Yogyakarta, June 23, 2025 — The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Childism and the Defamiliarization of Language in Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie’s Works.” The event was conducted both offline and online, featuring renowned writer Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie as the main speaker, with Narayda Akmal as the discussant and Ruhaeni Intan as the moderator.

The lecture opened with a presentation by Narayda Akmal, who reviewed several of Ziggy’s works, including di Tanah Lada, Kita Pergi Hari Ini, and Semua Ikan di Langit. She highlighted how these works reflect the spirit of childism, a perspective that provides agency to children in a world that often neglects their voices and experiences. Ziggy’s language was seen as unique and unconventional, creating a distance from common linguistic norms while revealing the complexity of childhood.

Through her writings, Ziggy seeks to challenge the traditional view of children as passive beings. On the contrary, she presents children as active figures responding to harsh social realities. The linguistic strategies in her works are not mere playfulness, but serve as a medium to raise issues such as poverty, inequality, and alienation within the domestic space.

In the novel di Tanah Lada, for instance, the experiences of children facing urban poverty are portrayed sharply. The home is no longer a place of refuge but a source of suffering. Ziggy depicts simplicity through the eyes of children trapped in the misunderstanding of adults—a condition that often leads to emotional neglect and miscommunication.

Meanwhile, Semua Ikan di Langit combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, and mythology. The road novel format adopted in this book allows readers to follow the imaginative journey of the main character, while also accessing layers of meaning that challenge conventional ways of understanding childhood.

Moderator Ruhaeni Intan added a perspective on the importance of space for writers to store and process their ideas. She used the metaphor of a suitcase full of thoughts waiting to be unpacked to emphasize the creative process, which is inseparable from the role of the literary community. In this process, writers do not work alone but are connected with publishers, readers, and researchers who appreciate and develop literary studies.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session and a group photo. Participants actively asked questions regarding the implications of childism in literature and its impact on social life. This discussion reinforced the importance of basic literacy skills and critical education in understanding the complex realities of childhood.

In conclusion, the lecture provided significant insights into the representation of children in literature. Beyond enriching academic discourse, this event also supported the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 10 on reducing inequality through the empowerment of children’s perspectives.

[Public Relation, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 14/06/2025 – As a student, maintaining a balance between academic and non-academic activities is essential. Keysha Almira, a 2023 undergraduate student in Tourism, has exemplified this well. After performing as a Color Guard in the Marching Band UGM concert titled “Pangupajiwa: Marta Sang Mahapatih Gadjah Mada” in November 2024, she has now shifted her focus to becoming a Drill and Display coach of Marching Band UGM.

Keysha’s daily routine mirrors that of many students. From morning to afternoon, she focuses on her academic responsibilities, while her evenings are devoted to coaching fellow members of the Marching Band UGM. Her commitment reflects strong time management skills, which she considers crucial for balancing academic and extracurricular pursuits. To maintain this balance, Keysha organizes her schedule by creating daily to-do lists and using Google Calendar. This method helps her avoid scheduling conflicts and ensures she can allocate time for both her studies and her passion in the marching band.

According to Keysha, balancing academic and non-academic activities is very important. “You can’t just study in class all the time. As students, it’s also important to develop our passions outside of academics,” she said. Her perspective highlights the importance of holistic student development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which emphasize quality education.

Keysha encourages her peers not to hesitate in exploring activities beyond their academic curriculum. “Don’t be afraid to explore things outside of academics. As long as your time management is structured, everything will be fine,” she advised. This mindset not only supports personal growth but also contributes to a well-rounded campus life.

Marching Band UGM has long served as a platform for students to express their creativity through music and teamwork. With the routines she’s building, the band is expected to enhance its performance quality, especially in the Drill and Display segment. Keysha’s role as a coach stands as proof that students can develop their potential through non-academic activities as well.

Through her journey as both a student and coach, Keysha aims to inspire others to pursue their passions while remaining committed to their academic responsibilities. Her story serves as a reminder that with proper planning and dedication, students can achieve a fulfilling and balanced university experience.

In conclusion, Keysha Almira’s journey reflects the importance of structured development in both academic and non-academic fields. Her proactive approach to time management and her passion for the arts contribute meaningfully to her personal growth at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Humas FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

Jakarta, 23/5/2025 – Two students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully secured 2nd Place at the National Korean Debate Competition for Indonesian University Students. The competition was held at Auditorium 1, CGV FX Sudirman, Jakarta, on Friday, May 23, 2025. This semifinal-final round was participated by selected students from various universities, including two representatives from UGM’s Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

Unlike typical debate formats, participants in this competition were not informed of the motion or their teammates until the day of the event, as all team assignments and debate positions were determined randomly on-site. In the semifinal round, teams were divided into 3 vs 3 format with the motion, “학생의 편리를 위해 대학교 도서관이 24시간 운영을 해야 된다” (“For the convenience of students, university libraries should operate 24 hours a day”). The two UGM representatives, Adzini and Melinda, were randomly placed on the same team and successfully advanced to the final round. Once again, in the final round, they found themselves on the same team. The final round continued with the motion, “소셜미디어 상에서의 익명성은 긍정적인 영향보다는 부정적인 영향을 더 많이 초래한다” (“Anonymity on social media brings more negative impacts than positive ones”).

The competition concluded with comments from the judges, a dance cover performance, and an awarding session. In this event, Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani and Ferdinanda Melinda Suryaningrum from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program successfully won 2nd Place in the team category.

In a separate interview, Melinda shared her experience, “Before the competition started, so many thoughts ran through my mind, especially because we were carrying the name of UGM and our study program, which had supported our journey to Jakarta. However, by the grace of God, we managed to deliver a result by winning 2nd place. Although it was not the best result, it was achieved through our utmost efforts. This competition has become an unforgettable part of my life.”

Meanwhile, Adzini also shared her story and the challenges she faced during the competition. “I used to be someone who was afraid to speak up, even just to express my opinion. But now, being able to participate in a debate competition and win 2nd place is a proud achievement for me. I believe that the biggest challenge in a competition doesn’t come from your opponents, but from within yourself. During this competition, I doubted myself many times — could I really do this? Especially when carrying the name of my university and study program. But amidst the doubt, I remembered words from a sunbae: ‘Winning is a bonus. What matters is that we finish what we’ve started.’ Whatever the result, I’m grateful because this is the outcome of my best efforts. Eventually, through this experience, I’ve been able to grow again. And finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me to stand here. All of this is thanks to everyone’s support~!!”

(Sherina Azmi)

Yogyakarta, May 18, 2025 — Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again achieved outstanding success at the King Sejong Institute (KSI) Yogyakarta 2025 Speech and Writing Competition. The event was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and was attended by active KSI students, KSI alumni, as well as students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

In this competition, two students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program succeeded in achieving remarkable accomplishments. Adzini Nurul Fatima Juliani won 1st Place in the Writing category, while Adhyva Kaana Taqqiyaa won 3rd Place in the Speaking category. These achievements reflect the students’ comprehensive Korean language skills, both oral and written, and demonstrate the results of continuous learning within the study program.

One of the winners, Adzini, shared her enthusiasm for participating in the competition. “Since the beginning, I had been looking forward to KSI’s competition, so when the opportunity came, I immediately joined both the writing and speaking contests. I personally feel more confident in writing because it is my hobby, especially as the theme was about ‘dreams,’ which felt very close to me. The words just flowed naturally, as if I was writing in my diary. In my piece, I portrayed dreams through the metaphor ‘마음속에 있는 불빛이’ (the light inside the heart) with an emotional nuance to give it more depth. I’m so happy that my message was delivered and I was selected as the 1st place winner. This competition has been a valuable experience to test my abilities. I hope KSI continues to hold such events, and that more participants will join in the future. Thank you! KSI Yogyakarta 화이팅!”

Meanwhile, Adhyva, who participated in the speaking category, also shared her experience. “처음으로 참가한 대회라 정말 떨리기도 하고 설레기도 했어요. 전체적으로 너무 즐거웠고, 한국어문화학과 학생으로서 정말 값진 경험이었어요.” (“This was the first competition I’ve participated in, so I felt both nervous and excited. Overall, it was very enjoyable, and as a student of the Korean Language and Culture Program, it was truly a valuable experience.”)

The students’ participation in this event not only serves as a platform for developing Korean language proficiency but also contributes to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strengthening inter-institutional collaboration and enhancing the quality of globally-oriented education

[Public Relation of Korean Language and Culture, Sherina Azmi]

Yogyakarta, May 23, 2025 — Elvira Sundari, an Arabic Study Program student at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), claimed first place in the female category of the 2025 Yogyakarta Language Ambassador Selection. The award was announced during the Grand Final and Awarding Night held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM WIB in the Bima Hall, Yogyakarta City Hall.

In a night filled with energy and excitement, Elvira delivered an outstanding performance alongside Razif Raihan Rasyid, a student from UGM’s Faculty of Animal Science, who was named the male first-place winner. Together, they will represent the Yogyakarta Special Region at the upcoming National Language Ambassador Competition. 

The Yogyakarta Language Ambassador Competition is an annual program organized by the Yogyakarta Language Center (Balai Bahasa Yogyakarta or BBY) to select young individuals with strong competence in language and literature. The selection process began well before the awarding night, starting with document screening, followed by interviews, intensive training, and final evaluations. Participants were assessed on personal potential, linguistic knowledge, and foreign language proficiency.

Drs. Anang Santosa, M.Hum., Head of BBY, emphasized that the Language Ambassador selection is more than a competition. It is a platform to shape agents of change who can preserve and promote the Indonesian language, safeguard regional languages, and master foreign languages. This initiative also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, by empowering youth in advancing literacy, language, and cultural awareness.

[Author, Elvira Sundari]