YOGYAKARTA – As an implementation of the Academic Internationalization Strengthening Grant through the Joint Supervision EQUITY Scheme 2026, Prof. Chiharu Nakashima, Ph.D. from Mie University, Japan, was invited to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The grant program, chaired by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., facilitated a series of academic activities and the development of research collaborations within the Faculty of Biology UGM, taking place from June 30 to July 2, 2026.
Guest Lecture and Academic Supervision
On June 30, 2026, Prof. Chiharu Nakashima attended as a guest lecturer at the 2026 National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Biology Consortium (KOBI). In the forum, he presented the importance of international collaboration in improving research quality, expanding academic networks, strengthening scientific publications, and increasing the global visibility of Indonesian research. The presentation also covered knowledge exchange, capacity building for researchers and students, and the development of research networks to support scientific advancement and biodiversity conservation.
As the main agenda of this grant implementation, academic supervision and discussion sessions were held with postgraduate students of the Faculty of Biology UGM. The supervision focused on a Doctoral Program student, Adib Fakhruddin Yusuf, with Prof. Nakashima acting as the international co-promoter. The discussion in this session was divided into three substantial points: (1) validation of research results regarding the identification of Colletotrichum siamense as a first record species causing mango anthracnose in Indonesia, (2) finalization of the Joint Supervision MoU document, and (3) technical preparation for conducting sandwich research at the Phytopathology Laboratory, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Japan. The academic agenda then continued with a supervision session for a Master’s Program student in Biology, Vida Rahma Latifah. The discussion at this stage focused on evaluating research methodology and exploring opportunities for further collaborative research within the scope of plant phytopathology.
Presentation at ICNSB and SNBT 2026
On July 1, 2026, Prof. Nakashima served as an Invited Speaker at the International Conference on Nusantara Spices and Biodiversity (ICNSB) 2026, held in conjunction with the National Seminar on Tropical Biology (SNBT) 2026. The conference carried the theme “Reviving the Glory of Nusantara Spices through Biodiversity Research and Sustainable Innovation,” where he presented academic material entitled “Diversity of pathogenic and endophytic fungi in spices.”
Coordination of the Double Degree Program Plan
The series of activities concluded on July 2, 2026, through a coordination meeting involving Prof. Dr. Bambang Retno Aji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono as Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, along with staff members, and Prof. Nakashima representing the Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University. This meeting discussed the escalation plan for academic collaboration, specifically regarding the proposed Master’s Double Degree program between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University.
The implementation of the EQUITY Grant Program 2026 is in line with the institution’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
