Yogyakarta, 25/3/2025 – Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a cooperation meeting with Saxion University on Friday, February 28, 2025. This visit is part of the ongoing cooperation established between the two institutions in recent years and is an important momentum in strengthening academic collaboration globally. The visit was attended by representatives from Saxion University, Jan Willem Meijerhof, as Head of Internationalization, Hospitality Business School, and Jasja Bos, Manager International Partnerships.

The discussion at FIB campus focused on curriculum comparison between the two institutions. The meeting further aims to initiate curriculum alignment as well as explore opportunities for more collaborative program development in the future. With this exchange of insights, it is expected to create a curriculum that is increasingly relevant to the needs of the global tourism industry and produce graduates who are ready to compete at the international level.

Mimi Savitri, M.A. Ph. D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FIB UGM, expressed her hope that cooperation with Saxion University will continue to help implement the vision of the Tourism Study Program in providing quality education with international collaborations. Cooperation between universities, both locally and globally, is a key factor in improving the quality of education, especially in the tourism sector which is dynamic and cross-cultural.

One form of cooperation that is possible to be implemented in the near future is a student exchange program. This program is expected to provide cross-cultural learning experiences for students of both institutions and broaden their horizons in the field of tourism and hospitality. With the exchange program, students are expected to gain broader and new perspectives, understand best practices in various countries, and develop professional networks early on.

The collaboration between the Tourism Study Program of FIB UGM and Saxion University is in line with the commitment to support sustainable development goals, especially SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve Goals. Hopefully, this collaboration will not only strengthen academic collaboration at the global level but also improve the standard of tourism education in Indonesia, create excellent graduates, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.

[Public Relations of Tourism  Department FIB UGM, Muhammad Alif]

Yogyakarta, 25/3/2025 – To enhance collaboration and improve human resources (HR) quality for the next generation, the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Masters Program (KBTT) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), hosted a visit from strategic partners on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Representatives from Darunnajah University Jakarta, along with the Head of Pondok Modern Tazakka in Batang and Mr. Irman Adi Purwanto Moefti, the Trade Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, participated in discussions regarding the challenges and opportunities for HR development in various educational institutions. The visit was warmly received by Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., the Head of the Intercultural Department at FIB UGM, who highlighted the importance of synergy between educational institutions in producing exceptional graduates capable of contributing to sustainable development.

The productive discussion emphasized the crucial role of higher education in enhancing the quality of human resources at Islamic boarding schools and universities. Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., stated that higher education should serve as a strong foundation for students to develop their potential across various fields, particularly in the context of globalization and sustainability. This view is shared by KH. Hadiyanto Arief, S.H., M.Bs., from Darunnajah University Jakarta, who stressed the importance of academic support for students to prepare them for future challenges. Additionally, KH. Anang Rikza Masyhadi, M.A., Ph.D., Head of the Tazakka Modern Islamic Boarding School, highlighted the necessity of ongoing academic collaboration by sending Islamic boarding school cadres to the KBTT Study Program at FIB UGM. This initiative aims to cultivate competent future leaders who can transform Islamic boarding schools into responsible institutions.

This activity not only strengthens the relationships between partners but also opens up new opportunities for community service and more inclusive academic development. Through this discussion, we aim to create strategic programs that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the area of quality education (SDG 4). The collaboration between the KBTT UGM Study Program, Darunnajah University, and Pondok Modern Tazakka is a significant step towards implementing SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships to achieve the goals of building exceptional human resources. These resources will not only be academically competent but also possess a strong social awareness, contributing to the progress of both the nation and the world.

[Public Relations Master of Middle East Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Nafila Azzahra]

Yogyakarta, 24/3/2025 – On Friday, March 21st, 2025, Keluarga Mahasiswa Antropologi (Kemant) UGM went westward to the Faculty of Engineering, to visit the Library of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (DTMI). DTMI has been sending invitations to student bodies all across the university to visit their library, to share what they’ve been developing these past few months: a library that provides a comfortable public space for students. The library sits on the southern part of the department building, right next to the parking lot. The space inside it is moderately big, about twice the size of the Anthropology Reading Room on the fifth floor of Soegondo. In front of the entrance, sits a locker for students to put their bags in.  Next to that is the receptionist table, and next to that are rows of tall bookshelves filled all the way to the top. Books of many different kinds can be found; from the typical engineering books about Autocad and metallurgy, to fictional novels and even some biographies. Beside these bookshelves, many students are sitting in an arrangement of tables – some are doing their homework, some are playing board games, and some are merely socializing with each other. The library has a built-in decibel-meter, used to measure the sound level in the room; it beeps loudly when the sound goes over a certain threshold, a reminder to the students to keep it down. Aside from the main room with shelves and tables, the library also holds two isolated rooms – walled up with glass – to serve as meeting/reading rooms, where students who need more silence can go and sit.

Dhika, a third-year mechanical engineering student serving part-time as the library keeper, explained that this vibrant atmosphere is a relatively new experience. Back then, the DTMI Library was a cramped space that seldom held visitors. With dreams of an easy and accessible public space for students, Dhika and a few friends of his then advocated for the improvement of the library. The space was renovated, lifting up the ceiling and widening the interior. The book collection was expanded to hold more kinds of books, not just limited to engineering guides. Some professors also donated to the library’s collection; not just books, but also board games to enrich the place. Another thing that changed was the opening hours. Whereas back then the library was only open during working hours on Monday to Friday, nowadays the place can be accessed by students from morning until night, seven days a week. With these changes, the library became a gathering place where students can spend their time on campus, facilitated by the existence of myriad books and games in the library. The once-barren place is now filled with student activity, and the whole place became more lively.

After the tour, the Kemant representatives were free to explore the library by themselves. Some read the new book additions that haven’t been sorted into shelves, but most tried to play the board games that are available. While accompanying the excited students, Dhika reiterated the point of this visit: spreading awareness to students from all over UGM about the importance of a common space such as the DTMI Library, and to help realize the dream of a public space for students from all faculties and departments.

[Public Relations of Cultural Anthropology, Amadeus Abhirama Paramanindita]

Yogyakarta, 25/3/2025 – For the past four months, GMIF 2024 students have been immersed in their studies at INCULS, refining their Indonesian language skills in reading, listening, writing, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. However, their learning experience extended far beyond the classroom. Through educational excursions to the Chocolate Monggo Museum & Factory, UGM Museum, and Grhatama Pustaka Library, they gained a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture.

As their time at INCULS drew to a close, students were assigned a final reading task to reflect on their experiences. The overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the quality of instruction. Irakiza Gideon shared his appreciation:

“Their patience and encouragement fostered an environment that nurtured my growth. Now, I can confidently communicate in Indonesian, which is a testament to the effectiveness of their teaching.”

INCULS is not merely a language center; it is a place where students receive guidance from experienced educators while being immersed in Indonesian culture. Many students highlighted the warmth and unwavering support of their lecturers, tutors, and staff.

“Every lecturer is incredibly kind, approachable, and always willing to help,” one student noted.

For some, INCULS became more than an academic institution—it became a home away from home.

“INCULS was not just a place where I learned Indonesian; it was where I found a second family.”
“The lecturers and staff do not simply teach; they cultivate an environment that feels as welcoming as family.”

When describing INCULS in English, many students simply called it “home”:

“INCULS provided not only education but also a profound sense of belonging.”

As their journey at INCULS comes to an end, GMIF students unanimously agree that their experience here is one they will cherish for a lifetime. Their heartfelt testimonials further reinforce INCULS’ reputation as a premier institution for Indonesian language and cultural studies, offering a welcoming and enriching environment for international students.

[Public Relations of INCULS, Decika Syahda Maharani]

Yogyakarta, 4/2/2025 – The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program (KBTT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Coordination Meeting for the even semester of 2024/2025. This meeting was attended by all lecturers, including: Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., M.A., Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Lasiyo, M.A., M.M., Prof. Dr. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, M.A., Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, M.A., Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, M.Hum., Dr. Arifuddin, Lc. M.A., and Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A. The meeting commenced with remarks from the Head of the Intercultural Department, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. He emphasized the significance of collaboration among lecturers to create a better future for the study program and the students in the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program. “We must fulfill this teaching mandate to the best of our abilities for our collective progress,” stated Prof. Sangidu. This message aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in supporting quality education as a foundation for sustainable development.

The meeting continued with a session led by Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., the Secretary of the Intercultural Department, focused on the lecture system. The purpose of this session was to ensure that all participants shared a common understanding of the lecture system and the learning strategies that will be implemented in the upcoming semester. Attendees engaged in intensive discussions to design innovative teaching methods that cater to student needs and respond to global developments. It was agreed that strong collaboration among lecturers is essential for producing competent and competitive graduates successfully.

The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program aims to enhance its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through this coordination meeting, particularly focusing on quality education (SDG 4) and partnerships to achieve the goals (SDG 17). The collaboration among lecturers is expected to develop a curriculum that is not only academically focused but also promotes sustainable values. This initiative demonstrates the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program’s commitment to nurturing a generation capable of effecting positive change within the global community.

[Public Relations Master of Middle East Faculty of Cultural Sciences FIB UGM, Nafila Azzahra]