SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDGs 2: End hunger | SDG 5: Gender equality | SDGs 5: Equality | SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation | SDGs 6: Clean water | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Children | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Community | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Conflicts | SDG 17: Partnerships for goals | SDGs 17: Global partnership

In the midst of the raging conflict, the Palestinian people continue to struggle tirelessly to survive. To find out more about their condition and struggle, students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada attended a TALK SHOW entitled “The Struggle of Palestinian Women and Children Amidst the Israeli Onslaught” with FATMA ALGHUSAIN as the guest speaker. She is the Executive Director of Amna Care Fund, an organization that helps the Palestinian people, especially women and children. “I have experienced four wars while living in Palestine. But this one is not a war. This is genocide!” She said. Mrs Fatma Alghusain also explained the current situation in Palestine.

This activity will be held on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 11.00 – 13.00 WIB at Soegondo Building 709 for participants who can attend offline, and via the zoom link for participants who can only follow the event remotely or online. As a form of solidarity for the freedom of the Palestinian people, talk show participants can also prepare their best infaq. In addition to students, the event was also attended by the Head of Arabic Literature Study Programme UGM, Dr Zulfa Purnamawati, S. S., M.Hum. and Mr Imam Hidayat, S.Pd.I., M.Pd. as a representative of Dompet Dhuafa Yogyakarta. After the Q&A session ended, the Head of Arabic Literature UGM handed over souvenirs to the speakers. With this cooperation between the Arabic literature programme and the Dompet Dhuafa, it is hoped that it can make people aware of the current conditions in Palestine.

SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Conflict resolution

Approaching the holy month of Ramadhan, Gadjah Mada University held a grand dialogue at Graha Sabha Pramana (GSP) which was opened to all Gadjah Mada University students, lecturers and staff. The event was held on Monday 4 March 2024 from 8 to 12 am. The speakers presented were two very well-known Islamic leaders whose electability was beyond doubt. They were Prof. Dr. KH. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, LC. MA and KH. Ahmad Baha’uddin Nursalim. National Dialogue Welcoming Ramadhan with the theme CARING FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND MAINTAINING INDONESIAN UNITY and presenters who are very famous in their fields attracted the attention of many people to attend in droves, especially students, lecturers and staff of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D. as Chancellor was also present until the event ended.

While waiting for the presenter, the participants were treated to a performance by Manunggaling Rebana who performed the Prophet’s prayer songs, making all those present joined in praying together. The event then began by singing the song Indonesia Raya & Mars of Gadjah Mada University, then enjoying the chanting of tilawah and sari tilawah. Entering the main event, the two presenters provided an understanding of national brotherhood and how to resolve disputes in everyday life in accordance with Islamic teachings. However, there were differences between the two. Mr. KH. Quraish Shihab conveyed it very systematically while Gus Baha, as KH. Ahmad Baha’uddin explained very critically so that the two complemented each other to provide understanding material to everyone who listened that day.

It feels different when we step into things beyond our abilities, it feels different when literature students take part in hackathon competitions, and it is still different when women enter business and even lead. This was what actually wanted to be achieved in the 2023 UNESCO-UNITWIN Advanced Workshop & Hackathon program at Sookmyung Women’s University (SMU), Seoul, South Korea in November-December 2023. Bulan Churniati, an English Literature student at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, had never expected that this program would enable her to compete on the international stage and at the same time experience traveling abroad for the first time.

This was not a trivial journey, this program required us to first be selected from hundreds of internal university students, then took part in training and whoever was the best would represent Gadjah Mada University at the international level later. It was truly an honor that Bulan must be proud of to have had this extraordinary experience, even though it might be a bit of a burden to show her best as a representative of the best university in Indonesia. The reason was, there were many creative ideas from competing countries, such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—from ideas for making audiobooks, applications to reduce fast fashion, health, and many more. However, the student topic given required the participants to hold their heads high by discussing MSME issues which certainly produced results.

Before taking part in this training, Bulan admitted that she was still too afraid to start her own business and only focused on the theoretical enthusiasm she initiated – PKM-K about entrepreneurship, business case and business plan competitions, and creating content for other people’s MSMEs. Until APWINC came along and gave her lots of ideas, relationships and the courage to start and develop her own online shop, yes, a small step but the most meaningful in 2023. “Thank you for the support of PIKA UGM as a companion and provider of all information, FIB UGM as a beloved faculty, and UNESCO for its extraordinary program, as well as all parties involved. The word ‘finished’ will not stop my passion, but will make me thirstier to learn—wait for me here to share more stories.” said Bulan Churniati.

In preparation for the implementation of Posbindu PTM activities, HPU FIB UGM held training activities for Posbindu cadres. This activity was carried out over two days. On the first day, Monday 6th of February 2024, material provision about Posbindu was held in the Multimedia Room of Margono Building, 2nd Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. The event opened promptly at 8 am and continued with the Pre test. Furthermore, the delivery of material related to the introduction of HPU, introduction to Posbindu PTM, assessment of risk factors for PTM, assessment of nutritional status and nutritional education, measurements at Posbindu, recording and reporting at Posbindu, consultation on examination results and education at table 5, safety at Posbindu, and first aid in an accident. After being provided with some of these materials, participants took the post test.

The second day’s event was held the following day, it was Wednesday, 7th of February 2024 in Courtroom 1 of Poerbatjaraka Building, 1st Floor,  Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University at 8 am until 12.15 pm. Because on the first day the participants were presented with basic material regarding Posbindu and so on, on the second day the participants were encouraged to practice. The Posbindu training participants carried out the Posbindu table 5 simulations and exercises with enthusiasm and passion, then immediately carried out the second post test to see the progress they had made as Posbindu cadres after receiving the material and training during the two-day event.

This event received cooperation and assistance from Mr./Mrs. UGM HPU Team. Head of HPU UGM, Prof. Dra. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Sc., PhD, had the opportunity to directly accompany the training participants as a speaker regarding examination activities in posbindu and health check practices (measuring blood pressure and taking blood samples to check cholesterol, sugar and uric acid levels). He received a direct invitation from the Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources, namely Mr. Suray Agung Nugroho, M.A., Ph.D. The Posbindu cadre training was attended by staff from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. The targets of Posbindu services are all staff, both lecturers and teaching staff in the faculty environment.

In a dedicated effort to empower students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and strive towards achieving SDG 4 – Quality Education, Pusat Bahasa organized a free IISMA Preparation during the winter break of 2024. The primary objective of this initiative was to provide support to the students aspiring to participate in IISMA Program 2024, which is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s broader initiative, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Programs. Held each morning from January 22nd to February 2nd, 2024, the bootcamp served as a platform to equip students with essential skills and strategies crucial for participation in IISMA Program 2024.

The mentoring team, comprising Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt., Alvanita, M.Ed., and Diyah Ayu Puspitasari, S.S., M.A., played a pivotal role in guiding students through the intricacies of essay writing and interview strategies. Their collective expertise aimed to enhance the students’ chances of becoming recipients of the IISMA Program awards. By delving into these key aspects, the bootcamp not only offered valuable academic insights but also contributed to the personal and professional development of the participating students.

Beyond skill development, IISMA Preparation 2024 also provided tangible benefits for active participants. Students who attended a minimum of 70% of the sessions were entitled to receive a chance for the Academic English Proficiency Test (AcEPT) at Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM for free. This added incentive further reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering holistic growth and creating opportunities for students to excel both academically and beyond.

By: Pusat Bahasa FIB UGM