Yogyakarta, 22 May 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an insightful event titled “Young Lecturers’ Dialogue.” The event took place in Soegondo Building, Room 709, and aimed to foster collaboration among early-career lecturers while addressing the opportunities and challenges they face in their academic careers. The Dean of FIB officially opened the event, highlighting the importance of education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The event showcased the diverse profiles of FIB lecturers, noting their academic backgrounds and varied research interests. This diversity is vital to creating a dynamic academic environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. One of the key topics discussed during the event was the professional development of early-career lecturers. Monitoring the progress of advanced study programmes for lecturers was also a central point of discussion. The need for a supportive environment that promotes continuous learning and professional growth was emphasised, as it aligns with the SDG goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and fostering partnerships to achieve shared objectives.

The discussion also introduced the “Accelerated Doctorate and Professorship Programme,” designed to support the academic advancement of young lecturers. This initiative seeks to provide resources and assistance to those pursuing higher degrees, ensuring they can contribute more effectively to the academic community. The programme addresses the urgent need for qualified educators across disciplines, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education at FIB UGM.

However, the journey toward a successful academic career is not without its challenges. Participants discussed various obstacles, including limited research funding, publication pressure, and the need for work-life balance. These challenges can hinder the progress of young academics and affect their motivation and job satisfaction. To address these issues, the dialogue focused on strategies and institutional-level solutions. As the event progressed, participants engaged in lively discussions and a Q&A session. These interactive segments allowed young lecturers to voice their concerns and seek advice from peers and senior faculty members. The exchange of ideas and experiences fostered a sense of community and solidarity among participants.

In conclusion, “Young Lecturers’ Dialogue” at FIB UGM served as a platform to address the opportunities and challenges faced by early-career educators. By encouraging collaboration and open communication, the event aimed to empower young lecturers to navigate their academic paths successfully. The insights gained from this dialogue will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education at Universitas Gadjah Mada and support the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Semarang, 18 Mei 2025 —

The Rampoe Student Activity Unit from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has successfully secured First Place in the Ratoh Jaroe Competition, part of the Pre-Event series of the Diponegoro Art Competition (DAC) 2025. The event was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Prof. Soedarto, S.H. Hall, Diponegoro University, Semarang. The competition featured 12 teams from high schools and universities across Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

In this event, Rampoe UGM presented a 12-minute Ratoh Jaroe dance performance, involving 17 dancers. The performance captivated the judges with its synchronized movements, strong energy, and vibrant expression of Acehnese cultural heritage, leading Rampoe UGM to achieve first place.

Preparations began on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM WIB at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The team gathered for a briefing and collective prayer before departing for Semarang by ELF transportation. The group arrived at the homestay at 9:30 PM WIB to rest.

The next morning, Sunday, May 18, the team began preparations at 4:00 AM and departed for the venue at 7:10 AM WIB, arriving at the Prof. Soedarto Hall at 7:30 AM WIB. Upon arrival, the team was directed backstage for preparation and stage blocking sessions.

Rampoe UGM was scheduled to perform fourth, with a performance slot at 9:50 AM WIB. After performing, all participants engaged in icebreaking activities and informal gatherings organized by the committee.

The announcement of winners took place at 1:00 PM WIB, where Rampoe UGM was officially declared the First Place winner of the Ratoh Jaroe competition. This proud achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication and rigorous preparation process.

This victory underscores Rampoe UGM’s continued commitment to preserving and promoting Acehnese cultural arts, particularly the Ratoh Jaroe dance, on a broader stage.

Editor : Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim

Yogyakarta, May 22, 2025 — On May 9, 2025, the American Studies Program successfully held a seminar titled Contemporary American Issues at the Soegondo Building 70X.

In addition to providing the audience with an opportunity to hear insights from Prof. Gade, the seminar also featured Achmad Munjid, Ph.D. as the second speaker, who delivered a talk on “Contestation on Freedom of Speech in the US Today.”

In the second session of the seminar, the discussion focused on how the concept of freedom of speech in the United States has significantly shifted—so much so that it appears citizens are only free to express their opinions as long as those opinions align with the voice of the government. This trend can be observed in various aspects of American society today.

The presentation also explored how the decline of democracy amidst the rise of globalization is driven by the emergence of anti-globalization sentiments in different parts of the world, resulting in fragmentation among individuals, including within the United States.

Beyond addressing current issues, the discussion also delved into broader events unfolding in the U.S. today and the underlying causes behind them. Examining this issue more deeply reveals that many of the changes occurring in America today are closely tied to the historical foundations of the nation.

Despite the many contradictions present in contemporary America, this discussion encouraged participants to think more critically about social equality, freedom of speech, and government transparency—both nationally and globally—as Indonesian citizens engaging with global discourse.

[Master of American Studies, Reni Renatawati]

Yogyakarta, 21/5/25 ― Ferdeo, a graduate student of Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), class of 2023, achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected as a Fully Funded Awardee in the prestigious SMI Youth Exchange Thailand 2025 program. He was one of the few participants who passed the rigorous selection process, including document screening, open interviews, and individual closed interviews.

In the initial selection phase, Ferdeo showcased his strengths by presenting a strong combination of academic achievement and social engagement. With a range of experiences—such as serving as UGM’s Mental Health Ambassador, Postgraduate Ambassador, and Chair of Suar Asa FIB—he demonstrated a deep commitment to social and humanitarian issues. He also participated in various short courses and international conferences, further strengthening his global profile and academic relevance.

During the program in Thailand, Ferdeo took part in a series of significant activities. He had the opportunity to visit the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Bangkok and engage in discussions with Dr. Cyti Daniela Aruan, the Education Attaché of Indonesia. He also attended academic sessions at two leading universities—Chulalongkorn University and Kasetsart University—which served as platforms for cross-cultural and international dialogue.

In addition, Ferdeo actively explored Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, including visits to historical landmarks such as Wat Pho and Wat Arun. In the main session of the program—a semi-debate forum—he presented Thailand’s strategies for poverty alleviation and compared them with Indonesia’s conditions. He also contributed to discussions on a variety of ASEAN issues, including smart cities in Singapore, healthcare systems in Malaysia, and maritime concerns in Brunei Darussalam.

In recognition of his outstanding participation and cultural performance—where he delivered a medley of traditional Indonesian songs—Ferdeo was honored with the title of Favorite Delegate. This award highlights his contributions not only intellectually, but also culturally and socially.

“I feel truly proud and grateful to carry the good name of the Department of Anthropology, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, and Universitas Gadjah Mada in the SMI Youth Exchange program. I hope this experience will make a significant contribution to my academic journey and future career as an anthropologist with a global perspective and a commitment to sustainability,” he affirmed.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 9 May 2025 — To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Himpunan Sarjana-Kesusastraan Indonesia (HISKI) held an Academic Writing Workshop titled “100 Years of Pramoedya Ananta Toer.” The event was conducted in a hybrid format—offline at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and online via Zoom Meeting—bringing together literary scholars from various higher education institutions across Indonesia.

This initiative served not only as a tribute to Pramoedya’s intellectual legacy but also as an academic platform for scholars and writers to engage with his literary works through a wide range of theoretical approaches. As part of this framework, HISKI facilitated the workshop as a forum for academic writing, enabling participants to develop and present scholarly articles that critically examine Pramoedya’s oeuvre from multiple perspectives.

The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Novi Anoegrajekti, M.Hum., Chairperson of HISKI, who underscored the strategic role of academic publishing in both scholarly and cultural domains. She noted that HISKI has consistently contributed to collaborative publications such as Sastra Pariwisata, Antologi 222, 100 Years of A.A. Navis, and Antologi 122, reflecting the collective academic engagement of the association.

“We are delighted by the enthusiastic response to this initiative. To date, we have received a total of 136 abstracts from prospective contributors,” stated Prof. Novi. She further emphasized that Pramoedya’s commitment to writing remained unwavering, even during his periods of imprisonment. “Physical confinement never silenced Pram’s voice. His work exemplifies the enduring power of ideas and writing beyond physical limitations.”

Following the opening remarks, Prof. I Nyoman Darma Putra, M.Litt., Ph.D. from Universitas Udayana, representing the editorial team, highlighted the importance of the workshop as a space for critical dialogue and inspiration. He encouraged participants to engage in intellectual exchange and to strengthen the intertextual foundations of their academic manuscripts. According to him, the constructive and reflective discussions cultivated during the sessions are essential to enhancing the academic quality of the written works.

Several notable scholars also attended to support the event, including Prof. Dr. Djoko Saryono, M.Pd. (Universitas Negeri Malang), Dr. Sastri Sunarti, M.Hum. (Vice Chairperson III of HISKI Central Board), Sudartomo Macaryus, M.Hum. (HISKI UST-UTY), and Dr. Shoim Anwar, M.Pd. (Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya).

The main sessions of the workshop consisted of presentations by selected contributors, each outlining the framework of their academic papers. These works were critically reviewed by two distinguished reviewers Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum. (HISKI UGM) and Dr. Y. Yapi Taum, M.Hum. (Universitas Sanata Dharma). Their insightful feedback stimulated dynamic discussions and encouraged deeper analytical engagement with Pramoedya’s literary contributions.

The diversity of theoretical frameworks presented—ranging from postcolonial theory to identity and historical narratives—reflected the extensive influence of Pramoedya’s thought in the field of literary studies. Participants offered interpretations that were not only critical and analytical but also contextually reflective of the socio-political dimensions embedded in his works.

Beyond commemorating a literary icon, the workshop represented a concrete effort by the academic community to foster a vibrant, critical, and relevant literary discourse. With a collaborative and intellectually stimulating atmosphere, the Academic Writing Workshop on 100 Years of Pramoedya Ananta Toer successfully provided a meaningful forum for intellectual exchange, interpretative exploration, and the spirit of transformative thought that Pramoedya championed throughout his life and writings.

[Public Relation Master of Literature, Marsya Kamila]