The English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB), Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, strengthened its academic collaboration with the Master’s Program in English Language Education (Tadris Bahasa Inggris) at UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung through a guest lecture and joint discussion entitled “Literature and Linguistics in the Contemporary Era.”

Held on September 15, 2026, at the P2B Theatrical Room of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the event provided an academic forum for students to broaden their understanding of developments in linguistics and literary studies while gaining new perspectives from academics representing different higher education institutions.

The event began with a welcoming address by the Head of the English Literature Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Ulyati Retno Sari, S.S., M.Hum. In her remarks, she emphasized that academic activities of this kind play an important role in strengthening networks and collaboration among higher education institutions while providing students with more diverse academic experiences.

One of the key messages highlighted during the event was that academic collaboration is not only realized through institutional partnerships but also through activities that directly provide students with new experiences and perspectives.

Connecting Linguistics and Literature with Contemporary Practice

The discussion featured four speakers from UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung: Dr. Dedi Sulaeman, M.Hum.; Anugrah Imani, M.Pd., Ph.D.; Muhammad Aminuddin, M.Pd., Ph.D.; and Dr. Dyah Rahmi Astuti, M.Si., CPR.

The speakers addressed various issues and applications of linguistics and literary studies in contemporary contexts. One of the topics that received particular attention was forensic linguistics, demonstrating how linguistic knowledge can be applied to address issues beyond the classroom and conventional academic settings.

The discussion provided students with an understanding that linguistics is not limited to language theory but is also closely connected to various professional fields and real-world issues in society.

In addition to discussing academic perspectives, Dr. Dedi Sulaeman, M.Hum. shared his experience in implementing practice-based language learning methods. One example was a learning activity involving a visit to a studio, which gave students the opportunity to observe and experience firsthand how knowledge acquired in the classroom could be applied in a practical environment.

This approach highlighted the importance of learning experiences that connect theory with real-world practice. For English Literature students, experiences of this kind can also broaden their perspectives on the various opportunities for developing language, literary, and communication competencies in the professional world.

Encouraging Students to Continue Growing

Beyond academic content, the final session of the event also served as a space for reflection and motivation. The speakers encouraged students to reflect on their academic journeys, including the processes, challenges, and struggles that had brought them to their current stage of education.

Students were also encouraged to pursue their aspirations, recognize their potential, and continuously develop their competencies. These messages are particularly relevant amid the increasingly dynamic changes taking place in education and the professional world.

Thus, the “Literature and Linguistics in the Contemporary Era” event served not only as a forum for academic knowledge sharing but also as a platform for exchanging ideas, academic experiences, and motivation between lecturers and students from the two higher education institutions.

Strengthening Collaboration among Higher Education Institutions

The event, coordinated by Bambang Hariyanto, Ph.D. and Dr. Arif Budiman, lecturers from the English Literature Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, was attended by more than 100 students of the English Literature Study Program.

The students’ enthusiasm for the discussion demonstrated the importance of academic forums that bring students into direct interaction with academics from other institutions. Through activities such as this, students gain not only new perspectives on linguistics and literary studies but also a broader understanding of developments in these fields and their applications in various contexts.

The realization of academic collaboration between the English Literature Study Program, FADIB, UIN Sunan Kalijaga and the Master’s Program in English Language Education at UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung through this guest lecture and joint discussion is expected to contribute to strengthening academic networks and opening up broader opportunities for future collaboration.

For the English Literature Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, collaborations of this kind represent an important step toward providing learning experiences that are more open, contextual, and connected to developments in academic disciplines at the national level.(AR/URS/HFS)