In a significant development for cultural diversity and education, Achmad Munjid, Ph.D., has been awarded a travel grant to conduct research on the Indonesian diaspora in the United States. The grant, amounting to $2,000, will support his project titled “A Shade for Shadow Citizens: Religious Communities, Belonging, and Immigrant Resilience among the Indonesian Diaspora in the United States under the Trump Era.” This research is set to take place from August 13 to 31, 2026.

The project aims to explore the experiences of Indonesian immigrants, particularly focusing on their religious communities and the sense of belonging they cultivate in a foreign land. This research is particularly relevant in the context of the Trump administration, which has been marked by significant immigration policy changes and heightened scrutiny of immigrant communities. By examining these dynamics, Dr. Munjid hopes to shed light on the resilience of these communities amidst challenges. Dr. Munjid’s work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting cultural diversity and fostering global partnerships. By understanding the experiences of Indonesian immigrants, the research aims to contribute to a broader dialogue on the importance of inclusivity and acceptance in developing countries and beyond. The findings could serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and educators alike.

The travel grant will enable Dr. Munjid to engage directly with the Indonesian diaspora, conducting interviews and gathering qualitative data that will enrich his research. This hands-on approach is essential for understanding the nuanced experiences of individuals who often find themselves in the shadows of society. The insights gained will not only benefit academic discourse but also provide practical recommendations for enhancing community support systems. In addition to the academic implications, Dr. Munjid’s research underscores the importance of education in fostering understanding and empathy among diverse cultural groups. By highlighting the stories of Indonesian immigrants, he aims to educate a wider audience about the challenges they face and the contributions they make to American society. This aligns with the SDGs’ emphasis on quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The support from the travel grant reflects a growing recognition of the need for global partnerships in addressing the complexities of migration and cultural integration. As developing countries continue to grapple with the effects of globalization, research like Dr. Munjid’s is crucial for informing policies that promote social cohesion and cultural understanding. Moreover, the project will also explore the role of religious communities in providing support and fostering resilience among immigrants. These communities often serve as vital networks that help individuals navigate the challenges of living in a new country. By examining these dynamics, Dr. Munjid hopes to highlight the positive impact of faith-based organizations in promoting social integration.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of understanding cultural diversity cannot be overstated. Dr. Munjid’s research will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how immigrant communities adapt and thrive in their new environments. This is particularly important in the context of rising nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiments in various parts of the world.

In conclusion, the travel grant awarded to Achmad Munjid, Ph.D., represents a significant step towards advancing research on the Indonesian diaspora in the United States. His project promises to provide valuable insights into the experiences of immigrant communities, emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity, education, and global partnerships in fostering a more inclusive society.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange through its active participation in the CHSS 2026 Conference held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan, from 23 to 27 September 2026. The conference brought together scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across Asia and beyond to discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities facing societies in the region.

UGM was represented by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, Dr. Aprillia Firmonasari, and Dr. Merry Andriani from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, who participated in a range of academic and networking activities throughout the conference. Their involvement contributed to scholarly discussions on issues affecting Asia and the Global South while strengthening partnerships between UGM and international institutions. Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro also serves as the Hub Leader for UGM in the academic cooperative project among Association for Asian Studies (AAS), Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Underrepresented Scholars of Asia (CHSS), and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).

The conference featured an extensive program consisting of pre-conference workshops, panel presentations, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, cultural activities, and networking forums. Participants explored a wide range of topics, including migration, education, governance, gender studies, climate resilience, public health, cultural heritage, and regional cooperation. Through these sessions, attendees exchanged perspectives and research findings while identifying opportunities for future collaborative initiatives.

In addition to academic presentations, the conference emphasized intercultural engagement through exhibitions and cultural showcases that highlighted the diversity and dynamism of Asian societies. These activities provided participants with valuable opportunities to connect across disciplines and national boundaries. UGM’s participation in the conference reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to promote internationally engaged scholarship and foster meaningful partnerships that address global and regional challenges. The event also served as a platform for expanding academic networks and exploring collaborative research opportunities with institutions across Asia and beyond.

Building on the momentum generated in Lahore, Universitas Gadjah Mada will host a similar international workshop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 19 to 23 October 2026. The workshop is designed as an inclusive academic forum that welcomes participants from diverse disciplinary, institutional, cultural, and geographical backgrounds. In line with UGM’s commitment to social equality and inclusivity, the program will provide a platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to engage in dialogue, share perspectives, and exchange knowledge on issues of societal relevance. Through this initiative, UGM seeks to foster an academic environment that values diversity, promotes equitable participation, and encourages cross-cultural and interdisciplinary engagement.

Through its participation in CHSS 2026 and its forthcoming role as host, UGM continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing impactful research, fostering international dialogue, and contributing to the development of inclusive and sustainable solutions to contemporary global challenges. For Universitas Gadjah Mada, these engagements represent not only opportunities for scholarly exchange but also strategic efforts to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in facilitating regional and global academic collaboration.

Yogyakarta, 9 September 2026 — The Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Keluarga Mahasiswa Linguistik Gadjah Mada (Kalingga UGM), held an Expert Lecture entitled “Indonesian for Foreign Speakers” on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. Conducted online via Zoom, the event featured two speakers who explored various aspects of teaching and learning Indonesian as a foreign language.

The first speaker, Nguyen Thahn Tuan from Vietnam National University, Vietnam, delivered a presentation entitled “Teaching Indonesian in Vietnam: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects.” His presentation explored the dynamics of Indonesian language teaching in Vietnam, highlighting the challenges encountered, opportunities for development, and future prospects for Indonesian language learning.

The second speaker, Dr. Wira Kurniawati, S.S., M.A. from Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented “Learning Language, Learning to Use Language: The Acquisition of Pragmatic Competence among BIPA Learners.” Her presentation highlighted the importance of pragmatic competence in language acquisition, particularly among BIPA learners. The discussion emphasized that language learning involves not only mastering linguistic structures but also developing the ability to use language appropriately in different communicative contexts.

The event was moderated by Nur Fahmi, S.S., a student of the UGM Master’s Program in Linguistics.

The Expert Lecture provided participants with an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on the teaching and learning of Indonesian as a foreign language. The presentations offered complementary perspectives on BIPA development, ranging from Indonesian language teaching overseas to the acquisition of pragmatic competence among learners.

Through this event, the UGM Master’s Program in Linguistics continues to promote linguistics scholarship that responds to the growing role of Indonesian in a global context. The event also served as a platform for sharing academic knowledge and experiences to support the wider international development of the Indonesian language.

The UGM Master’s Program in Linguistics extends its appreciation to the speakers, moderator, organizing committee, and all participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the event.

Author: Master of Linguistics

Yogyakarta, September 11, 2026 — The Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held the 2026 Alumni Gathering of the Master’s Program in Linguistics FIB UGM on Friday, September 11, 2026. The gathering took place in a warm and convivial atmosphere, providing an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, strengthen relationships, and build a stronger alumni network.

The gathering served as a meaningful occasion for alumni to come together, share experiences, and exchange ideas on the development of the Master’s Program in Linguistics FIB UGM. Through informal conversations and discussions, alumni shared valuable feedback and suggestions that are expected to contribute to the continued development of the program.

One of the key highlights of the event was the establishment of the Alumni Association management board of the Master’s Program in Linguistics FIB UGM. The formation of this board marks an important step toward strengthening communication and coordination among alumni, creating opportunities for collaboration, and encouraging alumni to contribute more actively to their alma mater.

In addition to the gathering and discussions, the event featured various entertainment activities that added to the warmth and lively atmosphere of the occasion. The convivial setting reflected the spirit of togetherness and community that the program hopes to foster among its alumni.

Through this gathering, the Master’s Program in Linguistics FIB UGM hopes that the alumni network will continue to grow and serve as a platform for meaningful collaboration in academic, professional, and other areas that benefit alumni, the program, and the wider community.

The 2026 Alumni Gathering reaffirmed that the relationship between an alma mater and its alumni does not end upon graduation. Continued communication, friendship, and collaboration are essential to building a strong alumni community and supporting the ongoing development of the Master’s Program in Linguistics FIB UGM.

From our almamater, staying connected and growing together.

Author: Magister of Linguistics Program

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held an Open Doctoral Defense for linguistics candidate Intan Pradita on Wednesday (September 23, 2026). The event took place at the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, FIB UGM, from 09.00 to 11.00 WIB, attended by academics and invited guests.

During the defense, Intan Pradita presented her doctoral dissertation entitled “Acceptability of Lexical Collocations in English Research Articles by Indonesian and Anglo-American Academics: A Corpus-Based Comparative Study.”

The research highlights the growing importance of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in international academic publishing. The use of lexical collocations—combinations of words that naturally co-occur—serves as a crucial aspect of academic writing. This study specifically focuses on the acceptability of collocations written by non-Anglophone academics, acknowledging that while certain word combinations may meet grammatical criteria, they are not necessarily perceived as natural or conventional within global academic discourse.

The study employed a comparative corpus-based approach, analyzing more than 250,000 word tokens from research articles in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT). Data were collected from two primary sources:

PRAYA Corpus: Comprising 32 research articles written by Indonesian academics.
PRANA Corpus: Comprising 31 research articles written by Anglo-American academics.

The analytical focus was directed toward four dominant collocation patterns in academic writing: Adverb + Verb, Adverb + Adjective, Verb + Noun, and Adjective + Noun.

Through her findings, Intan elaborated on the patterns, functions, and meanings of lexical collocations utilized by both groups of academics. The research affirms that collocation variations used by Indonesian academics maintain functional acceptability within international academic discourse. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of linguistic studies, scientific article writing, and the understanding of diversity in academic English.

The open defense proceeded smoothly under the supervision of Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. as promoter and Dr. Tofan Dwi Hardjanto, M.A. as co-promoter, reflecting FIB UGM’s ongoing commitment to supporting high-quality academic achievements and research at the doctoral level.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]