Yogyakarta - On Friday, May 12, 2023, the 41st Bi-Weekly Forum of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga (SuKa) was held online via the Zoom platform. The forum was organized by the English Literature Study Program, FADIB, UIN SuKa, and invited Associate Professor Maytawee Holasut, a lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at Thammasat University, Thailand, as the speaker. In this event, Holasut discussed English comparative literature and its challenges in the era of Society 5.0.

The forum began with an opening speech and welcome address to the speaker by Dr. Muhammad Wildan, M.A., the Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, UIN Sunan Kalijaga. In his address, Dr. Muhammad Wildan expressed that this forum was the result of collaboration between the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB), UIN Sunan Kalijaga (SuKa), and the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University. He hoped that such collaborations could continue to be developed, including in research collaboration, community service, and student exchange.

In addition to being attended by the academic community of FADIB, UIN SuKa, including English Literature students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this presentation and academic discussion were also followed by English Literature lecturers who are members of various associations such as HISKI, LITA-ADIA, ESAI, and ELITE.

In his presentation, Associate Professor Maytawee Holasut discussed several important points, including what English comparative literature is in the context of Thailand (globally); how we perceive ourselves by connecting the discipline of reading and literary criticism with abundant knowledge of literary texts and cultures that can be adapted into other aspects of life; how others (universities/society) perceive us as a luxurious field of knowledge that does not directly contribute to the labor market dependent on financial and technological growth. Holasut also discussed the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) technology today and our attitudes and actions in the academic world.

Holasut mentioned the holistic convergence that connects commerce, literature, culture, and technology into an integrated whole. This holistic integration includes the use of technology in commercial platforms that facilitate the trading of literary products and works, connecting writers and readers through online communities, and influencing how we consume and access literature. Technology enables literary works to be accessed globally, combining cultural elements in digital form, and facilitating broader cultural value exchanges. Additionally, commerce and literature also play a role in the development of technological innovation and values reflected in literary products and works. Overall, this holistic convergence creates synergy between commerce, literature, culture, and technology, expanding their reach and influence, and generating integrated and innovative solutions in various aspects of our lives.

The forum, moderated by Dr. Danial Hidayatullah, a lecturer in the English Literature Program who teaches Comparative Literature this semester, proceeded smoothly and received positive responses from participants, including both students and lecturers who asked questions and provided feedback.

The Bi-Weekly Forum was concluded by Ulyati Retno Sari, M.Hum, the Head of the English Literature Study Program in FADIB, UIN SuKa, who expressed that this event provided valuable insights for participants regarding English comparative literature and its challenges in the era of Society 5.0. It is hoped that through such meetings, understanding and knowledge of the role of literature in a global and technological context can continue to be enhanced, thereby making meaningful contributions to the development of culture, literature, and society in the present and future. Ulyati also expressed gratitude to Dr. Ubaidillah (urs)