Yogyakarta, April, 4, 2026 – The Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association, or Kamastawa Student Association, held its first meeting, or inaugural meeting, of the Sahacitta Cabinet in the Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building. This event served as a means of building camaraderie among the board members and introducing the organizational structure and work program plans for the next term.

The event began at 7:30 a.m. WIB with an opening reception, followed by a serving of cokekan (rice cake) to open the atmosphere. In addition to all board members and students, the event was also attended by lecturers from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, as a token of support for student activities.

The event was then officially opened by various Executive Chairs and the Chair of Kamastawa Student Association 2026. On this occasion, the advisor of Kamastawa Student Association, Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.IP., M.A., also delivered various keynotes and symbolically inaugurated the Sahacitta Cabinet.

Entering the main session, the board introduced the Sahacitta Cabinet by explaining the philosophy of the name, visual identity, and direction of the organization. Etymologically, “Sahacitta” comes from the Sanskrit words “saha,” meaning “together,” and “citta,” meaning “feeling.” This naming reflects the spirit of togetherness and a unified consciousness to achieve the organization’s goals.

The event continued with an explanation of the division structure and the board members who will implement the work program for the period. Each division explained its function and focus as part of the organization’s development efforts, as well as its contribution to the preservation and development of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

The event concluded with a joint documentation session marking the beginning of the Sahacitta Cabinet administration. Through this activity, it is hoped that all board members can work synergistically to strengthen the organization’s role, both in the academic environment and in the wider community.

[Javanese, Language, and Literature, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, April 9, 2026 – A photography exhibition titled “Life Behind the Ride: Resilience and Risk in Indonesia’s On-Demand Economy” opened in the West Lobby of the Anthropology Building, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, and will be on display for six weeks. Organized by EthnoLab at the University of Toronto, Canada, the exhibition is the outcome of the long-term research project “Ubering the City,” led by Dr. Sheri Gibbings, Dr. Elan Lazuardi (Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM), Dr. Robbie Peters, and Dr. Joshua Barker, involving collaboration among researchers, students, and photographers.

This exhibition highlights the impact of the digital economic transformation on the urban transportation landscape in Indonesia through a visual ethnographic approach. The presence of the gig economy has not only displaced traditional motorcycle taxis but also reshaped social networks, mobility patterns, and urban planning. One of the key contributors to this exhibition is Syahrul Zidane, a Master’s student in Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Despite the distance and time zone differences, coordination between the UGM and University of Toronto teams was conducted intensively through online meetings.

Before his involvement in Toronto, Zidane had previously contributed to exhibitions at Gadjah Mada University and Wilfrid Laurier University. He was responsible for exhibition layout, photo curation, as well as the design of books and digital materials such as the digital catalog and contributor book. Now, he is once again involved in an exhibition at the University of Toronto alongside Dr. Emily Hertzman, the exhibition’s curator, and Austin from the School of Cities.

In this project, Zidane is also working on the exhibition space layout, visual curation, and the design of various elements such as description text and the digital catalog. He admits that this experience has given him a unique sense of fulfillment: “It feels very rewarding to me because I can contribute my skills in exhibition management, and it’s like going back to my college days (undergraduate studies) in the arts, particularly in curatorial work and exhibition layout,” Zidane explained. Zidane’s involvement reflects the role of Indonesia’s younger generation in the international academic arena while highlighting the importance of global collaboration.

[Anthropology,  Dewi Widyastuti]

The Japanese Popular Culture course, organized by the Japanese Language and Culture Program, welcomed guest students to its class on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The course instructor, Lili Febriyani, S.S., M.Si., invited students from various cohorts to provide reviews and feedback on the poster assignments prepared by each group.

The presence of guest students aims to enrich the learning process through a more diverse range of perspectives. In addition to receiving evaluations from the instructor and fellow students, participants also received input from students across different cohorts, including those who have and those who have not yet taken the course. Furthermore, this activity helped train students’ abilities to present ideas and respond to questions directly.

The guest students in attendance were from the 2021 and 2022 cohorts who had taken the Popular Culture course, as well as the 2024 and 2025 cohorts who had not yet taken the course. During this activity, the guest students observed and evaluated the posters presented by each group, focusing on design, clarity of content, and the ability to convey the material.

The posters created by each group explored the theme of the representation of heterosexual women in Japanese media, employing diverse visual approaches and analyses. Each group presented the content of their poster in detail and responded to questions posed by the visiting students.

At the end of the session, the visiting students shared their general impressions and evaluations through representatives from each class. This activity is expected to encourage students to be more open to diverse perspectives and to strengthen academic interaction among classes in the learning process.

Author: Nur Shafiyah Salma Putri

Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program have once again gained the opportunity to participate in a student exchange program at prestigious universities in South Korea. This opportunity has been awarded to three students through a scholarship program from the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation (Hyundai Motor CMK), which will take place over two semesters (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027).

Continuing the achievements of previous years, students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program have once again been selected as awardees of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. This prestigious scholarship offers various benefits, including full tuition coverage, living expenses support, and opportunities to experience Korean culture firsthand. In addition, recipients will gain insights into corporate culture in South Korea and participate in a variety of academic and non-academic activities organized by the CMK Foundation.

The three selected students will pursue their studies at three renowned universities: Yonsei University, Korea University, and Seoul National University. This achievement is not only a source of pride for the students but also strengthens the academic reputation of the study program.

Justin Liepangi, a 2024 student of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program who will study at Yonsei University, expressed his gratitude and pride:

“Becoming one of the Awardees of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship 2026 is a great honor for me. I was able to obtain this scholarship thanks to the support of my family and friends who have encouraged me to keep moving forward. For me, this journey is clear proof that the limits of our abilities often exist only in our minds. I applied for the Hyundai CMK Foundation Scholarship to go beyond those limits. Do not be afraid to try! We often hesitate because we fear failure, when in fact the greatest failure is never daring to try at all. Seize every opportunity, because we never know which door will lead us to greater dreams.”

Meanwhile, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani, a 2023 student of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program who will study at Korea University, shared her excitement and pride:

“Ending up at Korea University feels a bit unreal, in the best way possible. That’s why being selected as one of the Hyundai CMK scholarship awardees means more to me than I can put into words. From this opportunity, I hope to take myself further—both to deepen my education in Korea at its source and to gradually build the direction of my future. And of course, I will devote my youth fully to this experience. ‘나의 청춘을 걸겠습니다,’ just as the words say. I also hope that one day I will be able to meaningfully give back to society as much as I have received.”

Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum, a 2023 student who will study at Seoul National University, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity:

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected as an Awardee of the Hyundai CMK Scholarship 2026 and to be given the opportunity to study at Seoul National University. This opportunity will be a very meaningful experience for me. Studying abroad has always been one of my greatest dreams. ‘인생은 뭐가 있어? 도전해야지!’ With this motto, I hope that the dynamics of life I will experience during this exchange will become an unforgettable chapter in my life story, encouraging me to bravely pursue many of the things I aspire to achieve.”

The achievements of these three students are expected to inspire others to continue developing their academic potential and to seize global opportunities. Furthermore, their participation in this program is anticipated to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Indonesia and South Korea.

Author: Eunike Serafia N.S

Yogyakarta, April 8, 2026 – The Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully held its Syawalan event which was titled IKMASA Balalan 2026 at Gedung Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event served as a warm gathering space for students and lecturers of Arabic Literature at UGM following the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H.

Held from 08:45 to 10:30 AM, the event began with an opening by the MC, followed by a recitation of the Holy Qur’an. It continued with remarks from the Head of the Study Program and the Head of IKMASA, both of whom emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships and a sense of togetherness within the academic community. Isa, as the Head of IKMASA, also expressed his hope that such events will continue to serve as a meaningful platform to strengthen unity among students and lecturers. A solemn atmosphere filled the room during the Syawalan pledge session, delivered in turns by representatives from each cohort. This moment became a deeply meaningful occasion for mutual forgiveness, reflecting sincerity and openness among participants. The pledge was not merely ceremonial—it truly created a space for heartfelt reconciliation, both among students and between students and lecturers.

The highlight of the event featured a session by Arief Budiman, S.S., M.A., who emphasized the importance of cultivating strong determination in all aspects of life. In his talk, he encouraged participants to set clear goals, remain consistent, and persevere through challenges. According to him, a firm determination is the foundation for achieving success—not only academically, but also in personal growth and everyday life.

The event concluded with a prayer led by Nur Kholid, S.Pd.I., M.Pd.I., followed by a group documentation session and mushofahah (a gesture of mutual greetings and forgiveness). The warm and friendly atmosphere was evident in the interactions between students and lecturers throughout the event. Through this halal bihalal gathering, IKMASA successfully strengthened the bonds of friendship while also fostering a deeper sense of reflection and togetherness during the blessed month of Syawal.

[Arabic Literature, Indana Zulfa Maulida]