Five students from the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), recently completed an internship at the Sleman Regency Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The program spanned approximately three months, running from mid-September to the end of November 2025. This initiative provided students with the opportunity to hone both the hard and soft skills essential for their future careers. Their responsibilities were diverse, encompassing administrative management, archiving, public service, and event reporting.

To maximize their learning experience, the students were divided into two sections based on their specific areas of focus. Three students were assigned to the Madrasah Education Section, while the other two were placed in the Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren) Education Section.

This internship offered valuable insights into the operational mechanisms and procedures within government and educational institutions. Furthermore, it allowed the students to bridge the gap between their academic knowledge and real-world practical application.

Author : Sheila Adriani

Yogyakarta, 22 December 2025 – The Tourism Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the Sarasehan Dwi Windu to commemorate the program’s 16th anniversary. The event, which took place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time at Soegondo Room 709, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, served as a forum for academic reflection, network strengthening, and maintaining close ties among academics, alumni, and tourism stakeholders.

The discussion opened with a presentation on the current condition and achievements of the Tourism Study Program by the Head of the Program, Dr. Wiwik Sushartami, M.A. In her presentation, she explained the implementation of the university’s tridharma, with particular emphasis on teaching through internships and strategic partnerships. Internships have been established as a compulsory course within the core curriculum, designed to bridge academic learning with the demands of the professional world.

“We designed the internship as part of the core curriculum so that students are not merely pursuing academic credits, but also gaining direct field experience and stronger job readiness,” said Dr. Wiwik during her presentation.

Partnerships of the Tourism Study Program involve a wide range of stakeholders, including tourism industry players such as hotels, tourist destinations, travel agencies, and the creative industry. In addition, collaboration has been developed with local government institutions, area management bodies, regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, village tourism development communities, as well as research centers and academic institutions through collaborative research, guest lectures, and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program.

In terms of community service, the Tourism Study Program focuses on tourism village development, cultural and heritage preservation, sport tourism, and community-based planning. The overarching theme emphasizes community empowerment and the strengthening of local economies.

The next session featured a curriculum presentation by Popi Irawan, S.S., M.Sc., Ph.D. He outlined the planned implementation of Stream 9 through a Double Degree or Joint Degree program. This program is designed under a Primary Major scheme and will be aligned with international partnership plans targeted for development over the next five years.

According to Popi, the Double Degree or Joint Degree program is planned to take place in the fifth and sixth semesters. During this period, students of the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, will undertake their studies at partner universities, while also welcoming students from partner institutions to study directly within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. This scheme continues and expands the international collaborations that have been established previously.

The Sarasehan Dwi Windu not only marks the 16-year journey of the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, but also reaffirms its commitment to developing tourism education that is adaptive, collaborative, and community-oriented. Through strengthening the curriculum, partnerships, and community engagement, the Tourism Study Program is expected to continue contributing to sustainable tourism development and to deliver tangible benefits for the surrounding social and cultural environment.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 15 December 2025 – The Archaeology Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the Archaeopreneur Bazaar as part of the fulfillment of the Final Semester Examination (UAS) assignment for the Archaeopreneur course. The course is taught by Sektiadi, S.S., M.Hum., a lecturer in Archaeology at FIB UGM, and aims to encourage students to develop creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset grounded in archaeological knowledge.

The bazaar featured eight booths representing student groups enrolled in the Archaeopreneur course. Each group showcased a variety of locally produced creative items, including bag charms, tumblers, scarves, illustrated pins, bags, and many other products. These creations not only emphasized aesthetic value but also embodied philosophical meanings inspired by cultural values.

Through this activity, students were trained to transform archaeological knowledge into creative products with both commercial and educational value. The Archaeopreneur Bazaar served as a contextual learning space that bridges academic studies and entrepreneurial practice, enabling students not only to understand theory but also to apply it in real-world contexts.

This activity aligns with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education through the strengthening of practice-based learning and student creativity. In addition, the bazaar supports SDG Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth by fostering young entrepreneurship, as well as Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production through the development of local products that prioritize cultural values and sustainability.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Central Java, 4 December 2025 — Students of the Arabic Study Program, class of 2023, Universitas Gadjah Mada carried out a field study in the cities of Kudus and Demak as part of the course Arabic Literature and Culture in Indonesia. The program was designed to provide empirical learning experiences on the dynamics of Indonesian culture and the historical connections between Arab–Islamic heritage and the development of local civilization.

Kudus and Demak were selected as the field study destinations due to their significant roles in the spread of Islam in Java. Through this field activity, students were expected to observe and analyze cultural heritage on-site and relate their findings to the theories studied in class.

The first destination visited was the Menara Kudus Mosque, also known as the Al-Aqsha Mosque, located in Kauman Village, Kudus, Central Java. Students examined firsthand how the mosque’s architecture, particularly its red-brick tower resembling a Majapahit-style temple, stands as strong evidence of acculturation between Islam and Hindu–Javanese culture. At the Menara Kudus Mosque, students observed Sunan Kudus’ cultural approach to da’wah, from preserving local traditions to utilizing Javanese arts and architectural forms that enabled Islam to be accepted peacefully by the local community. Traditions such as the prohibition of slaughtering cows, as well as Javanese songs and performing arts developed by Sunan Kudus, became part of the learning experience.

The field study continued at the Mubarok Jenang Museum, the first jenang museum in Indonesia, which highlights the history of Kudus’ jenang industry since 1930. Here, UGM Arabic Study Program students learned local wisdoms, particularly the values of Gusjigang (being morally good, mastering religious knowledge, and being skilled in trade) which shaped Kudus’ economic culture and intertwined with the Islamic teachings of Sunan Kudus. The museum offered a distinct experience, enabling students to observe how tradition, family-run industry, and regional identity are presented as public education and developed into creative economic potential.

The students then deepened their understanding of early Islamic da’wah in Java through a visit to the Great Mosque of Demak, a historical Wali Songo site and a central landmark of the Demak Sultanate. They examined the mosque’s traditional Javanese architectural form featuring a three-tiered pyramidal roof and the iconic saka guru pillars, including the legendary saka tatal. This visit provided richer insight into a model of da’wah rooted in local culture, dialogue, and gentle persuasion, reflected in the mosque’s architecture, traditions, and the social life of the surrounding community.

Through this series of field visits, students gained firsthand experience that history is not merely textual, but a living narrative present in buildings, traditions, and societal practices. The field study underscored the importance of understanding acculturation as a key element in the development of Islam in the archipelago which is visible in mosque architecture, local economies, and enduring cultural values.

This field study is expected to broaden the perspectives of Arabic Literature students and strengthen their analytical abilities in interpreting Indonesian cultural phenomena in a more comprehensive and applied manner.

Author: Jihan Pertiwi

“Ethnography is a skill that should become a strength for you, anthropology students, in addressing challenges in the professional world.”

Friday, November 28, 2025, marked the third installment of Ngumbar (Ngulik Materi Bareng), an event organized by the Samhita Social Research Institute. Raising the topic Reexamining the Relationship between Anthropology and Ethnography: Reflections on Knowledge, Methods, and Interpretation in Anthropological Research, the discussion not only explored foundational theories, but also encouraged anthropology students to reflect on their positionality in the process of learning. In collaboration with the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, the session featured Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi and Dr. Sita Hidayah as speakers who discussed current dynamics in the field of anthropology. Held in the Multimedia Room, 2nd floor of the Margono Building, the event was attended enthusiastically by students, faculty, and alumni both onsite and online via Zoom.

The discussion began by revisiting long-held assumptions about anthropology as a discipline and ethnography as a method, examined through a reflective lens. The topic was inspired by Tim Ingold’s essay Anthropology is not Ethnography, which sparked significant debate among academics and anthropology students. The relationship and distinctions between anthropology and ethnography were viewed through idiographic (descriptive) and nomothetic (theoretical) approaches in studying socio-cultural phenomena, rather than as fixed and definitive knowledge. This led to conversations about ethical dilemmas, an important aspect for contemporary generations of anthropology students and scholars to recognize. The use of the term “learning” during fieldwork carries ethical consequences, particularly in mitigating power imbalances between researcher and researched.

Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi added that amid debates over the ideological direction of Indonesian anthropology, the Anthropology Department at UGM has become a space where differing academic influences meet and shape curriculum development. “We are fortunate that new lecturers at that time brought diverse perspectives from their studies, and particularly Prof. Laksono and Prof. Heddy have significantly shaped our academic orientation,” he noted.

Continuing the discussion on contemporary dynamics within anthropology, Dr. Sita Hidayah highlighted reflectivity as a strength and distinctive characteristic of Anthropology at UGM. Awareness of positionality has become an integral aspect of anthropological learning. “Developing a reflective and position-conscious curriculum is crucial for facing future challenges, especially in the professional world,” she added. Building student confidence in their ethnographic abilities is essential and needs to be strengthened as a key competence for addressing real-world problems.

Writer: Okky Chandra Baskoro
Photo: Nandito Jodi Syaifulloh