3-10 OCTOBER 2014 The English Department extends its international networking by sending four students of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP): Adolf Richardo Bagus Setiadi, Anisa Amalia Firdausi, Citra Kinanti Kayang and Shabrina Cintysa Putri and two lecturers, Sharifah Hanidar and Nur Saktinigrum to Flinders University. The aim of running this program is to improve the students’ academic skills, interpersonal communication skills, and cross cultural understanding.The short visit was initiated by the English Department represented by Nur Saktiningrum and Ian Sebastian from Flinders University.

During their visit to Flinders University, the students:

1. 1. Attend Lectures & Tutorials :

Asia Policy Studies taught by Dr. Priyambudi Sulistyanto, the Director of Flinders Asia Centre.

Film Tourism taught by Dr. Sean Kim from the School of Humanities and Creative Arts, Department of Tourism

1. Take part in Australian Culture Workshop with Mr. Mathew Taverner, the Director for Partnerships and Student Services as the key resource person.
2. Present their Undergraduate Thesis Proposal in Ms Firda Firdaus’ Langauge Studies class, the Department of Language Studies.
3. Conduct Library Research
4. Participate in the gamelan ensemble together with a group of Flinders University gamelan players in the University’s pendopo led by Dr. Rosslyn von der Borch from the School of Humanities and Creative Arts.

To maintain the sustainability of the program, Nur Saktiningrum and Sharifah Hanidar had meetings with:

1. Steve Evans, PhD., Head of Department of English, Creative Writing and Australian Studies
2. Robert Phiddian, Deputy Dean School of Humanities and Creative Arts
3. Allisa Zhao, International Program Manager, Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law
4. Mathew Taverner, Director of Partnerships and Student Services
5. William Peterson, Lecturer on American theater
6. Ian Sebastian, Country Manager, International Center

8-9 October 2014 In line with one of the missions of the English Department which is to provide international exposure to its students, the English Department has cooperated with institutions some of which are Oberlin College (US), Texas A&M University and American Studies Centre, India, in the fields of English language, culture and literature.

The English Department would like to extend its international networking by sending Nur Saktiningrum to Monash University proposing several programs for both the American Studies Graduate Program and English Department Undergraduate Programs. There has been a preliminary discussion about this program via e-mail between the English Department which was represented by Nur Saktiningrum and Monash University represented by Eugene Sebastian and his staff.

The results of the discussion are as follows:

– Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada and Monash University will continue the discussion on the double degree in Translation Studies.

– The possibility of having Scholarship/internship opportunities for the undergraduate students

– Possible opportunity for students of Monash University to study in Universitas Gadjah Mada and vice versa.

– Possible research collaborations between Faculty members of Monash University and Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

– The possibility of American Studies, UGM graduate students (S2 and S3) visiting Monash University to carry out library research and have consultations with professors in Monash University.

Pertunjukan Wayang Kulit berbahasa Inggris dengan dalang Ki Eddy Pursubaryanto (staf pengajar Jurusan Sastra Inggris FIB UGM) menjadi puncak acara bertajuk “Cultural Dialogue Through Gamelan”. Cerita yang dibawakan adalah “The Return of Dewi Sri”, sebuah cerita dalam mitos agrikultur tentang Dewi Sri yang dipercaya sebagai Dewi Kesuburan dan Dewi Padi. Para penabuh gamelan merupakan gabungan antara mahasiswa NUS dan PRASASTI (Pradangga Sastra Inggris). Acara ini merupakan kolaborasi antara 12 mahasiswa NUS yang dipimpin oleh Miguel Escobar Varela dan PRASASTI – kelompok gamelan mahasiswa Jurusan Sastra Inggris FIB-UGM. Acara tersebut berlangsung pada hari Kamis, 25 September 2014 malam bertempat di Balai Budaya Minomartani, Yogyakarta. Pada sore hari selama 2 jam, sebelum pertunjukan Wayang Kulit, kedua kelompok mahasiswa mengadakan workshop gamelan khusus untuk mengiringi pertunjukan Wayang Kulit pendek. Workshop dipandu oleh Nanang Karbito, S.Sn. dan Eddy Pursubaryanto.

Miguel Escobar (alumnus INCULS FIB-UGM) mengatakan bahwa kegiatan mahasiswa NUS selama lima hari tersebut merupakan kegiatan wajib selama libur tengah semester (mid-semester break) dari matakuliah “Theatre and the World” yang juga dia ampu. Pada semester ini kota Yogyakarta dipilih sebagai tempat field-trip mereka. Selain menjadi tamu Fakultas Ilmu Budaya UGM untuk workshop gamelan dan Wayang Kulit, mereka juga menonton Wayang Kulit di Pusat Kusnadi Hardjasoemantri pada hari Jumat 26 September 2014 serta mengunjungi beberapa tempat yang terkait dengan World Theatre. Pengalaman di Yogyakarta diharapkan dapat memberi pendalaman tentang tradisi teater Asia terutama Wayang Kulit.

Rahmawan Jatmiko (koordinator program) acara ini mengatakan bahwa acara ini dapat meningkatkan kerjasama yang berkaitan dengan kegiatan seni dan menjadi sarana untuk meningkatkan cross-cultural understanding di antara para mahasiswa dari dua kultur yang berbeda. Selain itu, kegiatan ini sangat bermanfaat untuk mempererat kerjasama antar universitas yang tergabung dalam ASEAN University Network (AUN). Dikatakan selanjutnya, kegiatan ini dapat lebih memperkenalkan daya tarik FIB-UGM kepada pihak lain di luar negeri sehingga mereka tertarik untuk berkunjung lagi ke UGM atau bahkan belajar dan melakukan kegiatan kolaborasi akademik yang lain. Ditambahkan oleh Rahmawan, pertemuan semacam ini akan memunculkan kerjasama lain yang dapat dilakukan oleh NUS dan FIB-UGM.