Yogyakarta, October 25, 2025 – The annual English Days 2025 event made its return, organized by students of the English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). This year’s series of activities features a stage play titled “Deserved It,” an English-language drama filled with tension and secrets within the dynamics of friendship.

The play “Deserved It” tells the story of Mickey, a mysterious new student whose arrival brings major changes to the circle of friends—Chloe, Valerie, Anders, Dash, Jennifer, and Jason. One by one, their hidden secrets begin to unravel, drawing the audience into a gripping, emotional, and unpredictable atmosphere. With sharp dialogues, a suspenseful storyline, and energetic performances, “Deserved It” promises an immersive and memorable theatrical experience.

Beyond the theater performance, English Days 2025 also offers a variety of other exciting activities. From October 25–31, visitors can enjoy a 2000s nostalgia exhibition displayed along the first-floor corridor of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM. On October 30, 2025, a Movie Screening Workshop will be held, inviting participants to watch and discuss “The Lovely Bones,” a cinematic masterpiece rich with themes of loss, hope, and justice. The workshop is open to students and the general public who wish to deepen their appreciation of film while honing their critical analysis skills in English.

As the grand finale, on October 31, 2025, English Days will host its annual Halloween Party, a much-anticipated event where students can express themselves, socialize, and celebrate creativity in the spirit of Halloween costumes and decorations.

Carrying this year’s central theme, English Days 2025 aims to provide a platform for students to express ideas, strengthen togetherness, and showcase their English proficiency through art and popular culture. The organizing committee hopes that this annual event will continue to serve as a collaborative space where students can practice English in real contexts while exploring their interests in performing arts and global culture.

All English Days 2025 activities are open to the public and will take place within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. For more information, visit the official Instagram account @englishdays_ugm and TikTok @englishdays.ugm.

[English Literature, IMAJI]

Yogyakarta, October 12, 2025 – The Marching Band Student Activity Unit (UKM) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) proudly secured 3rd place at the prestigious 2025 Hamengku Buwono X Cup Championship. This remarkable achievement highlights the dedication and passion of UGM students in developing their talents in both the arts and sports, particularly through their commitment to marching band excellence.

Held in Yogyakarta, the competition featured performances in the Display Field Show general division, with participation from renowned marching bands across Indonesia, including Ekalavya Suara Brawijaya, Tiyadhita Marching Brass Tangerang, and Udayana Marching Band Bali. Based on the judges’ assessment, Ekalavya Suara Brawijaya claimed first place, followed by Tiyadhita Marching Brass Tangerang in second place, while UGM Marching Band proudly earned third place.

Several students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences also took part in the competition, contributing as both musicians and visual performers. The team received direct support from UGM Rector Prof. Ova Emilia, Ph.D., and Prof. Anggito Abimanyu, former Deputy Minister of Finance and a proud alumnus of UGM Marching Band. Their presence served as both appreciation and motivation for the team to continue striving for excellence at national and international levels.

This achievement aligns with UGM’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by empowering student activities that foster talent development and leadership beyond the classroom. Moreover, the spirit of collaboration and sportsmanship embodied in this event reflects the values of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, promoting positive networks among universities across Indonesia.

Through this success, UGM Marching Band is expected to further strengthen its role as a platform for developing students’ character, creativity, and sense of unity within Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Public Relations of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, October, 21, 2025 – The Association of Indonesian Regional Language and Literature Students (Imbasadi) and Yogyakarta State University (UNY) successfully held the 31st Nusantara Cultural Gathering (TBN) on October 13–16, 2025. The four-day event carried the theme “Satyakarta Baswara: Angiring Jantraning Basa Susastra,” which means “shining brightly in accompanying the journey of language and literature.”

As an annual Imbasadi agenda, TBN XXXI featured various cultural and academic activities, including a National Conference, cultural seminars, and a grand finale filled with award ceremonies and the inauguration of the new Imbasadi board for the 2025/2026 period. This event serves as a forum for networking and exchanging ideas among students from various universities that offer regional language and literature programs throughout Indonesia.

The Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) participated in the event by sending seven delegates. They are Haryo Untoro (class of 2022), Ganes Larasati (class of 2023), Meifira Arini Pitaloka (class of 2023), Noviyanti Alfitri (class of 2024), Shabrina Fitra Azzahra (class of 2024), Eva Wulandari (class of 2025), and Yogi Setiawan (class of 2025).

Good news comes from two of its students, Yogi Setiawan and Eva Wulandari, who have been nominated for the 2025 Imbasadi Favorite Male and Female Champions. This achievement is a tangible manifestation of the spirit of students in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, in appreciating, preserving, and promoting the cultural wealth of the archipelago through scientific and cultural activities.

Through the organization of TBN XXXI and the achievements attained, it is hoped that students’ enthusiasm for preserving regional cultural heritage will continue to grow, while also strengthening bonds among regional literature students across Indonesia. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at FIB UGM also extends its gratitude to all parties who have supported the implementation of these activities.

Indonesia is diverse; Imbasadi unites.

[Jvanese Literature, Language and Culture , Haryo Untoro]

The Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), welcomed students from Osaka University, Japan, from September 10 to 20, 2025. For ten days, they studied Indonesian language and explored Javanese culture in Yogyakarta, accompanied by lecturer Prof. Dr. Yumi Sugahara.

Activities included visits to Pakualaman Palace, Wotawati Village, the Jogja Archive Diorama, the Yogyakarta Palace, the Sonobudoyo Museum, Prambanan Temple, and Borobudur Temple. In addition, the Osaka students received guidance from UGM students who acted as tutors and conversation partners on the customs of Indonesian society.

The closing ceremony was held on September 19, 2025, with a presentation of the observation results at FIB UGM. That evening, the Osaka University student group performed at the Gugur Gunung XIV event at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, singing two songs, Tsubasa wo kudasai and Doraemon no Uta, in Indonesian. The visit concluded on September 20, 2025, with the students’ return to Japan.

This program is a form of strengthening academic cooperation between Gadjah Mada University and Osaka University. It is hoped that this cultural visit will not only be a forum for academic cooperation, but also a place for learning and understanding between cultures. In addition, this activity contributes to the introduction and preservation of cultural values that form the identity of both nations. Thus, this program is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the aspects of quality education (point 4) and partnerships for the achievement of common goals (point 17).

Author: Haryo Untoro & Yasmin Nabiha Sahda
Editor : Haryo Untoro

As part of the Professional Japanese Language course, third-year students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted a field study at PT Bengawan Solo Garment Indonesia (PT BSGI) in Boyolali on October 8, 2025. The activity was attended by 36 students and three accompanying lecturers, who were warmly welcomed by PT BSGI President Director Mr. Hiroyuki Tsutsumi, along with PPIC Manager Ms. Shoko Nakata, HRD staff Ms. Yuni and Ms. Wahyu Indriani, and other company representatives.

This visit aimed to provide students with firsthand experience of how Japanese is used in professional environments while introducing them to the work ethic and corporate culture of Japanese companies operating in Indonesia. Established in January 2001, PT BSGI is a Japan-based Foreign Investment Company (PMA) specializing in garment production, with all its products exported to Japan. PT BSGI serves as an ideal learning site for students to observe authentic Japanese workplace settings and explore potential career paths within Japanese-affiliated companies.

The program began with a presentation session delivered in Japanese by Mr. Tsutsumi and Ms. Nakata, covering the company’s profile, work culture, and key principles of professionalism upheld by PT BSGI. This was followed by an interactive discussion session, where both lecturers and students engaged directly with company executives and staff to discuss career opportunities for Japanese Studies graduates and gain deeper insight into working in a Japanese company environment.

After the discussion, participants were given a guided factory tour to observe the garment production process and the daily operations across several divisions. During this session, students witnessed firsthand how values such as discipline, work ethic, and kaizen (continuous improvement) are implemented in practice—hallmarks of Japanese corporate culture.

This field study provided students with valuable, real-world exposure to the professional use of Japanese language and work practices. Beyond expanding students’ academic and cultural understanding, the visit also strengthened the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program’s partnership with the industrial sector, particularly Japanese enterprises operating in Indonesia.

Writer: Barra Taura Nursa’id

Editor: Stedi Wardoyo