Yogyakarta, October 25, 2025 – The annual English Days 2025 event made its return, organized by students of the English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). This year’s series of activities features a stage play titled “Deserved It,” an English-language drama filled with tension and secrets within the dynamics of friendship.

The play “Deserved It” tells the story of Mickey, a mysterious new student whose arrival brings major changes to the circle of friends—Chloe, Valerie, Anders, Dash, Jennifer, and Jason. One by one, their hidden secrets begin to unravel, drawing the audience into a gripping, emotional, and unpredictable atmosphere. With sharp dialogues, a suspenseful storyline, and energetic performances, “Deserved It” promises an immersive and memorable theatrical experience.

Beyond the theater performance, English Days 2025 also offers a variety of other exciting activities. From October 25–31, visitors can enjoy a 2000s nostalgia exhibition displayed along the first-floor corridor of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM. On October 30, 2025, a Movie Screening Workshop will be held, inviting participants to watch and discuss “The Lovely Bones,” a cinematic masterpiece rich with themes of loss, hope, and justice. The workshop is open to students and the general public who wish to deepen their appreciation of film while honing their critical analysis skills in English.

As the grand finale, on October 31, 2025, English Days will host its annual Halloween Party, a much-anticipated event where students can express themselves, socialize, and celebrate creativity in the spirit of Halloween costumes and decorations.

Carrying this year’s central theme, English Days 2025 aims to provide a platform for students to express ideas, strengthen togetherness, and showcase their English proficiency through art and popular culture. The organizing committee hopes that this annual event will continue to serve as a collaborative space where students can practice English in real contexts while exploring their interests in performing arts and global culture.

All English Days 2025 activities are open to the public and will take place within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. For more information, visit the official Instagram account @englishdays_ugm and TikTok @englishdays.ugm.

[English Literature, IMAJI]

Yogyakarta, October 20, 2025 — The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an event titled Expert Lecture: The Transformation of the Indonesian Language in Digital Media on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Room S709, Soegondo Building, 7th Floor. The event brought together three distinguished linguists from various Indonesian universities: Prof. Dr. Munira Hasjim, M.Hum. (Professor at Hasanuddin University), Dr. Bernadette Kushartanti, M.Hum. (Lecturer at Universitas Indonesia), and Dr. Sailal Arimi, M.Hum. (Lecturer at Universitas Gadjah Mada), moderated by Deni Ferdiansa, S.S., M.A. The discussion served as an important platform to explore the dynamics and challenges of the Indonesian language amid the rapid pace of digitalization.

In her presentation, Prof. Munira Hasjim emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in the use of the Indonesian language to prevent degradation in the digital era. She highlighted four major linguistic phenomena that characterize language transformation in online spaces: the widespread use of acronyms and abbreviations such as bucin, mager, and gercep; creative manipulation of graphemes and orthography, such as using all lowercase letters or excessive capitalization; frequent code-switching with English in everyday expressions; and the rising use of harsh or offensive language in social media interactions. According to her, these shifts are driven by three main pillars — digital identity, community solidarity, and communication technology — which have turned language into not only a communication tool but also a medium for self-expression and a marker of social belonging in virtual spaces.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bernadette Kushartanti discussed the role of digital media as an inseparable part of modern life, especially for Generations Z and Alpha. She explained that their linguistic behavior reflects their social identity in the online world, with code-switching and the use of slang serving as expressions of cultural belonging, social status, and individuality in a multicultural environment. Bernadette also cautioned that excessive exposure to digital media can affect behavior, leading to issues such as anxiety, impatience, and reduced self-reflection. Therefore, she stressed the importance of digital literacy and linguistic awareness to ensure that creativity in online language use remains aligned with good language values and norms.

In his presentation, Dr. Sailal Arimi examined how language phenomena on social media reflect the collective identity of today’s youth. Terms such as “Negara Konoha” and “Warga +62” have emerged as satirical symbols representing both social critique and a sense of belonging among the digital generation. He noted that virtual communication serves two main purposes — efficiency and self-expression. Digital language enables users to exchange information quickly through abbreviations like FYP while also asserting social identity and perspective through expressions such as ACAB or SJW. This illustrates that in the digital era, language is not only changing in form but also in its social function as a tool for community building in virtual spaces.

These phenomena enrich the Indonesian lexicon, expand linguistic variation, and demonstrate the vitality of the language. However, they also present challenges, including declining awareness of formal linguistic norms and potential miscommunication across contexts. The event concluded in an engaging atmosphere, with many students enthusiastically asking questions and engaging in direct dialogue with the speakers, making the forum not only informative but also interactive and full of academic energy.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, October 21, 2025 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held its graduation ceremony for 184 postgraduate students, consisting of 173 master’s and 11 doctoral graduates in the first period of the 2025/2026 academic year. The ceremony took place at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, marking a moment of celebration and recognition for the graduates’ dedication and perseverance throughout their academic journey.

A total of 102 graduates earned the Cum Laude distinction, reflecting not only their academic excellence but also their resilience and commitment to the humanities.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics produced the largest number of graduates with 66 students, followed by the Master’s in Literature with 46 graduates, and both the Master’s in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies and the Master’s in Anthropology, each with 16 graduates. At the doctoral level, the Doctoral Program in Humanities recorded the highest number with nine graduates. Other programs contributing to this period’s graduation include Master’s in History (10), Master’s in American Studies (10), Master’s in Archaeology (9), Doctoral Program in American Studies (1), and Doctoral Program in Anthropology (1).

The highest GPA and shortest study period among master’s graduates was achieved by Kyra Andhayu Noer from the Master’s Program in Archaeology, who completed her studies with a GPA of 3.96 in 1 year, 1 month, and 10 days. At the doctoral level, Ria Yuliati from the Doctoral Program in Humanities achieved a GPA of 3.81 with a study duration of 3 years, 11 months, and 8 days.

On average, the GPA of master’s graduates reached 3.78, while the doctoral graduates’ average GPA was 3.80. The Master’s in Middle Eastern Cultural Studies achieved the highest average GPA of 3.84, reflecting strong academic performance and dedication to interdisciplinary cultural studies.

In a deeply moving moment, the Faculty also paid tribute to one of its postgraduate students, Nanang Syaifudin, S.Hum., M.A., from the Master’s Program in Linguistics, who passed away before the graduation ceremony. Known for his diligence, humility, and passion for learning, his diploma was received symbolically by his parents during the ceremony. Their presence was met with heartfelt respect and emotion from the entire audience. The Faculty expressed its highest appreciation for Nanang’s commitment and prayed that his good deeds and knowledge continue to benefit many, while his family finds strength and solace.

This graduation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a moment of reflection on the deeper meaning of education — one that nurtures empathy, integrity, and humanity. Through this occasion, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences reaffirms its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Graduates of FIB UGM are expected to become agents of positive change, carrying forward the values of culture, ethics, and humanity into their communities. With their knowledge and character, they are ready to take part in shaping a more inclusive, civilized, and sustainable world.

Yogyakarta, October 13, 2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continued its Entrepreneurship course series with the seventh session featuring a new speaker, Diyah Wikan Rakhmatika, S.S., M.A.—an academic and business practitioner with extensive experience in Islamic economics and financial management. In this session, Arabic Study Program students explored the crucial topic of Financial Management in Entrepreneurship.

During the lecture, Diyah emphasized that financial management is the backbone of business sustainability, where maintaining a balance between income and expenditure must be grounded in transparency and accountability. She highlighted that many entrepreneurs, especially in the UMKM sector, struggle to grow because they mix personal and business finances. Therefore, students were encouraged to understand the importance of financial separation, regular transaction recording, proper budgeting, and periodic financial evaluations to assess business performance effectively.

The lecture also covered three essential financial reports that every aspiring entrepreneur should master: the income statement, cash flow statement, and simple balance sheet. These reports serve as critical tools for measuring profitability, maintaining positive cash flow, and understanding the overall financial health of a business. Diyah further introduced the concepts of cash flow management and reinvestment strategy as strategic approaches to maintaining financial stability and supporting long-term business growth.

Beyond the technical aspects, Diyah also discussed the ethical and social responsibilities of financial management. She linked sound financial practices with the principles of sustainability, emphasizing that business profits should not solely benefit the owner but also contribute to the well-being of employees, communities, and the environment—such as through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Through this seventh session, students of the Arabic Study Program at UGM were expected not only to understand financial management theory but also to apply it in their ongoing business plan projects. With strong financial literacy, students can build ventures that are not only profitable but also ethical and sustainable.

This entrepreneurship class also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing practical entrepreneurship education, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering competent young entrepreneurs, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by instilling values of efficient and ethical resource management.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah

The Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), welcomed students from Osaka University, Japan, from September 10 to 20, 2025. For ten days, they studied Indonesian language and explored Javanese culture in Yogyakarta, accompanied by lecturer Prof. Dr. Yumi Sugahara.

Activities included visits to Pakualaman Palace, Wotawati Village, the Jogja Archive Diorama, the Yogyakarta Palace, the Sonobudoyo Museum, Prambanan Temple, and Borobudur Temple. In addition, the Osaka students received guidance from UGM students who acted as tutors and conversation partners on the customs of Indonesian society.

The closing ceremony was held on September 19, 2025, with a presentation of the observation results at FIB UGM. That evening, the Osaka University student group performed at the Gugur Gunung XIV event at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, singing two songs, Tsubasa wo kudasai and Doraemon no Uta, in Indonesian. The visit concluded on September 20, 2025, with the students’ return to Japan.

This program is a form of strengthening academic cooperation between Gadjah Mada University and Osaka University. It is hoped that this cultural visit will not only be a forum for academic cooperation, but also a place for learning and understanding between cultures. In addition, this activity contributes to the introduction and preservation of cultural values that form the identity of both nations. Thus, this program is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the aspects of quality education (point 4) and partnerships for the achievement of common goals (point 17).

Author: Haryo Untoro & Yasmin Nabiha Sahda
Editor : Haryo Untoro