What happens if technology continues to advance regardless of its users’ age?

Undeniably, technology has now permeated various aspects of human life. The rapid expansion of technology, supported by massive infrastructure development for networks and the internet, has made adapting to technology increasingly commonplace. Looking at our own country, it is no longer unusual for children and the elderly to be familiar with smartphones or devices in their daily lives. Technological innovation, which shows no signs of stopping, forces us to keep up with the latest updates regardless of age. This is increasingly evident in the adoption of technology and apps for accessing public services like hospitals. While systems for booking appointments and recording medical records in real-time offer convenience, transparency, and comfort, they often overlook one crucial aspect: the users themselves. Hospital visitors or patients, predominantly the elderly, are forced to adapt without consideration for their specific conditions.

The digital divide—the disparity in access to and adaptation of technology—is often understood as a limitation related to gender, age, or geopolitical factors, and now requires re-examination. Socially, the adoption of technology and digitalization does not always align with the development of supporting infrastructure, particularly among the elderly. This served as the catalyst for the Visiting Lecture “Ageing and Digital Welfare on the German-Polish Border,” held on April 1, 2026. The lecture, delivered by Dr. Katharina Schneider from the Katholische Hochschule für Sozialwesen Berlin, Germany, shared preliminary findings from field research in a retirement community regarding the responses of retirees or the elderly to digitalization efforts in their lives. The process of digitizing elderly health data, intended to facilitate access and monitoring for the government, private sector, or family members in caregiving, is not without challenges. The reluctance of the elderly to participate in digitization efforts is closely tied to social support and conditions; this is a particular issue in Germany, where many elderly individuals without family must navigate technological adaptation on their own.

Through her observations, Katharina Schneider noted that the conditions of elderly care in Germany and in developing countries in Southeast Asia are starkly contrasting. The willingness to use gadgets or smartphones to support daily life is voluntary, whereas resistance is more commonly encountered among German seniors. Several questions regarding the ideas and methods for achieving the digital welfare envisioned by the state versus the reality on the ground sparked discussion and reflection on future care practices, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia. To what extent can the care provided to our parents and grandparents ensure their well-being in old age?

Author: Okky Chandra Baskoro (Dept. of Anthropology)

Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada presented awards to five outstanding members of its academic community during the 80th Anniversary (Dies Natalis) celebration at the FIB UGM Poerbatjaraka Auditorium. This initiative serves as an institutional appreciation for the dedication and achievements of both lecturers and educational staff in advancing science, education, and community development.

In the outstanding lecturer category, FIB UGM presented an award to Dr. Elan Ardri Lazuardi, S.Ant., M.A., from the Anthropology Study Program. Dr. Lazuardi possesses specialized expertise in medical anthropology and public health services. Throughout his career, he has received various prestigious academic recognitions. These include the High-Quality Scientific Article Award in Health and Medicine from the Ministry of Research and Technology in 2020, as well as the Dean’s Award for Outstanding PhD Theses from the University of New South Wales in the same year. Previously, he earned the Early Career Research Award for the best oral presentation category from the Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexual Health Medicine in 2018.

The next recipient of the outstanding lecturer award is Dr. Raden Rucitarahma Ristiawan, S.Par., M.Sc., from the Tourism Study Program. This tourism and cultural landscape expert earned a doctorate in Cultural Geography from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, in 2024. His dissertation discusses the commodification of landscapes in the development of geopark tourism in Indonesia. Dr. Ristiawan has consistently researched community-based tourism practices from his undergraduate studies at UGM to his master’s program at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, in 2017.

The third lecturer to receive a similar award is Wildan Sena Utama, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., from the History Study Program. This historian focuses on modern international and transnational relations between Indonesia and the Afro-Asian world in the 20th century. Dr. Utama completed his doctoral education at the University of Bristol in 2023. His dissertation highlights the role of Indonesian figures in the Afro-Asian movement during the 1950s and 1960s to demonstrate the importance of South-South solidarity in the history of national independence, anti-imperialist movements, and efforts to build a more decolonial world order.

From the educational staff ranks, FIB UGM appreciated the performance of two staff members who are considered to have made major contributions to the smooth operation of the faculty. Dyah Ayu Retnowati, A.Md., received the outstanding award in the Academic and Student Affairs division. Meanwhile, Tri Iswanto received an award in the General Affairs division for his crucial dedication in supporting the smooth running of administrative services and activities within the faculty.

This appreciation is expected to boost the motivation of the entire academic community to continue innovating and providing the best service in the future. This step aligns with the higher education institution’s commitment to continuously building a high-quality, inclusive, and resilient learning ecosystem to produce human resources capable of bringing a positive impact to the advancement of civilization.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 3 December 2025 — A total of 68 first-year students from the Arabic Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) attend an outing class at Wisdom Park UGM on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. The activity, titled Lu’bah Arabiyyah, served as a collaborative program for Arabic Writing, Arabic Speaking, and Tasrif courses to help students review lesson material through interactive games while refreshing their minds ahead of final exams. The event was accompanied by lecturers from the Arabic Study Program and supported by student tutors from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts.

During Lu’bah Arabiyyah, students are invited to do a series of game stations set up across Wisdom Park. Each game required them to actively use and recall their Arabic skills in preparation for the final exams. Among the activities were Sentence Relay, Puzzle Tasrif, and Arabic crossword puzzles. After completing all stations, the outing concluded with a communal meal and a shared rujak session with lecturers.

The 2025 cohort participated enthusiastically from start to finish. Many students expressed that Lu’bah Arabiyyah boosted their confidence and motivation ahead of the Final Examinations, as the activities helped them recall and reinforce material learned throughout the semester. Beyond academic preparation, the event also strengthened collaborations and intimacy among students, tutors, and lecturers, which is an important foundation for smoother communication and collaboration in future learning processes.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

Yogyakarta, December 8, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada has once again launched the Sibuya program, which provides free breakfast for students currently taking the Odd Semester Final Exams for the 2025–2026 academic year. The program is held on December 8, 11, 15, and 18, 2025 at the Kantin Sastra using a coupon system, and on December 9 and 16, 2025 in front of the Soegondo Building, where meal boxes are distributed. A total of 200 servings are provided each day.

The Sibuya program is supported by the Parents Association of Students (POTMA) and Dharma Wanita FIB UGM. Students can redeem their food coupons at the food court area of Kantin Sastra according to the scheduled dates.

The Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Setiadi, stated that the implementation of Sibuya reflects the faculty’s concern for students who are entering the exam period.
“Sibuya is our effort to support students who are about to take their exams. We hope this program brings them comfort and helps them feel more prepared for their finals. We also hope that more parties will participate in the future,” he said.

He added that the program is expected to help students, especially those who have not had the chance to eat breakfast before their exams.
“With Sibuya, we hope students can be assisted, particularly those who need breakfast, those who leave home without eating, or those who have not eaten at their boarding house, so they can take their exams with peace of mind. We are truly grateful to Dharma Wanita and the Parents Association for their full support of this program,” he explained.

The presence of Sibuya not only provides nutritional benefits and physical readiness but also fosters solidarity and a sense of community within the campus environment. The initiative stands as a tangible example of collaboration between institutions, families, and students in creating a caring and inclusive academic atmosphere.

Through this simple yet meaningful effort, Sibuya reminds us that attention to basic needs can be a powerful force in shaping a healthier and more empowered younger generation, equipped to face future challenges. This spirit of togetherness is expected to continue growing and inspiring sustainable development efforts in the field of education.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM,  Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, November 19, 2025 – The Muslim Family of Cultural Sciences (Keluarga Muslim Ilmu Budaya – KMIB) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a Blood Donation Drive on Wednesday, December 19, 2025. This humanitarian activity was held in Room 202 of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM, in collaboration with the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia – PMI) of Sleman Regency. This drive is one of the social work programs of the Department of Community Service Relations (Hubungan Pelayanan Umat – HPU), serving as a real manifestation of the students’ commitment to contributing directly to humanitarian and social issues.

The blood donation event, which took place from 08.00 to 11.00 a.m, received a very positive reception from various parties. Enthusiasm came not only from students but also from lecturers, educational staff, and the general public. The success of this drive, fully supported by the KMIB committee, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, and the Sleman Regency PMI, managed to collect a significant amount of blood donations. This extraordinary achievement underscores the strong spirit of solidarity within the FIB UGM environment, and this contribution greatly helps the PMI in maintaining its blood supply.

The initiative, spearheaded by the HPU department, did not only focus on blood collection but also served as a means of health education. Every prospective donor had the opportunity to undergo a basic health check, such as blood pressure and hemoglobin level checks. KMIB hopes that this positive initiative can continue to have an impact, becoming an implementation of the values of care highly upheld by FIB UGM students, and can be a sustainable agenda in the future.

The success of this event reinforces KMIB FIB UGM’s position as an active student organization moving across various lines, from spirituality and culture to humanitarian social action. KMIB FIB UGM expresses its highest appreciation to the Sleman Regency PMI for their cooperation and to all donors who have sincerely contributed their time and blood. The presence and active participation of all campus elements were the key to the successful execution of this Blood Donation Drive.

This blood donation drive tangibly supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by providing a safe and critical blood supply for public health services; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that blood is accessible to all who need it, regardless of socio-economic status; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through strengthening community health resilience by guaranteeing the availability of emergency medical resources; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for The Goals) through effective collaboration between FIB UGM students (KMIB), the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, and the Sleman Regency PMI.

Author: Hilmi Anugerah Alghani