The Cultural and Media Studies Program (KBM), Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an orientation for new master’s and doctoral students on August 8th and 9th, 2024. The event was attended by Dr. Ratna Noviani, S.I.P., M.Si., Chief of the Master’s Program in Cultural and Media Studies, and Dr. Budiawan, Chief of the Doctoral Program in Cultural and Media Studies. The event took place in Meeting Room A, 5th Floor, Graduate School Building, UGM. This year, the KBM Program welcomed 27 new master’s students and 8 new doctoral students.
During the event, the new students had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their research plans for the coming years. Several students expressed interest in studying gender issues, as the KBM program offers a course on Media, Gender, and Sexuality. This course provides an understanding of gender perspectives from various schools of thought. Other research topics that can be explored include culture, film, and media. These fields are not only relevant in today’s society but also contribute to a broader discourse on equality and representation.
“The reason I chose KBM is because the program focuses on popular and contemporary culture. I plan to conduct research on editorial cartoons,” said Aditya Muara Padiarta, a new doctoral student in the KBM program.
The Quality Assurance Coordinator for the KBM Program, Elok Santi Jessica, M.A., stated that the KBM Program is highly productive in organizing activities such as discussion series on various topics, research dissemination by both faculty and students, workshops with practitioners, and visiting professor workshops as a platform for sharing and learning about research. “If you just want to graduate, attending classes may be enough, but if you want to learn, class activities are not sufficient. There are many forums you can participate in while studying in the KBM Program,” added Elok.
The numerous activities organized by the KBM Program enhance the skills and knowledge that students gain during their academic journey. After graduation, students are expected to pursue meaningful careers in cultural studies. “We hope that students can graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills that will allow them to thrive in their chosen field,” said Dr. Budiawan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ratna Noviani emphasized the importance of research in shaping a better understanding of cultural dynamics. While studying in the KBM Program, students can develop critical thinking skills that can be applied to research, contributing to society.
Keywords: education, equality, decent work, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Data: Nova Ekawati
Author: Asti Rahmaningrum