Yogyakarta, 28/1/2025 – As the host of Temu Budaya Nusantara (TBN) XXX Imbasadi, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) remains serious in the competition that is part of the big series. The earnestness of the UGM delegation, represented by ten students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, paid off with championships in three branches of the competition, including the following:

1. 1st place in the National Scientific Writing Competition (LKTIN) – Haryo Untoro, Daffa Pharaja Mustofa, and Miktahul Ulumudin

The work competed in LKTIN has the title Implementation of Asthabrata Concept as the Foundation of Generation Z Life. This study raises the material object in the form of Asthabrata’s leadership concept in Yasadipura I’s Serat Rama, which turns out to be relevant and can be a life guide for generation Z.

2. 1st place in Batik Design Competition – Meifira Arini Pitaloka

The batik designed by Meifira Arini Pitaloka presents a butterfly with various batik motifs on its wings, as well as other supporting motifs. From her work, there is an in-depth philosophy of Indonesian culture as the identity of the people of the archipelago, with its various forms, patterns, and philosophies, and continues to live and develop throughout the ages.

3.     3rd Place in Storytelling Competition – Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’

Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ presented a story entitled Nyai Rangga Wati. The story focuses on the quarrel between a couple, Joko and Wati, in Malioboro. During the argument, Joko did not want Wati to continue her desire to become a Jathilan player, which he considered an ancient and backward art. The argument ended with their relationship breaking down. In the end, Wati continued to pursue her dream as a Jathilan dancer and was dubbed by the community as Nyai Rangga Wati.

Imbasadi’s XXXth Nusantara Cultural Gathering took place over five days, from November 11-15, 2024. The event themed Manggala Gajah Mada: Ancala Raksi Budaya ‘Pioneer Gajah Mada: Bagai Gunung Pengharum Budaya’ took place with a variety of events, such as various competitions, batik, tilik UGM, until the peak night in the form of awarding champions, wayang kulit performance of the Gajah Mada Kridha play, and cultural tours to Pura Pakualaman.

There are seven (7) competitions held, namely cultural performances, National Scientific Writing Competition (LKTIN), fairy tale competition, batik design competition, Tiktok archipelago competition, documentary film competition, and essay competition.

The delegates who participated in the event consisted of the 3 youngest batches, from the batch of 2022 there was Haryo Untoro, then from the batch of 2023 represented by Meifira Arini Pitaloka and Nisrina Almasevi, while the batch of 2024 was represented by Dhaffa Pharaja Mustofa, Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’, Harvesto Qodam Sahaja, Miktahul Ulumudin, Nurcholish Ramadhan, Noviyanti Alfitri, and Shabrina Fitra Azzahra.

With the implementation of the XXXth National Cultural Meeting, it is hoped that it can generate enthusiasm for students to continue to appreciate, explore, preserve, and develop traditional and cultural heritage in Indonesia. The existence of the TBN-XXX can also be a place to strengthen the relationship of students of regional language and literature study programs throughout Indonesia, and unite the spirit to realize the goals of sustainable development for the advancement of national civilization. 

Our gratitude goes to all parties who participated in supporting and organizing this activity. Thank you also to all students majoring in regional literature throughout Indonesia who have attended and tried together to preserve and enliven the diversity of Indonesia in full harmony. Hopefully in the future, Imbasadi can present real efforts in cultural preservation and spread benefits to the people of Indonesia. 

Indonesia is diverse, Imbasadi unites

[Public Relation Javanese Literature FIB UGM, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, 5/2/2025 –Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada received a study visit from SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Soegondo’s Auditorium Building on the 7th floor. The study visit was attended by 200 participants consisting of students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan.

The study visit began with a speech from SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan represented by Drs. Khoerudin, M.M., Chairman of PCM Sawangan, who revealed that this study visit was one of a series of Goes to Campus, P5 Project, and Napak Tilas Muhammadiyah activities in Yogyakarta. In his speech, he also expressed a hope for his students to be able to get to know more and make Gadjah Mada University a part of their future.

The activity continued with a video profile of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, followed by a presentation of material about the Faculty of Cultural Sciences by representatives from the Public Relations and Cooperation Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Salsabila Risdayani Daniswara, S.Pd. and Swety Firmanti, S.Sos. In their presentation, they explained the history, study programs, student activities, and entry points that can be taken by students to continue their education at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In the middle of the presentation session, there was a quiz and question and answer session which was followed by students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan with great enthusiasm. Several questions ranging from how to get accepted at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada to how the living conditions, customs, and culture in the Universitas Gadjah Mada environment were also conveyed by students and teachers of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan.

With the end of the interactive and enthusiastic question and answer session, the activity continued with a group photo. The hope is that this study visit will become a valuable momentum for students of SMA Muhammadiyah Sawangan to better understand the world of lectures, especially at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Hopefully, this experience can be a motivation for them in planning their academic future and building enthusiasm to continue pursuing knowledge in college.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

A total of six students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences underwent a Certified Cultural Internship program placed at the Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan region X (Yogyakarta – Central Java), this internship is part of the Certified Internship and Independent Study activities. They came from several study programs namely Cultural Anthropology (Amandha Eva, Gemma Padira, Via Vitarina, and Widya Pandega), History (Duhita Prananing Tyasayu), and Arabic Literature (Salma Shidqiyah). The six students were divided into two fields, namely Assistant Cultural Heritage Recorder and Assistant Recorder of Cultural Promotion Objects. For four months from September to December 2024, they had the opportunity to expand their knowledge related to cultural heritage preservation, starting from multi tagging analysis, documentation, the process of determining cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage, data collection, to interviews.

Documentation of internship students while exploring Ijo Temple

Not limited to data collection, interns also have the opportunity to participate in the process of the Cultural Heritage Expert Team hearing and play a direct role in the formation of Regional Cultural Thoughts (PPKD). Before collecting data directly in the field, they were introduced to the Directorate General of Culture and its duties and functions, they also received briefings related to the types and legal protection of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Promotion Objects,

As a final project, they translated the cultural heritage into a magazine entitled Tracing the Charm of Ijo Temple: Civilization Above the Clouds, a “Cultify” podcast inviting KI Gondo Suharno, and flashcards containing several Objects of Cultural Advancement as learning media for students in kindergarten. In addition, they also worked on individual assignments in the form of scientific papers on critical reviews of various aspects of cultural heritage.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sandya Kirani]

The Department of Anthropology UGM hosted a significant guest lecture by Dr. Edna Agyepong, an academic from the University of Energy and Natural Resource. The guest lecture aimed to explain the complexities of cultural diversity and economic development in Africa, particularly in developing countries.

Dr. Agyepong began her lecture by emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity in shaping land use practices. He argued that understanding local customs and traditions is crucial for effective land management. “Cultural diversity is not just a matter of heritage; it is a vital resource for sustainable development,” he said. This perspective is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which encourages quality education that promotes sustainability.

The lecture also highlighted the role of education for sustainability in empowering communities. Dr. Agyepong pointed out that education initiatives must integrate local knowledge and practices to be effective. “When we educate people about their land and its significance, we empower them to make informed decisions,” he explained. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members, which is crucial for sustainable economic development.

Dr. Agyepong also discussed the economic development challenges facing many African countries. He noted that while there is potential for growth, external factors such as climate change and global market fluctuations often hinder progress. “Developing countries must navigate these challenges while also preserving their cultural identity,” he said. This balancing act is critical to achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 8, which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The guest lecture also discussed the importance of civil society partnerships in driving development assistance. Dr. Agyepong emphasized that collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities is essential for effective resource management. “Civil society plays a critical role in championing the needs of the people and ensuring that development initiatives are inclusive,” he said. This collaborative approach can lead to more sustainable outcomes and greater community engagement.

As the lecture progressed, Dr. Agyepong shared case studies from various African countries, illustrating successful initiatives that integrate cultural diversity and sustainable practices. These examples served as inspiration to the participants, demonstrating the potential for positive change when local knowledge is valued and integrated into development strategies.

The audience was highly engaged during the Q&A session, where students asked questions about the practical application of Dr. Agyepong’s theories. Many expressed a desire to learn more about how they can contribute to sustainable development efforts in their own communities. Dr. Agyepong encouraged them to seek partnerships and engage with local organizations to make a meaningful impact.

In conclusion, Dr. Agyepong’s lecture provided valuable insights into the complexities of land use and cultural diversity in Africa. The emphasis on education for sustainability and the importance of civil society partnerships resonated strongly with participants, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts in achieving the SDGs. As the event drew to a close, participants left with renewed vigor and commitment to drive sustainable development in their own contexts. Dr. Agyepong’s lecture was a significant step in this direction, inspiring the next generation of leaders to embrace cultural diversity and work towards a sustainable future.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Sandya Kirani]

In order to strengthen collaboration and exchange experiences in managing student organization activities, the Cultural Anthropology Student Family of Gadjah Mada University (KEMANT UGM) conducted a comparative study to the Social Anthropology Student Family of Diponegoro University (KAWAN UNDIP), Semarang. This activity took place on October 14, 2024 and was attended by dozens of participants from KEMANT UGM.

This comparative study was not just for fun or sightseeing. However, the main purpose of this activity is to strengthen relations between student organizations from both universities, exchange information related to the superior work programs of each student association, exchange stories about practices in student organization management, especially in the scope of student empowerment and community service, and classroom learning curriculum.

The series of comparative study events began with a warm welcome from the host, namely the head of the UNDIP KAWAN student association, which was then followed by an introduction to the organizational structure and work programs of each division. After that, the speech was continued by the chairman of the KEMANT UGM student association who also introduced the organizational structure and work program of each division.

The activity continued with gathering per division and discussing. In this session, the same divisions in both associations were brought together to exchange information. In addition, introductions were also made more in-depth, such as telling stories related to hobbies, favorite foods, and exchanging contacts that are expected to continue communication in the future.

After the discussion session, the next agenda was lunch and continued with mini games guided by the KEMANT UGM PSDM division. All participants followed the games happily and full of laughter. Activities that can bond and increase intimacy between associations.

With the spirit of collaboration, the activity ended with a group photo in front of UNDIP’s iconic statue, the white horse statue.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science, Editor: Sandya Kirani]