PGSD Students of UNU Jogja Showcase “Ragam Seni Nusantara,” Preserving Cultural Heritage

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Students of the Primary School Teacher Education Program (PGSD) at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) presented a vibrant cultural performance titled “Ragam Seni Nusantara” at the UNU Yogyakarta Hall on Tuesday, Jan 27. The event was part of the Final Semester Examination (UAS) for courses in Elementary Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, and Music.

The performance featured a rich variety of traditional Indonesian arts presented by PGSD students from the 2024 cohort, including a Nusantara parade, choir, regional dances, traditional gamelan music, and an exhibition of student artwork. The event served as both a creative platform and an opportunity for students to demonstrate their artistic competencies in elementary arts education.

Fan Na Naa Muhammad, M.Pd., lecturer of Performing Arts Education (Sendratasik) and Elementary Visual Arts, explained that the event functioned as both a final academic evaluation and a platform for student development.

“This activity serves as a final learning evaluation while also providing space for students to express creativity, develop artistic appreciation, and strengthen their skills in the arts. It is also part of our effort to preserve and introduce Indonesian cultural arts, while preparing future elementary school teachers to teach arts in meaningful and contextual ways,” he stated.

The live performances highlighted student collaboration across multiple art disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, and drama. The entire event was structured around themes of diversity, culture, and education, and was directly assessed by course lecturers as part of the academic examination process.

Head of the PGSD Study Program, Dr. Murdianto, M.Si., added that the event also included an exhibition of visual artworks by the 2024 cohort and educational poster projects created by students from the 2025 cohort. The poster exhibition was part of the final project for the course Paradigms and Ethics of Education.

“This collaboration is an effort to strengthen students’ foundational competencies, teamwork, and soft skills,” he said.

Dean of the Faculty of Education at UNU Jogja, Dr. Mustaghfiroh Rahayu, expressed her appreciation for the event. She emphasized that the performance was not only an academic evaluation but also a collaborative learning space involving organizing committees, groups, classes, and cohorts. Through the event, students developed teamwork, communication, and time-management skills amid their academic responsibilities.

She also extended her gratitude to Sanggar Ciptonurogo, especially Mr. Wibowo, for supporting the students through the loan of traditional gamelan instruments and intensive training assistance. This support significantly enhanced both the performance quality and students’ understanding of traditional arts.

Furthermore, the Dean praised the theme of the event, “Harmony in Diversity, Preserving Tradition Wholeheartedly,” as a reflection of Indonesia’s multicultural values and love for national heritage, which are highly relevant to elementary education. She expressed hope that similar events would continue to grow and become an annual university agenda, enjoyed not only by the Faculty of Education but by the entire UNU Jogja academic community. [Latifah]