The 5th International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development has been successfully organized by the Faculty of Biology UGM. The event, which took place on Monday, July 11th, 2022, was officially closed on Friday, July 15th, 2022. The event, which was held virtually through the online Zoom meeting platform, was attended by 49 participants from 8 universities, including 30 domestic and 19 international participants.
On the first day, July 11th, the course was opened by the course coordinator, Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D., which was followed by remarks from Dr. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Apt. as Director of Partnership, Alumni, and International Affairs UGM, as well as a remarks from Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM as well as Chairman of KOBI. The series of lectures on the first day was moderated by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App., Sc with the theme Biodiversity: Current and Future Challenges. The first lecture session began with the topic of Ecological Crisis, Challenge, and Hope which was presented by Prof. Dr. Tjut Sugandawaty Djohan from Universitas Gadjah Mada. The second lecture session continued by Atty. Elpidio Peria from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity with the theme Nature-Based Solution for Climate Mitigation. The next session was themed UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The material presented by Johannes Kieft from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). After the discussion and rest session, the activity continued with games and Virtual Projects with the topic Histopathology for toxicant effect analysis lead by Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D. The first day of the event was closed with assignments for the Summer Course participants.
The second day with the theme Global and Local Threat to Biodiversity moderated by Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D. After the opening by the coordinator and moderator, the first session of lecture delivered by Dr. Siti Nur Hidayati from Middle Tennessee State University USA underpinning the Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem. The second session of lectures continued by Dr. Not Atiqah Binti Norazlimi from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) with the title Microplastic: A Threat to Ecosystem and Biodiversity. The activity continued with discussion until the end of the session. The topic of Virtual Projects on the second day was Illegal wildlife trade tracking guided by Yunita Dwi Setyorini, S.Si. and Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono.
The series of lectures on the third day was moderated by Irhamna Putri Rahmawati, DVM., M.Sc, with the theme Transdisciplinary Approach in Conservation and Resource Management. The lecture begins with the topic Ecosystem Services: Valuing Nature for A Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals with Dr. Abidah Setyowati from the World Bank. After being interspersed with discussion sessions, the next lecture material presented by Dr. Wahyu Yun Santoso from the Faculty of Law UGM with the topic Nature Conservation Legislation. The next lecture took the topic of The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals with Dr. Haskarlianus Pasang from PT Smart Tbk. After the discussion, the activity continued with Virtual Projects: Primary design for Endangered Species, which was guided by Dr. Tuty Arisuryanti and Dr. Aprilia Sufi Subiastuti.
On the fourth day, a series of morning sessions moderated by Akbar Reza, M.Sc with the main theme Technology and Conservation. The lecture begins with the topic How does Artificial Intelligence Aid in Conservation? by Dr. Sebastian Lopez-Marcano of Griffith University Australia. The second session of the lecture took the topic of Remote Sensing and Drones for Forest Monitoring and Early Warning System which was presented by Dr. Noor Janatun Naim Jemali from Universiti Kelantan Malaysia. After the discussion and rest sessions, the lecture continued with Microbiology Diversity and Biotechnology presented by Dr. Nor Ismaliza Binti Mohd Ismail from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Malaysia. This session was moderated by Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, S.Si., M.Sc. The series of lectures on the fourth day closed with a discussion session.
The last day, July 15th, 2022, a series of activities opened by the facilitator, namely Akbar Reza, M.Sc. and Riandika Abdul Hafizh Alhaqi, S.Si and continued with Virtual Projects with the theme Bioblitz Using iNaturalist. Interspersed with rest, then the activity continued with the Youth Mini-Summit with the topic Youth movement on Biodiversity and Conservation. In this session, the participants were divided into several groups to make presentations on the results of their assignments related to biodiversity and conservation.
At the end of the event, awards were given to several categories of participants. The first award, The Outstanding Award, the students who actively engaged on lecture and virtual project, was given to Wening Ila Idzatilangi from Hasanuddin University, Liew Yu Heng from Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR), Sabut Kharisona from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Fauzan Ahmad Wijaya from UIN Sunan Gunung Djati. The second award, Most Outstanding Award, the students with the highest cumulative score, was won by Shintiakho Linggadewi from Brawijaya University, Fenty Wahyu Lestari from Brawijaya University, Jauharah R. Suhendar from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Faiznur Ain from Tun Hussein Onn Universiti (UTHM) Malaysia. Meanwhile, the third category award, The Most ON CAM, was given to Shintiakho Linggadewi from Brawijaya University, Vita Meylani from Siliwangi University, and Wildanul Hasanah from Brawijaya University.
The awarding and closing of the event carried out by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App., Sc and Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D. By these events, The 5th International Summer Course on Biodiversity and Sustainable Development was officially closed. Even though this lecture has ended, the Summer Course hopefully can spark the spirit among the participants and the network among participants would continuously grow. Moreover, with the recent knowledge, the participants hopefully will be motivated to create new things by prioritizing the conservation of tropical biological ecosystems and sustainable development.