Praise to God Almighty, for His blessings and grace we gathered on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Soegondo Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM in good health and happiness, in the context of “Soft Skill Training for Undergraduate Graduation Candidates of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences” Universitas Gadjah Mada, Period III of the 2023/2024 Academic Year. Ferdeo, was the student in charge of guiding the softskill training that afternoon. To start the event, the audience listened to remarks delivered by the Head of the Community Service and Alumni Unit, Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum. Next, there was also an announcement from the Coordinator of Academic and Student Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Sulistiyo, S.Pi., M.M. Next was the announcement made by the Career Development Center Team, which on this occasion was represented by Mr. Dama Qoriy Arjanto, S.S., M.Sc.

Moving on to the next agenda, the core agenda on that day, namely the debriefing session for undergraduate graduation candidates of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Period III of the 2023/2024 Academic Year. In this session, the event was guided by a moderator, namely Dr. phil. Ramada Akmal, S.S., M.A., who is a lecturer at the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program. The speaker who filled the session was Mr. Ari Bagus Panuntun, S.S., M.A., who is the owner and founder of the contemporary bookstore “Warung Sastra”, who is also a lecturer in the French Language and Literature Study Program. The session went smoothly and it is hoped that the knowledge that has been shared can be a blessing and useful for all prospective graduates. Amen. Before closing, the event was continued with socialization delivered by the team from Teleperformance.

On May 17, 2024, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM held another offline class in collaboration with the Korea Foundation. Every semester, they routinely organize classes in cooperation with the Korea Foundation. This semester’s offline lecture was the Korean Business course.

Halfway through the semester, Prof. Kim Su-Eun, the course instructor from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, came directly to the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM to conduct the class in person. The lecture lasted for two hours from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM WIB in room 114 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.

This course focuses on the Korean language commonly used in the Korean business world. The material delivered was highly relevant because the instructor is a native Korean speaker. Therefore, this class was organized to enhance the Korean language skills of students in the Korean Language and Culture program, which will be beneficial for their future careers.

A total of 30 students were enrolled in the course. The lecture proceeded smoothly and constructively. As a memento, the program presented flowers to Prof. Kim Su-Eun at the end of the lecture. After the flower presentation, the session continued with a group photo with Prof. Kim Su-Eun, Mrs. Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., the class coordinator, and all the course participants.

Professor of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., along with the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., accompanied the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr. Omar Alansari, the Rector of Qatar University. This collaboration celebration took place on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Qatar University and was attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar, HE. Ridwan Hassan.

According to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Qatar, this collaboration focuses on the enhancement of Arabic Language and Literature and Islamic studies. The MoU includes a series of collaborative initiatives, including the organization of Arabic for Non-Native Speakers (ANNS) at Qatar University, the exchange of professors, lecturers, scholars, and experts between the two institutions, as well as the organization of conferences, symposia, workshops, and joint lectures in the field of Arabic language and literature. Through this collaboration, both institutions are committed to promoting academic advancement in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The 4th semester students of French Language and Literature study program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a photo exhibition entitled “Problème du Jour: Bonjour” from May 3-17, 2024 at Luweng Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. This exhibition is part of the project of the Introduction to French Literary Theories class with lecturers Prof. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum, DEA, Dr. Arifah Arum Candra Hayuningsih, M.A, and guest lecturer Prof. Elizabeth Drexler from Michigan State University.

The exhibition was designed in the form of project-based and case-based to apply the theories learned in class in a real context. Through the photographs on display, the students raised various social issues and inequalities that exist in Indonesian society. The exhibition is divided into several small themes covering poverty and inequality, the paradox of life in Indonesia, as well as social and educational issues. The themes raised in this exhibition are in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 4 on quality education and SDGs point 10 on reducing inequality. Through their work, students are trying to express the importance of awareness and action in addressing these issues.