Mini Concert #18 “Setapak Cakrawala: Meniti Lara Menuju Asmara” was successfully held on May 30, 2026, at Park van Militaire Sociëteit, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta. The concert was the collective work of the 18th batch members of Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO), presenting a musical performance woven together with a narrative of emotional journey through love. More than 300 audience members filled the venue, reflecting the high enthusiasm for the concept the team brought to life. The event marked yet another milestone for GMCO as a student arts organization that continues to deliver meaningful and high-quality performances.
Carrying the theme “Setapak Cakrawala: Meniti Lara Menuju Asmara” which translates loosely to “A Horizon’s Path: Treading Through Heartbreak Toward Love” the concert depicted the human emotional journey in all its imperfection. Beginning from a place of disappointment and loss, the narrative progressed through acceptance, sincerity, and the process of making peace with oneself, before ultimately arriving at a hope for a more complete and wholehearted love much like the horizon, which marks the limit of one’s sight yet promises continuity beyond it. The theme of romance was chosen for its universal nature and its closeness to everyday life, with the aim of allowing audiences to connect more deeply with every piece performed. In a deliberate gesture of support for the Indonesian music industry, all songs in the setlist were drawn from Indonesian repertoire, making the concert accessible and enjoyable across generations.
The concert opened its doors at 6:00 PM, with the first phase, “Lara” (Heartbreak), commencing at 7:00 PM and enveloping the audience in an emotionally charged atmosphere of conflict and sorrow. The performance then transitioned into the second phase, “Asmara” (Love), at 8:20 PM, shifting the mood toward one of hope and joy. The two-phase structure gave the concert a clear emotional arc, allowing the audience to experience the full spectrum of the journey the program intended to portray. The strong turnout of over 300 attendees affirmed the relevance of the theme and the growing appreciation for chamber music in the Yogyakarta arts scene.
Behind the polished performance on stage lay a rigorous rehearsal process that became a space for building discipline and coordination among members. With a relatively short preparation period and various obstacles along the way, each individual was called upon to fulfill their role to the fullest within a tightly interdependent system. Prof. Dr. Tri Kuntoro Priyambodo, M.Sc., GMCO’s faculty advisor, captured this spirit well. “Not only practicing to play the melody, but also practicing to work together and be responsible for one’s own part,” he said.
One of the defining features of Mini Concert #18 was the full involvement of all members as part of the organizing committee both performers and managers alike with more than 60 students actively contributing to the event. The preparation process, which ran from February through April 2026, was navigated amid a series of challenges including academic schedules, mid-semester examinations, and the Eid al-Fitr holiday, all of which demanded a high level of commitment and coordination from the entire team. This dual role of musician and organizer made Mini Concert #18 far more than a performance showcase it became an intensive organizational experience that pushed members to grow as both artists and event professionals. Members were not merely performers; they were also designers, managers, and on-the-ground executors of the entire event.
David Grace Daniel Asaganda, Project Manager of Mini Concert #18, emphasized that the experience gained through this event was intended to go beyond the academic realm and serve as a broader space for student development. He also highlighted that involvement in activities such as this can strengthen self-confidence and open doors to developing potential across a wide range of fields. “Hopefully this can be a platform for students to develop talents that are not only academic, but also non-academic ones that make Universitas Gadjah Mada proud,” he said. With the successful staging of Mini Concert #18, GMCO has demonstrated that collaboration, dedication, and collective spirit are capable of producing work that is both meaningful and relevant to the community proving that a student orchestra can be so much more than a musical ensemble. read more

The Karate Student Club of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again delivered an outstanding performance at the national level, returning home with ten medals from the Open Karate Championship Sunan Kalijaga Cup XIII 2026. The national open karate championship was organized by the Student Activity Unit of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and held on May 1–2, 2026, at the Prof. Amin Abdullah Building, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta. The event drew 74 contingents from across the Indonesian archipelago from Sabang in the west to Merauke in the east making it one of the largest national karate championships ever held in Yogyakarta. The UGM contingent delivered a dominant performance throughout the competition, securing eight gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal. read more

Yacaranda, the electric vehicle community team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), made its mark on the international stage by claiming first place in the Static Event category at the Formula Student Malaysia (FSM) 2026 competition. The prestigious event was organized by Formula Student Malaysia and held at Dato Sagor Circuit on April 22–23, 2026, bringing together university teams from across the region to compete in designing, building, and presenting formula-style electric vehicles. Competing in the FSAE EV category with their electric car EV-4, the Yacaranda team excelled across three main evaluation criteria: Engineering Design, Cost & Manufacturing, and Business Presentation. In addition to claiming the title of 1st Place in Static Event FSAE EV at FSM 2026, the team was also honored with the Outstanding Team award a special recognition bestowed upon them as the first Indonesian team in the history of the Formula Student Malaysia competition. read more

The Karate Student Club of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) delivered an outstanding performance on the international stage, returning home with nine medals from the 15th Silent Knight International Open Karate Cup 2026. The prestigious open karate championship was held from April 17 to 19, 2026, at Titiwangsa Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, drawing 60 contingents from five countries across Asia. The event was organized by the Hayashi-ha Karate Association of Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with the Karate Association of Malaysia (MAKAF), making it one of the most competitive international karate tournaments in the region. The participation and achievements of the UGM contingent serve as a clear testament to the ability of UGM students to compete and excel at the global level.
The UGM karate contingent secured a total of nine medals, comprising three gold, four silver, and two bronze, across multiple competition categories. The medals were earned through both kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) events, spanning individual and team divisions in both the men’s and women’s categories. This achievement positions UGM as one of the most competitive university contingents at the international level, reinforcing the institution’s reputation in the world of martial arts. The result adds to a growing list of international accolades earned by UGM Karate Student Club in recent years.
The three gold medals were claimed through outstanding performances in the kata and individual kumite events. Alvito Abhista Pangestu from the Faculty of Animal Science delivered a technically impressive performance to win gold in the Male Senior Individual Kata category, impressing the international panel of judges. In the same event for women, Annisa Nur Kholifah from the Vocational School claimed gold in the Female Senior Individual Kata category, standing out among competitors from across Asia. The third gold medal was contributed by Athifah Rahmadhani from the Faculty of Agriculture, who emerged as the champion in the Female Senior Individual Kumite -55 Kg category, completing a remarkable gold medal sweep for the UGM contingent.
Four silver medals further enriched UGM’s medal collection at the tournament, earned across both individual and team events. Sarah Jasmine Kahiking from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences claimed silver in the Female Senior Individual Kumite -61 Kg category, while Fidelia Dwipuspita Purwacahya from the Vocational School followed with silver in the Female Senior Individual Kumite +68 Kg category. Muhammad Sahal Rizky Zanuar, also from the Vocational School, added another silver in the Male Senior Individual Kumite -55 Kg category. The women’s team effort was further recognized with a silver medal in the Female Senior Team Kumite category, won by Athifah Rahmadhani, Sarah Jasmine Kahiking, Fidelia Dwipuspita Purwacahya, and Kanaya Putri Lavau from the Faculty of Law.
Two bronze medals rounded out UGM’s impressive haul at the championship, both secured from kumite categories. Francisco M. S. M. Satya from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine won bronze in the Male Senior Individual Kumite -60 Kg category after battling through a highly competitive field. The second bronze was claimed by the men’s team in the Male Senior Team Kumite category, with the squad consisting of Aufa Raja’ Sukmaaji, Bagas Pujangkoro, Francisco M. S. M. Satya, Muhammad Razaq, Muhammad Sahal Rizky Zanuar, Jundi Ahmad Avatar A M Kr Dole, and Sulthan Nawwafsyarif Basuki, representing faculties including Law, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Vocational School. The diversity of faculties represented within the team reflects the broad-based athlete development carried out by UGM Karate Student Club. This cross-faculty collaboration stands as a symbol of the team spirit and unity that underpins the club’s competitive success.
The success of UGM Karate Student Club at this international championship is the result of disciplined training, consistent coaching, and the unwavering determination of the athletes to represent their university with pride on the world stage. This achievement also demonstrates that the club serves as an effective platform for UGM students to develop their talents and passion for martial arts all the way to the international level. It is hoped that this accomplishment will inspire and motivate all members of UGM Karate Student Club to continue raising the bar and competing at both national and international tournaments in the future. With a steadily growing record of achievement, UGM Karate Student Club is poised to remain a source of pride for Universitas Gadjah Mada in the world of competitive martial arts. read more