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]

Yogyakarta, May 14, 2025 — As part of an effort to broaden academic perspectives, the Tadris Bahasa Indonesia Study Program at IAIN Madura conducted an academic visit (Studi Wawasan) to the Master in Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the L1 Seminar Room of the UGM Library and Archives Building, the event was attended by over 70 undergraduate students from IAIN Madura along with their faculty supervisors.

The main agenda of the event included an introduction to UGM, an overview of the Master of Literature curriculum and student activities, insights into academic life on campus, and a Q&A session discussing admissions and scholarships available for postgraduate study.

In his opening remarks and presentation, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., Head of the Master in Literature Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada, emphasized that the program not only offers academic learning in the classroom but also a variety of enrichment activities to support student development.

Meanwhile, Agus Purnomo Ahmad Putikadyanto, M.Pd., Head of the Tadris Bahasa Indonesia Program of IAIN Madura, expressed his hope that the visit would broaden students’ horizons and encourage them to pursue deeper academic engagement.
“We hope our students can learn and gain new insights into further education, so they are motivated to expand their knowledge even more,” he stated.

The Q&A session became one of the most engaging parts of the event. Nada Nadillah, a current student of the Master in Literature Program and recipient of the LPDP scholarship, shared her experience in obtaining the scholarship. She explained the application process, selection stages, and required documents in detail.
“There are various types of LPDP scholarships, such as regular and affirmative. The selection process includes administrative screening, a scholastic test, and a substantive interview. Requirements include a TOEFL score, academic transcript, and a study plan,” Nada explained in response to one of the participants’ questions.

Marisa Santi Dewi, an alumna of the Master in Literature Program at UGM, addressed a question about the difficulty level of gaining admission to a master’s program. She emphasized that the selection process is manageable if students prepare well in advance.
“Getting into the Master’s program is quite easy, actually. You just need a TOEFL score, a TPA test result, and your transcript. You can start preparing now—especially since you’re still in your fourth semester,” Marisa encouraged.

This academic visit served as a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two institutions. It aimed not only to provide insight into postgraduate education but also to inspire students from IAIN Madura to continue developing themselves academically. In addition to presenting information on curriculum structure, admissions pathways, and available scholarships, the event featured warm and interactive discussions with current students and alumni of the Master of Literature Program, enriching participants’ perspectives. As such, the visit was not only informative but also motivational, fostering greater readiness among students to pursue higher education in the future.

[Public Relation Master of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, May 10, 2025 – IKMASA Future Leaders 2025 was successfully held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Carrying the theme “Think Beyond the Urgent: Leading with Strategy, Not Stress”, the event featured Nafesya Amrina Rasyada, S.S., as the keynote speaker.

The program was attended by members of the Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikatan Mahasiswa Sastra Arab or IKMASA) and aimed to encourage participants to understand the importance of strategic thinking in decision-making—especially in high-pressure situations.

In her presentation, Nafesya emphasized the diversity of critical thinking frameworks, highlighting the need for individuals to adapt their decision-making processes to context, timing, and specific needs. Her session covered various perspectives on decision making, types of urgency in both personal and professional settings, the qualities of an ideal leader in decision-making situations, and practical steps toward becoming a responsible individual who can own their decisions—whether right or wrong.

This initiative is part of IKMASA’s ongoing leadership and character development program, designed to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Through this mentoring session, participants were encouraged to distinguish between decisions made under emotional pressure and those resulting from reflection and well-thought-out analysis—an essential skill for future leaders in both organizational and professional environments.

[Public Relation of IKMASA FIB UGM]

Yogyakarta, May 5, 2025 – As part of their language and cultural studies, students from the Beginner 1 Regular Conversation Class at INCULS visited the historic Museum Benteng Vredeburg in Yogyakarta. Located just north of the Yogyakarta Palace, this historical site has witnessed Indonesia’s journey from the colonial era through to independence and beyond. It offers a unique learning experience for international students who are learning the Indonesian language while also exploring its rich historical and cultural background.

The fort was originally named Rustenburg, meaning “resting fort,” when it was built in 1787. Over the years, it underwent several transformations. Following a powerful earthquake in 1867, it was restored and renamed Vredeburg, which means “peace fort.” A hundred years later, in 1987, it was officially opened to the public as a museum.

During the visit, students explored a series of dioramas showcasing key moments in Indonesian history—from the Dutch colonial period and Japanese occupation to the struggle for independence and the post-independence era. Each section was explained by a museum guide using simplified Indonesian, making it easier for students to grasp new vocabulary related to history and culture.

The students were highly engaged throughout the visit, asking questions about Indonesia’s historical figures and milestones while confidently using the language skills they’ve learned in class. The trip concluded with a group photo in the museum’s courtyard, marking a memorable moment in their cultural exploration.

More than just a visit to a museum, the trip gave students a chance to apply their Indonesian skills in real-life situations while deepening their understanding of the nation’s history. It illustrates how language learning becomes more impactful by connecting it with contextual and cultural experiences.

[Public Relation of INCULS, Karnesti Septianingrum]