The Department of Archaeology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Office (Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan/BPK) of East Java Region, conducted an excavation field training at the Sentonorejo Site, Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java. The program was held over seven days as part of an effort to develop students’ field research skills in archaeology. Throughout the activity, students were supervised by Drs. Musadad, M.Hum. and Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A. as course instructors. In addition to the excavation work, the program included site orientation and discussion sessions led by Drs. J.S.E. Yuwono, M.Sc., a geoarchaeology expert, and Dr. Eko Yulianto, a geology expert.

The excavation training served as a practical learning experience that strengthened students’ understanding of archaeological research methods while providing an opportunity to apply the knowledge they had gained in the classroom. Besides learning excavation techniques, students were also trained in data recording, archaeological documentation, and the proper handling of findings according to archaeological standards. Through this collaboration, the Department of Archaeology at Universitas Gadjah Mada demonstrated its commitment to enhancing students’ academic competencies and field experience while strengthening its partnership with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Office of East Java Region in archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo Credits: Irkam Asroni dan Josephine Kirana Nareswari

Yogyakarta, 21 June 2026 — The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM held a workshop and upgrading programme for the Healthy and Culturally Aware POSBINDU (SEBAYA) as part of the 2026 Sustainability Campus Action initiative. The event took place on Tuesday, 21 June 2026, in the Multimedia Room on the 2nd floor of the Margono Building.

POSBINDU (Integrated Health Promotion Post), known within FIB as SEBAYA (Healthy and Empowered), is a free health screening centre established to facilitate the early detection of non-communicable diseases among the academic community. The event was officially opened by Ms Erika, Head of the Administration Office (KKA) at FIB UGM. The programme continued with a refresher session on POSBINDU for both existing and new volunteers, an introduction to the new POSBINDU system, and hands-on practice of health checks covering four service stations.

During this event, the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at UGM hosted speakers from UGM’s Health Promoting University (HPU) programme: Dita Margarini, S.Gz., M.P.H., and Muhammad Alif Taufiqurrahman, S.Kom. Both speakers provided explanations, guidance and support to educational staff throughout the entire POSBINDU programme.

Through the organisation of this workshop and professional development programme, FIB UGM aims to enhance the performance of educational staff and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles within the campus community on a sustainable basis. This initiative represents a concrete demonstration of UGM’s commitment to the ‘Sustainability Campus Action 2026’ programme, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.


[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Gadjah Mada University officially launched a summer school programme in collaboration with National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan, on Monday (20 July 2026). The opening ceremony, which took place in Room 721 of the Soegondo Building, ran from 09.00 to 10.15 WIB. The opening was made particularly special by the delightful collaboration between the two presenters (MCs), namely Salsa (an Indonesian student) and Bela (an intern from NCCU, Taiwan).

The programme began with an opening address by the Coordinator of INCULS at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, Dr Rakhmat Soleh, S.S., M.Hum. In his address, he outlined the activities and the academic requirements applicable to students throughout this two-week programme. The course of study will cover the modules Writing and Grammar, Listening and Speaking, and Reading and Vocabulary, each of which will be taught by experienced lecturers.

On the same occasion, Ms Silvia, the student supervisor from NCCU, also delivered a warm welcome. She formally introduced the 10 NCCU students participating in this year’s summer school programme. The introductory session was warm and enjoyable, strengthening the bond between the participants and the organisers.

The opening ceremony concluded with a symbolic presentation of a memento from NCCU to INCULS FIB UGM as a token of appreciation and to mark the start of this cultural and academic collaboration. This closing ceremony also marked the start of the full programme of summer school activities for NCCU students at UGM.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, hosted a study visit from a group of students from Sidoarjo State Secondary School No. 4 on Wednesday, 8 June 2026. The event, which took place in the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium, was attended by around 100 students and accompanying teachers who wished to gain a closer insight into the academic environment and the atmosphere of university life at FIB UGM. This visit served as an important opportunity for the students to gather first-hand information on humanities degree programmes, supporting facilities, and the future career prospects for graduates.

The high level of enthusiasm was evident right from the start of the event, with students listening intently to every presentation given by the faculty members. As the question-and-answer session began, the atmosphere became even more interactive, with students posing a range of critical questions regarding the new student admissions process. One particularly interesting moment occurred when a student enthusiastically enquired about special admission routes, asking, “Does UGM offer a ‘golden ticket’ for secondary school pupils?” This question reflected the students’ strong motivation and ambition to succeed in the highly competitive admissions process at UGM.

In response to this question, the faculty explained that UGM does not recognise the term ‘instant golden ticket’, but is committed to a fair and transparent selection process through the national admission routes (SNBP and SNBT) and the UGM Independent Entrance Examination (UM UGM). Nevertheless, UGM places great value on students with outstanding achievements through the Outstanding Talent Search (PBUB) scheme. Through the PBUB pathway, students’ talents and abilities in the fields of sport, the arts, science and technology, and religion at national level will be given special weighting in the assessment process, thereby increasing their chances of admission.

The study visit concluded with a group photograph in front of the Poerbatjaraka Building and an exchange of souvenirs between the school and the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at UGM. It is hoped that, through this activity, the students from State Senior High School 4 Sidoarjo will return home with strong motivation and reliable information to prepare themselves to become part of the Gadjah Mada Muda community.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Yogyakarta – The Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University hosted the Quebec (Canada)–Indonesia Creative Industries and Cultural Diplomacy Conference, organized in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. This event brought together policymakers, academics, industry representatives, creative practitioners, and students from Canada and Southeast Asia to discuss and exchange ideas on strengthening cooperation in the fields of the creative industries and cultural diplomacy.

The conference was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, Vice Rector for Education and Teaching at UGM. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of universities as spaces for international collaboration capable of fostering cultural exchange, driving innovation, and strengthening global networks.

Meanwhile, the closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Alexandre Veilleux, who stressed the importance of sustaining the partnership between Canada and Indonesia through academic collaboration, creative industry partnerships, and long-term network-building in the Indo-Pacific region.

The conference featured two panel discussion sessions that explored various perspectives on the development of the creative industries and cultural diplomacy.

In Panel 1, titled “The Strategic Value of Creative Industries and Cultural Diplomacy: A Government Lens”, the panelists were:

1. Guillermo Moyano, Director of Economic Affairs, Quebec Government Office in Singapore;
2. Dr. Leonard Hutabarat, Foreign Policy Strategy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia and former Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Toronto;
3. Yurnelis Piliang, S.IP., M.P.A., Head of the Tourism Attractions Division, Yogyakarta Special Region Tourism Office.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Agung Wicaksono from Gadjah Mada University.

Meanwhile, Panel 2 addressed the theme “Creative Industry Innovation: Canada–Indonesia Business Insights”, featuring:

1. Danny Tan, Managing Producer, Moment Factory Singapore Office;
2. Ivan Chen, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN);
3. Lev Kroll, CEO of Nuanu Creative City.

This session was moderated by Yaxin Zhou from Université de Montréal.

In addition to serving as a forum for strategic dialogue, the conference also marked the opening of the CERIUM Indo-Pacific Chair Summer School, a program that brings together graduate students from Canada and Southeast Asia to learn directly from academics, practitioners, and stakeholders in the fields of international relations and the creative industries. This program is organized through a collaboration between Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and Gadjah Mada University.

Through this conference, it is hoped that closer cooperation will be forged between Canada and Indonesia in the development of the creative industries, innovation, and cultural diplomacy. All organizers expressed their appreciation to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, CERIUM—particularly Dr. Alexandre Veilleux—the speakers, participants, and all partners who contributed to the success of this event.

Moving forward, it is hoped that the networks and collaborations established through this conference will continue to evolve into various joint initiatives that benefit both countries, while strengthening Canada–Indonesia relations in the Indo-Pacific region through creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange.

Author: Dewi Widyastuti