The Roadshow of Master of American Studies UGM to the City of Heroes, Surabaya, which was held on November 28-29, 2024, successfully became an important momentum in expanding academic networks. In addition to carrying out the study program promotion agenda, visits to Airlangga University (UNAIR), as well as the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Indonesia, Surabaya also reflects the commitment of the Master of American Studies Program to continue to advance the field of transnational studies and strengthen collaboration between institutions.

The UGM delegation made the first visit to the Master’s Program in Literature and Cultural Studies, UNAIR on Thursday, November 28, 2024. On this occasion, 13 students of Master of American Studies were accompanied by the Head of Study Program, Dr. Aris Munandar, M. Hum. Upon arrival at UNAIR, the group was warmly welcomed by the Head of Master of Arts in Literature and Culture, UNAIR, Mr. Edi Dwi Riyanto, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., who is also an alumnus of Master of Arts in American Studies, UGM, as well as several representatives of lecturers and students of Master of Arts in Literature and Culture and English Literature, UNAIR. The meeting began with the presentation of information on the excellence and curriculum of the Master of American Studies, UGM by Dr. Aris Munandar, M. Hum. Then, this presentation was continued by several students who shared their academic and non-academic experiences while studying at the Master of American Studies, UGM.

This visit also resulted in productive discussions through Forum Group Discussion (FGD) between lecturers and students. In particular, the lecturers collected stakeholder aspirations in the context of the 2025 Curriculum review. For students, this meeting not only strengthened the relationship between students of Master of American Studies UGM and Master of Literary and Cultural Studies, UNAIR, but also resulted in initiatives for collaborative work programs in the academic field for 2025 through the student associations of Master of American Studies, UGM and Master of Literary and Cultural Studies, UNAIR. By sharing insights about their respective curricula, scientific publications, and excellent programs, both study programs have opened up opportunities for broader joint development.

Picture 1 Forum Group Discussion of UGM and UNAIR lecturers

On Friday, November 29, 2024, the group visited the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Indonesia, Surabaya to conclude the roadshow series. This visit became a valuable experience for Master students of American studies. The talk show session with Kayla M. Smith, Foreign Service Officer, provided a new picture of various American cultural traditions, especially related to the Thanksgiving celebration. In addition, the discussion with a warm and intimate atmosphere with Kayla, who also relates some Indonesian cultural traditions, also adds to the experience of cultural dimensions that are relevant to the context of transnational American Studies for students.

Picture 2 Group Photo at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Indonesia office, Surabaya

This series of roadshows provides experience of synergy between academic institutions and external parties to encourage inclusive, cross-cultural, and contextual learning for students. The success of this event is expected to be a foothold for deeper collaboration in the future, strengthening the position of UGM Master of American Studies as an innovative, adaptive, and globally oriented study program.

On Monday, November 25, 2024, students of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), conducted a field study to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, a company engaged in the field of Japanese home architecture design.

This activity is a direct learning event for students to understand the application of creative technology while seeing opportunities for cooperation between Japanese culture and technological innovation in Indonesia. PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which has a reputation for excellence in the field of design, was the perfect location to broaden the students’ knowledge of culture and technology.

The event began with a warm welcome from the CEO of Marumori Company Japan, PT Rupa Raya Indonesia’s international partner, who explained the company’s vision in supporting collaboration. The speech was followed by the CEO of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia represented by Mr. Irzam Sarif, underlining the importance of HR development to support the company’s development.

Picture 1 Japanese Counselling Study Programme Students Conduct Field Study at PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, Semarang

Students then followed an in-depth presentation of the company profile by PT Rupa Raya Indonesia staff. In this session, students were invited to explore the company’s superior products and services, including 3D animation and virtual reality-based innovations.

As a token of appreciation, UGM presented souvenirs to PT Rupa Raya Indonesia, which ended with a group photo session. Furthermore, students had the opportunity to visit the production office of PT Rupa Raya Indonesia. On this tour, they witnessed every process that goes into working on design orders from Japan.

This activity is expected to inspire students to continue learning and innovating, combining the advantages of Japanese language and culture with the creative spirit of Indonesia. With this visit, it is also hoped that students will not only gain new insights, but also be motivated to contribute to the development of the creative industry in the future.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Author: Yulia Agustiani, Editor: Valentina Pramahita Iswari, Translator: Sandya Kirani]

Yogyakarta, Monday, November 25th, 2024. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences received a visit from Professor Clare McManus from the University of Glasgow. The visit aimed to explore various possibilities of cooperation in the field of education, especially focusing on double degree programs, student exchanges, research collaborations, and public lectures. The discussion centered on improving access to education and promoting education for sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professor McManus began his visit with a warm introduction to faculty members and students, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in higher education. He highlighted that such partnerships not only enrich the academic experience but also contribute to a more sustainable future by building a global perspective among students.

One of the key proposals discussed was the establishment of a “one plus one” or double degree program in Linguistics, Archaeology, and English Literature. This initiative aims to provide students with the opportunity to earn degrees from both institutions, thus enhancing their academic credentials and competitiveness in the competitive job market.

In addition to the double degree program, the possibility of a student exchange program is also on the agenda. This exchange will focus on English Literature and Archaeology, allowing students to engage in different cultural contexts and academic environments. This initiative is expected to broaden students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of global issues, which are crucial for sustainable development.

Research collaboration was also a significant topic of discussion. Professor McManus proposed joint research projects in tourism, linguistics, archaeology and anthropology. By combining resources and expertise, both institutions can contribute to innovative research that addresses pressing societal challenges and promotes sustainable practices in these areas.

The visit also includes plans for a series of public lectures involving English Literature, Linguistics, Tourism, and Archaeology. These lectures aim to engage the wider community and stimulate discussion on critical issues related to culture, language and sustainability. Such initiatives are vital to raising awareness and building a culture of lifelong learning.

Throughout the discussions, the importance of access to education was a recurring theme. Both institutions recognize that education is a basic right and a key driver of sustainable development. By collaborating on these programs, they aim to create more inclusive educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on students and society. Faculty members committed to working closely with the University of Glasgow to finalize the details of these programs and ensure their successful implementation.

As the meeting concluded, Professor McManus and the faculty members agreed to continue their discussions and explore more opportunities for collaboration. This visit marks a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between the two institutions and advancing their shared goals of promoting education for sustainability and improving access to quality education.

Yogyakarta, Thursday, November 28th, 2024. Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada through the Department of Archaeology UGM received a visit from Iwate University, Japan. The agenda of the visit is part of the exploration of cooperation plans between Iwate University and the UGM Department of Archaeology to discuss potential plans for educational visits next year at Gadjah Mada University, for Iwate University students. On this occasion, the Head of the UGM Department of Archaeology, Dr. Mahirta, MA, along with the Secretary of the Department, Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., and Archaeology UGM study programme lecturer, Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A., met with representatives from Iwate University, Anders Carlqvist, Associate Professor of Iwate University International Education Center and Hiroya Yaegashi from Chief Administrative Staff, Iwate University International Office, to discuss the possibility of giving lectures on archaeology to Iwate University students as part of the educational visit.

After the discussion session ended, the group of Iwate University and the UGM Department of Archaeology took a group photo. They were also invited to tour Mandala Majapahit, a small museum located inside the laboratory of Margono Building, to see a number of artifact replica collections available. From this exploration of cooperation, it is expected to improve the quality of education for the UGM Department of Archaeology and Iwate University, in supporting cooperation in the field of quality and sustainable education.

Tim dosen Antropologi Udayana Denpasar Bali  dibawah pimpinan Ibu Aliffiati,MSi. selaku Kepala Program Studi Antropologi Budaya, pada Senin 18 November 2024 melakukan benchmarking ke Departemen Antropologi, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Kunjungan tersebut dimaksudkan untuk mengetahui implementasi SDGs dalam pelaksanaan riset  yang dilakukan dosen maupun mahasiswa. Tim Udayana juga berkunjung  ke Laboratorium untuk Riset dan Aksi (LAURA) Departemen Antropologi untuk belajar dan berdiskusi terkait dengan manajemen riset yang telah dilakukan. Dari Departemen Antropologi, FIB, UGM mereka disambut oleh Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A. dan Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, M.A.

Kaprodi Antropologi Budaya, Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., menjelaskan berbagai skema penelitian kolaborasi yang dilakukan dosen serta kewajiban mengaitkan riset mereka dengan tujuan SDGs. Sementara itu, Dr. Muh. Zamzam Faunafi, M.A. selaku ketua LAURA menjelaskan mengenai aplikasi Titen sebagai manajemen data dan analisa riset yang telah dipakai oleh dosen maupun mahasiswa Antropologi sejak tahun 2023. Lewat aplikasi Titen ini diharapkan semua mahasiswa Antropologi mampu mengaplikasikan ke dalam manajemen  risetnya. Selain itu, aplikasi Titen juga sudah dimanfaatkan oleh  mitra-mitra riset LAURA. Ke depan diharapkan aplikasi Titen bisa diadopsi seluruh mahasiswa UGM dan berlanjut ke mahasiswa luar negeri yang memiliki kerjasama dengan Departemen Antropologi UGM.