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

Yogyakarta, 28 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the third online public lecture on Friday, 28 November 2025. Supported by grant funding from the Korea Foundation, this final session concluded the series of public lectures conducted throughout November 2025. The lecture featured Professor Chae Ho Seok from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, who presented a talk titled “Literature and Literary History: Literature, History, Memory.”

Professor Chae opened the lecture by raising the question of why much of Korean literature centers on themes of sorrow. He then discussed how the development of Korean literature has been shaped by major historical events in Korea, including Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, various revolutions, industrial reform, and the nation’s democratization movements.

During the session, Professor Chae also presented examples of representative Korean poems that continue to appear in school textbooks, as well as poems that have been removed due to the authors’ backgrounds being considered at odds with government perspectives. The lecture concluded with his message highlighting the importance of reading Korean literary history and comparing different books to gain a broader understanding.

The lecture was attended by approximately 24 participants and moderated by Febriani Elfida Trihtarani, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions about the material and broader topics related to Korean literature.

Looking ahead, it is hoped that more public lectures and seminars on Korean literature will be organized to deepen the knowledge of students and the general public about Korean literary studies.

Written by : Febriani Elfida Trihtarani
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S

Yogyakarta, 21 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and supported by grant funding from the Korea Foundation, continued its online Korean Studies Series Lectures with the second installment of the program. The lecture, held on 21 November 2025 via Zoom, featured Dr. Kim Jihye from the University of Melbourne, who presented a talk titled “K-drama Under the Blanket: Hallyu and Everyday Life in South Korea.”

During the one-hour session, Dr. Kim delivered an English-language presentation explaining how modern South Korean cultural content—particularly Korean dramas (K-dramas)—circulates in North Korea through smuggling networks. Despite strict governmental bans on South Korean cultural media, many North Korean citizens continue to access and watch K-dramas as part of their daily lives.

The lecture was attended by more than 70 participants and moderated by Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in the Korean Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. Throughout the session, participants actively engaged in the discussion and had opportunities to ask questions directly to the speaker.

Through the continuation of this second lecture series, INAKOS and the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM reaffirm their commitment to expanding academic collaboration and strengthening platforms for knowledge exchange. In the future, the organizers hope to offer more public lectures and further collaborative initiatives.

Written by : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S

Yogyakarta, December 8, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada has once again launched the Sibuya program, which provides free breakfast for students currently taking the Odd Semester Final Exams for the 2025–2026 academic year. The program is held on December 8, 11, 15, and 18, 2025 at the Kantin Sastra using a coupon system, and on December 9 and 16, 2025 in front of the Soegondo Building, where meal boxes are distributed. A total of 200 servings are provided each day.

The Sibuya program is supported by the Parents Association of Students (POTMA) and Dharma Wanita FIB UGM. Students can redeem their food coupons at the food court area of Kantin Sastra according to the scheduled dates.

The Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Setiadi, stated that the implementation of Sibuya reflects the faculty’s concern for students who are entering the exam period.
“Sibuya is our effort to support students who are about to take their exams. We hope this program brings them comfort and helps them feel more prepared for their finals. We also hope that more parties will participate in the future,” he said.

He added that the program is expected to help students, especially those who have not had the chance to eat breakfast before their exams.
“With Sibuya, we hope students can be assisted, particularly those who need breakfast, those who leave home without eating, or those who have not eaten at their boarding house, so they can take their exams with peace of mind. We are truly grateful to Dharma Wanita and the Parents Association for their full support of this program,” he explained.

The presence of Sibuya not only provides nutritional benefits and physical readiness but also fosters solidarity and a sense of community within the campus environment. The initiative stands as a tangible example of collaboration between institutions, families, and students in creating a caring and inclusive academic atmosphere.

Through this simple yet meaningful effort, Sibuya reminds us that attention to basic needs can be a powerful force in shaping a healthier and more empowered younger generation, equipped to face future challenges. This spirit of togetherness is expected to continue growing and inspiring sustainable development efforts in the field of education.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM,  Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, 14 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Undergraduate Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and supported by funding from the Korea Foundation, held the first lecture in the Korean Studies Series Lectures. The session took place online on 14 November 2025 under the title “Korean Language Education in Singapore.” The invited speaker was Dr. Ji Seowon from the Centre for Language Studies, National University of Singapore.

For approximately one hour, Dr. Ji delivered a lecture in Korean, presenting an overview of Korean language education at NUS, where the subject is offered as a minor and an elective. Although Korean is not offered as a primary undergraduate major, the program at NUS enables students to reach an advanced level of proficiency. The teaching approach incorporates various methods, including flipped learning, reflection notes, project presentations, and the integration of AI in language learning.

The lecture was attended by more than 33 participants, including undergraduate students from the program, master’s students in Korean Language Education from institutions such as Chulalongkorn University and Kyung Hee University, as well as Korean language instructors from universities and training institutions (LPK). The event was moderated by Dr. Hwang Who Young, M.A.

This lecture is expected to serve as a platform for educators and learners to enhance the quality of Korean language education in Indonesia, while also strengthening international academic networks that contribute to the advancement of quality education.

Written by : Alfiana Amrin R
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S