Yogyakarta, 27 August 2024 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada received a visit from a conservation ecologist from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia, namely Prof. Raylene Cooke, and Prof. John White. Also present were colleagues from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dr. Ristiyanto, Dr. Arlyna Budi Pustika, and Dr. Farida Handayani. The visit was warmly welcomed by the Faculty of Biology, attended by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources Affairs, Dr.rer.nat Andhika Puspito Nugroho as Head of the Masters Study Program, Rina Sri Kasiamdari, Ph.D. as Head of the Biodiversity Curator Professional Study Program, Nur Indah Sepriani, Ph.D., and Tyas Iksan Hikawan, Ph.D. as Chair and Secretary of the Office of International Affairs, Faculty of Biology, as well as several lecturers at the Faculty of Biology who have studied in Australia; Dr. Maryani, and Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. Eko warmly welcomed the meeting. He said that the visit could be a great moment to initiate academic and research collaboration between the two institutions. The Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni then explained the profile of the Faculty of Biology UGM, introducing each study program and collaborations that could be initiated together.
Prof. Raylene and Prof. John appreciated the meeting agenda. The two ecologists from Deakin University are enthusiastic about the Biodiversity Curator Professional Program at the Faculty of Biology, as well as the initiation of double degrees at bachelor, master and doctoral levels which can be collaborated with the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, especially as UGM itself has established memorandum of understanding with Deakin since 2020.
The discussion also discussed plans for research collaboration between Deakin University, Faculty of Biology, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) which focuses on mapping rodenticides in the Asia Pacific, one of which is Indonesia. This was also conveyed by Prof. John and Prof. Raylene gave a public lecture on Tuesday (27/8) afternoon which focused on ARMS or Anticoagulant Rodenticide Monitoring System research with researchers in the Asia Pacific region. The collaboration scheme is planned to involve researchers and students from Deakin University, Faculty of Biology UGM, and BRIN through KONEKSI or Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia-Indonesia, a collaborative research funding program between Indonesia and the Australian Government. Apart from that, collaboration through double degrees with LPDP support was also initiated.
It is hoped that this meeting will be the initiation of collaboration between the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University and the Faculty of Biology UGM, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) as well as through academic collaboration and sustainable research (SDG 4 and 17), especially in ecological and conservation research for ecosystem sustainability (SDG 15).