The Japanese Language and Culture Program (BKJ), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Concepts and Scope of Japanese Language and History” on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, from 08:00 to 12:00 WIB, at Soegondo Building, 7th Floor, Room 709. The event featured two speakers: Dr. Mulyadi, M.A., a lecturer in Japanese linguistics at BKJ UGM and an alumnus of Chiba University, and Meta Sekar Pujiastuti, M.A., Ph.D., a Japanese Literature lecturer at Hasanuddin University and an alumna of Ohio University and Keio University. With strong academic and research backgrounds, both speakers delivered presentations that enriched students’ understanding of Japanese language studies and historical perspectives.

The first session was delivered by Dr. Mulyadi through a research presentation titled “Politeness Strategies in Persuasive Discourse on Japanese Home Shopping TV Broadcasts: QVC Japan for Fashion Products.” He opened the session with an analogy drawn from Indonesian traditional markets to highlight the importance of linguistic comfort in communication. The discussion then focused on QVC Japan, a home shopping channel used as the main object of analysis. Using data collected from QVC broadcasts available on YouTube, he demonstrated how linguistic strategies—such as pragmatic particles (ne, yo), keigo (honorific speech), indirect invitations, and expressive intonation—are employed to create persuasive discourse while maintaining politeness. The presentation showed that marketing communication in Japan emphasizes social harmony (wa) without reducing the effectiveness of its message.

The second session was delivered by Meta Sekar Pujiastuti through a talk titled “Revisiting the History of Indonesia–Japan Relations: Nusantara Identity in a Global Context.” Her discussion highlighted that Indonesia–Japan relations extend far beyond the 1942–1945 period. She presented historical findings that trace long-standing interactions between the two regions, including the appearance of batik motifs in seventeenth-century ukiyo-e artifacts, VOC activities in Dejima, and records of slavery involving people from Bugis and Batavia. She also shared visual materials and archaeological evidence related to the lives of Nusantara groups in Dejima, including culinary activities and cultural markers such as lurik fabric and udeng headwear. These examples underscored the strong contributions of Nusantara culture within the historical trajectory of Japan, although such contributions often remain overlooked in dominant historical narratives.

Overall, the public lecture offered a comprehensive view of the relationship between language and history as an essential foundation for understanding Japan. The insights gained from the sessions are expected to strengthen students’ analytical skills and encourage a more meaningful and high-quality learning process within the Japanese Language and Culture Program at UGM.

Author: Barra Taura Nursaid

Yogyakarta, 19 December 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada held the K-Speech UGM 2025 Oratory Competition as a Final Semester Project for the Speaking and Listening III course, taught by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A. The event took place from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. WIB at Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, 3rd Floor, and was attended by the President of the K-Speech Eloquence Association of Indonesia, Mr. Woo Yong Taek.

A total of 22 teams, each consisting of two to three students, along with one individual participant, took part in the competition. The oratory topics were grouped into three main themes: bullying in universities, world peace, and cultural exchange between Korea and Indonesia.

Prior to the competition, students participated in one oratory technique class and two consultation sessions with the course instructor. Unlike conventional speeches, oratory requires a strong voice and clear articulation. Beyond technical skills, the purpose of oratory is not merely to convey a narrative, but to encourage audiences to reflect on surrounding social issues and to propose meaningful solutions.

Following the performances of all 23 participants, Mr. Woo Yong Taek expressed his appreciation for the students. He praised their Korean pronunciation, noting that it closely resembled that of native Korean orators. He also selected four best teams and awarded each team a scholarship of IDR 2,500,000. The selected teams were:

• Ardhanika Brahmadhinata, Nasywa Amelia, Theresia Chindyawati
• Allysa Fadhia Pramudita, Brigitta Angela Limanto, Paula Maureen Christella
• Irene Xaviera Lovryna, Vivian Valerie Boru Tambunan, Rosalia Pramoda Wardhani
• Alfinda Fidela Daniswara Azarine, Febriana Valentia Andhiera Putri, Jovita Oryza Ananda Naita

The course instructor, Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., expressed her hope that the competition and the presence of the K-Speech Eloquence Association of Indonesia would serve as a source of motivation for UGM students to continue developing their communication skills, social awareness, and readiness to participate in the annual K-Speech competition in the coming year.

Written : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited : Eunike Serafia N.S

Shah Alam, 16 December 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada, through its Arabic Literature Study Program, has established an academic collaboration with the Academy of Language Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA. The meeting, held at the Academy of Language Studies Meeting Room at UiTM Shah Alam, focused on strengthening cooperation in education, research, and the exchange of academic communities between the two institutions.

The meeting took place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time and was attended by academic leaders and lecturers from both sides. The UGM delegation was led by the Head of the Arabic Literature Study Program, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., while UiTM was represented, among others, by the Deputy Dean of the Academy of Language Studies, Prof. Ts. Dr. Janudin Sardi, and the Head of the Arabic Studies Department, Dr. Abdul Azim Mohamad Isa.

The event opened with remarks from the UiTM deanery, followed by the presentation of the purpose of the visit by the UGM delegation. A discussion then took place to explore forms of cooperation that could be implemented in the near future, before concluding with the signing of a cooperation agreement.

One of the main outcomes of the meeting was an agreement to begin an online faculty exchange program in March 2026. This program will involve Dr. Mohamad Nor Amin Samsun Baharun from UiTM and Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati in the Balaghah, or stylistics, course.

In addition, both parties are still in negotiation regarding further faculty exchanges in the fields of Arabic literature and culture in Indonesia and Malaysia. Student exchanges were also agreed to be conducted on a reciprocal basis in accordance with mutually agreed mechanisms.

In the area of research, UiTM expressed its interest in establishing collaborative studies on several topics, including Arabic pragmatics, Arabic literature, Javanese philology, and English language studies. This cooperation is also directed toward joint publications, such as poetry and pantun anthologies, as a form of academic and cultural collaboration. The meeting also discussed plans for the organization of international seminars.

This cooperation is expected not only to strengthen cross-border academic networks but also to encourage sustainable exchanges of knowledge and cultural understanding. Through collaboration in education and research, both institutions aim to contribute to the development of the humanities in ways that respond to global challenges and future societal needs.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 22 December 2025 – The Tourism Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the Sarasehan Dwi Windu to commemorate the program’s 16th anniversary. The event, which took place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time at Soegondo Room 709, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, served as a forum for academic reflection, network strengthening, and maintaining close ties among academics, alumni, and tourism stakeholders.

The discussion opened with a presentation on the current condition and achievements of the Tourism Study Program by the Head of the Program, Dr. Wiwik Sushartami, M.A. In her presentation, she explained the implementation of the university’s tridharma, with particular emphasis on teaching through internships and strategic partnerships. Internships have been established as a compulsory course within the core curriculum, designed to bridge academic learning with the demands of the professional world.

“We designed the internship as part of the core curriculum so that students are not merely pursuing academic credits, but also gaining direct field experience and stronger job readiness,” said Dr. Wiwik during her presentation.

Partnerships of the Tourism Study Program involve a wide range of stakeholders, including tourism industry players such as hotels, tourist destinations, travel agencies, and the creative industry. In addition, collaboration has been developed with local government institutions, area management bodies, regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, village tourism development communities, as well as research centers and academic institutions through collaborative research, guest lectures, and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program.

In terms of community service, the Tourism Study Program focuses on tourism village development, cultural and heritage preservation, sport tourism, and community-based planning. The overarching theme emphasizes community empowerment and the strengthening of local economies.

The next session featured a curriculum presentation by Popi Irawan, S.S., M.Sc., Ph.D. He outlined the planned implementation of Stream 9 through a Double Degree or Joint Degree program. This program is designed under a Primary Major scheme and will be aligned with international partnership plans targeted for development over the next five years.

According to Popi, the Double Degree or Joint Degree program is planned to take place in the fifth and sixth semesters. During this period, students of the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, will undertake their studies at partner universities, while also welcoming students from partner institutions to study directly within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. This scheme continues and expands the international collaborations that have been established previously.

The Sarasehan Dwi Windu not only marks the 16-year journey of the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, but also reaffirms its commitment to developing tourism education that is adaptive, collaborative, and community-oriented. Through strengthening the curriculum, partnerships, and community engagement, the Tourism Study Program is expected to continue contributing to sustainable tourism development and to deliver tangible benefits for the surrounding social and cultural environment.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 23 December 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), hosted a public lecture titled The Synergy of STEAM and Ethnopedagogy in Expanding Students’ Academic and Cultural Perspectives. The lecture took place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Western Indonesian Time at Room R. Soegondo 709. The event was part of an academic visit by Universitas Doktor Nugroho Magetan and was attended by members of the academic community from both institutions.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FIB UGM, Mimi Savitri, M.A., Ph.D., along with a representative lecturer from Universitas Doktor Nugroho, Yugga Tri Surahman, S.Pd., M.Pd. The public lecture featured Dr. Elan Ardri Lazuardi, S.Ant., M.A., a lecturer in Cultural Anthropology at FIB UGM, who presented the concept of ethnopedagogy within the academic and social context of students.

In his presentation, Dr. Elan emphasized that culture is dynamic and continues to evolve in response to changes in the environment. “Culture is not something static, but something that can change and develop over time,” he explained. He also shared his research on online motorcycle taxi communities with young children, where parents often entrust their children to fellow drivers while they are working, showing how the social environment plays a role in children’s development. Through this discussion, the public lecture was expected to encourage students to recognize the interconnectedness of knowledge, culture, and social practices as a foundation for building an adaptive and sustainable society in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]