Yogyakarta, 22 January 2025 – Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) together with Western Sydney University (WSU) officially opened the International Summer Course (ISC) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity took place in two locations, at UGM, Yogyakarta on 21-23 January 2025 and continued in Tarakan, Kalimantan on 24 January – 8 February 2025.
The ISC opening event was attended by 16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU staff-lecturers, and UGM lecturers. The opening begins with a report from Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Faculty of Biology UGM, who also acts as Chair of the International Summer Course Organizer. He revealed that this activity was a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU that had been established over the last few years.
In his speech, Prof. John Charles Hunt, WSU lecturer, hopes that this activity can continue and expand collaboration in the research and academic fields in the future. In line with that, Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, expressed her appreciation for this collaboration, and stated that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after collaboration with Monash University and the UGM Vocational School. Prof. Puji also appreciated the focus of the summer course which raised the issue of biodiversity and environmental sustainability as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation in Kalimantan and Papua.
Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono also gave a speech and opened the event. He said that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and nature, and hopes that ISC participants can take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during activities in Yogyakarta. Prof. Budi also emphasized that this ISC is the first in 2025, before the implementation of the regular ISC in July-August.
The event continued with a visit to the Biology Museum, Faculty of Biology UGM, guided by Donan Satria, M.Sc., Lecturer in Animal Systematics, Faculty of Biology. The participants were very enthusiastic in listening to explanations about the history, role and various collections in this museum.
Next, the participants carried out field activities at the Marine Research Station, Faculty of Biology, Porok Beach, Gunung Kidul. This activity includes intertidal sampling and observing biodiversity on the beach. The exploration was guided by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman who focuses on animals and Dr.Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra regarding Macroalgae. Martin Holland, International Summer Course Coordinator from WSU, said that this field trip was a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.
Through this ISC, it is hoped that collaboration between WSU and the Faculty of Biology UGM can become closer, opening up opportunities for further collaboration in the academic and research fields, as well as contributing to achieving Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). This activity is in line with SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which focus on biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and international cooperation.
With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities can continue and strengthen relations between UGM and WSU, as well as support conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally.