No less than other well-known study programs, it turns out that being a student of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture can also carry pride and inspire other people around! For example, Dian Nitami (Dian) and Miktahul Ulumudin (Ulum) below. Both are students majoring in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, class of 2023 and 2024.

Dian and Ulum were invited to the annual Campus Expo event held by the MAN 1 Tulungagung alumni association, through the Tulungagung Student Communication Forum (FKMT). This Campus Expo was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at MAN 1 Tulungagung. Like Campus Expo events in general, here Dian and Ulum are in charge of educating and sharing experiences about being UGM students. They discussed topics around UGM entrance selection, college fee education, KIP scholarships, and a glimpse of UGM itself.

The Campus Expo itself was attended by 1st – 3rd year, but the seminar session was specifically attended by 3rd year where the class was certainly preparing for the exam to enter college. Dian was invited to be one of the speakers because she was one of the lucky students who had the opportunity to study at UGM with funding assisted by a scholarship. So at this event Dian gave a testimonial that scholarships at UGM are very open to students from any entrance selection path.

From Dian and Ulum’s point of view, MAN 1 Tulungagung students were certainly very happy because they could meet their seniors who were studying at UGM. Then the impressive occasion was when the speakers entered, they were greeted with the Pionir celebration song with the enthusiasm of Mantasa (the name for MAN 1 Tulungagung students) overflowing. Even in the closing session, it was enlivened again by the Pionir celebration dance so that this indicated that MAN 1 Tulungagung students were really enthusiastic about participating in this seminar session.

For Dian, the impression gained from this experience was a sense of joy because this was the first time Dian had the opportunity to be a speaker who of course could educate and motivate the MAN students.

With this valuable story from Dian and Ulum, it is hoped that this can be an inspiration for other student to always be able to provide benefits and spread positive enthusiasm to people around them, that being part of the family of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture students is a pride and not less cool than other majors.

[Public Relation Javanese Literature Faculty of Arts UGM, Fega Achillea Maydena]

Yogyakarta, 3/2/2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada held an open session of the doctoral program on Monday, February 3, 2025 in the Multimedia Room of the Margono Building on the 2nd floor. On this occasion, Dr. Surahmat, S.Pd., M.Hum., a student of the Doctoral Study Program in Humanities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada with a field of linguistic studies who is also a lecturer at the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at Universitas Negeri Semarang, raised a dissertation with the topic “Discourse Analysis of Ethnic Humor in Indonesia: A Study of Eight Ethnic Groups”.

The research conducted by Dr. Surahmat, S.Pd., M.Hum. aims to analyze ethnic humor discourse in Indonesia by describing its type, form, structure, and language use, as well as explaining its ideology and social function in a multicultural society. He revealed that efforts to reveal the ideological meaning of humor are not simple because how humor shapes the knowledge, attitudes, and social practices of a society can differ from one another depending on personal preferences and the influence of the environment or other contexts.

The event started at 10.00 WIB with Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. as the session leader. The session was held with a dissertation test session where there were various questions from each promoter who attended the session. One of the promoters, Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A., started the dissertation test session with a question related to the existence of humor which is likened to a double-edged knife where humor can bring joy, but can also bring sadness to wrath if the recipient of humor feels hurt by the humor directed at him.

Related to this question, in his dissertation, Dr. Surahmat, S.Pd., M.Hum. revealed that humor creators and users should be more observant in creating and using humor so as not to reinforce unfair values, such as marginalization and discrimination. Instead, humor creators and users can use ethnic humor to build collective awareness as a multiethnic nation that must respect each other.

In the final decision of the trial, Surahmat, S.Pd., M.Hum. officially holds a doctoral degree in the field of linguistic studies in the S3 Study Program in Humanities Sciences, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Congratulations to Dr. Surahmat, S.Pd., M.Hum.! Hopefully, his research can contribute to the development of knowledge on humor and linguistic studies.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Malaysia, 7/12/2024 – Two students of the Arabic literature study program successfully presented their essays related to women’s empowerment in the Asean Muslimah Exposure 2024 (AME 2024) event in Malaysia. The program organized by the Qurthubiyah Institute organization was held from December 6 to 8, 2024. As an organization, Qurthubiyah Institute aims to be a forum for empowering Muslim women with character, knowledge, and skilled personality by internalizing Islamic values in life. Thus, the Asean Muslimah Exposure program is designed to increase Indonesian Muslimah’s understanding of social issues through hands-on learning experiences in Asean countries.

In the AME 2024 program, there are three main activities held on Saturday, December 7, 2024. The three activities are Essay Presentation, Panel Discussion, and Campus Tour which took place at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) and University Malaya (UM). Essay Presentation and Panel Discussion activities held at IIUM were not only attended by AME 2024 participants, but also attended by IIUM students who are members of the Islamic Studies Forum Indonesia (ISFI) organization.

In this activity, there were several delegates who presented their papers, and two of them were students of the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The first student was Vanisa Putri Andarista with her essay entitled The Trend of Delaying Marriage “Waithood” In Indonesian Women and How Islam Views It. The essay was awarded The Best Analytical Perspective. While the second student, Ragil Samas Khofifatunnur conveyed ideas in his essay entitled The relevance of “Risalah Perempuan Berkemajuan” to Increasing The Inclusiveness of Women’s Empowerment In Village, and won The Best Delegates Paper award.

From the series of AME 2024 activities, students not only gain experience in making and presenting their essays, but also gain abundant knowledge through the discussions that have been held. In addition, students are also more familiar with the dynamics of lectures in Malaysia, the socio-cultural conditions of the local community, and how Islamic values are implemented there. With the many experiences and insights that have been gained, students are expected to play an active role in disseminating these insights so that the benefits are received by more people, as is the goal of the Qurthubiyah Institute.

[Public Relations of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Sandya Kirani]

A total of six students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences underwent a Certified Cultural Internship program placed at the Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan region X (Yogyakarta – Central Java), this internship is part of the Certified Internship and Independent Study activities. They came from several study programs namely Cultural Anthropology (Amandha Eva, Gemma Padira, Via Vitarina, and Widya Pandega), History (Duhita Prananing Tyasayu), and Arabic Literature (Salma Shidqiyah). The six students were divided into two fields, namely Assistant Cultural Heritage Recorder and Assistant Recorder of Cultural Promotion Objects. For four months from September to December 2024, they had the opportunity to expand their knowledge related to cultural heritage preservation, starting from multi tagging analysis, documentation, the process of determining cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage, data collection, to interviews.

Documentation of internship students while exploring Ijo Temple

Not limited to data collection, interns also have the opportunity to participate in the process of the Cultural Heritage Expert Team hearing and play a direct role in the formation of Regional Cultural Thoughts (PPKD). Before collecting data directly in the field, they were introduced to the Directorate General of Culture and its duties and functions, they also received briefings related to the types and legal protection of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Promotion Objects,

As a final project, they translated the cultural heritage into a magazine entitled Tracing the Charm of Ijo Temple: Civilization Above the Clouds, a “Cultify” podcast inviting KI Gondo Suharno, and flashcards containing several Objects of Cultural Advancement as learning media for students in kindergarten. In addition, they also worked on individual assignments in the form of scientific papers on critical reviews of various aspects of cultural heritage.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sandya Kirani]

In order to support the sustainability of inclusive and sustainable development, it is important to understand how anthropology graduates can utilize their competencies to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) A sharing session held at Sambi Resort on Friday, December 4, 2024 provided interesting insights related to the career journey of anthropology alumni in the development sector and the challenges faced. The event was presented by Reza Altamaha, an alumnus of the cultural anthropology undergraduate program class of 2016 who currently works as a Technical Assistant at Folur Project Indonesia.

With the title “From Theory to Action: Practitioners’ Experience in Driving Change,” Reza talked about the importance of knowledge and learning in building competence, both from a technical perspective and in understanding the various positions available in the development sector. According to him, career paths in this sector have clear stages, starting from entry level roles such as technical assistant and field coordinator, to senior positions such as project director or project advisor. In addition, there are also opportunities for those interested in working as freelancers or consultants.

Challenges in a Development Career

The main challenges faced by those working in the development sector, including in projects such as FOLUR, are funding and bureaucracy. Reza emphasized that communication with project heads is sometimes an obstacle, especially in coordination that involves many parties. In addition, mental health is also an important issue, given the high work pressure in this sector.

Photo of Reza during Sharing Session

Career development and extensive networking are also key in this sector. Reza emphasized the importance of deepening specialization through training and joining mentoring programs to get work-related guidance. In addition, volunteering and hands-on experience with social issues in Indonesia can help build sensitivity to the real conditions faced by society.

Reza also explained the importance of building a contextual CV or CV that is relevant to previous experience and the job being applied for. This is very important to show how academic background and practical experience can be integrated with the desired position in the world of work.

Another topic highlighted next was morality at work. Reza emphasized the importance of personal integrity and considered resigning from a job if moral values are threatened. The decision should be made carefully, considering factors such as financial condition and long-term career choices.

The event was closed with the distribution of one free book entitled “Shadow Play” by Sheri Lynn Gibbings by asking the best question. This was followed by a group photo with all participants.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sandya Kirani]