Yogyakarta, 11 and 12 January 2024 – Researchers from PT SMART Tbk (Sinarmas Agribusiness and Food) visited the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada regarding the development of microalgae at the company. The visit was received by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs as well as Lecturer from the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. and attended by PT SMART Tbk researchers including Aprilia Nur Fitriani, Ph.D., Rika Fithri Nurani Buana, M.Si., and Sigit Dwi Maryanto, M.Sc. as Microbiome Technology Specialist.
Dr. Eko explained the research and development activities of microalgae as alternative energy and functional food. He highlighted the large potential for developing microalgae in Indonesia so that they are starting to be widely cultivated for various purposes. On this occasion, Dr. Eko explained the cultivation process from laboratory scale to mass scale and the microalgae harvesting process as well as the use of information technology to monitor water quality in microalgae cultivation. On this occasion, Sigit Dwi Maryanto, M.Sc as a representative from PT SMART Tbk expressed his desire to initiate the establishment of a microalgae business unit at PT SMART Tbk.
The purpose of PT SMART Tbk Researchers’ visit to the Biology Faculty was to see the microalgae research facilities and processes owned by the Faculty of Biology. The first visit was carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM to see the facilities and processes for cultivating microalgae on a laboratory scale owned by the Faculty of Biology. The activity continued with a visit to the Biodiversity Research Station II, Faculty of Biology in Karanggayam to see the mass-scale microalgae research facilities. The next visit was carried out at Minggir Algae Park as the Microalgae Biorefinery Science and Technology Center of Excellence to see the process of developing microalgae into multi-products.
It is hoped that the visit will be the initiation of research collaboration between the Faculty of Biology and PT SMART Tbk through various schemes. It is also hoped that this visit will open up opportunities for students to gain experience outside campus through various schemes such as research, internships and MBKM at PT SMART Tbk. In addition, the initiation of this collaboration is part of the Faculty of Biology’s contribution to sustainable development goals (Sustainable Development Program; SDGs) especially in the development of inclusive education (SDG 4), renewable energy research (SDG 7) through ongoing collaboration and cooperation (SDG 17).