Four study programs at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) have been ranked 151-200 globally in the QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject 2026. The four fields are Archaeology, English Language & Literature, History, and Modern Languages. UGM is also the only university in Indonesia included in the QS WUR by Subject rankings for Archaeology and History.
In the field of English Language & Literature, UGM ranks first in Indonesia, followed by Universitas Indonesia (151–200 globally) and Universitas Airlangga (201–250 globally). Meanwhile, in Modern Languages, UGM ranks second (151–200 globally), below Universitas Indonesia (101–150) and above Universitas Airlangga (251–300 globally).
The Dean of FIB UGM, Professor Setiadi, expressed his gratitude and pride over the achievements of these four fields of study. Previously, the Anthropology program was ranked 51–100 globally and first in Indonesia. According to him, these accomplishments reflect the hard work and commitment of the entire FIB UGM academic community in carrying out their responsibilities.
“I believe that achieving international rankings is a matter of great pride for FIB UGM. It is not only an achievement for UGM but also a recognition of the hard work of the entire academic community. Our commitment to maintaining the quality of education, research, and community service in language and literature has received global acknowledgment,” he said on Friday (Apr. 17).
According to Professor Setiadi, the main factor behind FIB UGM achieving this recognition is the strong collaboration among lecturers, students, and education staff in building a productive and relevant academic ecosystem aligned with contemporary developments. In addition, academic reputation, reflected through scientific publications, research activities, and alumni contributions across various fields, has also been a key driving force. Departments within FIB UGM, particularly the Departments of Language and Literature, Anthropology, and Archaeology, play a significant role in strengthening UGM’s reputation in the humanities.
“We interpret this achievement in a balanced way, as recognition, motivation, and a benchmark. It is recognition because our hard work has been objectively appreciated, motivation because it encourages us to continue innovating and maintaining quality, and a benchmark because it reflects how far we have progressed and which aspects still need improvement,” he explained.
Professor Setiadi added that FIB’s current focus is consistency. He emphasized that research at FIB should not stop at publication but must also provide tangible benefits.
To enhance academic quality and scientific reputation, Professor Setiadi noted that FIB UGM has implemented various strategic measures, including strengthening national and international research collaborations since 2023 and developing leading research in the humanities using intercultural, intertextual, and digital humanities approaches.
“This research focus is directed toward current issues such as literature and sustainability, literature and technology, and cultural identity,” he elaborated.
FIB UGM also encourages its lecturers to write by facilitating greater publication of their research in international journals to reach a global academic audience. One initiative is the Scientific Publication Acceleration Program, which provides intensive mentoring for lecturers to write and publish articles in reputable national and international journals.
Furthermore, in terms of publications, FIB UGM continues to strengthen the governance and indexing of its academic journals, including Poetika: Jurnal Ilmu Sastra, Humaniora, Sasdaya: Gadjah Mada Journal of Humanities, and Lexicon.
The faculty is also actively organizing various forums and literary discussions as platforms for exchanging ideas and enriching knowledge in the humanities. One example is the expansion of international collaborations and programs, such as the Festival Internasional Berbahasa dan Berbudaya Indonesia (FIBBI), which hosts competitions for international participants to express themselves through videos, essays, or photography, as well as an International Seminar planned for October. The faculty also promotes increased student and lecturer exchanges with overseas universities to strengthen the international atmosphere on campus.
“Going forward, FIB UGM will continue to strengthen the downstreaming of research outputs and academic works to ensure broader impact, not only through scientific publications but also through cultural works that can be enjoyed by the public,” he said.
Finally, Professor Setiadi expressed hope that this achievement will not only be a source of pride but also a collective source of energy for the entire academic community to continue creating and innovating. FIB UGM will strive to become a center of excellence in the study of language, literature, history, and culture, contributing meaningfully at both national and international levels.
“I hope this achievement will inspire all of us to continue creating with a spirit of togetherness. FIB UGM will continue striving to become a leading center in language, literature, and cultural studies that contributes significantly to the development of the humanities at the international level,” he concluded.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: UGM Public Relations and FIB UGM Documentation