A total of 12 students from Daito Bunka University, Japan, officially attended the opening of the 2026 Summer Program held at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building 2nd Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Tuesday (4/8/2026) at 10:00 AM WIB.

The event was opened by two Masters of Ceremonies (MC), Suryono (an NCCU student) alongside his co-host. The opening atmosphere was warm and friendly, filled with lighthearted moments during the welcoming remarks delivered by the Coordinator of INCULS FIB UGM, Dr. Rakhmat Soleh, S.S., M.Hum. The event then proceeded with a group photo session involving participants, teaching lecturers, and student tutors.

The Japanese students will undergo an intensive two-week learning program from August 4 to August 19, 2026. Throughout the program, they are enrolled in the Elementary 2 (A2) level, focusing on coursework such as Reading & Vocabulary, Writing and Grammar, as well as Listening and Conversation. Beyond academic study, participants will also gain direct cultural exposure through hands-on workshops in batik making and traditional gamelan music.

Following the opening ceremony, students immediately began their first class session at 10:00 AM WIB with Yayan Sensei. The first day concluded with a meet-and-greet session with their student tutors at 3:00 PM WIB to assist with their academic and cultural adaptation at FIB UGM.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program received an accreditation visit from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT). This visit is part of the program’s efforts to improve academic quality standards, governance, and educational services in accordance with nationally established criteria. Through this accreditation process, the KBTT UGM Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies program affirms its commitment to continuous improvement and quality enhancement as a leading and competitive center for Middle Eastern studies.

In a series of visitation activities, this activity began with remarks from Prof. Indra Wijaya Kusuma, M.B.A., Ph.D. as Chief of Satuan Penjaminan Mutu dan Reputasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPMRU). The activity was continued by the BAN-PT assessor team in reviewing various documents, ranging from curriculum, graduate profiles, research activities and publications, to track records of community service. In addition, the assessors also conducted interview sessions with faculty leaders, study program managers, lecturers, education staff, students, and alumni representatives. The constructive dialogue between the assessors and the academic community of the KBTT UGM Masters Program provided a space for shared reflection to see the achievements, challenges, and opportunities for future study program development.

The Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies (MBTS) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) views this accreditation visit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen its superior quality, both in academic and non-academic aspects. Full support from all stakeholders is expected to help the study program achieve the highest accreditation ranking and strengthen its reputation as a reference for Middle Eastern cultural studies in Indonesia. With a spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, the KBTT study program is committed to continuously providing quality education that is responsive to the social, cultural, and scientific dynamics of the Middle East region.

Author:  Jesisca Amanda Florantika

The Archaeology Student Association (HIMA) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Underwater Archaeology (ABA) Division, conducted an Open Water Training as part of the development of students’ diving skills. The training was held for six days, from July 23 to 28, 2026, in Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java, with Sentra Selam Jogja serving as the supporting instructor. During the training, participants practiced diving in open water to apply the skills they had learned in previous training sessions.

The Open Water Training was a further stage in the diving learning process, providing students with direct experience in adapting to marine conditions. The activity also supported the development of students’ skills in observation and documentation in underwater environments related to archaeological studies, while also providing an opportunity to obtain diving certification. Through the Open Water Training, HIMA UGM aims to improve the skills and field experience of members of the Underwater Archaeology Division while preparing students to take part in underwater archaeological research and maritime studies.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo Credits: Ramadhani Alifi Cahya Saputra dan Sentra Selam Jogja

YOGYAKARTA – To prepare competitive graduates ready to enter the professional world, the Undergraduate Program in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully organized the Career Path & Career Readiness Series 2026. Spanning two comprehensive sessions in late July, this series of events was specifically designed to broaden perspectives on career opportunities while equipping students with practical skills to navigate the job recruitment process.

The preparatory program commenced with an online session titled Archaeo Connect: Alumni Career Talks on Saturday (25/7). This inspiring session featured three distinguished alumni of the UGM Archaeology Undergraduate Program: Cindi Shandoval, S.Ark., Candrika Ilham, S.Ark., and Dimas Luthfi, S.Ark. Guided by UGM Archaeology student Insqa Visia Spiritualita Holistica as the moderator, the three guest speakers shared captivating insights into their diverse career journeys.

Various professional pathways for archaeology graduates were thoroughly explored during this session, ranging from cultural heritage-based entrepreneurship and heritage consultancy to corporate museum management. Through their success stories, the alumni advised students to continuously enrich their experiences, expand their professional networks, and hone their competencies as early as possible during their university years.

The series then continued on Monday (27/7) with an offline Career Readiness Session. Hosted by Sheba Nur Majjid as the Master of Ceremonies and moderated by Khariza Erfani, this tactical session featured Tita Anwar, M.Psi. as the guest speaker.

In this second session, students did not merely listen to theoretical presentations; they acquired technical knowledge on drafting competitive curriculum vitae (CVs), strategies for building personal branding, and effective tips for conquering various stages of job interviews. To provide a comprehensive and realistic overview, students were also actively engaged in recruitment simulations and various case studies.

Through the Career Path & Career Readiness Series 2026 initiative, the UGM Undergraduate Program in Archaeology hopes that students will have a more directed career roadmap upon graduation. The synergy between cross-professional alumni and career development practitioners is expected to serve as a learning space that not only broadens horizons but also boosts the confidence of UGM Archaeology students in taking decisive steps toward their future careers.

Author: Muhammad Irsyad

 Three female students from NCCU Taiwan went on a trip to Surabaya: Lina, Juleha and Bela. They set off from Yogyakarta on Friday, 31 July 2026, travelling on the Sancaka train. The journey took four hours, and what caught their attention most was the bustling station. They were amazed by the sheer number of food stalls inside the station.

During their train journey, they ordered packed lunches containing chicken, eggs and sweetcorn. “It tasted good, but it was a bit expensive,” said Lina. They also noticed how spotlessly clean the train carriages were.

When they arrived in Surabaya, Mrs Ani, their teacher who had previously taught at NCCU, came to collect them. She then took them on a tour of the city of Surabaya.

The first place they visited was the university, where Mrs Ani works. On the way, they noticed that the roads in Surabaya were wider than those in Yogyakarta, and there were fewer motorbikes. During the journey, they also saw a great many high-rise buildings and luxurious houses. When they arrived at Airlangga University, they were amazed by the beautiful scenery there. There was a large lake and trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

After wandering around for a few minutes, they went on to have lunch at Weby Heritage. They ordered nasi weby, the special mixed rice dish, and soto Betawi. The food at this restaurant was absolutely delicious and tended to be saltier than the food in Yogyakarta.

After that, they went to the zoo. There were lots of unique animals there, such as Komodo dragons, orangutans and Sumatran tigers. However, they only saw the Komodo dragons, which looked lazy and listless.

Author: Lina
Editor: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman