Depok, 5–6 October 2026 — The Indonesian Association of Postgraduate Linguistics Programs (Perkumpulan Program Pascasarjana Linguistik Indonesia, PROPLI) held a meeting on 5–6 October 2026 at the Toety Herati Noerhadi Auditorium, R.M. Ng. Poerbatjaraka Building, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Depok. The meeting addressed key issues concerning the strengthening of the association and the development and alignment of postgraduate linguistics curricula across Indonesia.

The meeting opened with a report by PROPLI Chair Dr. Triaswarin Sutanarihesti, who outlined the organization’s development since its establishment in 2018. The association was initially founded at Universitas Gadjah Mada under the name APMALI (Asosiasi Program Studi Magister Linguistik Seluruh Indonesia), with Prof. Suhandano as its chair. In 2024, a change in leadership coincided with a change of name to PROPLI. Its membership was subsequently expanded to include doctoral programs in linguistics, in addition to master’s programs.

One of the main agenda items was the process of obtaining a notarial deed for the association. The session featured notary Fatma, S.H., M.Kn., M.H., and was moderated by Dr. Triaswarin Sutanarihesti. The discussion aimed to ensure that the administrative and institutional requirements for the association’s formal establishment were properly addressed.

PROPLI also discussed restructuring its organizational leadership, including the positions of chair, vice chair, supervisory board, treasurer, secretary, and supporting divisions. The association’s assets, currently recorded at IDR 33 million, were also discussed as part of its organizational administration.

The meeting further addressed the graduate profile for master’s programs in linguistics in Indonesia. PROPLI recommended that graduates be qualified as language experts, with competencies aligned with Level 8 of Indonesia’s National Qualifications Framework (Kerangka Kualifikasi Nasional Indonesia, KKNI) and the National Standards for Higher Education (SN-Dikti).

Aligning Postgraduate Linguistics Curricula

The next session focused on aligning curricula with the latest higher education regulations. The session featured Prof. Dr. Made Sri Setyawati, M.Hum., and Prof. Oktavianus, and was moderated by Dr. Putu Pramania Adnyana.

The discussion covered several key considerations in curriculum development: the focus and workload of study programs, curriculum structure and competency matrices, flexibility and updated learning materials, and support for research.

The meeting noted that the minimum study load for master’s programs is governed by Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 39 of 2025 on Higher Education Quality Assurance, as well as UGM’s internal regulations: Rector Regulation No. 23 of 2024 on Education and Rector Regulation No. 19 of 2025, which amends the earlier regulation. Under the provisions discussed, master’s programs must comprise at least 36 semester credit units (SKS).

Beyond credit requirements, participants discussed how to balance core competencies with the distinctive academic strengths of individual universities. The core curriculum is expected to establish a shared set of competencies, while each university may retain distinctive elements that reflect its academic profile and areas of strength.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity in learning outcomes across degree levels. Master’s students in linguistics, for example, are expected to develop a sound understanding of microlinguistics, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, as well as one area of macrolinguistics relevant to their field of study.

Differences in expected competencies at each degree level were also discussed. Undergraduate programs emphasize descriptive skills, master’s programs focus on explanatory skills, and doctoral programs are expected to develop both explanatory and discovery-oriented capabilities. Participants also emphasized the need to distinguish course titles across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs to reflect their respective levels of competency. For example, a bachelor’s program may offer Introduction to Semantics, while a master’s program may offer Advanced Semantics.

The curriculum discussion also covered different modes of postgraduate study, including research-based programs (by research), coursework-based programs (by course), and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Curriculum development is expected to respond to the needs of postgraduate linguistics education while preserving the academic distinctiveness of each university.

The PROPLI meeting brought together representatives of postgraduate linguistics programs from various universities to discuss institutional development and the future direction of linguistics education in Indonesia. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to inform further efforts to strengthen the association and align postgraduate linguistics curricula across the country.

Author: Master’s Program in Linguistics

Students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), have once again achieved an inspiring milestone in a Japanese language competition. The FIB UGM student team successfully secured 1st Place in the Chuukyuu (intermediate level) category at the 23rd Kanji Cup, held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the LP3M building of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa).

The competition was organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Surabaya, the IMC Center, and The Japan Foundation, Jakarta. The Kanji Cup is an annual competition that tests participants’ mastery of kanji, a vital aspect of learning the Japanese language.

The victorious FIB UGM team in the Chuukyuu category consisted of two Japanese Language and Culture Study Program students: Muhammad Alimahdi and Koeszahra Ganyo Saharasza. Both demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork in overcoming various challenges related to intermediate-level kanji proficiency.

This achievement serves as tangible proof of the ability of FIB UGM Japanese Language and Culture students to apply the knowledge gained during their lectures. Beyond testing kanji proficiency, the competition provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop thoroughness, quick thinking, and collaborative skills in a competitive environment.

This success is expected to motivate other students to continuously improve their Japanese language skills, both through academic activities and participation in various competitions. The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM also hopes that this accomplishment will serve as an ongoing encouragement to enhance learning quality and support student potential in achieving success on a broader scale.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

The Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the Art Conservation Study Program at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Area Management Agency (BPKSF), and Technische Universität (TU) Wien, Austria, organized a workshop titled “From Tugu to Panggung Krapyak: Storytelling about Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis for Children” on September 1–2, 2026. Held in Room 709, Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, this event aimed to introduce the cultural heritage values of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis to children through creative and interactive storytelling.

The workshop featured speakers from all four collaborating institutions: Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., Head of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM; Dr. Prima Dona Hapsari, M.Hum., Head of the Art Conservation Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta; Nano Warsono, M.Sn., from ISI Yogyakarta; Drs. Aryanto Hendro Suprantoro, Head of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Area Management Agency; and Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Ulrike Herbig from TU Wien, Austria. This collaboration brought together perspectives in literature, art, cultural heritage management, and academic studies to develop culturally appropriate ways of conveying cultural values tailored to children.

Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis consists not only of historical buildings and areas but also embodies philosophical values and cultural knowledge that are vital to pass down to future generations. Through storytelling, these values are transformed into narratives closely aligned with children’s experiences. Characters, fairy tales, wayang (puppetry), songs, and games can be utilized as media to help children recognize and understand the meaning of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis in an engaging way.

During this workshop, children’s literature students from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM were involved in story development and storytelling practices. Meanwhile, students from the Art Conservation Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta contributed by developing properties and interactive visual media to support the storytelling. This activity served as a practical space for students to develop creative approaches in introducing cultural heritage to children.

The series of activities continued with an exhibition during the JWHF agenda on September 29, 2026, in front of the Yogyakarta City DPRD Building. Students from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM actively assisted and manned the exhibition booth, introducing Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis through live oral storytelling to visitors. This direct oral presentation served as an effective way to bring the philosophical and historical values of the Philosophical Axis closer to the public in an interesting and easily digestible manner. Student involvement in this initiative also supports cultural heritage preservation efforts through youth participation.

This collaboration aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 on Quality Education through the development of creative and inclusive cultural learning, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through cooperation between universities and cultural heritage management institutions.

Author: Indonesian Language and Culture

Yogyakarta, September 30, 2026 — The Undergraduate Program in Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with Kompas Gramedia, Bentara Budaya, and Penerbit Julang, held the launch of Janji yang Harus Ditepati: Promises to Keep, a collection of poetry by Sitor Situmorang, edited and translated by Harry Aveling. The event took place on Wednesday (30/9) starting at 1:00 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB) until completion, in Room 709, 7th Floor of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.

The book launch featured several speakers from literary, academic, and literary translation backgrounds. Harry Aveling participated as a literary translator, Keith Foulcher as a literary historian, Muhammad Haji Salleh as an academic and national poet, and Ramayda Akmal as a writer and lecturer at FIB UGM. Three of the speakers—Harry Aveling, Keith Foulcher, and Muhammad Haji Salleh—joined the discussion online, while Ramayda Akmal attended in person. The discussion was moderated by Ni Made Purnama Sari, a writer.

In addition to the discussion, the event featured poetry readings by Rinai Yasmin, Ratu Bagus Lembayung, Alna Hafifah, and Ki Winarto Sabdo. Two of the poetry performers, Ratu Bagus Lembayung and Alna Hafifah, are students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM. These poetry readings served as a medium to bring Sitor Situmorang’s literary works directly to the audience while broadening appreciation for Indonesian poetry through the readers’ interpretations.

This book launch provided an opportunity to connect readers with Sitor Situmorang’s works through the lenses of editing, translation, literary criticism, and poetry performance. The diverse backgrounds of the speakers also opened up avenues for exchanging ideas regarding Indonesian literature and the role of translation in expanding cross-lingual readership.

The collaboration between the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program of FIB UGM, Bentara Budaya, and Julang forms part of an effort to expand the space for literary appreciation and discussion through partnerships between educational institutions and cultural organizations. This event supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education through the reinforcement of literacy and literary appreciation, as well as SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals through cross-institutional collaboration in supporting the development and promotion of literary works.

Author: Indonesian Language and Literature Program