Students of the Undergraduate Archaeology Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in a field visit on iconography at Plaosan Temple, Klaten, on Sunday (June 7, 2026). Led by Sir Aditya Revianur, M.Hum., the activity introduced students to Buddhist iconography through direct observation of statues and reliefs found within the temple complex. During the visit, students learned to identify various visual attributes, postures, and symbolic elements that play an important role in recognizing Buddhist figures in archaeological remains.

In addition to learning the fundamentals of Buddhist iconography, students were assigned to describe selected statues and reliefs observed during the visit. This exercise provided an opportunity to develop observation and documentation skills while engaging directly with archaeological remains. By studying the monuments firsthand, students were able to connect classroom knowledge with practical field experience and gain a deeper understanding of iconographic studies in archaeology.

Nama Penulis: Muhammad Irsyad

Pemilik Foto: Aditya Revianur, M.Hum.

Jakarta, May 29, 2026 – Students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada once again achieved remarkable accomplishments at The 24th K-Speech Contest organized by the K-Speech Eloquence Association Indonesia at Korea 360 Hall, Lotte Shopping Avenue, Jakarta.

The competition was attended by students from various universities across Indonesia who demonstrated their Korean language proficiency through speech contests in several categories. Through this event, participants not only sharpened their foreign language skills, but also developed self-confidence, public communication abilities, and teamwork within an international competitive environment.

In this year’s competition, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM sent a total of 33 students consisting of 5 individual category participants, 1 big group team, and 7 small group teams. The big group team successfully won 1st Place in its category. In addition, Group Team 2 consisting of Justin Liepangi, Jemima Abigail Tirza Sitindaon, and Mila Najatul Maula secured 2nd Place. Another achievement was earned by Group Team 6, consisting of Farida Tiara Limbong, Cintya Nurhaliza, and Lintang Rangkep Cahyani, who received a Special Prize from 한국관광공사 (Korea Tourism Organization/KTO). 

The participants from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM also shared their impressions after participating in the competition. Justin stated, “I am very happy because this experience became a valuable opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone. First of all, thank you so much to Tirza and Maul for taking the time to practice amidst all of our other activities. Hopefully, this experience can become a stepping stone for us to grow into better individuals in the future.” Tirza also expressed, “It was an unforgettable experience because this was my first speech contest, and I am grateful that we were able to win.” Meanwhile, Mila shared, “Participating in this speech contest was one of the best decisions I made this year because it gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. It was a truly unforgettable first experience, and I am grateful that we were able to bring home an award. Thank you so much to Tirza and Justin for dedicating so much time and effort despite your busy schedules. Hopefully, this achievement will become a stepping stone for all of us to continue growing into better individuals in the future.” 

Similar impressions were also shared by Farida, Cintya, and Lintang, who received the special award from KTO. They expressed that the competition provided a memorable new experience while teaching them the importance of courage, trust in the process, and teamwork. They also conveyed their gratitude to KTO for the trust and valuable recognition given to them. 

Not only active students, but another proud achievement was also earned by Pramesti Rifna Saputri, an alumna of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM, who won 1st Place in the individual category of the competition. Beyond the awards achieved, all participating students deserve appreciation for their hard work and dedication in preparing for this competition. 

The participation of students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of UGM in The 24th K-Speech Contest reflects their competitive Korean language proficiency and strong enthusiasm to continue growing in a global environment. Through this experience, the participants not only brought home achievements, but also valuable lessons that support the development of academic competencies and public speaking soft skills. 

[Aura Adiba Wijaya Litianko]

Thursday, February 24th, 2026, marks the graduation day for ten students from the English Department. Those graduating students are Afra Sausan Putri, S.S., Cecilia Ade Natasya, S.S., Jardin Urbania Basundoro, S.S., Shimping Fitriana Dwi Fatmawati S.S., Saidatunnisa, S.S., Khairunisa Diva Dijah Adji, S.S., Maura Thirza Azzahra, S.S., Safira Dwihapsari Pratiwi, S.S., Florinesya Zahwa Raihania, S.S., and Yosafira Alma Kartika, S.S. The graduation ceremony took place in Grha Sabha Pramana, Universitas Gadjah Mada, before the English Department graduates moved to Poerbatjarakra building in Fakultas Ilmu Budaya (FIB) to attend the Mangayubagya ceremony. 

After the Mangayubagya ceremony, two English Department graduates, Maura and Florinesya, are pleased to share a glimpse of their college experiences and emotions amidst the moment that marks the turning point of their lives. Maura stated that she is relieved now that she has finally concluded her journey in college, yet she couldn’t shake the bittersweet feelings that enveloped her. “Because we’re going to be separated from our college friends—but at least it’s over,” she said. 

For Florinesya herself, gratitude and delight took hold of her on this special day. She explained that witnessing a large number of people who celebrate their graduation today makes her feel grateful to be part of those graduates. Florinesya also mentioned that her journey was a tough one, but she is deeply thankful for having met a lot of supportive people in the English Department. “The learning environment is also very pleasant; the people are very helpful—even though it’s full of ups and downs,” she admitted. 

Revisiting her memories of college, the biggest struggle for Florinesya was to deal with her uptight schedule, especially balancing between academic and organization activities. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t keep up with my classmate, whose progress is far ahead of me, since I also have to focus on events outside class,” she confessed. Maura, too, mentioned academics as the biggest challenge for her, “In order to keep up [in class], I had to study harder.”

Nevertheless, a lot of happy memories filled their college experience. Maura mentioned that friendship is the one thing that rendered her experience happy. “Especially in FIB, the environment is very tolerant. I think we can be ourselves here without being judged by others.” As for Florinesya, she mentioned English Days, the Dies Natalis of the English Department, as the event that left quite an impression on her during college days. “Because I was the head of English Days two years ago, and I found many helpful people during that,” she recalled. 

In writing their final thesis as a graduation requirement, both Florinesya and Maura are driven by their interest in a specific literature field. Maura shared that her thesis, The Subversive Child and Imaginative Power: Challenging Authority in Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories, stems from her particular interest in children’s literature. Florinesya also admits to enjoying the topic of her thesis, Mapping the Crisis of Witnessing: A Dialectic Vicarious Trauma Analysis of the Contradictory Narrative in Colleen Hoover’s Verity. She then revealed an impressive fact: it took her only three weeks to finish her thesis. 

As college has ended and they’re preparing to take the next step in their lives, Maura and Florinesya shared the same plan for the future. Both of them are planning to further their education in graduate school. “I like studying, so while my passion to learn is still there, I want to take a master’s program immediately,” Flo confessed. As for Maura, she planned to gain job experience first while looking for a master’s scholarship abroad. 

In whatever path they take, we hope the English Department graduates can flourish and thrive in their own way. Here’s to a bright future. Congratulations!

Penulis: Gulma Zahra Auradatu

The Tourism Study Program Class of 2023 conducted a field observation program titled Parkouris Goes to Bali from May 10–14, 2026, at several leading tourist destinations in Bali. This activity became part of practice-based learning aimed at broadening students’ understanding of destination management, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism development.

The observation program, chaired by Jonathan Kefas, began with a visit to the Eka Karya Bali Botanical Garden. During this visit, students learned about the management of conservation areas and environmentally based educational tourism. The observation aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 on Life on Land through efforts to preserve terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as SDG 4 on Quality Education through direct field-based learning.

The students also conducted observations at Penglipuran Tourism Village to study the development of culture-based tourism villages rooted in local wisdom. In addition to observing destination management, participants gained insights into the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness, preserving cultural heritage, and encouraging community involvement in the tourism sector. This activity supported SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth through the development of community-based sustainable tourism economies.

The observation activities continued with a visit to the Bajra Sandhi Monument accompanied by the site management team. During the visit, students learned about the management of historical and cultural tourism as a medium for public education and as an effort to preserve regional historical values.

Furthermore, participants conducted observations at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park to understand the management of an international-scale cultural tourism destination. Students gained experience related to tourism attraction management, visitor services, and destination promotion strategies that contribute to the growth of the creative economy and tourism sector.

The observation program concluded with a visit to Jimbaran Beach. At this location, students observed the potential of coastal tourism as well as the economic activities of local communities that have developed through the marine tourism sector.

Through the Parkouris Goes to Bali program, students of the Tourism Study Program Class of 2023 are expected to gain a deeper understanding of adaptive, sustainable, and culture-based tourism management practices as preparation for contributing to the development of the tourism sector in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, May 21, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) is hosting the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival 2026 from May 21 to 23, 2026. The festival features a traditional leather puppet painting (sungging) competition and a cardboard puppet coloring contest, representing a concrete step by the educational institution to preserve Indonesian heritage.

This event is part of the EQUITY program funded by the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP RI) and serves as a celebration of the 80th anniversary of FIB UGM. This year, the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival adopts the grand theme “Kita. Butuh. Wayang.” (We. Need. Wayang.). The theme conveys a vital message about fostering a balanced synergy between the university’s academic discourse and the livelihoods of wayang craftsmen in Butuh Hamlet, Sidowarno Village, Klaten Regency.

The competitions began simultaneously on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 09:30 AM WIB. The leather puppet painting competition targets high school students, university students, and the general public from various regions, with a maximum age limit of 25. The organizing committee provided a Surakarta-style Gathutkaca puppet character as the primary medium. Participants are given five and a half hours to complete their work individually. They are free to choose their painting style based on personal preference, such as the Surakarta or Yogyakarta style.

Alongside this event, the committee is holding an in-person cardboard puppet (Wayang Karton) coloring competition at Pusaka Jawa UGM. This competition is specifically designed for elementary and junior high school students. Participants are given three hours to complete their work. All entries from both competitions will be returned and remain the full property of the participants after the winners are announced.

The evaluation for both competitions takes place in a single judging phase. The primary criteria used by the panel of judges include coloring technique, color composition, neatness and cleanliness, as well as the level of creativity shown by the participants.

These efforts to preserve wayang artistry serve as an important bridge to keep local cultural heritage deeply rooted in the identity of the younger generation. The close collaboration between the higher education institution and village artisans demonstrates that protecting tradition goes hand in hand with community empowerment and strengthening the local economy for the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]