Muhammad Khafifudin, who is familiarly called Khafif, is a student from the UGM Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program who was chosen to be a translator and personal assistant to one of the Professors of Canal Suez University Egypt, Prof. Dr. Hassan Youssef during his visit to Indonesia. The alumni of Al-Azhar University Egypt accompanied the professor to several events at various institutions, namely UIN Abdurrahman Wachid Pekalongan, Gadjah Mada University, Sebelas Maret University and UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. In his duties, he translates from Arabic to Indonesian, both oral and written.

Previously, Khafif had been selected as a translator for several other prominent figures from Egypt, namely Prof. Dr. Mohammed Imam Dawood from the Giza Qur’an Institute, Prof. Dr. Nahla Shabry As-Shoidy as Advisor to the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar University, and Dr. Nadzir Ayyad, as Secretary General of Majma’ Buhust Lugah al-Arabiyyah. From this experience, this outstanding student successfully translated speeches, material presentations and important documents. During his assignment, he also received positive responses and good appreciation from the figures he accompanied. Therefore, knowledge of spoken and written Arabic plays an important role in establishing communication and cooperation between countries.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Cultural diversity | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDGs 4: Education in developing | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Culture | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Community | SDG 16: Peace justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Capacity building | SDGs 17: Foreign direct investments | SDGs 17: Global partnership

On Thursday, April 25th 2024, Ms. Alfiana, a lecturer from the Korean language and culture major, presented her paper titled “The social economic background of Indonesian students and their determining factor to study in Korea” in the Daegu University Center for Multiculturalism and Social Policy’s (DU CMSP) colloquium. The colloquium was attended by multidisciplinary educational professors and researchers who showed their interest in Korean studies in Indonesia by asking numerous questions despite the lack of research in both countries.

Currently, research on Korean studies is dominated by Korean language-related topics. But unfortunately, compared to the Southeast Asia region’s countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, the number of research studies was left behind. Thus, DU CMSP welcomes the new path of research collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Science (FIB) at UGM and offers a research collaboration agreement. The agreement was signed by DU CMSP’s chief, Prof. Yun Jae Woon, after a colloquium, and later signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Science, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S. Sos, and M. Si in Indonesia. This collaborative research agreement expects to build strong cooperation between two institutions and boost the number of research publications in Indonesia and Korea, especially those related to Korean studies. Research and publications in the long term have a role to play in offering problem resolutions for some current issues in Korea, such as inequality among immigrants, which becomes the world’s sustainable development goal number 10, to reduce inequality. 

The lecture continued to the next day, April 26th 2024, at the 2024 DCU CMS ASKA DU CMSP Joint International Conference, which was held at Daegu Catholic University in Gyeongsan City, Korea. A representative of UGM, Ms. Alfiana, was given a chance to open the first term by presenting her research, “The culture shock and reverse culture shock among Indonesian exchange students: focusing on UGM students.” The joint international conference between the Center of Multicultural Society of Daegu Catholic University, the Association for the Studies of Korean Living Abroad, and the Center for Multiculturalism and Social Policy has opened up chances for Korean students and professors to understand the condition of Indonesian exchange students in Korea. Some students from UGM also listened to the lecturers by zoom. In the future, it is expected to hold a joint international conference in Indonesia. 

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDGs 4: Basic literacy | SDGs 4: Education | SDGs 4: Access to education | SDGs 4: Education in developing | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDGs 9: Enterprises | SDG 10: Reduced inequality | SDGs 10: Culture | SDGs 10: Education | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Adaptable | SDG 16: Peace justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 16: Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDGs 17: Capacity building | SDGs 17: Civil society partnerships | SDGs 17: Global partnership

Yogyakarta, April 16, 2024 – The Center for Language Studies (Pusat Bahasa) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), proudly organized the inaugural event for the English Academic of Purposes (EAP) program, in collaboration with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). The occasion marked the commencement of the EAP program tailored for the recipients of the DXHR (Development of Exhaustive Human Resources) scholarship under Bappenas’ Pusbindiklatren for the year 2024.

The distinguished ceremony, held at the FIB UGM premises, was graced by the presence of esteemed personalities from both academia and governmental institutions. Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, inaugurated the event. His presence and support underscored the significance of fostering academic excellence and international collaboration in Indonesia’s educational landscape.

Accompanying Prof. Setiadi was Mr. Wignyo Adiyoso, S.Sos, MA, Ph.D., the Head of Pusbindiklatren Bappenas, along with his team and the entire cohort of prospective scholars. Mr. Pandu Pradana, representing Pusbindiklatren Bappenas, delivered insightful presentations, elucidating the program’s objectives, scheme, and anticipated outcomes. 

The EAP program stands as a testament to Indonesia’s commitment to nurturing a cadre of highly skilled professionals equipped with proficient English language abilities and academic prowess. Participants of this program are slated to embark on a transformative educational journey, commencing with the first year of Master’s studies within Indonesia. This phase of their academic pursuit is generously funded by the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/Bappenas.

However, the program’s scope extends beyond national borders. Following the completion of their initial year, participants will have the invaluable opportunity to further their studies at one of our esteemed partner universities in Japan. This subsequent year of study will be supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), facilitating not only academic enrichment but also fostering cross-cultural exchanges and international cooperation.

The EAP program encapsulates the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and global engagement. It serves as a beacon of hope for the future, wherein talented individuals are empowered to contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s development trajectory while forging lasting bonds with the global community. As we celebrate the inauguration of this transformative initiative, we look forward to witnessing the remarkable achievements and contributions of its participants in the years to come.

SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Education in developing | SDGs 4: Education | SDGs 4: Access to education | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDGs 8: Creativity and innovation | SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDGs 16: Education | SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals | SDGs 17: Capacity building | SDGs 17: Fostering innovation

Just as additional information about the position of the Anthropology department of FIB UGM, in the middle of a collection of anthropology departments in the world, is now at level 51-100 (top 100). The question is: approximately whether the UGM Anthropology department is at the same level as anthropology departments at other universities? The answer is very surprising. UGM Department of Anthropology is on the same level as Anthropology departments at the following universities: Monash University (Australia), John Hopkins University, Northwestern University (USA), Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands), City University of New York (CUNY) where Eric Wolf is a famous anthropology figure; a famous Anthropology figure, University of California San Diego, University of North Carolina (where James Peacock, who researched Muhammadiyah in Yogya), Oslo University, Bergen University (where Fredrik Barth a famous Norwegian anthropologist), University of Illinois (where Edward Bruner, who researched Batak people, and many more anthropology departments in other famous universities. Congratulations to our Anthropology friends!

Dean of Faculty of Arts UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, said the achievement of Anthropology UGM was certainly very proud considering it is very rare for study programs in Indonesia to enter the top 100 in the world. “For Faculty of Cultural Sciences, this achievement becomes a trigger as well as learning so that other study programs can enter the same category,” Setiadi told reporters on Saturday (13/4). He acknowledged the success of Anthropology Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM in being ranked 51 QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject for 2024 is inseparable from the excellence of academic assessment, publications, number of citations, impact to the quality of graduates produced. According to him, the support provided by FIB UGM in the availability of research funds, opening up opportunities for cooperation, and facilitating the development of human resources for further studies greatly supports this study program to be more advanced and international. “Moreover, we at FIB already have a policy to determine lecturers who must graduate from doctoral degree and recruitment of new lecturers must also have doctoral degrees,” he said.