally. Politics is not just about power, but a tool to realize sustainable social and environmental justice. This activity is proof that political education and awareness of sustainable development must go hand in hand to create a better future. 

[Public Relation of INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]

Yogyakarta, 21/4/2025 – Warung Sastra once again served as a warm and critical space for literary dialogue during teh “Malam Buku” (Book Night) event held on Sunday, April 21, 2025. The event featured Dari Dalam Kubur autor Soe Tjen Marching, alongside Ramayda Akmal, a lecturer in the Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada, as a guest speaker. This dialogue offered an in-depth discussion on how the novel constructs a historical narrative through the intergenerational experiences of its characters.

In the discussion, Ramayda stated that the novel does not merely present a personal story but also serves as a space to articulate the collective wounds of the nation. “The stories of Carla, her mother, and her grandmother are not just individual experiences. They carry the weight of history and give voice to those who have long been silenced, “she said. Ramayda further emphasized that the novel positions the female body as a historical site that reveals systemic violence rooted in the state, race, and dominant patriarchy.

Dari Dalam Kubur specifically highlights the issue of intergenerational trauma within families affected by the political violence of 1965 in Indonesia. The novel is also marked by a retrospective narrative approach. “Ms. Marching writes from the present, with an awareness of past events, for the sake of our understanding today,” Ramayda explained. She underlined that the function of historical fiction is not merely to revive the past but to critique ongoing inequalities. When past narratives continue to echo in the present, it signifies unresolved issues that require collective attention.

During the session, Soe Tjen Marching revealed that the writing process of this novel was hindered by emotional blocks caused by trauma. “When something is too painful, our bodies block it. We think we have forgotten, but the trauma becomes even more real,” she said. She stressed that dari Dalam Kubur is not just a work of fiction, but rather a reflective space that invites readers to engage in a dialogue with the inherited wounds passed down through generations.

This discussion highlighted the importance of historical literacy, gender awareness and freedom of expression–values that serve as the foundation for sustainable development. Dari Dalam Kubur offers a space for contemplation for anyone seeking to understand how historical trauma continues to resonate in the pulse of today’s life.

[Public Relation Magister of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, 16/4/2025 – On April 15, 2025, an Open Session of the Dissertation Examination took place in the Open Session Room on the 3rd Floor of the KH. Mahrus Aly Tower at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. This event highlighted academic collaboration across campuses and countries. Professor Sangidu, M.Hum., a professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), was invited as a guest examiner, further strengthening the scientific partnership between the two esteemed institutions. The dissertation under examination was authored by Mohammed Ramadhan Abraheem Al-Shaykh Ali, an international student from Libya. His research focused on the principles of education illustrated in the stories of Sayyidina Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim, exploring their relevance in shaping human character through the values of the Qur’an.

This dissertation research thoroughly examines the educational methods found in the Qur’an, particularly through the inspiring stories of Ibrahim and Luqman Al-Hakim. Utilizing content analysis, the researcher deconstructs relevant verses to uncover principles, approaches, and effective educational methods that contribute to shaping human behavior and morality. This study emphasizes that the Qur’an not only provides guidance to the right path but also offers solutions to psychological conflicts by integrating spiritual strength, reason, and self-control. These concepts have been relevant since the beginning of creation and continue to be significant today.

The presence of the Professor from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM as a guest examiner at this forum exemplifies cross-institutional and international collaboration in developing Islamic education with a global perspective. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on quality education (SDG 4), strengthening institutions (SDG 16), and fostering collaboration (SDG 17). By integrating Qur’anic values with sustainable development principles, we enrich the curriculum and enhance the role of Islamic universities in shaping a generation that is not only intellectually capable but also spiritually aware and socially responsible. This synergy aims to promote a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future while reinforcing Indonesia’s position as a hub for the advancement of progressive Islamic education on the global stage.

[Public Relation of Middle East Studies, Nafila Azzahra]