The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held an orientation session and course registration for National and International Student Exchange participants for the even semester of 2026. The event took place in Meeting Room 1, Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM. It was attended by students from South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei Darussalam, Italy, and Japan, as well as from Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Andalas, and Universitas Udayana. The Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FIB UGM was also present at the event.

The session aimed to provide students with an understanding of the faculty environment and academic system, including class schedules, the academic calendar, and classroom learning culture. In his remarks, the Vice Dean stated, “We hope the students will adapt well and make the most of this opportunity to enrich their academic and cross-cultural experiences.”

Through this activity, FIB UGM seeks to foster an open and collaborative learning environment amid the diverse backgrounds of its students. Cross-campus and cross-country interactions are expected to strengthen academic networks while supporting students’ continuous capacity development.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

An undergraduate student of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, M Deni Maulana, has won the prestigious Daesang (대상) award at the Global Inbound Start-Up Idea Competition held in South Korea. The accolade was awarded for his innovative, contextual, and practical educational start-up concept designed to address the needs of international students.

The global competition brought together 45 participants from 20 universities across various countries. It was organized by Jeonbuk National University, Jeonbuk State, and the Global Innovation Start-Up Center (GISC). The event series took place from November 13 to December 3, 2025, and was held onsite at The May Hotel Jeonju, Jeonbuk State, South Korea. The competition stages included idea submission, concept presentation, mentoring sessions, and final evaluation by a panel of professional judges.

At the international forum, Deni represented Indonesia with a conceptually strong and strategically competitive proposal. He earned the Daesang award for his start-up idea, LinguaLoka, which addresses cross-cultural communication challenges, particularly the gap in understanding dialects and everyday speech varieties that are often overlooked in formal language learning.

Drawing on his academic background in Indonesian Language and Literature and his interest in the Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program, Deni developed LinguaLoka as a local dialect-based language learning application. His experience as an exchange student in South Korea and as an Indonesian language tutor for Korean students significantly shaped the idea. Through direct interaction, he observed that foreign language learners frequently struggle to understand language in everyday conversational contexts, while mastery of dialects often becomes the key to effective social communication.

“Language learning cannot rely solely on formal structures. Dialects and everyday speech contexts play a crucial role in building meaningful communication,” said Deni Maulana.

Conceptually, LinguaLoka features several key components, including real-life conversation simulations, a peer-to-peer language exchange feature, and an educational dialect-guessing game. The application is designed to facilitate Indonesian and Korean students in learning formal language while also becoming familiar with regional dialects used in daily life in both countries.

The panel of judges assessed LinguaLoka as having strong educational value, global development potential, and sustainability as a culture-based educational start-up. Deni’s background as a humanities student was considered a conceptual advantage, as he was able to integrate linguistic studies, BIPA teaching experience, and the practical needs of international students.

This achievement underscores the strategic role of language and literature students in generating cross-disciplinary innovations relevant to global challenges. Through culture-based educational approaches, such innovations are expected to strengthen cross-cultural understanding and foster the development of inclusive and sustainable learning ecosystems at the international level.

Source: M. Deni Maulana
[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

A lecturer of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Achmad Rio Dessiar, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., received an official invitation to participate in a series of academic activities in South Korea from 26–30 January 2026. The invitation included participation in the Global Matching Lab program at Kyungpook National University (KNU), as well as meetings to explore academic collaboration with Yeungnam University in Daegu.

The visit began with participation in the Global Matching Lab at Kyungpook National University (KNU), which involved discussions with Prof. Ahn Mi-ae (Kyungpook National University) and Prof. Lee Mi-hyang (Yeungnam University). In addition to these discussions, the agenda included formulating joint research plans, organizing academic seminars, and exchanging perspectives on Korean language education in the Southeast Asian region. Through this program, sustainable research collaboration between researchers of both institutions is expected to be established, along with academic contributions relevant to each country’s local context.

On the same day, a public lecture was also delivered at Kyungpook National University under the theme The Development of Korean Studies Teaching in Indonesia. The lecture served as a platform for academic exchange while introducing the dynamics of Korean language and Korean Studies education in Indonesia to the international academic community.

As a follow-up to the academic collaboration initiative, a visit was also conducted to Yeungnam University. This visit continued the earlier meeting held on 27 December 2025, when several Yeungnam University faculty members visited the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, to explore potential cooperation.

During the visit to Yeungnam University, discussions were held with the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Noh Sang-rae, and Prof. Lee Eun-jung from the Department of Anthropology, focusing on opportunities for deeper academic and research collaboration. Several forms of cooperation were agreed upon, including a student exchange program that enables students to apply for scholarships and study at Yeungnam University, as well as academic support for those intending to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in the humanities. Yeungnam University also expressed its willingness to issue Letters of Acceptance (LoA) to support scholarship applications.

Participation in this international forum reflects the active role of UGM faculty in expanding global academic networks, strengthening educational and research collaboration, and promoting cross-border knowledge exchange. These efforts also contribute to advancing quality education, sustainable international cooperation, and increased academic mobility for both students and faculty at the global level.

Penulis: Eunike Serafia & Aura Adiba

Yogyakarta, February 13, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a screening of When The Water Horse Seeks A New Home at the 7th Floor Auditorium of Soegondo Building on Friday (13/2) at 2:00 p.m. WIB. The event was attended by Cultural Anthropology students of the Faculty and presented a cinematic work that traces the journey of Rohingya refugees through the story of a small object washed ashore on the coast of Aceh.

Written and directed by Andrianus Oetjoe Merdhi, the film is based on the discovery of a small plastic animal figurine left behind on an abandoned boat once used by Rohingya refugees. The vessel was found stranded on a remote beach in Aceh, nearly two thousand kilometers from the figurine’s place of origin. The small object serves as a silent marker of human movement, loss, and resilience amid displacement.

According to its synopsis, the film follows the object’s journey across oceans and borders in search of its owner. This search unfolds the human story behind the experiences of refuge and forced displacement endured by the Rohingya community.

The project was co-produced by Gerhard Hoffstaedter of the University of Brisbane. The production received support from the University of Bielefeld and Volkswagen Stiftung. The screening, attended by Cultural Anthropology students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, provided a space for discussion on migration, identity, and collective memory. Through a reflective visual approach, the film invites audiences to understand the human dimension of cross-border displacement.

By focusing on a simple object, the film underscores that every trace left behind holds a story. Revisiting such traces becomes an important step in fostering empathy, broadening perspectives, and sustaining humanitarian values amid ongoing global dynamics.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Korean Language and Culture Program Study, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), South Korea, organized a cultural exchange program titled CAUGM 2026. The program was held from January 20–29, 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

CAUGM 2026 served as a platform for cross-cultural and language learning, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge, practices, and cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

The CAUGM 2026 series began with an Opening Ceremony held on January 21, 2026. On this occasion, delegations from Chung-Ang University and Universitas Gadjah Mada presented cultural performances from their respective countries as an introduction to the cultural exchange activities that would take place throughout the program.

During the Opening Ceremony, Indonesian culture presented by students of the Korean Language and Culture Program Study of UGM included Angklung musical performance, Indonesia Menari, Sajojo Dance, Limpapeh Dance, and the martial art Silat. Meanwhile, the Chung-Ang University delegation showcased various aspects of Korean culture, including Taekwondo, K-pop Dance, K-pop Singing, Pansori, 응원단 (cheerleading), and 풍물 (traditional Korean music).

In addition to cultural exchange, the CAUGM 2026 program also featured language exchange activities. Students from the Korean Language and Culture Program of UGM taught Indonesian to Chung-Ang University students, and vice versa. Language learning was conducted based on class levels: 초급반 (Beginner Class), 중급반 (Intermediate Class), and 고급반 (Advanced Class). The lessons were delivered interactively through daily communication practice, peer mentoring, games, and other classroom activities. Through these interactive methods, participants were able to learn the language along with its cultural context in an engaging and enjoyable way.

CAUGM 2026 also provided an opportunity for the general public to experience the cultural exchange through the Korean Festival held on January 24, 2026. In this event, visitors could participate in various cultural activities, including tasting authentic Korean dishes prepared live by Chung-Ang University students. Through this festival, the public was invited to explore Korean culture through culinary experiences and direct interaction with Korean students.

The CAUGM 2026 series concluded with a Closing Ceremony held on January 29, 2026. During this session, the results of the cultural and language exchange were presented, where Indonesian students performed Korean cultural elements they had learned, while Chung-Ang University students presented Indonesian culture.

The performances took place in a warm and lively atmosphere, with students from both UGM and CAU enjoying each presentation, supporting one another, and showing great enthusiasm. This interaction reflected closeness, togetherness, and the success of the cultural and language exchange process experienced throughout CAUGM 2026.

Through the implementation of CAUGM 2026, the Korean Language and Culture Program of UGM hopes that this program will enhance participants’ language competence, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and foster closer international cooperation between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Chung-Ang University in the fields of education and cultural diplomacy.

Author: Eunike Serafia & Aura Adiba