The Faculty of Biology UGM organized the 9th Biotalk: The Role of Biology in Managing and Developing Higher Education in Indonesia and the World. It was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 with invited speakers: Prof. Datin Maryati Binti Mohamed (Tun Hussein Onn University Malaysia; Alumni F. Biology UGM 1972), Prof. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si. (Rector of the Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta; Alumni F. Biology UGM 1982), and Dr. Drs. Sunarto, M.Hum. (Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at the Christian University of Indonesia; Alumni of Faculty of Biology UGM 1977).
The first speaker, Prof. Datin Maryati Binti Mohamed, explained that Higher Education activities in Malaysia are based on the needs of the state. In collaboration with the university, the state has been employing expertise and various resources, including students, in managing matters related to the conservation of environment, such as managing forests, mangroves, and peatlands. Prof. Datin. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si., as the second speaker, said that education is essential to create great quality of human resources, and lecturers have an essential role in improving the quality of human resources through education. The final speaker, Dr. Drs. Sunarto, M.Hum. explained that the success of a university requires collaboration between lecturers and staff with the policymakers. It will significantly affect how a university can play a role in society, and collaborates with industry or the private sector.