The Story of Devi Ayu Lidyana, the Champion of Kickboxing Match in PON XXI Aceh-Sumatra Utara 2024, Representing Both the Alma Mater and Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, 16 October 2024. It has almost been a month since the National Sports Week (PON) XXI Aceh-Sumatra Utara 2024 closed. In spite of that, this event, however, has brought a major impact on our national athletes as it gave them many precious memories. Between all of these athletes, there is one specific person in these event from the Female Kickboxing category who is also representing Yogyakarta, named Devi Ayu Lidyana. Usually called by her peers as Devi, she is an English Department UGM student batch 2020 who won the bronze medal from the Kickboxing competition in the female category. 

Before being the champion, Devi was a model student in the Faculty of Cultural Science UGM 2024. This of course can be seen from many achievements she had gained in the last four years from pencak silat and kickboxing championships. PON XXI was Devi’s first Kickboxing competition, a martial arts competition where it involves kicking and punching. Even though this is her first competition, the selection process was very strict to which she had to go through various stages of selection like in the provincial selection and the pre-PON selection for first and second place winners. 

“This journey is filled with challenges since I have to manage my time for my studies and my training. PON has given me a great opportunity for me to test my limits against other amazing athletes of Indonesia,” said Devi telling her journey during the selection process as she had to manage her time between her studies and her training. 

It was such an amazing opportunity for Devi by enrolling herself to PON XXI Aceh-Sumatra 2024. Not only that, she had also got an opportunity to get to know each other with other athletes from different backgrounds from all over Indonesia. “The most memorable experience in PON 2024 for me is the fact that I could meet many friends from many different backgrounds. Aside from expanding my relations, I also learned a lot from their determination. I also got a lot of support from the coach and the team. They have always helped me from before and after the competition. The solidarity between the athletes, coaches, and the team was really the most touching moment from this event and it also motivates me to give the best to the field.”

Devi’s achievement in winning the kickboxing competition started when she had already been active in another martial art, pencak silat. At that time, Devi was still trying to manage her training activities between pencak silat and kickboxing to which she practised pencak silat in the afternoon and kickboxing in the evening. Besides pencak silat and kickboxing, she also practises Muay Thai, a martial art that is also focused on punching and kicking. The opportunity of joining kickboxing came to her when she enrolled herself in a selection process for an exhibition in Sports Week (PO) event in the kickboxing category to which managed to take first place in the competition. This achievement would then push her to pursue kickboxing to which she would then win various kickboxing championships. 

As Devi is a student that got into UGM through her martial arts achievements (PBUB), she was dictated by the university to pursue martial arts competitions in her first two years of college. She tells prospective students that wanted to or have passed this path to make the most of this opportunity. “Don’t hesitate to dream big, be passionate, and keep being disciplined to take every step,” she said.

Exploring the World of Art Deco in English Days 2024

On 29/12/2024, the English Department Students Association (IMAJI) held its annual event, English Days. This event promotes and celebrates the English Department at UGM. This year, English Days lasted three days, each offering different entertainment.

The first day of this event, held on October 29, had an exhibition and games. For the games, there were board game stations, which the committee provided for everyone, and there was also a murder mystery-solving game where the players who solved the mystery would get a prize from the committee. There was also an exhibition of arts and literary works about the theme of the 2024 English Days, which is about the Art Deco movement, which came to the surface in the 1920s.

On October 30, the second day of English Days, the committee arranged a costume party to celebrate Halloween on campus. Many cosplayers from all over UGM attended this event, which was open to everyone. The event also included a costume contest, where cosplayers could show their costumes in the fashion show to win the prize. Alongside the costume party, an exhibition with the same theme and accommodations was held on this day.

In the night, as for the closing for the second day of English Days, there was also a performance held by Kombantrin, one of Imaji’s clubs that clubs music bands. People were enjoying their moment at the time as they danced and sang during the closing party with the performance of Kombantrin. There was also a Karaoke and DJ after the concert that night.

The third and last day of English Days was November 1. On the seventh floor of Soegondo’s Auditorium, a theatre show with the theme of Art Deco was arranged. The show was set during the Jazz Age, in the 1920s, when the Art Deco artistic movement was rising in society. Many people attended the show, and it is safe to say that it went smoothly, as the audience was delighted.

English Department UGM and Swaragama Training Center proudly present “Scholarship for Public Speaking and Communication Course” program for the students interested in enhancing their public speaking skills. To enroll, submit all of the requirements via bit.ly/EDPublicSpeaking 2024 by 23 September 2024.

New English Department students, join us as we kick off an exciting new chapter! POPSI will help you navigate your life as a university student and discover possible career paths after graduation.

As American universities increasingly prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, humanities and language programs, especially those focusing on less commonly taught languages, face a significant funding decline. This trend poses a serious threat to the continued existence of Southeast Asian language instruction in U.S. institutions. In this challenging landscape, the question arises: how can these programs not only survive but thrive?

This critical issue was at the heart of a recent roundtable discussion held as part of the AAS-in-Asia Conference 2024 events at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from July 9-11. Chaired by Juliana Wijaya from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the discussion brought together leading figures in Southeast Asian language education to share insights and best practices for adapting to the changing educational landscape.

Panelists included Pia C. Arboleda from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, representing the Filipino language program; Sakti Suryani from Harvard University, representing the Indonesian language program; Jenjit Gasigitamrong from the University of California, representing the Thai language program; and Thúy Tranviet from Cornell University, representing the Vietnamese language program.

One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the importance of proactive marketing and outreach. Pia C. Arboleda emphasized the need to effectively “sell” language programs, akin to marketing a product. Strategies such as showcasing student success stories through testimonials and engaging with high schools through presentations and workshops were identified as crucial for countering declining enrollment often seen in humanities programs.

However, attracting students is just the first step. Sakti Suryani highlighted the importance of adapting lesson plans and content to meet students’ interests and current proficiency levels. She emphasized engaging students by asking what they want to learn, which fosters greater involvement and caters to specific needs. Suryani also suggested collaborating with Indonesian student associations and the broader Indonesian community to create real-world connections for students and provide opportunities for cultural exchange.

The discussion also highlighted the significance of heritage learners—students with a family background in a particular language. Jenjit Gasigitamrong shared experiences from the Thai language program, which primarily attracts Thai-American students pursuing STEM fields. Recognizing their cultural heritage, Gasigitamrong stressed the importance of incorporating elements like food, art, and cultural practices into the curriculum. Additionally, encouraging students to use the language to discuss their STEM studies helps them connect more deeply with their heritage and highlights the value of Southeast Asian languages in broader academic contexts.

The transformative power of project-based learning was another focal point. Thúy Tranviet championed this approach, emphasizing its role in allowing students to immerse themselves in the language through practical application, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture. Tranviet shared a unique example where Vietnamese students visited Thailand, demonstrating the potential of language learning to bridge cultural divides and foster regional understanding. This approach transcends traditional language learning, offering enriching experiences across academic disciplines and fostering meaningful connections.

The roundtable concluded with a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Southeast Asian language programs. By embracing adaptability, fostering a culture of collaboration, and utilizing innovative teaching methods like project-based learning, these programs can not only survive but thrive. The concept of “border crossing” was highlighted, extending beyond geographical boundaries to encompass collaboration with STEM fields and other disciplines. By demonstrating the versatility and relevance of Southeast Asian languages in today’s world, these programs empower students to navigate a globalized landscape and bridge cultural divides. This holistic approach positions Southeast Asian languages as valuable tools for future generations, enabling meaningful engagement with the world.

Writer: Hasyim Kurniawan, S.S., M.App.Ling.

Join Magang Merdeka at STAR Indonesia to gain new experience as professional linguists/translators! Send your CV, latest academic transcript, and short essay (500-700 words) explaining why you need to participate in this internship program and its impact on your future career by August 7th.

SGDs 4: Quality Education | SGDs 4: Literacy skill | SGDs 17: Global partnership | SGDs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On Wednesday, 18 July 2024, english Department UGM received a  visit from Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D, professor of Comparative Literature and German Language of  Queen Mary University of London and Dr. Soe Tjen Marching, a lecturer in South East Asian studies in School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London. The purpose of Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D and Dr. Soe Tjen Marching’s visit was to discuss a possibility of partnership between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, especially the English Literature Program and Department of Language and Literature, with Queen Mary University of London and SOAS University of London to fulfil IKU 6. The discussion was conducted at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, led by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum., Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and a lecturer in the English Department UGM. 

The topic regarding the challenges of teaching literature in the era of technological development was discussed in the meeting. One of the challenges is how to anticipate the use of AI in literary studies. AI’s ability to automatically generate text can be an obstacle in the learning process if being abused by students. Another example of the challenges is how to teach literature to Gen Z, through digital media and social media.

Apart from the discussion about challenges in teaching literature in the current era, there was also a discussion about the forms of collaboration that can be implemented between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, especially the English Literature Program and Department of Language and Literature, with Queen Mary University of London and SOAS University of London. The potential collaborations can be done through some courses (such as World Literature and Comparative Literature) and a collaborative class in the form of team teaching. These collaborations have many possibilities to be developed in the future.

Fifteen selected English Department Students will receive 1,6 million rupiahs subsidy for taking IELTS test.

Eligibility

English Department student who

• Has at least 3,5 GPA
• Is willing to take the test before the middle of October

Application Requirements

• English proficiency certificate (not compulsory)
• GPA transcript
• Motivation letter
• CV

Submit all of the required documents via bit.ly/SubsidiTesIELTS2024 by 10 July 2024.

On Wednesday  (22/05), the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, organized a graduation ceremony at the Auditorium of Soegondo Building. A total of 52 students of whom 5 are students from the English Studies Programme were engaged in the graduation ceremony.

As they’ve passed another journey in their life, the English Studies Programme proudly congratulate the students above on their well-deserved success in finishing their studies and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

English Studies Programme’s Student