On Monday, February 12, 2024, the Faculty of Biology UGM welcomed a visit from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Malang State University. The delegation consisted of the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Malang State University, Prof. Dr. Hadi Suwono, M.Si., Vice Dean II Dr. Hari Wisodo, S.Pd., M.Si., Head of the Master’s (S2) and Doctoral (S3) Programs in Biology Education, Dr. Ibrohim, M.Si., as well as ten graduate students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Malang State University. The visit was received in the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology UGM and was attended by The Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM; Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc., the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and HR; Abdul Razaq Chasani, Ph.D., the Head of the Tropical Biology Department; and Dr. rer. nat. Andhika, the Head of the Master in Biology Study Program, along with two graduate students from the Faculty of Biology UGM.
This visit aimed to benchmark the implementation of the Master’s and Doctoral Curriculum Programs, both regular and by research, at the Faculty of Biology at UGM, and to discuss collaboration in research and student supervision. Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., welcomed the visit and emphasized the importance of fostering relationships and communication between the Faculty of Biology at UGM and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Malang State University, which oversees educational sciences. It was hoped that with good acculturation and synergy between the two faculties, the process of disseminating knowledge to the wider community will be facilitated.
The Faculty of Biology UGM provided a brief overview of its profile and the Doctoral (S3) Program Curriculum, particularly the research-oriented (by research) track. The Faculty of Biology at UGM has been offered a Doctoral Program (S3) through the research-oriented track since 2020. During the visit, Prof. Dr. Hadi Suwono, M.Si., the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at UM, also discussed several collaboration points, such as plans for Guest Lecturer activities and supervision of graduate student research by experts from the Faculty of Biology at UGM.
Dr. Ibrohim, M.Si., reported that the Biology Education Program currently has 109 active students in the Master’s (S2) Program and 116 active students in the Doctoral (S3) Program. As an education-based program, this visit was expected to assist in the development of diverse student research, ensuring it remains up-to-date with advancements in science through collaborations between the two faculties.
Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., then provided information about the Professional Curator of Biodiversity Study Program at the Faculty of Biology at UGM and offered to facilitate UM Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty members who wish to pursue this professional study at the Faculty of Biology at UGM through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway without having to follow the credit system.
It is hoped that this visit will strengthen the good collaboration between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Malang State University and the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, reflecting the institutions’ commitment to supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for quality education (SDG 4) and fostering good partnerships (SDG 17), which will ultimately contribute to improving the overall quality of education in Indonesia.