More Than Collecting Stamps: UKM Creativity Enlivens UIN Jakarta's 2026 UKM Village
Student Center Field, UIN Online News – Some came merely to collect stamps, while others walked away with brand-new experiences. The 2026 Student Activity Unit (UKM) Village at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta returned to introduce various campus organizations to incoming freshmen. Numerous UKM booths went beyond serving as information desks and stamp collection points, offering creative activities to showcase their unique identities and characters. Interactive activities—including photobooths, games, quizzes, chess sparring, poetry recitations, pantomimes, and sing-alongs—vibrantly animated the UKM Village event on Sunday (August 30, 2026).
The Chief Executive of the 2026 UKM Village explained that this year’s event was not designed simply as a stamp-collecting exercise for new students. Instead, it offered a valuable opportunity for freshmen to discover organizations aligned with their interests and talents.
“At UKM Village, you are not here just to collect stamps or unwind after completing two days of University PBAK and two days of Faculty PBAK. Rather, this is your chance to get to know which organizations truly match your passions and skills,” he stated.
During this edition of UKM Village, several student activity units designed activities that allowed freshmen to participate directly. For instance, the KALACITRA Student Photography Community set up a photobooth as part of their welcoming activities for incoming students.
In contrast to KALACITRA, the Student Sports Federation (FORSA) hosted chess matches to engage with new students. Creativity was also on full display at the Teater Syahid booth, where freshmen were invited to recite poetry and watch pantomime performances—giving them hands-on exposure to the artistic expression cultivated within the unit.
Meanwhile, the RIAK Student Music Community engaged new students through live singing sessions. This interactive approach allowed RIAK to introduce its environment and activities through active participation rather than conventional information sharing.
Beyond the arts and sports, creativity took the form of interactive games at the booth of Fatahillah Researchers for Science and Humanity (FRESH). Freshmen participated in various games, including a roulette spin and a mystery research box, with opportunities to win merchandise for taking part in FRESH booth activities.
Concurrently, the Arkadia Nature Lovers Community introduced a unique way to engage with freshmen. At the Arkadia booth, new students were quizzed on the geographical locations of various provinces across Indonesia. This activity blended the introduction of the organization with an educational experience, encouraging students to refresh their knowledge of Indonesian geography in a lighthearted, interactive format.
These diverse activities across all booths aligned with the primary objective of UKM Village: serving as an exploratory platform for new students to discover student activity units. The Chief Executive of UKM Village 2026, Salman Abdurrahman, emphasized that UKM and Autonomous Bodies (LO) serve not only as activity hubs, but also as spaces for students to hone their talents and realize their aspirations.
“Through UKM and Autonomous Bodies at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, your talents can be honed and nurtured. Above all, you will build networks with peers who share your passions,” Salman explained.
In this year's execution, the UKM Village was divided into four distinct zones based on fields of activity. Zone One featured arts, theater, and drama. Zone Two hosted Islamic and organizational UKMs and LOs. Zone Three focused on languages and photography, while Zone Four encompassed natural disaster management, sports, and social services.
In addition to booth exhibitions, the 2026 UKM Village was enlivened by talk shows, UKM stage performances, and live band showcases from several faculties, rounding out a rich interactive experience for new students exploring the vibrant student life at UIN Jakarta.