Yogyakarta, April 23, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the Mengayubagya ceremony to honor its postgraduate graduates of Period III for the Academic Year 2025/2026 in a solemn and proud atmosphere. The event served as a moment of appreciation for the graduates’ academic achievements, as well as a milestone marking the beginning of their professional careers and contributions to society.

The ceremony was attended by the Dean of FIB UGM, Setiadi, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Nur Saktiningrum, Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Suray Agung Nugroho, as well as representatives from various departments and study programs within FIB UGM.

A total of 108 postgraduate graduates participated in the ceremony. In his remarks, the Dean of FIB UGM expressed optimism regarding the future development of postgraduate programs. He highlighted several ongoing academic innovations, including the introduction of a fast-track program, as well as strengthened collaborations with international universities through double degree and joint degree schemes. According to him, these initiatives will broaden opportunities to enhance both the number and quality of postgraduate students at FIB UGM.

On this occasion, an award was also presented to an outstanding graduate, Hadijah Rima, who achieved a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00. This accomplishment is expected to inspire fellow graduates to continuously strive for academic excellence.

The Mengayubagya ceremony was not merely a formal event, but also a moment of reflection on the academic journey and a source of hope for the graduates’ future contributions in building a more knowledgeable and culturally enriched society.

This event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and high-quality higher education, as well as the development of human resources to face global challenges. It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through strengthened international collaborations in double degree and joint degree programs.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, April 24, 2026 – Encouraging news comes from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). A professor of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, M.A., has officially been appointed as a member of the UGM Board of Trustees (Majelis Wali Amanat / MWA) for the 2026–2031 term, representing the professoriate. The appointment was determined during the Special Plenary Meeting of the Academic Senate on Friday (24/4).

The appointment of Prof. Pujo Semedi underscores the strategic role of FIB UGM in university-level policymaking. As a professor in the field of humanities, he brings an academic perspective that emphasizes cultural values, ethics, and a strong commitment to the public interest in higher education governance.

The Board of Trustees is a key governing body within UGM, responsible for setting general policies, overseeing institutional performance, and ensuring the university’s long-term sustainability. In this context, the presence of an FIB UGM professor within the MWA is expected to strengthen more inclusive, balanced, and human-centered policy directions.

The selection of MWA members for the 2026–2031 period involves representatives from various sectors, including public figures, alumni, faculty members, administrative staff, and students. The representation of FIB UGM through Prof. Pujo Semedi highlights the significant contribution of the humanities in fostering accountable and sustainable university governance.

With the mandate entrusted to him, Prof. Pujo Semedi is expected to contribute optimally to advancing UGM as a leading higher education institution with broad societal impact.

In line with this, the involvement of an FIB UGM professor in the MWA also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through strengthening higher education governance, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through efforts to promote transparent, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, April, 4, 2026 – The Student Association of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association, or Kamastawa Student Association, held its first meeting, or inaugural meeting, of the Sahacitta Cabinet in the Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building. This event served as a means of building camaraderie among the board members and introducing the organizational structure and work program plans for the next term.

The event began at 7:30 a.m. WIB with an opening reception, followed by a serving of cokekan (rice cake) to open the atmosphere. In addition to all board members and students, the event was also attended by lecturers from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, as a token of support for student activities.

The event was then officially opened by various Executive Chairs and the Chair of Kamastawa Student Association 2026. On this occasion, the advisor of Kamastawa Student Association, Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.IP., M.A., also delivered various keynotes and symbolically inaugurated the Sahacitta Cabinet.

Entering the main session, the board introduced the Sahacitta Cabinet by explaining the philosophy of the name, visual identity, and direction of the organization. Etymologically, “Sahacitta” comes from the Sanskrit words “saha,” meaning “together,” and “citta,” meaning “feeling.” This naming reflects the spirit of togetherness and a unified consciousness to achieve the organization’s goals.

The event continued with an explanation of the division structure and the board members who will implement the work program for the period. Each division explained its function and focus as part of the organization’s development efforts, as well as its contribution to the preservation and development of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

The event concluded with a joint documentation session marking the beginning of the Sahacitta Cabinet administration. Through this activity, it is hoped that all board members can work synergistically to strengthen the organization’s role, both in the academic environment and in the wider community.

[Javanese, Language, and Literature, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, April 9, 2026 – A photography exhibition titled “Life Behind the Ride: Resilience and Risk in Indonesia’s On-Demand Economy” opened in the West Lobby of the Anthropology Building, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, and will be on display for six weeks. Organized by EthnoLab at the University of Toronto, Canada, the exhibition is the outcome of the long-term research project “Ubering the City,” led by Dr. Sheri Gibbings, Dr. Elan Lazuardi (Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM), Dr. Robbie Peters, and Dr. Joshua Barker, involving collaboration among researchers, students, and photographers.

This exhibition highlights the impact of the digital economic transformation on the urban transportation landscape in Indonesia through a visual ethnographic approach. The presence of the gig economy has not only displaced traditional motorcycle taxis but also reshaped social networks, mobility patterns, and urban planning. One of the key contributors to this exhibition is Syahrul Zidane, a Master’s student in Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Despite the distance and time zone differences, coordination between the UGM and University of Toronto teams was conducted intensively through online meetings.

Before his involvement in Toronto, Zidane had previously contributed to exhibitions at Gadjah Mada University and Wilfrid Laurier University. He was responsible for exhibition layout, photo curation, as well as the design of books and digital materials such as the digital catalog and contributor book. Now, he is once again involved in an exhibition at the University of Toronto alongside Dr. Emily Hertzman, the exhibition’s curator, and Austin from the School of Cities.

In this project, Zidane is also working on the exhibition space layout, visual curation, and the design of various elements such as description text and the digital catalog. He admits that this experience has given him a unique sense of fulfillment: “It feels very rewarding to me because I can contribute my skills in exhibition management, and it’s like going back to my college days (undergraduate studies) in the arts, particularly in curatorial work and exhibition layout,” Zidane explained. Zidane’s involvement reflects the role of Indonesia’s younger generation in the international academic arena while highlighting the importance of global collaboration.

[Anthropology,  Dewi Widyastuti]

Jakarta, February 27, 2026 – Four students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), participated in the K-Newscasting Competition 2026. This Korean-language news reading competition was organized by the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia (KCCI) as a platform to improve language skills and train the participants’ public speaking skills. In this competition, our two students achieved outstanding accomplishments, Matilda Kinasih Dewi winning 2nd place and Mulya Ghefira Azzahra securing the 3rd place.

The K-Newscasting Competition is an annual event that challenges participants to deliver news in Korean with precise pronunciation, accurate intonation, and professional expression similar to the real news anchor. Through this competition, participants not only refine their linguistic competence but also develop communication skills, confidence, and professionalism relevant to the demands of the modern workforce.

The event started with the drawing of participants’ numbers, followed by a rehearsal session where contestants practiced reading the news using a prompter. In this rehearsal session, the participants were trained to adjust the tempo and intonation to deliver the news. After the rehearsal session was finished, the participants were given time to rest and did re-registration. The main competition began and was divided into two sessions: participants numbered 1–10 and 11–21. Upon the completion of all performances, the panel of judges calculated the scores before proceeding to the awarding session.

During the awarding ceremony, the winners of the K-Newscasting Competition 2026 were officially announced. Matilda Kinasih Dewi secured 2nd place, followed by Mulya Ghefira Azzahra in 3rd place. This achievement is a source of pride for the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM and reflects the quality of education that equips students with excellent competencies and professional career readiness.

Matilda Kinasih Dewi, the 2nd place winner, expressed her gratitude for the achievement. “I am very happy and grateful to gain new experiences through this competition. I would also like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me from beginning to end.”

Mulya Ghefira Azzahra, the 3rd place winner, shared that the competition provided a valuable experience. “I participated in this competition for the second time to confirm my career interests. Although I performed first and encountered challenges with the prompter speed, I remained calm and was grateful to receive positive evaluations from the judges. I was delighted to attend with my friends and meet many familiar faces. My heartfelt thanks go to my family and our Study Program for their unwavering support.”

This participation and achievement are expected to inspire other students to continue developing their academic and non-academic potential while strengthening cultural ties between Indonesia and South Korea.

[Korean Language & Literature, Aura Adiba W.L]