On Friday (June 26th), the Faculty of Biology, UGM, held the opening ceremony for its 71st Anniversary. The event was attended by the entire academic community of the Faculty of Biology. The opening ceremony began with aerobics, followed by remarks from the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the cutting of a tumpeng (rice cone), the release of doves, a prayer, the distribution of door prizes, and share meal. During the door prize distribution, participants were entertained by performances from several lecturers and staff members, who sang songs on a beautiful stage prepared by the committee and a team of students. The 71st Anniversary celebration committee was led by Dr. Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc., and received full support from the students, led by Nelson Joseph Dharmawan.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM conveyed the importance of harmony within the faculty and expressed his hope that the faculty would achieve greater achievements and globalization in the coming year. This aligns with the theme of the 71st Anniversary: ​​Sustainable Biosynergy, Globalizing in Excellence. “I will oversee the Faculty of Biology UGM until my final day as a dean,” the Dean promised to all participants. The opening remarks of the anniversary series of events continued with the cutting of a tumpeng (rice cone), which was symbolically handed over to the chair of the 71st Anniversary, Dwi Umi. Symbolically echoing hopes for the success of the 71st Anniversary, seven black doves and one white dove were released by the senate chair, the dean, department heads, and the anniversary chair. The prayer service was led by Arief Muammar, S.Si., M.Sc., to raise hopes for the Faculty of Biology UGM’s success in achieving and going global.
The opening of the 71st Dies Natalis is the beginning of a series of events for the Faculty of Biology Anniversary, consisting of the International Summer Course (June 28-July 25), the International Conference on Nusantara Spices and Biodiversity in Conjunction with the National Seminar on Tropical Biology (July 1), Retirement Visit (August), Biotoprak (September 18), Alumni Gathering (September 18-19), the Senate Open Meeting and 71st Anniversary Thanksgiving (September 21), Biosphere (August-November), and Research Week (November). “Hopefully, the entire series of 71st Anniversary events will run smoothly and further boost the enthusiasm and synergy of the UGM Faculty of Biology academic community in the future,” said Dwi Umi. “I hope that the entire UGM Faculty of Biology academic community will support and realize that this event is in our common interest, so we need to support and strive for its success,” Dwi Umi continued, expressing her hopes.
The event became even more lively when the committee announced the door prize winners. The committee prepared over a hundred small gifts for the participants. Participants waited until the end of the door prize distribution while enjoying chicken porridge, soto, corn, peanuts, cassava, and fresh fruit juice. The opening of this anniversary was the embodiment of SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-3 (Healthy and Prosperous Lives), SDG-16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG-17 (Partnerships to Achieve Goals). (DUS)
