The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted an Educational and Community Engagement (PkM) activity on Tuesday, 7 January 2026, at SMA Budi Utomo Perak, Jombang Regency, East Java. This activity was carried out as a collaborative initiative with SMA Budi Utomo Perak as part of the school’s Japanese-themed event, Festival NIKKI: Nihon Chishiki (Japanese Knowledge). The festival was held under the theme “Exploring Insights: Japanese Philosophy and Global Career Opportunities” and aimed to introduce various aspects of Japanese culture while broadening students’ perspectives on academic pathways and career opportunities related to Japan. Through this program, lecturers and students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program participated as resource persons in a series of academic and educational activities.

The program was held over a full day and consisted of several interactive sessions. The team of lecturers delivered materials on key aspects of Japanese culture, including the concept of omotenashi as a form of wholehearted service, the notions of honne and tatemae in Japanese communication, an introduction to Japanese popular culture in everyday life, as well as an overview of employment opportunities and workplace culture in Japan. All materials were presented in an engaging manner and closely connected to contexts familiar to the students.

In addition to the lecturers’ presentations, students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program actively participated by visiting Japanese language classes. During these sessions, they shared firsthand experiences related to learning Japanese, university life, and student activities, providing participants with a direct glimpse into higher education. The series of activities concluded with Japanese performing arts presented by the student team, featuring both traditional and modern Japanese dances. The performances added to the festive atmosphere and were warmly received by the audience.

This collaborative program was successfully implemented and received positive responses from students, teachers, and the SMA Budi Utomo foundation. Participants’ enthusiasm was evident through their active involvement in discussions and question-and-answer sessions. Through this initiative, it is expected that students’ interest in Japanese language, culture, and Japan more broadly will continue to grow and serve as motivation for further study in the future. Similar collaborative activities are also envisioned to be conducted regularly on a broader scale.

Author: Barra Taura N.
Editor: Stedi Wardoyo

Yogyakarta, January 26, 2025 — Shela Azzahra, a 2023 student of the English Literature Study Program, demonstrates that the creativity of students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, does not grow solely within classroom walls but can also transform into entrepreneurial innovation. Through her hijab brand, laSheild, Shela presents a local hijab alternative characterized by bold and vibrant colors that dare to stand out in Indonesia’s hijab market.

Shela’s interest in building a hijab business stemmed from both personal needs and her restlessness as a creative individual with a strong passion for fashion exploration. She often found it difficult to discover brightly colored hijabs in the local market, which is generally dominated by neutral and earth-tone shades. To achieve her desired look, Shela previously had to purchase overseas products at higher prices due to shipping costs and import taxes. This experience sparked the idea of creating a local hijab product that is reasonably priced, high in quality, and easily accessible.

“Why not make it myself?” This thought became the starting point for laSheild, which now carries the tagline “Vibrant hues. Born in colors.” The brand seeks to fill a gap in the local hijab market while encouraging hijabi women to be more playful and confident in expressing themselves through color. Although Shela initially hesitated and produced only a limited stock, market responses exceeded expectations. The high demand indicates that Indonesian hijabi women have a strong desire to express their identity and personality through color choices. This enthusiasm has even opened opportunities for international expansion, leading laSheild to consider overseas shipping.

Behind her achievements, Shela faces significant challenges as an active student and a solopreneur. “The main challenge is balancing my dual roles as a full-time student and a solopreneur. From the very beginning, I handled everything on my own without a team. Since my priority is still my studies, laSheild cannot operate every day. The challenge is trying not to burn out and accepting that this business runs alongside my academic rhythm, not in competition with it. Sometimes 24 hours just aren’t enough, especially during exam periods and peak sales seasons. That’s why I avoid selling during exams,” she explained.

In managing her time, Shela applies a “no pressure” principle. Rather than setting burdensome sales targets, she adjusts her business pace to align with her academic commitments. Support from her surrounding environment—particularly friends who assist with promotion and content creation—has also played a crucial role in sustaining laSheild.

Shela’s journey aligns with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of students’ creative and entrepreneurial skills, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by encouraging young entrepreneurs and the creative economy, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the promotion of sustainable and affordable local products.

Closing her story, Shela shared a brief message for FIB students who aspire to start a business. “Just try. Don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t be afraid to start something that seems niche. Start small, but dream big,” she said. The story of laSheild proves that creativity, courage, and consistency can pave the way for students to create meaningful work while contributing to society.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January, 23, 2026 – Yogyakarta is widely recognized as one of the cities with a strong literacy ecosystem in Indonesia. The presence of bookstores spread across various parts of the city plays an important role in supporting public reading and learning activities. In recent years, bookstores in Yogyakarta have developed new concepts by incorporating coffee spaces and aesthetically designed interiors.

This concept has transformed bookstores from merely places for book distribution into alternative literacy spaces that are open to students and the general public. A number of bookstores that frequently attract attention on social media include Buku Akik, Solusi Buku, Ruang Literasi Yogyakarta, Buku Natan, Namu Buku, and Shira Media, among others. These bookstores offer reading areas, discussion spaces, and various literacy-related activities that are widely accessible.

The emergence of bookstores with creative concepts has further strengthened the culture of literacy in Yogyakarta. These spaces are used for reading, discussions, and the organization of literacy-based activities involving communities and students. With a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere, bookstores serve as non-formal learning spaces beyond the campus environment.

The growing phenomenon of aesthetic bookstores in Yogyakarta aligns with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education, through the expansion of access to reading materials and inclusive learning spaces. In addition, the use of bookstores as creative public spaces supports SDG Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities by providing safe, welcoming, and sustainable cultural spaces in urban areas.

Through the presence of bookstores with diverse concepts, Yogyakarta continues to strengthen its role as a city of literacy that is adaptive to the times and responsive to the needs of the younger generation.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January, 9, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of the international accreditation assessment by ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute). The event marked an important milestone for FIB UGM in its continuous efforts to enhance educational quality to a level recognized globally.

ACQUIN is an international accreditation agency based in Bayreuth, Germany. This accreditation evaluates the quality of higher education institutions based on European standards, covering aspects such as curriculum design, academic governance, human resources, and supporting learning facilities. By achieving ACQUIN accreditation, the accredited study programs are recognized as having met international higher education quality standards and as being on par with universities in Europe.

A total of 12 study programs at FIB UGM have officially obtained ACQUIN international accreditation, namely Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Indonesian Language and Literature, Tourism, History, Arabic Literature, English Literature, as well as the Master’s Programs in Anthropology and History.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all members of the academic community who contributed to the international accreditation process. He emphasized that this achievement was the result of collective efforts involving lecturers, educational staff, students, and the support of university leadership.

The success of FIB UGM in attaining ACQUIN international accreditation is in line with the university’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG ****4: Quality Education, through the provision of inclusive, high-quality, and globally recognized higher education. In addition, this achievement also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening international cooperation and recognition in the fields of education and culture.

The thanksgiving ceremony concluded with a communal meal as an expression of gratitude and a means of strengthening solidarity among the academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, January, 7, 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Farewell and Welcome Ceremony for Faculty Officials, which was accompanied by the signing of the official handover documents for Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs. This event marked an important moment in ensuring leadership continuity and strengthening institutional governance oriented toward improving educational quality and sustainable institutional development.

The event commenced with the signing of the official handover documents, symbolically represented by the outgoing and incoming Heads of Departments. The handover and signing were carried out by the Heads of the Departments of Anthropology, Archaeology, Language and Literature, and History, reflecting a shared commitment to continuing the academic leadership relay within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

In his remarks, Drs. Sudibyo, M.Hum., expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support of the entire academic community during his previous term of office. He conveyed his hope that the new leadership would further enhance the faculty’s performance and strengthen FIB’s role in delivering high-quality higher education. On the same occasion, Drs. Sudibyo congratulated the newly appointed officials and offered his apologies for any shortcomings that may have occurred during his tenure.

Remarks on behalf of the Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs were delivered by Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., S.H., M.A. He stated that the new Heads of Departments had been officially inaugurated at the university level earlier that morning. According to him, the mandate entrusted to the new leadership carries significant responsibility, considering the achievements attained by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to date. He affirmed the commitment of the new management to continue the leadership responsibly while fostering collaboration and the sharing of experiences to sustain academic and institutional excellence.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., expressed his appreciation to the former Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs for their dedication and contributions over the past five years. He emphasized that a number of strategic achievements had been accomplished, ranging from the strengthening of faculty management systems and improvements in academic performance to progress toward international accreditation for all study programs. These achievements, he noted, reflect sound institutional management and a strong orientation toward building resilient institutional capacity.

Furthermore, Prof. Setiadi expressed optimism regarding the future development of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, including plans for the utilization of a new building scheduled to begin operation in July 2026. The new facility is expected to support the development of language and linguistic studies, as well as the downstreaming and contextualization of humanities scholarship to ensure its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. This initiative forms part of FIB’s commitment to fostering academic innovation, expanding access to quality education, and strengthening the role of cultural studies in sustainable development.

Through this farewell and welcome ceremony, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, accountable, and sustainable leadership. The orderly and transparent transition of leadership is expected to further strengthen FIB’s contribution to producing high-quality human resources, building robust institutional foundations, and promoting innovation and the application of knowledge for the benefit of society at large.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]