The Museum of Biology is a museum managed by the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, since 1956. Originating from the ideas of Prof. drg. RG Indrayana and Prof. Ir. Moeso Soeryowinoto, the establishment of this museum began with the merging of the Zoologicum Museum managed by Prof. drg. RG Indrayana and the herbarium collection managed by Prof. Ir. Moeso Soeryowinoto. In 1969, under the initiative of the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Ir. Suryo Adisewoyo, and coinciding with the Dies Natalis of the Faculty of Biology UGM, the Biology Museum was inaugurated at Jl. Sultan Agung No.22, Mergangsan Subdistrict, Yogyakarta.
The museum, with a concept of biological education, research, and community service, houses collections such as skeletons, animal fossils, plant specimens, wet herbarium, and dry herbarium. In the dry herbarium storage, there are more than 3000 plant specimens, both indigenous and foreign. According to Fahmi, one of the Museum of Biology’s curators, a comprehensive specimen data collection is currently underway for digitalization purposes. “Every day, students come for data collection purposes and assist in the maintenance of dry specimens by replacing paper in the aging herbarium,” said Fahmi. He also mentioned a special box containing voucher specimens from the USA and Russia. Additionally, there are about 1000 wet herbarium specimens in the form of preserved fruits and flowers. In addition to plant specimens, there are also fossils and preserved animals, each with information on display.
The Museum of Biology is open to students and the general public every day during museum hours. Monday to Thursday, it is open from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM WIB, Friday from 08:00 AM to 03:00 PM WIB, and Saturday-Sunday from 08:00 AM to 02:00 PM WIB. In addition to being used as an educational attraction, this place is also utilized for the research of several students and professors. The Appreciation Award for the Sustainability and Maintenance of Cultural Heritage Buildings and Cultural Heritage in 2023 from the Yogyakarta City Culture Office is proof that the management of this museum is well-regarded. The well-maintained museum supports educational facilities for various groups.”
