Yogyakarta, October 23, 2025 — The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a workshop titled “Investing in the Future: Cultivating Excellence in Science and Biology Learning” at the Tropical Biology Auditorium. The event was attended by 130 principals and teachers from 78 senior high schools across 19 provinces in Indonesia, highlighting the Faculty’s commitment to strengthening the synergy between higher education institutions and secondary schools in nurturing future generations of excellence in biology.
The workshop was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, who emphasized the crucial role of biology in addressing global challenges and advancing scientific research. He stated that the Faculty of Biology UGM remains committed to expanding international collaborations, particularly through the International Graduate Program which has established partnerships with leading universities around the world, including several in Taiwan.
As part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Faculty of Biology UGM and 78 partner schools. This agreement marks a strategic step in fostering collaboration that supports teacher development and facilitates students’ pathways to higher education in science and biology.
The workshop continued with an interactive talk show featuring speakers from Indonesia and abroad, focusing on strengthening biology and science education in the era of global transformation and technological advancement.
The first speaker, Prof. Chen Yuh Wen, Director of the Liberal Education Center and D Infinity College, Da-Yeh University, Taiwan, delivered a presentation on the importance of science and biology education in tackling global challenges such as climate change, food security, biotechnology, and the artificial intelligence revolution. Joining virtually via Zoom, Prof. Chen also engaged in discussions with participating teachers about adapting teaching strategies to keep pace with rapid technological developments.
The second speaker, Ganies Riza Aristya, Ph.D., lecturer and researcher at the Genetics and Plant Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM, shared her academic journey during her studies at Tunghai University, Taiwan. She highlighted the supportive academic environment in Taiwan that encourages student creativity and research, as well as its relevance to advancing biological research in Indonesia.
Following her presentation, Arief Misbahul, MBM, Chairman of the Taiwan Center Indonesia, discussed the opportunities for higher education in Taiwan and the collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Da-Yeh University through the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Industrial Biology at the Faculty of Biology UGM. This program offers Indonesian students access to double-degree pathways, as well as internship and employment opportunities in Taiwan’s growing industrial sectors.
Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, emphasized that this workshop serves as a platform to strengthen collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM, the Taiwan Center, Da-Yeh University, and Indonesian high schools. The goal is to enhance human resource quality and increase both the number of students and the employability of alumni from the Faculty’s Industrial Biology IUP.
To conclude the program, participants visited the Integrated Genome Factory (IGF) — one of the leading genomic laboratories at the Faculty of Biology UGM — which provides state-of-the-art genomic and molecular research facilities. The visit offered firsthand experience of how cutting-edge research contributes to innovation in biotechnology.
This workshop demonstrates the Faculty of Biology UGM’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through this initiative, the Faculty continues to invest in inclusive, collaborative, and globally competitive science education for a sustainable future.
