On Saturday, June 8, 2024, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a course on Ethnography of the Sumatra Region which took place in the courtyard of the Soegondo building. The event, which began at 09.00 WIB until 14.00 WIB, aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the human and ethnic cultural dynamics in the Sumatra region and hone appreciation for local cultural forms and practices. The participants of this activity were all students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences who took the Ethnography of the Sumatra Region course, totaling 74 students. In addition, the event was also attended by several INCULS students who participated as part of the program.

This practicum course in the form of cooking together is an affective supplement to build the affective side of students such as cooperation, discipline, dedication, ethics and responsibility. Through this joint cooking activity, students are expected to understand that food is not as simple as buying and enjoying. There is a cognitive process of recognizing taste, honing taste sensitivity through combination, which overall requires patience, accuracy, cooperation, and empathy. Furthermore, this process is expected to have a better attitude of appreciating food, not wasting food, and appreciating local food which is now starting to be abandoned.

The event began with a general explanation by the lecturer regarding the rules of the game, for example related to the order and time of implementation. Furthermore, the lecturer explained about the main types of spices used to cook rendang. All the spices were displayed on a table in front of Soegondo’s terrace. After enough explanation and questions and answers, each group took a ‘ration’ of 1 kilogram of beef that had been prepared, as well as the basic spices that had been prepared on display. For the spices, they took their own according to their own needs.

In the previous week, technical cooking issues had been discussed in class. Students are allowed to find their own rendang recipes. Therefore, it is possible that there are differences in additional spices and cooking techniques.  Some include brown sugar, some include grated coconut. There are also those who include turmeric leaves.

At 09.30am, the students returned to their desks and started cooking. While the students were cooking, the lecturers and their ‘assistants’ were also doing the same. The atmosphere became exciting. Moreover, it was also announced that there would be an assessment conducted by the ‘jury’. The judges were interns in the department who were actually tasked with documenting the activities. Because there will be this ‘assessment’ the students become excited. Several times students came to the lecturer’s desk to ask about cooking techniques or ask for additional spices. Some students were also seen making phone and video calls to their parents about the ‘correct’ cooking procedures. Although it was obvious that the majority of the students were not used to cooking, they were in good spirits. Occasionally shouting and chattering cheerfully. Occasionally came to the lecturer’s desk to compare his cooking with his group.

Finally at 12:30 the cooking program according to the agreement was stopped. Then the impromptu judges came to each group to give an assessment based on two criteria: appearance of cooking and taste. Based on the accumulated scores, group 3 became the champion for the flavor category, and group 4 became the best in terms of the appearance of rendang (looks very beautiful brown, apparently added brown sugar, and it makes it Jogja rendang). One interesting thing was also the creation of group 5 who made rendang with a soft and very light flavor, making it suitable for tourist consumption.

The event was closed with a brief review from the lecturer about the whole process and student impressions. The event was closed with a group photo and a meal together. Some students were even eager to join the queue for rendang made by the lecturer.In terms of achievements, this event can be said to be a success. As the main goal of the ethnography course is appreciation and respect for differences, this event clearly provided new experiences for students about nasi padang. They had never imagined that it would be that difficult to enjoy rendang rice. It takes time, commitment, and intelligence in organizing composition and technicalities. This made students realize to appreciate traditional food more, even if they can afford it.

Another important thing to emphasize is that lectures do not always have to be about reviewing and paper-oriented assignments. This activity is one of the ways that lectures can be more relaxed and enjoyable while still being critical and academic.

On August 8, 2024, Kelapa Island Village Hall hosted an exciting event aimed at introducing basic Japanese language skills and Japanese cultural insights to POKDARWIS members from Kelapa Island Village and Harapan Island Village, located in North Thousand Islands Sub-district, Kepulauan Seribu Regency.

This initiative is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those focusing on income, basic education, local cultural diversity, education for sustainability, and foreign cultures.

The event began with a warm welcome from local government officials, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and education in building understanding and cooperation among diverse communities. They highlighted that learning a new language not only improves communication but also opens up new economic opportunities, thus contributing to increased income levels for participants.

Participants were introduced to basic Japanese phrases and vocabulary commonly used in daily conversation. The language instructor, a teacher of Japanese language and culture, uses interactive methods to engage the audience, making the learning process fun and effective. This approach not only facilitates language acquisition but also encourages participants to appreciate the nuances of Japanese culture.

In addition to language lessons, the event featured presentations on various aspects of Japanese culture, including traditional customs, characteristics of Japanese people, and others. Participants were fascinated by the rich cultural diversity that Japan has to offer, which was shown through videos and live demonstrations. This segment of the program aimed to foster a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and its significance in promoting global harmony.

Presenters emphasized the importance of education for sustainability, noting that understanding different cultures can lead to more sustainable practices in local communities. By learning about Japan’s approach to environmental conservation and sustainable living, participants were encouraged to reflect on their own practices and consider how they can integrate similar values into their daily lives.

During the presentations, participants engage in group activities that allow them to practice their newly acquired language skills. These activities not only reinforce their learning but also promote cooperation and collaboration among community members. The sense of community that developed during these exercises highlighted the success of the event in building community bonds.

The introduction of Japanese language and culture is seen as a stepping stone to improving the educational landscape in the area. By providing access to basic education in a foreign language, the initiative aims to empower individuals and equip them with skills that are increasingly valuable in an increasingly globalized world.

Furthermore, the event serves as a platform to discuss the potential economic benefits of learning Japanese. With Japan becoming an important player in the global economy, language proficiency can open up job opportunities in various sectors, including tourism, trade, and international relations. This aspect of the program was very appealing to participants, many of whom expressed interest in pursuing further language studies.

In conclusion, the introduction of Japanese language and culture at Kelapa Island Village Hall was a great success. The event not only provided valuable educational content but also presented cultural diversity and encouraged community engagement. As participants left the hall, they took with them not only new language skills, but also a greater appreciation of the richness of Japanese culture and its relevance to their own lives.

The event reflects the local authority’s commitment to promoting education for sustainability and cultural understanding, paving the way for future initiatives that will continue to enrich the community and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This activity is in the form of lectures and socialization of rules and guidelines for proctors in carrying out their duties as supervisors in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) activities. carry out their duties as supervisors in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) activities. The event was held at SMKN 2 Jetis Yogyakarta and attended by approximately 60 participants and 3 experienced resource persons. This activity is a form of cooperation with the JLPT Central Committee, the Japan Foundation Jakarta.

This socialization aims to provide a comprehensive understanding to SMKN 2 Jetis teachers who have been assigned by the Principal to become exam supervisors in the July 2024 Committee period. Thus, it is expected that they can carry out supervisory duties more effectively and efficiently, in accordance with the rules and guidelines set by the Japan Foundation.

In this socialization event, participants received a detailed explanation of the various Starting from the technical implementation of the exam, handling examinees, to how to overcome various situations that may arise during the exam. The speakers provided in-depth and applicable material, so that the participants not only understood the rules theoretically, but also could practice them well.

One of the main focuses of this socialization is the explanation of the importance of integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties as supervisors. integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties as supervisors. The resource person emphasized that exam invigilators have a very important role in maintaining the credibility and validity of exam results. Therefore, each invigilator must ensure that the exam is carried out honestly, fairly, and in accordance with applicable procedures.

In addition, participants were also given simulations of situations that might occur during the exam. For example, how to handle participants who arrive late, how to ensure there is no cheating, and steps to take in case of technical disruptions or emergencies. With this simulation, supervisors are expected to be more prepared and responsive in dealing with various possibilities.

This activity not only provides benefits for teachers who will serve as supervisors, but also for the entire school community. as supervisors, but also for the entire school community. With trained and competent supervisors, the implementation of JLPT at SMKN 2 Jetis can run smoothly and orderly. This will certainly have a positive impact on the school’s image and increase the confidence of examinees and their parents in the organization of the exam.

At the end of the event, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss directly with the speakers. This question and answer session was a very useful venue for participants to deepen their understanding and get direct clarification on things that were not yet clear. The resource persons also provided practical tips and tricks to help supervisors perform their duties better.

Overall, the lecture and socialization activities were successful and received positive responses from the participants. They felt that they gained a lot of new knowledge and skills that were very useful for carrying out their duties as JLPT supervisors. In the future, it is hoped that this kind of activity can continue to be carried out regularly to ensure that the quality of exam implementation is maintained and getting better from time to time.

Thus, the socialization of rules and guidelines for proctors not only serves as a technical preparation, but also as an important step in maintaining the quality standards of education at SMKN 2 Jetis, while strengthening international cooperation in the field of education.

Yogyakarta, August 15, 2024 – In an effort to improve cooperation and academic development, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of Universitas Andalas (UNAND) conducted a benchmarking visit to the Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday, August 15, 2024. This visit aims to obtain valuable input in the context of establishing a new Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND.

The visit from FIB UNAND was led by Prof. Dr. Herwandi, M.Hum., Dean of FIB UNAND, along with Dr. Zulqaiyyim, M.Hum., Head of History Department, and Alfa Noranda, S.S., M.A., Lecturer of History Study Program. They were welcomed by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FIB UGM, as well as Dr. Mahirta, M.A., Head of the Department of Archaeology, Dr. Anggraeni, M.A., Head of the Archaeology Study Program, and Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., Secretary of the Archaeology Study Program in Room C103 of FIB UGM.

In this meeting, Dr. Zulqaiyyim said that FIB UGM, as the “elder brother” of FIB UNAND, is expected to provide guidance and constructive input related to the improvement of the proposal for the establishment of the Archaeology Study Program at FIB UNAND. This discussion aims to optimize the quality and relevance of the new study program to be established.

This benchmarking event is part of the commitment of both institutions to improve the quality of education and research in the field of archaeology, as well as strengthen collaboration between FIB UGM and FIB UNAND. With this exchange of experience and knowledge, it is hoped that the new study program at FIB UNAND can soon be realized with high standards.

Friday, August 9, 2024 – In the framework of the 69th Anniversary of the Faculty of Economics & Business (FEB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), a women’s volleyball match was held which brought together the FEB UGM team with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM team. The match was held at 07.30 WIB at the FEB UGM Volleyball Court, which is located next to Pertamina Tower.

Although the match was won by the FEB UGM team, FIB UGM’s participation in this event received high appreciation. The FIB UGM team showed great spirit and enthusiasm, and enjoyed every moment of the game. The joy and spirit of sportsmanship shown by the UGM Faculty of Arts team added to the festive atmosphere in this 69th Anniversary celebration.

FIB UGM was very happy to be able to enliven the event organized by their neighboring faculty and hopes that similar activities can continue to strengthen relations between faculties and create more opportunities for collaboration in the future.