Yogyakarta, December 18, 2025 – The Research and Publication Unit, together with the Journal and Publishing Bureau of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, received an award as the second-best performer in the SINTA achievement category at the university level for 2025. The award was announced on Thursday, 18 December 2025, at Multimedia Room 1, North Wing, UGM Central Building, and was presented by the Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation.

This achievement is the result of a long-term process that has been underway since 2017 and has involved various stakeholders supporting the research ecosystem at the faculty, including lecturers, administrative staff, and external researchers. Continuous collaboration has served as the main foundation for building strong research and high-quality publication practices within the faculty.

Structurally, the Research and Publication Unit and the Journal and Publishing Bureau operate under the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs. Both units play strategic roles in managing research and academic publications. The Research and Publication Unit oversees various research schemes and facilitates the acceleration of faculty publications through mentoring programs, intensive writing activities, technical workshops, as well as translation and proofreading services. In addition, the unit is responsible for entering research and publication data of faculty members and postgraduate students into various academic databases.

Meanwhile, the Journal and Publishing Bureau supports the management of faculty publication data in SINTA and Google Scholar, while also strengthening publication acceleration programs. These efforts include developing a journal database within the faculty’s academic fields, producing technical tutorials on writing and reference management, and providing guidance on journal selection and article submission. The bureau also organizes a range of workshops for lecturers and postgraduate students.

Diah, a member of the Research and Publication Unit team at FIB UGM, expressed the hope that this achievement would serve as a foundation for future research development. “Producing collaborative research that expands academic networks and exposure for scholars, thereby strengthening the credibility of FIB,” she said. In line with this view, Yoga from the Journal and Publishing Bureau team at FIB UGM emphasized the importance of joint efforts between the two units. “The synergy between these units in supporting research and publication can increase the number of scholarly works produced, while also strengthening FIB’s role so it can stand alongside and compete with STEM fields,” Yoga stated.

This award reaffirms FIB UGM’s commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable research culture. Through cross-functional collaboration and stronger publication governance, the faculty is expected to continue contributing to the advancement of knowledge with broad benefits for society and the future of higher education.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, December, 12, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), officially launched the Implementation of an Internet of Things (IoT)–Based Smart Classroom System for Room Temperature Automation and Monitoring on the 7th floor of the R. Soegondo Building.

This activity is part of the UGM Sustainability Campus Action Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences 2025, which aims to optimize the management of learning spaces through the efficient and sustainable use of digital technology. In its initial phase, the IoT-based Smart Classroom system has been installed and operated in four rooms within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences as an effort to enhance comfort and effectiveness in academic activities.

During the launching event, the FIB UGM Information Technology Team presented the application dashboard used to operate the Smart Classroom system. The dashboard enables centralized control and remote monitoring of room temperature. The system operates using the UGM WiFi network as its main infrastructure. As long as the WiFi connection is active, the system can function optimally; however, when the network is unavailable or disrupted, the automation system will also cease to operate.

The launching event was attended by faculty leaders, representatives of lecturers, educational staff, students, and technical support teams. The series of activities included remarks from faculty leadership, implementation briefings, a technical presentation by the FIB IT Team, and the official launch of the IoT-based Smart Classroom system. In the final session, participants were invited to visit the rooms that have been equipped with IoT-based temperature control devices to observe the system’s implementation firsthand.

The implementation of the IoT-based Smart Classroom aligns with FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The provision of a comfortable and adaptive learning environment supports SDG 4 (Quality Education). Energy efficiency through automated temperature control contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Furthermore, the use of technological innovation in campus facility management reflects support for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Through the implementation of this system, FIB UGM reaffirms its commitment to continuously integrating technology, humanistic values, and sustainability principles in the development of its academic environment.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, December, 16, 2025 – The Neuroscience-Based Language Teaching approach became the central focus of an academic activity held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event aimed to introduce and discuss language learning strategies that emphasize the role of emotions, focus, and meaningful learning experiences grounded in how the human brain works.

The activity opened with the singing of the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya and the Gadjah Mada Hymn, followed by opening remarks from the course lecturer. The program then continued with the screening of instructional videos and educational animations illustrating the application of neuroscience in the language learning process, before proceeding to an interactive talk show session.

In their presentations, the speakers emphasized that emotional elements play a vital role in language learning. Positive emotions, a sense of trust, and learner engagement have been shown to support the formation of emotional memory, making the learning process more meaningful and the material easier to retain. This was demonstrated through various examples of interactive learning media, including animated videos and educational games.

The first talk show session was moderated by Rizky Ramadhani under the theme “Languages Through Gamification: A Neuroscience-Based Approach.” Several language education practitioners served as speakers, namely Tabinda Putri, Eva Pras, Fajri, and Elvina. They shared their experiences in applying neuroscience-based approaches through gamification methods in language teaching.

Elvina, an English course instructor whose students range in age from 17 to 25, highlighted the characteristics of Generation Z learners, who tend to become easily bored. To address this challenge, she developed learning media in the form of a snakes-and-ladders–style board game as well as web-based games. According to her, language learning does not need to begin with a strong emphasis on grammar, but can be packaged in a more engaging way through games that train learners’ focus and participation.

Meanwhile, Tabinda Putri, an instructor of Indonesian for Speakers of Other Languages (BIPA), emphasized the importance of building emotional rapport with learners before introducing the core material. She explained that light conversations about students’ names, interests, and backgrounds serve as an effective initial approach to building trust. This trust fosters positive feelings that influence learners’ memory and comprehension of the learning material.

The speakers also underlined the importance of adjusting teaching methods to learners’ preferred learning styles—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The use of images, videos, writing on the board, role play, and games was considered effective in accommodating this diversity of learning styles. At the same time, Fajri highlighted challenges related to limited technological facilities in certain learning contexts, which need to be collectively addressed in the development of innovative teaching methods.

This activity reflects FIB UGM’s commitment to providing inclusive, innovative, and research-based language education. The Neuroscience-Based Language Teaching approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education through the strengthening of effective, learner-centered teaching methods. In addition, the activity supports Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities by promoting access to adaptive learning, as well as Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the use of innovative media and technology in language education.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

The Anthropology Laboratory for Research and Action (LAURA) represents Universitas Gadjah Mada in the Participation of Women in Renewable Energy (POWERE) project. This initiative is funded by the UKRI Ayrton Challenge and involves several universities, including the University of Sussex, Universitas Indonesia, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. POWERE addresses issues of unequal access and the impacts of climate change in island and coastal communities. It introduces innovation through the use of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) as an alternative renewable energy source, while also emphasizing gender perspectives and economic conditions in off-grid coastal communities. The project is not only focused on developing physical infrastructure but also building social infrastructure by strengthening gender inclusivity in the seaweed-based economy across coastal and island areas in South Sulawesi. Led by Prof. Raminder Kaur (US), Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi (UGM), Dr. Mia Siscawati (UI), Dr. Bradley Parrish (US), and Prof. Peter Newell (US), POWERE stands as a comprehensive multidisciplinary collaboration centered on renewable energy.

Since mid-year, the POWERE team has conducted preliminary studies in several locations, including Rannu, Katingting, and Biawasa, and presented the findings at the World Conference on Governance and Social Sciences at Hasanuddin University on 11–12 November 2025. The initial studies explored topics such as community-based infrastructure design, sensory ethnography, feminist perspectives on gender, climate change, and women’s resilience, renewable energy and social infrastructure, as well as climate adaptation challenges faced by seaweed-farming women. The broad range of issues emerging from solar energy development and its social implications continues to pose challenges for the project moving forward.

In addition to the Project Leads, the initiative involves postdoctoral researchers such as Dr. Diah Irawaty, Dr. Runavia Mulyasari, Dr. Chu Chun Yu, Dr. Agung Iswadi, and Monika Swastyastu, M.A., who contribute to ongoing research throughout the project. POWERE receives support from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including CARE Indonesia, Aquatera, Development Finance International, Auroville Consulting, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, serving as financial partners and policy collaborators. Entering the first stage of the three-year program, the POWERE team has published newsletters in both Indonesian and English, accessible through the University of Sussex website and the Department of Anthropology. For the latest updates, readers may follow the official Instagram account @powere.women, which regularly shares photos and videos documenting project activities.

Writer: Okky Chandra Baskoro

Friday, November 21, 2025 – The Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies program at Gadjah Mada University held an Inspiring Alumni event as part of its efforts to provide insight and inspiration to students and alumni who are preparing to enter the professional world. M. Asykari Muslim (Owner and CEO of Hayfa Academy), an alumnus and speaker at this event, presented a theme titled “Middle Eastern Entrepreneurs: The Synergy of Science, Technology, and Creativity in the Digital Age.” The event, at 709 of the Soegondo building, aimed to connect the current generation of students with alumni who have had successful careers in various fields, while also strengthening the academic and professional networks between the two parties.

The inspiring Alumni event began with a speech from Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum., Secretary of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Master’s Department. In her speech, Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum. emphasized the importance of building bridges between the academic world and the professional world through the firsthand experiences of successful alumni. “Through this event, we hope that students can gain a realistic picture of career opportunities in the professional world and understand how the skills they acquire in college can be applied in real life,” she said.

The alumni motivated the participants to continue developing themselves, to remain adaptable to the changing times, and to take advantage of every opportunity available. “As KBTT alumni, we must take advantage of all available opportunities, from our ability to speak Arabic or other languages. Look for opportunities to work, don’t be afraid to try, take advantage of available technology. If we want to build something, whatever it is, whether it’s a business or something else, we must use knowledge as a starting point, because without knowledge, no idea will last long,” said M. Asykari Muslim, M.A.

The question and answer session provided an opportunity for students to interact directly with alumni, deepen their understanding of the world of work, and build connections that will be useful for their future career development. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to alumni who shared their experiences and knowledge during the event. The event ended with a group photo and the hope that such activities will continue to be held in the future to strengthen the relationship between the study program and alumni and encourage students to be better prepared for the future.

[Jesica Amanda Florantika]