Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the First Lecture for the Postgraduate Program for the 2026/2027 Academic Year on Wednesday (26/8). The event, held at the Auditorium of R. Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, was attended by around 250 new master’s and doctoral students under the theme “Research Methods and Ethics in the Humanities”. The event was officially opened with warm remarks from Mrs. Ningrum, who emphasized the importance of academic adaptation and high integrity for young researchers.

Present as the keynote speaker was Professor and Lecturer of the Department of Languages and Literature at FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Drs. Sajarwa, M.Hum. In his presentation, Prof. Sajarwa highlighted that no reputable research begins without a research gap. He thoroughly examined research originality through three main areas (quantity, quality, and limitation) as well as four types of literature gaps, including conceptual, temporal, population group, and methodological aspects. Students are required to expand their literacy and read references deeply before formulating research ideas.

To identify these gaps, students are directed to actively map literature through globally reputable scientific databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. Beyond reviewing scientific articles, students are also encouraged to remain sensitive to empirical reasons in the field—such as threats to humanity, problem-solving needs, historical facts, topicality, extreme conditions, and social deviations—as primary catalysts for research.

At the end of the session, Prof. Sajarwa shared crucial advice regarding scientific writing methodology at the postgraduate level. He urged students to set aside individual egos and build a solid academic tradition. “Do not write alone; write in groups,” he concluded, stressing the importance of collaboration and peer group discussions to produce comprehensive and high-impact research outputs.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Yogyakarta, August 6, 2026 — As part of the PIONIR Kampung Budaya program, new students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in a study program orientation session on August 6, 2026. The session provided an opportunity for new students to become more familiar with the academic environment that will be part of their educational journey in the Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

During the session, students were introduced to the study program’s profile, various academic and non-academic activities within the study program, as well as the faculty members who will support them throughout their studies. Students were also introduced to the new curriculum, which will be implemented for the 2026 cohort.

The curriculum revision is part of the study program’s ongoing evaluation and development, taking into consideration various inputs, including feedback from students and alumni. Through this revision, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program seeks to provide more diverse learning opportunities while giving students greater flexibility to develop competencies according to their interests and areas of specialization.

One of the major changes in the 2026 curriculum is the addition of courses and the introduction of three areas of specialization: Linguistics, Literature, and Culture. Students have the opportunity to select two areas of specialization according to the curriculum track they pursue. This structure allows students to develop a more focused academic interest while broadening their understanding of Korean Studies from different perspectives.

In addition to changes in the course structure, the 2026 curriculum also implements the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 3 and Type 7, in accordance with Article 13D of UGM Rector’s Regulation Number 19 of 2025. Unlike the previous curriculum, which only implemented Type 7, the new curriculum provides alternative pathways for specialization, allowing students greater flexibility in determining their academic direction.

Under the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 7, students may pursue one area of specialization, with the following structure:

1. University curriculum courses: 23 credits;
2. Faculty curriculum courses: 4 credits;
3. Core study program curriculum courses: 90 credits;
4. Study program specialization courses: 15 credits; and
5. Elective courses: 15 credits.

Meanwhile, the Transdisciplinary Development Curriculum Type 3 allows students to pursue two areas of specialization. This curriculum consists of:

1. University curriculum courses: 23 credits;
2. Faculty curriculum courses: 4 credits;
3. Core study program curriculum courses: 90 credits; and
4. Two groups of study program specialization courses, each consisting of 15 credits.

The introduction of the new curriculum during the study program orientation is expected to help new students understand the academic options available to them from the beginning of their studies. With a more diverse and flexible learning structure, students will not only gain a strong foundation in the Korean language and culture but will also have opportunities to develop expertise according to their individual interests.

Through the 2026 curriculum, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program continues to develop an adaptive learning environment that responds to students’ needs and developments in the field, while strengthening connections with academic partners at the international level. This curriculum enhancement is expected to provide a strong foundation for students to develop academic competencies, intercultural perspectives, and readiness to pursue diverse opportunities at both national and global levels.

Author: (Aura Adiba W.L/Eunike Serafia N.S)

The Community Service Program (PkM) entitled “Social Media Etiquette Among Teenagers”, organized by the Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), has continued into its second phase. The activity was held at SMA Negeri 1 Depok, Sleman, as part of an educational series aimed at raising students’ awareness of the importance of practicing politeness in digital communication.

Following the first phase, during which students received instruction on social media etiquette and participated in group activities, the second phase focused on group presentations showcasing the students’ creative projects. This stage provided an opportunity for participants to apply the knowledge they had gained by producing works related to the theme of respectful communication on social media.

During the presentations, each group presented the projects they had prepared in advance. These works took various forms, including flyers and video content conveying messages about the importance of using social media wisely, respectfully, and responsibly. Through their projects, the students illustrated situations commonly encountered by teenagers on social media and demonstrated how polite language and respectful behavior can be applied in digital interactions.

The presentations served not only as a platform for students to demonstrate their creativity but also as an opportunity to engage in discussion and reflect on their own communication habits on social media. The activity encouraged students to recognize that effective social media use extends beyond creating and sharing content; it also involves carefully considering language choices, attitudes, and the potential impact of communication on others.

In addition to the project presentations, students also completed a post-test as part of the overall evaluation of the Community Service Program. The post-test was administered after the completion of all instructional sessions and activities to assess students’ understanding of social media etiquette following both theoretical learning and hands-on experience throughout the program.

The “Social Media Etiquette Among Teenagers” Community Service Program is expected to provide meaningful and contextual learning experiences for students of SMA Negeri 1 Depok, particularly in fostering awareness of the importance of using polite language and demonstrating respectful behavior in digital spaces. By integrating lectures, collaborative activities, creative projects, and evaluation, the program aims not only to deepen students’ understanding of social media etiquette but also to encourage them to apply these principles in their daily lives.

The students’ enthusiasm and creativity in producing and presenting their projects became one of the key indicators of the program’s success. Furthermore, the collaboration between the Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and SMA Negeri 1 Depok is expected to continue contributing positively to the enhancement of language literacy and responsible social media awareness among teenagers.

With the completion of its second phase, the “Social Media Etiquette Among Teenagers” Community Service Program has become a shared learning space for both academics and students, highlighting that politeness is essential not only in face-to-face communication but also in every interaction within the digital environment.

Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held the First-Year Lecture for the Undergraduate Program for the 2026/2027 Academic Year on Tuesday (18/8). The event, which took place in the main hall of the Soegondo Auditorium at FIB UGM, was attended by approximately 800 new students from the class of 2026.

For this year’s lecture, FIB UGM invited a speaker from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM, dr. Bagas Suryo Bintoro, Ph.D. He is a lecturer from the Department of Health Behavior, Environment, and Social Medicine. On this occasion, dr. Bagas presented an important topic titled “Be Kind: Because ‘Just Kidding’ Isn’t Always Kind”.

In his presentation, dr. Bagas highlighted the prevalence of mental health issues affecting adolescents in Indonesia. These issues are often triggered by feelings of loneliness, a lack of someone to talk to, and past trauma. One trigger that often goes unnoticed in social environments is jokes that cross the line. He reminded the audience that in many cases, people intend to joke, but unknowingly end up hurting others’ feelings.

To prevent this, dr. Bagas emphasized the importance of applying basic interpersonal attitudes, such as the habit of saying thank you, apologizing, and building genuine empathy toward others.

The atmosphere of the lecture was warm and interactive. Dr. Bagas occasionally incorporated fresh, relatable humor that resonated with the younger generation, sparking laughter among the attending FIB UGM freshmen.

Through this lecture, the faculty hopes that the core values and materials presented will serve as a valuable foundation for the new students. Consequently, they will be able to navigate their university life well, ethically, and contribute to creating an inclusive and mutually respectful campus environment.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Yogyakarta — The night at Pondok A. Salam, Kalimasada, grew warmer during Unggunan Cerita, a session featuring writer Mahfud Ikhwan as part of the 2026 Literary Camp with Nature and the Universe. In an informal and intimate atmosphere, Mahfud shared stories from his writing journey, discussed his creative process and research, reflected on his fascination with popular culture, and offered his thoughts on literary criticism.

The session gave participants a glimpse into the “creative kitchen” of a writer who has spent years developing his work through persistence, research, and close attention to everyday life.

Mahfud began his literary journey with the novel Ulid Tak Ingin ke Malaysia (2009). His name became increasingly recognized through Kambing dan Hujan: Sebuah Roman (2015) and Dawuk: Kisah Kelabu dari Rumbuk Randu (2017). These works reflect his sustained interest in ordinary people, particularly rural communities and those living on the margins of mainstream society.

During Unggunan Cerita, Mahfud spoke at length about the way he works. Writing a novel, he explained, is not necessarily something that can be completed in a matter of months. Some projects take years—up to nine years for a single novel.

For Mahfud, every novel calls for its own treatment, working process, method, and research. There is no universal formula that can be applied to every book. Literary research, he noted, cannot simply be treated in the same way as academic or scientific research. Its approach depends on the story being written, the world the writer wants to create, and what the work seeks to convey.

He also referred to Haruki Murakami’s writing routine as an example of how a writer can cultivate creative discipline through repetition. Murakami is well known for combining regular running with a disciplined writing practice. For Mahfud, the example demonstrates that creative work also demands consistency and persistence rather than simply waiting for inspiration to arrive.

One of Mahfud’s most interesting suggestions was that writers should not necessarily begin a story with a grand idea or grand narrative. A story can instead emerge from something seemingly small: an incident, a scene, an exchange, or a compelling piece of dialogue.

Such small details can become an entry point into a much larger story. What matters is whether the scene or event can draw readers in, make them want to stay with the story, and leave them curious about what comes next.

This approach means that writers do not have to impose a grand idea on a story from the outset. A seemingly ordinary conversation or minor incident can grow into a complex fictional world when handled with care.

The same sensibility can be seen in Mahfud’s attention to forms of culture outside the established cultural mainstream. He is comfortable engaging with what he calls “low culture and entertainment”—forms of popular culture that are often dismissed or looked down upon.

The lives of ordinary people and communities on the margins, for instance, have become the raw material for his fiction. One example is Dawuk: Kisah Kelabu dari Rumbuk Randu, a novel about life in a rural community that went on to receive a prestigious literary award.

Mahfud’s fascination with popular culture does not remain merely a matter of personal consumption. Dangdut, Indian films, and football have all found their way into his writing.

His interest in football, for example, inspired the novel Bek: Sebuah Novel (2024). His love of Indian cinema became the subject of the essay collection Aku dan Film India Melawan Dunia (2017). His fascination with dangdut and other forms of popular culture later found expression in Kepikiran Dangdut dan Hal-hal Pop Lainnya (2024).

These works demonstrate that literary material does not always have to come from what is considered “high culture.” Everyday life, popular entertainment, social habits, and things that are often dismissed as trivial can all become sources of literary creativity.

For Mahfud, it is precisely in such seemingly ordinary spaces that stories can retain a strong connection to concrete human experience.

Toward the end of the session, the conversation turned to literary criticism. Mahfud explained that good criticism serves a purpose far beyond simply judging a work or pointing out its weaknesses.

He compared literary criticism to singing practice and singing off-key. A singer may not realize that a particular note is slightly out of tune. In much the same way, a writer may not be aware of everything taking place within their own work.

“There are things that even the writer does not know or realize.”

Literary criticism, therefore, can reveal possibilities that remain invisible to the writer. With the right perspective, theory, and method, criticism can become a productive way of reading a work more closely and thoughtfully.

For Mahfud, literary criticism should not be reduced to what is increasingly associated with arguments on social media: sniping at others, trading personal attacks, or creating noise without a clear intellectual basis.

Mahfud has also practiced criticism himself through his book Melihat Pengarang Tidak Bekerja (2022). The book reflects his own approach to criticism: staying close to the literary work while examining authorship and the creative process from a critical perspective.

Ultimately, Unggunan Cerita became more than a conversation about writing techniques. From the long gestation of a novel to his enthusiasm for dangdut, Indian cinema, and football, Mahfud showed that a writer’s creative kitchen can be found almost anywhere.

Stories can grow out of villages, marginal spaces, football fields, Indian films, dangdut stages, or even a seemingly insignificant line of dialogue. What matters is how a writer observes, processes, researches, and gives form to what they encounter.

Under the night sky of Kalimasada, Unggunan Cerita offered a reminder that literature does not always emerge from grand ideas. Sometimes, it begins with something small that someone takes the time to notice—and then patiently works on for years.

Author: Khotibul Umam