Gadjah Mada University once again served as a destination for a study tour. This time, UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) warmly welcomed 95 students from MAN 1 Pandeglang at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Unlike typical academic visits, this gathering was organized in a more relaxed manner, with a focus on introducing the culture and dynamics of campus life. Faculty members invited the students to see firsthand how the academic programs at FIB UGM present the study of language, history, and literature in a way that is engaging and relevant to current trends.

The discussion took on a two-way nature as the Q&A session began. The students seemed curious about how cultural studies are applied in the digital age. The conversation flowed lively, covering topics ranging from the use of technology in historical research and fun ways to learn foreign languages to the creative projects of FIB students, which were anything but rigid.

This visit is expected to open new horizons for the students of MAN 1 Pandeglang regarding the importance of cultural literacy. In addition, this trip will serve as a source of motivation for them to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges in college in the future.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Yogyakarta, June 22, 2026 – Three students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) are participating in the 2026 Period II Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada. They have been assigned to Indonesia’s 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) region, specifically on Parang Island and Nyamuk Island in Karimunjawa District.

The three students are Alma Syahwalani (Class of 2023, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program), Keysha Almira Putri (Class of 2023, Tourism Study Program), and Ancelmus Lugas Jejeg Pideksa (Class of 2023, English Literature Study Program). They are members of the KKN Kanvas Paramu 2026 Team, which carries out community empowerment initiatives based on the local potential of the island communities.

The KKN Kanvas Paramu Team is assigned to two islands and divided into four subunits: Parang 1, Parang 2, Nyamuk 1, and Nyamuk 2. Alma and Keysha are assigned to Nyamuk 2 Subunit, while Lugas serves in Parang 1 Subunit.

As villages categorized as part of Indonesia’s 3T regions, Parang Village and Nyamuk Village face various challenges while also possessing significant development potential. Based on a community needs assessment, the KKN Kanvas Paramu Team has designed several programs that focus on community empowerment and sustainable development.

These programs include strengthening community empowerment through education, healthcare, the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and children’s creativity. In addition, the team is committed to promoting sustainable marine ecotourism management and environmental conservation to support Karimunjawa’s tourism potential.

In the environmental sector, the students will implement programs to strengthen coastal environmental management and improve basic village infrastructure. Meanwhile, in the economic sector, their initiatives focus on developing local food resources, promoting the sustainable utilization of coastal resources, and enhancing MSME products through improved distribution networks and sustainable marketing strategies.

Through the implementation of the 2026 KKN-PPM Period II, FIB UGM students are expected to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their studies to make meaningful contributions to local communities. The program also provides valuable experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better understand the social, cultural, and economic conditions of island communities while fostering collaboration between the university and society in achieving sustainable development.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]

On Saturday (29/10/2026), the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a meeting with students who are recipients of the Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo (YAD) scholarship. The event, conducted online via Google Meet, was attended by the Head of the Study Program, Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum.

The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere, serving as both a space for sharing and reflection for the students. Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum., expressed her appreciation to the YAD scholarship recipients who have maintained strong academic performance, with a current cumulative grade point average (GPA) above 3.5. Appreciation was also given for the students’ active involvement in various non-academic activities, particularly those related to the preservation and development of Javanese culture.

In addition, she extended her congratulations to two YAD scholarship recipients who have completed their studies and participated in the Undergraduate and Applied Bachelor graduation ceremony (Period III, Academic Year 2025/2026) on May 21, 2026, namely Endar Sasmito Aji and Haryo Untoro. This achievement is expected to serve as motivation for other students to complete their studies successfully.

In her remarks, Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum., emphasized the importance of sustaining students’ contributions, especially those related to Javanese culture. She reminded them that their achievements should not stop at personal accomplishments but should also bring benefits to society. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of documenting every activity undertaken, not only as a form of accountability, but also as part of a portfolio that can be utilized in the future.

The meeting also served to strengthen the resolve of YAD scholarship recipients in navigating both their academic journey and extracurricular activities. Beyond being a form of appreciation and encouragement, the meeting opened space for students to continue developing their roles within society, particularly in relation to the preservation of Javanese culture.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, June 25, 2026 – The Kuliah Kerja Nyata – Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (KKN-PPM) program at Universitas Gadjah Mada serves not only as a platform for community engagement but also as an opportunity for students to learn about Indonesia’s diverse local traditions and cultures. This was experienced by Alma Syahwalani, a student of the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, who is currently participating in the 2026 KKN-PPM Period II program in Nyamuk Village, Karimunjawa District.

During her program, Alma had the opportunity to participate in the Barikan Ceremony, a traditional ritual practiced by the people of Nyamuk Village as a communal prayer for protection and the well-being of the entire community. The ceremony is held at a village crossroads and attended by local residents.

As part of the tradition, each household brings a tumpeng a cone-shaped serving of yellow rice as a symbol of gratitude and hope for safety and prosperity. Unlike most tumpengan traditions, however, the tumpeng prepared for the Barikan Ceremony is not shared and eaten together. Instead, after prayers led by a respected community elder, the tumpeng is thrown to the gathered participants. The lively and joyful event reflects the strong sense of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and communal spirit that characterizes the people of Nyamuk Village.

According to local residents, the Barikan Ceremony is held regularly every Friday Wage, one of the days in the Javanese calendar. The tradition is also preserved in Parang Village and Karimunjawa as part of the communities’ ongoing efforts to safeguard their cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations.

The Barikan Ceremony shares similarities with the Sedekah Bumi tradition, as both express gratitude to God while also seeking blessings, protection from misfortune, and safety for the community in their daily lives.

For Alma, participating in the Barikan Ceremony was a valuable learning experience throughout her KKN-PPM program. As a student specializing in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, taking part in the tradition allowed her to gain firsthand insight into a living cultural practice that continues to thrive within the community. The experience also broadened her understanding of Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity and reinforced the importance of preserving local traditions as an integral part of the nation’s cultural identity.

[Public Relations, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM]

For most humanities students, the question “What will you do after graduation?” often weighs heavily on their minds throughout their college years. The outdated assumption that Arabic literature graduates will end up only as translators or educators is still commonly heard. However, Desthy Umayah has clearly shattered that old paradigm. This 2011 graduate of the Arabic Literature program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at UGM has successfully demonstrated that a career path for literature graduates can reach the highest echelons of international diplomacy by becoming a diplomat at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City for the 2023–2026 assignment period.

Desthy’s interest in the Arabic language actually began back in school. However, she never imagined that her decision to pursue a degree in Arabic Literature at UGM would lead her to the global stage. UGM not only offers a high-quality curriculum but also provides an academic ecosystem that is attuned to the times.

As the Arab Spring (a wave of revolutions across the Arab world) was unfolding, the Arabic Literature program at UGM actively responded by organizing academic discussions featuring alumni who were working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This moment marked a turning point for Desthy. It was in those small classrooms that she realized the knowledge she was acquiring was vital to analyzing global geopolitical issues.

For Desthy, university is a mental laboratory. While on campus, she actively developed herself through the Arabic Language Student Association (IMABA), the Marching Band, and the Rampoe UGM arts community. It was through these non-academic activities that the soft skills crucial to a diplomat—such as negotiation, public speaking, leadership, and teamwork—developed organically. Recognizing the importance of these non-academic skills, Desthy urged students not to become “butterfly students” (class-home-class-home). According to her, the professional world isn’t just looking for those who excel on paper, but for individuals who are ready to grow and are resilient in the field through organizational experience.

The combination of classroom theory and practical experience in campus organizations proved to be Desthy’s strongest asset when she entered the global arena. One of the academic skills she gained at UGM that became her main tool in the field was her proficiency in the official language required for bureaucratic matters.

“Although the Arabic used in everyday conversation is Ammiya (colloquial Arabic), which varies by country, the Fusha (standard Arabic) taught by our professors during our studies at UGM has actually become a crucial foundation that is extremely useful in a professional diplomatic career,” he explained.

Desthy’s journey conveys a valuable message that will always be relevant to generations of FIB UGM students year after year: success on the global stage does not come overnight, but is the result of making the most of the campus ecosystem. A degree in the field of culture has proven to provide a competitive edge that other academic disciplines lack.

“For me, studying Arabic Literature isn’t just about learning the language; it’s also a foundation that makes us more attuned to culture, helps us understand other people’s perspectives, and ultimately helps me grow as a diplomat,” said Desthy.

In closing, she offered words of encouragement worth pondering for every student currently in college who is uncertain about their future.

“If you love languages, are interested in international issues, and enjoy encountering new perspectives, don’t hesitate. The world of diplomacy can be a really exciting career path to pursue,” she concluded.

Photo: Dhesti Umayah
Author: Zaidan Abdurrahman
Editor: Candra Solihin