Five students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in the 2026 Youth Peace & Reunification Golden Bell Quiz (2026 청소년 평화통일 골든벨 대회) organized by the Peace Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) at Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS), Jakarta.

The competition attracted participants from various educational institutions. Beyond assessing Korean language proficiency, the event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Korean history, culture, and issues surrounding peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the organizers and school representatives, followed by the singing of the Korean national anthem, an opening performance, and several competition rounds for both Korean and Indonesian participants. After preliminary rounds, second-chance rounds, and final rounds, the event concluded with the announcement of winners, a networking session between Indonesian and Korean participants, closing performances, and an award ceremony.

In this competition, Claudia Keishia Piji Swastika, 1st year student, received the Encouragement Award (장려상, 4th Winner). Meanwhile, Irene Xaviera Lovryna, 2nd year student, achieved the Excellence Award (최우수상, 2nd Winner). These accomplishments reflect the students’ dedication and hard work in developing their Korean language proficiency while expanding their understanding of international issues.

Claudia expressed her gratitude for the achievement:

“This was a truly memorable experience, especially because it was my first time participating in an in-person Korean language competition. Although I initially lacked confidence, I am very grateful to have made it into the top four out of approximately 130 participants. This experience has motivated me to continue learning and improving. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi, and my family for their trust, support, and encouragement.”

Similarly, Irene shared her appreciation for the opportunity:

“I am very grateful for the valuable opportunity to represent UGM for the first time in this year’s Golden Bell competition. Although I was initially quite pessimistic about being able to memorize all the materials, by God’s grace, finishing in the Top 2 was something I had never imagined. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi for trusting me to participate, my fellow participants, as well as the committee members and JIKS teachers who were incredibly supportive. I am proud to have been part of this experience. All the effort, time, and dedication invested throughout the journey were truly rewarded through this competition. I hope this experience will serve as motivation and a valuable lesson for my future endeavors. 그리고, 내년에도 꼭 다시 도전하고 싶습니다. 정말 감사했습니다!”

The participation and achievements of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program students in this competition demonstrate the program’s commitment to supporting academic excellence, foreign language proficiency, and cross-cultural communication skills. Through activities such as this, students not only gain valuable competitive experience but also have opportunities to build networks and strengthen intercultural understanding.

[Eunike Serafia N.S]

On Friday (June 5, 2026), we had the opportunity to interview Professor Emerita of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Noriah Mohamed, who is also an alumna of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program (formerly Javanese Literature) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Interestingly, despite being from Malaysia, she possesses a strong affinity for Javanese culture.

In the interview, she shared that she is still deeply connected to her Javanese heritage. “My father’s parents were Javanese. My grandfather was from Solo, while my grandmother was from Kebumen,” she shared. Her interest in Javanese culture also grew from childhood experiences. “When I was a child, my grandfather enjoyed singing Javanese songs (nembang), and that is where my interest began to grow.”

In short, she later enrolled in the Javanese Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and wrote her undergraduate thesis on the Javanese people in Selangor. Her interest in Javanese culture did not stop there. She also enjoys various Javanese literary works, such as the tales of Damarwulan and Panji Jayengtilam.

Her interest in Javanese literature later led her to a manuscript titled Serat Jayengbaya. The term Jayengbaya itself is a combination of the words jaya + ing + baya, which means ‘triumphant over danger.’ There is something unique in this text: Ranggawarsita, as the author, uses hypothetical forms, such as “if I were…”, covering various states of being, ranging from professions and animals to God. She later developed her study of the text into her Master’s thesis in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada, which has now been published.

During the conversation, she assessed that Javanese culture today is experiencing a decline, both in Malaysia and in Indonesia. This condition, according to her, is a shared challenge to revive cultural values that are beginning to erode. Therefore, she emphasized the importance of the younger generation rediscovering their identity. “We need to recognize ourselves, to know who we are. Do not become someone else. Furthermore, culture should not only be studied but also practiced and passed down,” she explained.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment on the international stage. A team of 12 students successfully won the K-Speech Jingle Singing Contest 2026, organized by the Korea Speech Eloquence Association. The competition brought together individual and group participants from various countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Ethiopia, and several others.

In the competition, participants performed the official K-Speech jingle entitled “외쳐봐 한국웅변”, which promotes the courage to speak, deliver speeches, and express ideas in Korean. Through its inspiring and energetic lyrics, the song encourages Korean language learners to improve their speaking skills while building confidence in communication. With a well-coordinated, expressive, and spirited performance, the UGM team successfully demonstrated both strong vocal abilities and a deep understanding of the message conveyed in the song.

The journey to victory was far from easy. The UGM team had to go through five stages of selection over a period of more than six months. The preliminary screening was held in late November 2025, followed by the first YouTube video evaluation on December 15, 2025. The second YouTube video evaluation took place on March 13, 2026. Participants then advanced to an online judging session conducted via Zoom on March 15, 2026, before competing in the final round in May 2026. The winning video is scheduled to be showcased during the K-Speech Grand Final in South Korea on October 8, 2026.

One of the team representatives, Theresia Chindyawati (2nd year student), expressed her gratitude and pride regarding the achievement she attained together with her teammates.

“This was the first time the jingle competition had ever been held, and since the participants came from various countries, we honestly did not expect to win. Throughout the long selection and practice process, there were certainly moments when we felt tired. However, because we spent so much time together, we became closer and more united as a team, which made the practices much more enjoyable.

I would like to sincerely thank all the members of the jingle team for their enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication. At the same time, all team members were also participating in the K-Speech Big Group category, and thankfully both teams managed to win the grand prize. I would also like to express my gratitude to Ms. Alfi as our supervisor and Ms. Anggita as our vocal coach for their patience, guidance, and support throughout the preparation process. Thank you for the valuable experience and all the wonderful memories!”

This achievement demonstrates that students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM excel not only in academics but also actively develop their potential in the fields of arts, language, and culture through various international competitions.

The success achieved by the team is expected to inspire other students to continue developing their talents and skills, seize opportunities at both national and international levels, and actively contribute to promoting Korean language and culture through activities that foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.

For those who are interested in watching the team’s performance of the jingle “외쳐봐 한국웅변”, the video can be viewed through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_kzsabSxs&list=PLM_kkY5y1vKkwmhuJzxqQR6W2EsSHHTR3

Universitas Islam Indonesia hosted the Qatar Debate Indonesian Chapter, widely known as UNISI Debate. This prestigious competition brought together 16 universities across Indonesia—including public, private, and Islamic higher education institutions—and involved 22 professional adjudicators with expertise in Arabic debate.

The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada participated by sending four student delegates: Hashifa Zara Ahfiyani and Ahsana Matswayasha (fourth semester), as well as Ismail and Rayya Adhiya Syifa (second semester). The team competed in five preliminary rounds held over two days.

During the first three rounds on April 11, 2026, the UGM team faced Institut Darul Ulum Banyuanyar, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim, and Universitas Sebelas Maret. The fourth and fifth rounds, held on April 12, 2026, saw the team competing against a swing team (a combined team from Universitas Islam Indonesia and UIN Sultanah Nahrasiyah Lhokseumawe), before facing UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim once again.

Out of the five rounds, the UGM team secured two victories—during the third round against Universitas Sebelas Maret and the fourth round against the swing team. In the fourth round, one of the delegates, Ismail, was also awarded Best Speaker.

This participation marked the team’s first experience in a national-level Arabic debate competition connected to an international platform. One of the delegates, Rayya, noted that the experience serves as an initial step toward revitalizing Arabic debate activities at UGM. She also emphasized that the preparation process and competition provided valuable lessons, including improving language proficiency, developing argumentation skills, and strengthening teamwork.

Beyond competition, this participation represents an important milestone for students to grow, build confidence, and contribute to reviving the culture of Arabic debate within the academic environment.

Author: Hashifa Zara Ahfiyani

Gadjah Mada University Language Center, through its Foreign Languages Learning Services (FELLAS), in collaboration with the British Council Indonesia, held an IELTS Writing Workshop on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The event took place at the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, and was attended by students and members of the general public who wished to improve their writing skills for the IELTS exam.

The workshop aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of writing strategies for the IELTS Writing section, including techniques for structuring arguments, developing ideas, and managing time during the exam. Through this collaboration with the British Council Indonesia, participants received materials and insights directly from experts with extensive experience in IELTS instruction and preparation.

During the workshop, participants not only received theoretical instruction but also took part in practice sessions and discussions of sample IELTS Writing answers. This event is expected to help participants improve their academic skills and English communication abilities, as well as increase their chances of achieving an optimal IELTS score for international study or career purposes.

The IELTS Writing Workshop is one example of the UGM Language Center’s commitment to supporting the development of foreign language proficiency among the academic community and the general public. Through various training programs and language services, FELLAS continues to strive to offer activities that are relevant to the needs of education and human resource development in the global era.

This event also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing access to language skills training and enhancing participants’ academic capacity. Furthermore, the collaboration between the UGM Language Center and the British Council Indonesia reflects the implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasizes the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in expanding learning opportunities and improving the quality of education.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]