On Monday, May 27, 2024, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program held a field lecture in the framework of the Codicology course. This activity was held at Widyabudaya Library of Keraton Ngayogyakarta and Widyapustaka Library of Pura Pakualaman. The participants of this activity were students participating in the 2024 Kodikology course, guided by Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum., as the lecturer of the course.

In this field study, students had the opportunity to see and learn firsthand about manuscripts, archives, and preservation efforts. The first location visited was Widyabudaya of Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Here, students were first entertained with warm tea drinks typical of the Keraton Yogyakarta. After that, they were divided into four groups and guided by the abdi dalem to observe in depth the collection of manuscripts, archives, and the restoration process.

The second location visited was the Widyapustaka Library of Pura Pakualaman. In this place, the participants were treated to jamu beras kencur and some traditional dishes. After enjoying the meal, the participants were given the opportunity to see the manuscript and archive collections. They also listened to explanations from librarians about the condition, aspects, and preservation of the manuscripts.

The implementation of this field study went well and smoothly. The students were very enthusiastic, as seen from their high curiosity about various manuscript and archive collections, as well as the stages of revitalization. The purpose of this activity is as a preservation event in the form of introducing Indonesian culture, especially Javanese culture, to the younger generation. Thus, it is hoped that the love for the nation’s culture in the younger generation will continue to grow and can be realized in real efforts to keep nguri-uri (preserve) and ngurip-urip (revive) the nation’s identity.

The existence of various manuscripts and archives is a source of historical traces as well as a mirror of the cultural life of their time. Therefore, preserving historical evidence and extracting information from it needs to be done as a step to understanding the form of culture, knowledge, history, and glory of the archipelago. In addition, synergy from various parties is needed to realize this. This is in line with the fourth and seventeenth points of the Sustainable Development Goals, namely presenting and improving the quality of education and cooperation between partners to achieve goals.

Professor of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Master’s Program at UGM, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., was invited as a guest lecturer and dissertation examiner as well as the promoter for an Egyptian student, Kristena Lateef Nazmy, in the Community and Humanities Studies Program, Department of Social and Psychological Research and Studies, Suez Canal University. The dissertation defense was held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Central Office of the Institute of Afro-Asian Studies, Suez Canal University – Egypt, with the dissertation titled ‘Mechanisms of Confronting Publishing Crimes Committed through Electronic Means: A Comparative Field Study between Egypt and Indonesia’.

This exchange of promoters and examiners is part of the cooperation between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Suez Canal University. It should be noted that Universitas Gadjah Mada and Suez Canal University have been cooperating since 2005. This collaboration was initiated by Middle Eastern Cultural Studies lecturers, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Prof. Syamsul Hadi, S.U, who was then the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The realization of cooperation between the two universities in the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education (Education, Research, and Community Service) has been extensive, including the Indonesia-Egypt Student Exchange Program, Public Lectures in the fields of Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture, Collaborative Research and Community Service, and the establishment of the Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program in 2019. It is hoped that this ongoing cooperation will optimize the long-term positive contributions between both parties.

Jakarta, June 8, 2024 – The Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM sent five of its students to participate in the final round of the 22nd K-Speech Oratory Contest Indonesia, organized by the Indonesia Korea Speech Eloquence Association and held at the National University (UNAS). The five students were Ida Ayu Nastiti, Anggita Lintang Herdiwan, Nasywa Athallah Putri, Firmansyah Haryo Yudhoyono, and Naufal Java Fakhriansyah.

The event began with a performance by UNAS students and was followed by Big Group Oratory Speeches from each university, including UGM, which successfully submitted its Big Group Oratory Speech via video. The event continued with the introduction of the judges and remarks from relevant parties. After these segments, 27 individual category participants performed in the order determined by the organizers, followed by performances from 7 team category participants. While awaiting the judges’ evaluations, the event included a door prize distribution session and an overall evaluation of the participants’ performances. The event concluded with the awarding ceremony and a group photo session.

Students from the Korean Language and Culture Program achieved several awards in this competition. Anggita Lintang Herdiwan won First Place in the individual category, while Nasywa Athallah Putri, Firmansyah Haryo Yudhoyono, and Naufal Java Fakhriansyah won Third Place in the team category.

This competition provides a platform for students to showcase their potential, particularly their ability to speak Korean in public. This skill is one of the potentials that the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM aims for each of its students to develop. Certainly, this achievement is due to the students’ courage and the support provided by all the program’s lecturers.

The Association of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Students at UGM (IMABTA UGM) and the Indonesian Student Association for the Middle East and Africa (PPIDK Timtengka) collaborated in organizing the event “Middle Eastern Issues Discussion” with the theme “Identity and Exile in Contemporary Arabic Literature”. This event was held on Thursday, June 7, 2024, in a hybrid format. The Middle Eastern Issues Discussion featured Middle Eastern Cultural Analyst and Gadjah Mada University Lecturer Dr. Hindun, M.Hum., Head of the Intercultural Department Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Secretary of the Intercultural Department UGM Dr. Mahmudah, M.Hum. Participants in this event included students from Indonesia as well as countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, and South Africa.

Dr. Hindun explained that literature is shaped by the mindset of the society around it. One example is the literature written by Mahmoud Darwish. Darwish wrote about the condition of Palestine when it was occupied by Israel. In addition, this Arabic Literature Lecturer provided another example from Khalil Gibran’s work titled “Al-Ajnihah Al-Mutakassirah”. In it, Gibran narrates the events he experienced in his homeland with a distinctive language style, allowing readers to feel what he experienced. From these examples, it is evident that literature can showcase the identity and exile of the author. Literature can serve as a medium or window to view various social issues occurring in the Middle East.

The Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again demonstrated outstanding achievement on the national stage through their participation in the Humanities Studies Competition: Badai Bungaku Taikai 2024. This competition, organized by the Japanese Literature Study Program at Universitas Brawijaya, was held online with participants from various universities across Indonesia.

In this competition, students from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Zahra Athira Mumtazah and Oita Yolafina, achieved impressive accomplishments. Zahra Athira Mumtazah won 1st place in the Kamishibai contest, a traditional Japanese storytelling art that combines story and illustration. Zahra’s stunning performance earned her the top position in this category.

Meanwhile, Oita Yolafina secured 2nd place in the Shodou contest, the Japanese art of calligraphy that requires high skill and beauty in writing kanji characters. Oita’s expertise in creating beautiful calligraphy works received high praise from the judges.

The competition was conducted online using platforms such as YouTube and Google Form to submit entries. With this victory, it is hoped that it will inspire and motivate all students to continue developing their potential.

Writer: Yulia Agustiani
Editor: Valentina Pramahita Iswari