Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment on the international stage. A team of 12 students successfully won the K-Speech Jingle Singing Contest 2026, organized by the Korea Speech Eloquence Association. The competition brought together individual and group participants from various countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Ethiopia, and several others.

In the competition, participants performed the official K-Speech jingle entitled “외쳐봐 한국웅변”, which promotes the courage to speak, deliver speeches, and express ideas in Korean. Through its inspiring and energetic lyrics, the song encourages Korean language learners to improve their speaking skills while building confidence in communication. With a well-coordinated, expressive, and spirited performance, the UGM team successfully demonstrated both strong vocal abilities and a deep understanding of the message conveyed in the song.

The journey to victory was far from easy. The UGM team had to go through five stages of selection over a period of more than six months. The preliminary screening was held in late November 2025, followed by the first YouTube video evaluation on December 15, 2025. The second YouTube video evaluation took place on March 13, 2026. Participants then advanced to an online judging session conducted via Zoom on March 15, 2026, before competing in the final round in May 2026. The winning video is scheduled to be showcased during the K-Speech Grand Final in South Korea on October 8, 2026.

One of the team representatives, Theresia Chindyawati (2nd year student), expressed her gratitude and pride regarding the achievement she attained together with her teammates.

“This was the first time the jingle competition had ever been held, and since the participants came from various countries, we honestly did not expect to win. Throughout the long selection and practice process, there were certainly moments when we felt tired. However, because we spent so much time together, we became closer and more united as a team, which made the practices much more enjoyable.

I would like to sincerely thank all the members of the jingle team for their enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication. At the same time, all team members were also participating in the K-Speech Big Group category, and thankfully both teams managed to win the grand prize. I would also like to express my gratitude to Ms. Alfi as our supervisor and Ms. Anggita as our vocal coach for their patience, guidance, and support throughout the preparation process. Thank you for the valuable experience and all the wonderful memories!”

This achievement demonstrates that students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM excel not only in academics but also actively develop their potential in the fields of arts, language, and culture through various international competitions.

The success achieved by the team is expected to inspire other students to continue developing their talents and skills, seize opportunities at both national and international levels, and actively contribute to promoting Korean language and culture through activities that foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.

For those who are interested in watching the team’s performance of the jingle “외쳐봐 한국웅변”, the video can be viewed through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_kzsabSxs&list=PLM_kkY5y1vKkwmhuJzxqQR6W2EsSHHTR3

The Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to enhance its curriculum by introducing a new course, Saudi Colloquial Arabic, in the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The course is designed to broaden students’ linguistic competence, particularly in understanding and using Arabic as it is spoken in everyday communication within Saudi society. The course is taught by Dr. Raeef Al-Tamimi, M.Acc., a lecturer with extensive expertise and experience in Arabic language studies. His involvement provides students with a valuable opportunity to learn the Saudi dialect in an authentic manner, covering pronunciation, vocabulary, and its practical use in daily interactions.

Through this course, students not only learn common expressions and vocabulary used by native speakers  but also gain insight into the cultural aspects embedded in the language. The learning process is designed to be interactive, incorporating conversation practice, discussions, and various communication simulations that help students use Arabic more naturally and contextually. 

The introduction of the course has received positive responses from students. Adennia, the class coordinator of the Saudi Colloquial Arabic course, shared that the material is relatively easy to follow due to its similarities with Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), which students have previously studied. “In my opinion, the course is not too difficult because it shares many similarities with Fusha. One challenge is that we sometimes still tend to use sentence-ending grammatical markers, as we do in formal Arabic. There are also certain vocabulary items that can be difficult for Indonesian speakers to pronounce. However, Dr. Raeef often provides alternative expressions that are easier for us to say, which makes the learning process more comfortable and accessible,” she explained.

The introduction of the Saudi Colloquial Arabic course marks an important step in helping students understand the diversity of Arabic as it is used in real-life contexts. Beyond its academic value, proficiency in Arabic dialects can serve as a valuable asset for students pursuing further studies, student exchange programs, or careers in international environments where Arabic is widely spoken. Through this curriculum innovation, the Arabic Literature Study Program at UGM hopes to equip students with a more comprehensive command of Arabic, enabling them to communicate effectively not only in formal settings through Fusha, but also in everyday interactions with native Arabic speakers.

Author: Indana Zulfa Maulida

Two students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Michelle Anastasia Budiman (Class of 2022) and Listu Prajna Anggana (Class of 2023), have been selected to participate in the Ferris University Exchange Program in Japan. The one-year exchange program commenced in March 2026 and is scheduled to continue until February 2027, providing students with the opportunity to attend classes and deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture through direct experience.

Through the program, Michelle and Listu will receive various forms of support, including a tuition waiver and scholarship assistance from Ferris University throughout their period of study in Japan. The program is designed to support students’ academic development while encouraging cultural exchange and international engagement.

Ferris University also offers a range of support services for international students, including a mentorship program with Japanese students, academic tutors, and dormitory facilities. Through these opportunities, students are expected to broaden their academic perspectives, strengthen their Japanese language proficiency, and gain valuable intercultural experiences.

The participation of Michelle and Listu in this program reflects the commitment of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program UGM to encouraging students to take advantage of international opportunities and develop their academic competencies in a global environment.

[Barra Taura Nursaid]

Betari Ardya Febbyaliza, a 2023 student of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), won Second Place in the Shodou Taikai Isshoni Tanomimashou competition organized online by the Japanese Literature Student Association of the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya. The competition was attended by 29 participants from various universities across Indonesia. The winners were announced through Zoom and the official Isshoni Tanomimashou social media account on Saturday, 23 May 2026. For this achievement, Betari received an e-certificate and a cash award.

In preparation for the competition, Betari received guidance from Akbar Rizqi Dhea Habibi, S.S., M.A., a lecturer of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at UGM who also teaches the Shuuji (Japanese Calligraphy) course during the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. The judging criteria included stroke order, the proper use of tomaru, haneru, and harau techniques, the aesthetic quality of the characters, and character proportion.

This achievement reflects the continuous development of BKJ UGM students’ competencies in Japanese language and culture. Through the Shuuji (Japanese Calligraphy) course, students not only learn the techniques of Japanese character writing but also develop an appreciation for the aesthetics, precision, and discipline that form an integral part of Japanese cultural traditions.

[Barra Taura Nursaid]

The Japanese Language and Culture Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (HIMAJE UGM) held a Study Visit Program with the Japanese Language and Culture Student Association of Universitas Diponegoro (HIMAWARI UNDIP) on Saturday, 25 April 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Organized by HIMAJE’s Public Relations Division, the program aimed to strengthen relationships among students while providing a platform for exchanging organizational experiences and insights.

The event began with presentations introducing the profiles and grand designs of both student associations, followed by a discussion session on organizational programs and student organization dynamics. In addition to the discussion, participants took part in student performances, interactive games, a plaque exchange ceremony, and a tour of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Through this activity, HIMAJE UGM and HIMAWARI UNDIP are expected to further strengthen their relationship and foster future collaborations that will benefit both organizations.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid