Research collaboration is encouraged by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada recently. One such research collaboration is a research project between the Department of Anthropology UGM and the Department of Cultural Anthropology Udayana, which took the topic of “Balinese Local Genius: Key to Stunting Reduction in Pedawa, Bali.”. This research was funded by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and is part of an implementation of SDG Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

The research was conducted by four researchers: Atik Triratnawati and Novitasari Ardianti from UGM, and Aliffiati and Azzahra Alivya Prasetio from Udayana University. The research was conducted in Pedawa Village, Buleleng, a Bali Aga village that maintains traditional lifestyles and parenting practices. The research was conducted in June, August, and September 2023.

The research findings showed that Balinese local genius, which is still strongly held by the Pedawa community, positively impacts the health of mothers and babies. This is evident in the community’s adherence to adat or the culture, such as following a series of birth ceremonies, using local ingredients as the main food source for toddlers, and the emergence of gender equality in the family. The success of stunting reduction in this village is also supported by modern medical services, including midwifery agencies, the success of the Family Planning program (Keluarga Berencana Program), and the strong empowerment of cadres. 

To deepen the study of Southeast Asia and deepen academic cooperation with Indonesia, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences held a special visit to the NCCU College of Foreign Language and Literature on December 15, 2023 (Friday). The delegation on this visiting team was Prof. Setiadi, M. Si., dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, SS, M. Hum, dean of academic and student affairs, and Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A., a representative from the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies.

First of all, the Dean of NCCU College of Foreign Language and Literature, Zheng Jiayu, gave the opening speech. He thanked the group of guests from Indonesia who had come to visit. Next, the conversation was continued by Vice President Zhao Jingqi who gave a brief explanation about the NCCU College of Foreign Language and Literature. After that, we continued with Assistant Professor Cheng Ji Shiwei and Assistant Professor Bao Qiyun from the Bachelor of Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures who each introduced plans regarding Indonesian language courses and academic activities.

In the next material presentation session, Prof. Setiadi, M. Si., gave a presentation on the internationalization of Indonesian. Then Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, SS, M.Hum explained the academic environment of Gadjah Mada University by explaining the INCULS program owned by FIB UGM. The presentation from the FIB UGM team was closed by Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. explained that ASEAN Identity consists of politics and security, economics, society, and culture. The community supports Southeast Asia’s plan to build a community of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” in the future.

Finally, Dean Zheng Jiayu and Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M. Si signed a cooperation agreement between the two institutions and exchanged copies. The agreement aims to increase academic cooperation between the two parties, including student exchanges, double degrees, consistent five-year bachelor/master plans, exchange of teachers and researchers, cooperation in organizing lectures, seminars, workshops, etc. .,. With the signing of this MOU, it is hoped that it can further enhance cooperation and exchanges between schools, enrich teaching and research material resources in Southeast Asia, provide more international exchange channels for teachers and students, and foster international professional relations.

At the same time, Zhao Jingqi, deputy dean and program director, signed an academic cooperation plan agreement between the program and the Southeast Asian Social Research Center with Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, MA, to promote cooperation in teaching and research between the two parties, such as summer course programs, internships, cooperative research, and publishing, etc.

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The National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) is an annual national scientific competition organised by the National Achievement Centre (Pusat Prestasi Nasional). In the 36th PIMNAS event held at Padjadjaran University on Thursday (30/11/2023), the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Student Team won double gold and silver medals. The team was led by Ilham Nur Rahman (Agricultural Industrial Technology) with members Abdila (History), Ilham Andriyanto (Cultural Anthropology), Hanieke Syahla (Cultural Anthropology), and Mia Fadilah (Biology). The team was mentored by Dr Aprillia Firmonasari, S.S., M.Hum., DEA.

This medal was won from their research entitled “Ethnobotanical Index of Rejang Tribe: Shifting, Inheritance, and Conservation Strategy of Local Knowledge Towards Food Security in Indonesia”. In the research, the team examined the shift and process of inheritance of knowledge of cultivation and utilisation of food plants in the Rejang Tribe, and used it as a basis for preparing a policy framework for food security. With an interdisciplinary research concept, the team combined the quantitative approach of knowledge index to detect knowledge shifts and ethnography to explore knowledge inheritance patterns.

On Saturday, 9 December 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) held a short trip called Dolan Bareng event in Wanagama Forest, which was attended by FIB exchange students throughout Indonesia and international exchange students who are currently studying at FIB UGM. This activity aims to strengthen the bonds between students while providing an opportunity for refreshing after undergoing the end-of-semester exams.

The students departed from FIB UGM to Wanagama Forest using a bus. Upon their arrival, the group was warmly greeted with welcome drinks and snacks by the tour guide. While the students mingled and enjoyed their snacks, Prof. Dr Setiadi, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty, officially opened the event. The Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum, also gave a short briefing before the group started the journey through Wanagama Forest.

Following the path that had been prepared, the group of students explored the Wanagama Forest while getting to know the biodiversity in it. At the end of the trip, they were introduced to the typical Wanagama honeybee cultivation and invited to taste honey directly from the source. The activity was closed with lunch together before the group returned to the FIB UGM campus.

The Dolan Bareng event succeeded in creating valuable moments of togetherness amidst nature, involving students from various regions and countries. In addition, the Dolan Bareng agenda is in line with UGM’s commitment to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) point 4, namely Quality Education.

On Friday, December 1st 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) encouraged students who were in their final exam period (UAS). To ease the burden on the minds of their students, FIB UGM handed out free snack parcels along with the provision of small greeting cards. This initiative results from a collaboration between FIB and Suar Asa, with the hope of providing moral support to students who may be too fixated on preparing for exams and forget the importance of taking a short break.

The distribution of free snacks before UAS is considered a positive step by the faculty to support students’ mental and emotional well-being. FIB UGM is committed to providing quality education and paying attention to students’ overall welfare. This simple action from the faculty was warmly welcomed by the students.

“We feel supported and loved by FIB UGM, please do it more often” explained one of the students who received snacks during the distribution event.

The snack distribution agenda before the final exam period aligns with UGM’s commitment to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 3, namely Good Health and Well-Being.