BANDUNG – The Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at Universitas Widyatama celebrated its 3rd anniversary with great celebration at the Multipurpose Building (GSG) on campus Thursday, June 12, 2025. The event, themed “Cultural Reflection and Civilization Inspiration,” was an important moment to emphasize the faculty’s identity, which focuses not only on language but also has a strong cultural foundation. The highlight of the event was a speech by the Rector of Universitas Widyatama, who encouraged the evaluation and strengthening of cultural aspects in the faculty’s curriculum.
Cultural Reflection in the Middle of Digital Challenges
The celebration of the 3rd Anniversary of FIB opened with a report from the Chief Executive, Dianita, S.S., M.Hum., who explained the series of events including a cultural speech by Dr. Hari from ITB, a cultural performance with traditional dances, as well as local and global games. The event was also attended by students from the English and Japanese language study programs, as well as special guests from UiTM Malaysia and students from the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.
In his speech, the Rector of Widyatama University, Prof. Dr. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum., provided his perspective on the current state of Indonesian culture. He highlighted the hegemony of the digital world, which has given rise to a “buzzer culture,” where what is seen on stage (front stage) often does not match the reality behind the scenes (backstage). According to him, this phenomenon is a reflection of cultural transformation that must be responded to critically by academics.
“Therefore, our friends in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences are not only skilled in the context of language proficiency, Japanese, English or other languages, but also how we reflect language in the context of its own cultural ownership,” said Prof. Dadang. In his speech, he asked the Dean of FIB to evaluate the curriculum so that the core of cultural business is better accommodated and students are not detached from their cultural roots.
Strengthening the Identity of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Since officially changing its name from the Faculty of Languages to the Faculty of Humanities in 2022, FIB Widyatama has continued to strive to strengthen its identity. The Dean of FIB, Dr. H. Hendar, Drs., M.Pd., stated that this change was not merely a name change. It was followed by a strengthening of the curriculum through distinctive courses such as Cultural Diplomacy and Cross-Cultural Understanding to show that culture is a mirror that reflects the soul of a nation.
Executive Chair, Dianita, S.S., M.Hum., added that the main purpose of this event is to remind people that FIB is rich in cultural nuances. “So we must educate others that the faculty of cultural sciences does not only discuss language but also culture,” she said. The presence of international students from Malaysia and BIPA is expected to expand the reach of this understanding to the global arena.
Student Appreciation of Cultural Insight
The event received positive responses from students who felt they had gained a new perspective. Nuril Asry Fadhlan, a Japanese Language undergraduate student, said that the event had opened his eyes. “His (the speaker’s) visit opened my eyes to the fact that culture is more than just language,” he said. He felt that this event was very useful because it provided an understanding of what the speaker was saying in a deeper cultural context, an aspect that he felt was rarely touched upon in lectures that tended to focus on linguistics.
In conclusion, the 3rd Anniversary of the Faculty of Humanities at Universitas Widyatama was not only a ceremonial celebration, but also a strong declaration about the urgency of cultural roles in higher education. The rector’s call to evaluate the curriculum signaled the future direction of the faculty, which is to produce graduates who are not only proficient in foreign languages but also have sensitivity, understanding, and the ability to become agents of cultural preservation in the middle of globalization and digital challenges. The hope is that this event will continue every year with increasingly relevant themes and strengthen FIB’s position as an innovative and superior institution.
