Students of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) attended a course on Entrepreneurship and Personal Development featuring a guest lecture on “Arabic-Based Entrepreneurship Opportunities” delivered by Kuwat Prasetya, S.S. on September 14, 2026. During the session, Kuwat highlighted the importance of mapping out and planning one’s dreams, then turning them into systems and habits as a form of commitment and consistency in achieving them. He also emphasized that small habits practiced repeatedly can create a significant impact. In explaining this concept, he referred to the key principles presented in Atomic Habits.

After raising students’ awareness of the importance of building systems and habits to achieve their future aspirations, Kuwat shifted the discussion toward the importance of Arabic language proficiency and the career opportunities that can be developed through this skill. According to him, Arabic proficiency is becoming increasingly valuable in the workplace, particularly when complemented by English language skills.

“Don’t come only when you need a job. Come with value,” he said.

Kuwat explained that the value of Arabic Literature graduates is not determined solely by their academic achievements or degree certificates, but also by the competencies they possess, particularly their Arabic language skills. He noted that Arabic proficiency should not be limited to fusha Arabic, but should also include amiyah, the variety of Arabic commonly used in everyday communication.

He encouraged students to start learning amiyah, particularly Saudi amiyah, for those interested in pursuing careers in the Hajj and Umrah sector. Proficiency in amiyah can help individuals communicate more closely with Arab communities while gaining a better understanding of their cultural and everyday contexts.

Beyond the Hajj and Umrah sector, Kuwat also outlined various career opportunities available to Arabic Literature graduates, including diplomacy, business and trade, hospitality, translation, digital media, and education, including Arabic Language Education.

“Build an identity, not just a target,” Kuwat said.

Through this course, Arabic Literature students are expected not only to identify their aspirations and future career opportunities, but also to understand the competencies they need to develop from an early stage. The experience and insights gained from the speaker are expected to serve as valuable preparation for students to take concrete steps, develop productive habits, and pursue their goals through small actions carried out consistently, rather than leaving those goals as mere ideas in their minds.

Author : Hashifa Zara Ahfiyani

The 2nd American Studies International Conference was held again at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) on September 10–11, 2026. Organized by the American Studies Study Program, the conference carried the theme “Global America: Exploring Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges”. Simply put, the theme examines America in relation to flows, borders, and cross-border exchanges.

In this conference, American Studies was not merely understood as the study of English language or American culture. The field serves as a multidisciplinary study covering culture, society, politics, technology, literature, environment, and America’s relations with the world. This was reflected in the diverse subthemes discussed, ranging from American Literature, American Transnational Culture, Politics in the US, Film and Media Studies, to Digital Lives and Virtual Realities.

The theme “Global America: Exploring Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges” also highlights exchanges that extend beyond national boundaries. For example, ideas originating in America can spread to other countries and be implemented or adapted to local contexts. In this framework, America is seen not just as a nation, but as a part of broader global processes involving culture, migration, digital media, the environment, and various other forms of exchange.

One of the presenters, Anna M. Gade from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States, presented a paper titled “What Does a Data Center Look Like? American Studies and Political Ecology of a Global Digital Landscape”. The presentation explored data centers as integral components of the global digital landscape. It pointed out that the digital world relies on physical infrastructure: behind digital services lie physical components such as servers, electricity, cooling systems, buildings, and other supporting facilities.

Through these discussions, the conference demonstrated that American Studies is not confined to American culture or domestic society, but also examines how concepts and phenomena related to America interact with the global community. Thus, American Studies provides a platform to understand America from multiple perspectives and observe how these relationships evolve in a global context.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Archaeology Student Association (HIMA) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Underwater Archaeology (ABA) Division, conducted an Open Water Training as part of the development of students’ diving skills. The training was held for six days, from July 23 to 28, 2026, in Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java, with Sentra Selam Jogja serving as the supporting instructor. During the training, participants practiced diving in open water to apply the skills they had learned in previous training sessions.

The Open Water Training was a further stage in the diving learning process, providing students with direct experience in adapting to marine conditions. The activity also supported the development of students’ skills in observation and documentation in underwater environments related to archaeological studies, while also providing an opportunity to obtain diving certification. Through the Open Water Training, HIMA UGM aims to improve the skills and field experience of members of the Underwater Archaeology Division while preparing students to take part in underwater archaeological research and maritime studies.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo Credits: Ramadhani Alifi Cahya Saputra dan Sentra Selam Jogja

The Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has produced many alumni who have contributed to the preservation and development of the Javanese language, literature, and culture. One of them is Aji Setyowijaya, a member of the 2008 cohort who is now dedicated to the world of batik as a craftsman of traditional Yogyakarta batik.

The Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture had the opportunity to visit and interview Aji Setyowijaya, hereafter referred to as Mas Aji, in person on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The 2008 alumnus, who was also a recipient of a scholarship from Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo (YAD), also known as Yayasan Keluarga Hasyim Djojohadikusumo (YKHD), explained that his interest in batik began with his admiration for inherited batik cloths. He often came across old batik fabrics of exceptional quality and beauty, but they had become so fragile that they were no longer suitable for use. “I used to enjoy looking at inherited batik cloths. The fabrics were beautiful and I wanted to wear them, but they had become too fragile. Eventually, I was motivated to try reproducing old batik cloths. At the same time, during my university years, I also enjoyed wearing rasukan, or traditional Javanese attire,” he said.

This interest encouraged him to begin learning batik-making in 2009. He studied various batik techniques by observing and learning directly at several batik centers in Yogyakarta. During this early period, Mas Aji focused on understanding the principles and techniques of traditional Yogyakarta batik as the primary foundation before developing his own works.

Building on this understanding, between approximately 2013 and 2015, Mas Aji began producing antique batik, also known as batik kama or batik lawasan. According to him, during that period both the public and collectors highly appreciated batik lawasan because it was assumed to have originated several decades earlier. “At that time, in the batik trade, people appreciated antique batik, or kama, or lawasan, with the assumption that the batik was 50–70 years old,” he explained.

However, this experience also gave rise to a sense of concern. According to Mas Aji, batik should not merely be regarded as a classical work that ends with reproducing the past. Batik should continue to develop without abandoning its traditional roots. Based on this perspective, he began incorporating his personal identity into every work he created while also expanding his exploration beyond the characteristic style of Yogyakarta batik.

In line with this spirit, since 2018 Mas Aji has devoted himself to studying natural dye techniques for traditional Yogyakarta batik. For him, learning about natural dyes is not merely about producing a wider range of colors, but also about rediscovering the technical knowledge inherited from earlier generations of batik artisans.

In his creative process, Mas Aji does not work alone. He collaborates with his colleague, Yahya Adi Sutikno, who focuses on the design process, while Mas Aji is primarily responsible for production. This collaboration enables them to produce a wide range of batik works through complementary approaches.

Their works include sample pieces featuring various batik motifs on a single piece of cloth consisting of 27, 260, and even 480 motif samples, as well as replicated batik, batik lawasan, and batik resulting from transformation, media transfer, and various forms of creative batik. Their exploration extends beyond batik cloth itself to other textile media, such as sarung and other types of fabric.

In addition to producing batik cloth, Mas Aji is also active in Perkumpulan Wastra Indonesia, a community that brings together enthusiasts and advocates of Indonesian traditional textiles. His dedication to batik is also reflected in his contribution to the book Pesona Padu Padan Wastra Indonesia as a fashion contributor featuring the use of traditional Yogyakarta batik.

Behind all of these creative processes, Mas Aji believes that one aspect that must continue to be preserved in the world of batik is technical knowledge. According to him, discussions of batik have largely focused on philosophical meanings, symbolism, and cultural values, while knowledge of batik-making techniques is at risk of disappearing if it is not documented and passed on. “In my opinion, that domain (philosophy) is not easily lost because there is already abundant literature about it. But technical knowledge can disappear. For example, where should a parang motif begin, and in which direction should it be made? There are specific ways and methods.” For Mas Aji, preserving technical knowledge is just as important as preserving the philosophical values of batik because both are integral parts of the batik-making tradition.

Toward the end of the interview, Mas Aji also shared a message for students of the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, encouraging them not to be afraid of exploring opportunities beyond the classroom. “Make big problems smaller, and ignore the small ones. Do not hesitate or be afraid to try and explore. Also, do not limit your horizons to classroom learning alone.”

Mas Aji Setyowijaya’s journey demonstrates that the study of the Javanese language, literature, and culture does not end within the academic sphere, but can also be realized through cultural preservation practices that benefit society. Through his dedication to studying batik-making techniques, reproducing traditional batik, developing innovations grounded in established principles, and continuously exploring new possibilities in the world of wastra, Mas Aji has shown that cultural heritage can continue to live and develop with the times without losing its identity.

For mahadaya who would like to learn more about Mas Aji’s works and activities, they may visit his Instagram account, @setyowijaya, and his Facebook page, Batik Setyowijaya. Through these social media platforms, Mas Aji shares his creative processes, his works, and his activities in preserving and developing the art of batik. 

Author : Haryo Untoro