On Saturday, April 15 2023, a Field Class was held, followed by an Iftar. The activity is to increase Seedling’s knowledge and skills in implementing the Small Group Discussion 2 material that was presented a few weeks earlier. Field class activities in the form of materialization by the Plant Diversity Science Sub-Division and Landscape Ecology Science Sub-Division, as well as the implementation of SGD 2 material by the Landscape Architecture Science Sub-Division.

The first field class was delivered by the Landscape Ecology Research Sub-Division. The speaker explained about the interaction of abiotic factors with the environment and the procedures for using tools in making mini reports which included how to measure soil pH, soil moisture, and temperature in the UGM Biological Forest. Then proceed with the second field class by the Landscape Architecture Sub-Division, namely the implementation of designing a garden which includes site inventory and making notations on the base map. This was followed by the final field class by the Plant Diversity Science Sub-Division. The presenter explained about the growth form, macromorphological characters of plants, and the aesthetic value of a plant. After the presentation of the field class, it was followed by closing the field class and an explanation of the assignment.

After the field class activities were over, it was followed by iftar with all KSAT members. After that, the activity continued with the creation of content from the ten members who were selected to come forward bringing their own snacks. The activity continued with the exchange of snacks that had been brought between KSAT members. The joint opening activity ended with a closing prayer and documentation.

Wednesday (26/4/23) the Faculty of Biology UGM held the Syawalan 1444 H, which is one of the routine activities carried out by the Faculty of Biology UGM every Shawwal month, this time with the theme “Strengthening Gathering and Increasing Harmony in Reaching Achievements”. The recitation took place at the Tropical Biology Auditorium and was attended by all Lecturers, Education Staff, Association of Dharma Wanita Management, Retired Lecturers/Educational Staff, and Student representatives.

The event opened with the recitation of the Qoran, by Ustadz Tantan Qital Barozi and Ustadzah Neng Najmiah. The Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. on that occasion expressed his gratitude for the presence of all invited guests. In his remarks Prof. Budi said that the Faculty of Biology continues to hold syawalan recitation events to strengthen friendship and achieve harmony among the Biology Faculty’s family. Prof. Budi also apologized for all mistakes while carrying out his serving duties. “On behalf of the Faculty of Biology I wish you a happy Eid Al-Fitr 1444 H, and ask for sincerity to be forgiven for all mistakes and mistakes.”

Next, the Syawalan Pledge was delivered which was guided by Abdul Razaq Chasani, M.Sc., Ph.D. and followed by the main event of the Syawalan. The speaker was Prof. Dr. Chairil Anwar who is a Lecturer at FMIPA UGM. “We were created as nations so that we can stay in touch with one another.” As noble as we are, people who are pious, that is, people who are in an emergency or spend too much of their fortune for the benefit of many people, and people who can control their anger. “Through this syawalan, we hope that we will return to our nature, return to our identity as human beings, namely clean human beings”

The Syawalan was closed with a prayer led by Prof. Dr. Chairil Anwar and continued shaking hands as a sign of mutual apologies.

As part of the Asean University Network (AUN), which is a network of universities in the ASEAN Region, the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, also continues its participation in one of the activities held by AUN, namely the AUN-EEC (Ecological Education and Culture) General Assembly, as a continuation of AUN -EEC First Round Meeting which was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., in 2019 in the Philippines. AUN-EEC is one of the AUN agendas designed in the form of education and culture aimed at educating the younger generation of ASEAN to have a sustainable mindset towards biodiversity and the environment.

At the AUN-EEC General Assembly 2023 which was held virtually hosted by Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines on April 26 2023, 22 representatives from 30 member universities attended, including 2 (two) lecturers as representatives of the UGM Faculty of Biology namely Sari Darmasiwi, S.Si., M. Biotech., Ph.D. and Nurindah Septriani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The meeting began with a presentation by the AUN EEC Secretariat, Emmanuel Delocado, who delivered several teasers on the main AUN-EEC 2023 agenda including the AUN-EEC Conference “Communing and Reconciling with Nature” which is planned to be held on August 16, 2023, followed by AUN-EEC Workshop “Individual Commitments for Ecosystem Restoration and Reconciliation” on October 11, 2023. The target participants for the two events were lecturers, students, and researchers from member universities.

The event then continued with discussion and information exchange regarding the agenda of each member institution related to education in biodiversity and the environment for 2023 which can be supported by AUN-EEC. In this case, the UGM Faculty of Biology is socializing the International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development which is planned to be held in July 2023.

This event was closed by the Executive Director of AUN-EEC, Maria A.C. Cuyegkeng who invites and develops a network of universities affiliated with AUN so that they can work together to realize the mission of educating the younger generation to preserve the environment and contribute to the community.

Every year the Christian Student Society (PMK) of the Faculty of Biology celebrates the Easter service with the aim of providing a place for Christian students and lecturers to celebrate Easter. This activity is also useful in developing Christian students’ spiritual relationships through joint fellowship. At this Easter celebration, PMK Biology carries the theme “Philadelfia” with the main verse on Hebrews 13:1-3. Through this theme, it is hoped that the brotherly love and friendship that God has given through humans can be channeled in the form of love for others, not only for those we know but for everyone according to the love of Jesus Christ.

This activity was held on Saturday, April 15 2023 at 17.00 – 19.00 WIB in Room 1-2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity was attended by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St. as PMK Biology supervisor lecturer, member of PMK Biology batch 2018 to 2022, representatives of PMK and KMKK UGM, and representatives from the Inter-University Fellowship – Yogyakarta Christian Student Society (PERKANTAS-PMKY).

This activity began with remarks by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and was followed by a celebration session and a prayer session. The celebration session was carried out in the form of Bible-themed games to bring each student closer and create an atmosphere of brotherhood, and was followed by praise through songs. During the worship session, the sermon was delivered by Ev. Fillia A. Laua from GII Hok Im Tong Cornerstone Jogja with the title “Maintain Brotherly Love”. The word that was brought about the extraordinary love of Jesus Christ became the basis for us to love others. Our love can be shown in the form of kindness, empathy, loyalty, and happiness. By carrying out this activity, it is hoped that we can increase brotherly love for everyone around us.

On Saturday, April 29 2023, the BiOSC 2023 Family Gathering was held. This activity was part of the celebration of the 17th BiOSC Anniversary. This time the Family Gathering carries the theme IOS (Bonding BiOSC) with the jargon “Empower One Another”. This activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M. S., M. Sc., as the BiOSC supervisor. In addition, this activity was also attended by 64 BiOSC members. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. giving hope to BiOSC on this 17th Anniversary so that in the future it will be even more solid. Apart from that, he also hopes that BiOSC will be more responsive to the condition of orchids at UGM, especially at the Faculty of Biology.

To enliven the Family Gathering activities, each field with representatives from AD XVII made different performances. In addition to performances, in this Family Gathering activities various group games were also held. The BiOSC 2023 Family Gathering is very exciting and fun. Everything went smoothly. By holding the 2023 Family Gathering, it is hoped that it will strengthen the sense of kinship so as to create a harmonious relationship between BiOSC members

On Saturday, May 6 2023 the UGM Faculty of Biology Community Service Team made their first visit to the Kampung Satwa located in Kedung Banteng, Sumberagung, Moyudan, Sleman, Yogyakarta. This visit was aimed at introducing oneself as well as coordinating with partners in the context of implementing a program entitled “Strengthening Food Security in Kampung Satwa to Improve Family Nutrition and Anticipate Wasting and Stunting Incidents”. This program is one of fourteen proposals that have passed to be funded in the 2023 Community Service-Free Learning Campus (PkM-MBKM) Grant for the Faculty of Biology UGM.

As for some of the activities that will be carried out in Period I (Even Semester Academic Year 2022/2023) include: (1) Counseling on the use of ecoenzymes for households, agriculture, health and the environment, (2) Cultivating microgreens as an alternative to vegetable nutritional needs, (3 ) Dissemination of the Nutrition Awareness Family Program (Kadarzi) and monitoring of the growth and development of children and toddlers, and (4) Utilization of residents’ yards as Nutrition Gardens.

The stunting and wasting prevention program has become a directive from the PKK of Kedung Banteng. With the collaboration between the Swanting Team and the Kampung Satwa, it is hoped that good synergy will be created in the context of preventing and accelerating the reduction of stunting and wasting in the Kampung Satwa and its surroundings through programs to improve community nutrition, especially for children and toddlers. This program is in line with the Republic of Indonesia’s national program for the 2020-2024 period as stipulated in the Republic of Indonesia Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021 and the Republic of Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation No. 13 of 2022.

In its journey to prepare new Study Program, namely Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM held a Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator in the field of Plants for several prospective lecturers of UGM. On May, 11^th 2023 in Ruang Sidang KPTU, The Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator was carried out based on the Portofolio/Recognition of Past Learning scheme.

The assessment was attended by 5 UGM lecturers as participants, namely Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S. (Fakultas Biologi UGM), Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology), Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology), Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology) dan Ir. Atus Syahbudin, S.Hut., M.Agr., Ph.D. (Faculty of Forestry).

Assessor in this professional certification test was Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler, Director Hortus botanicus Leiden, Universiteit Leiden, who was accompanied by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. as Head of Undergraduate Biology Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

After all the assessment process was done, it was stated that the five participants had passed and received professional certificate as Curator of Biodeversity. During the certificates handover, Dean of Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., accompanied by the vice deans, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources) and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni), expressed his pride in the process of this certification assessment and hoped that this result would support the establishment of Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. also stated that, in the future, a professional certification assessment for biodiversity in the field of animals and microbes would be carried out so that the new study program to be established was truly ready with competent and internationally certified lecturers.

Before the assessment was closed, Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler and all of Faculty Directors had a discussion about strategic steps and plans that will very useful in preparing for the establishment of new study program. The certification assessment process ended with a group photo between all of participants, Faculty Directors and Prof. Dr. Paul Kessler.

Thursday, May 11 2023 Gala Dinner was held between Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden at Sasanti Restaurant, Yogyakarta. The Gala Dinner was attended by Prof. dr. Paul J. A. Kessler (Director of Hortus Botanicus, Universiteit Leiden), Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Deputy Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Bachelor Study Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M. Si., Ph.D., Head of the Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng., Head of Office of International Affairs, Faculty of Biology, and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Si., M.Biotech.

Gala Dinner is intended to strengthen good collaboration relation between two parties, Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden after Tuesday, May 9 2023, the MoU was extended regarding collaboration in joint research programs, visiting professorships, resources for exchange, joint seminars , workshops, double degree programs, educational scholarships and various other scopes of collaboration between Faculty of Biology and Leiden University

Gala Dinner occured with small talk and shared experiences through comparisons between Indonesia in general and the Faculty of Biology UGM in particular with Universiteit Leiden in the Netherlands, such as cultural differences, regulations, education and teaching curriculum, research, and so on. Prof. Paul also went down to share about the teaching system at Universiteit Leiden and the Netherlands, both from the development of human resources, functions and publications, connections with various parties, one of which is the United Nations, to how it affects to the development of education, especially within the university sphere.

The implementation of this Gala Dinner is a form of strengthening both working and personal relationships with the collaboration partners of the Faculty of Biology. It is hoped that good collaboration can continue between Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden.

Tuesday, May 9 2023, Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University received a visit from Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden, The Netherlands. There are Prof. dr. Jesper Knoester (Dean of the Faculty of Science), Professor of the Computer Science Program, Prof. Dr. M. M. Marcello Bonsangue (Professor of Bioinformatics), Prof. dr. Paul J. A. Kessler (Director of Hortus Botanicus), Prof. dr. Erik H. J. Danen, and Yun Tian. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room by the Dean of Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of Bachelor Study Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M. Si., Ph.D., Head of Masters Study Program, Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng., Head of Office of International Affairs, Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Sc., M.Biotech., Mukhlis Jamal Musa Holle, S.Sc., M.Env.Sc., and Nur Indah Septriani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The visit began with an introduction to the Faculty of Biology and Gadjah Mada University in general by the Head of Faculty of Biology UGM and profile of Universiteit Leiden, especially Faculty of Science, was presented by Prof. dr. Jesper Knoester as the Dean. Furthermore, there was discussion regarding the MoU and the implementation of collaboration between Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden including the mobility program for undergraduate students (IISMA, internship, student exchange), educational scholarships, and double degree program between Faculty of Biology UGM and Leiden University.

Collaboration between Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University and Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden has been established since 2016 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) regarding cooperation in joint research programs, visiting professorships, resources for exchange, joint seminars and workshops, PhD programs and post-doc training. During the visit, of MoU extension was signed to continue the collaboration that had taken place before. This visit is expected to enhance collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Science, Leiden University.

On Tuesday, 11 April 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from Prof. Elizabeth van Volkenburgh, Professor of Plant Science at the Department of Biology, University of Washington (UW), USA. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room on the 2nd floor by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Deputy Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc. and Lecturer from the Plant Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St.

The visit began with an introduction to the Faculty of Biology and Gadjah Mada University in general by the UGM Faculty of Biology leadership. In the meeting, a collaboration plan was discussed between the University of Washington and the UGM Faculty of Biology such as student exchanges, summer courses, visiting professors and general lectures. At the meeting, Prof. Elizabeth really appreciated the “International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” which this year will be held in early August 2023. This activity is an annual activity of the UGM Faculty of Biology which offers exploration of biology learning related to biodiversity and tropical ecosystems for the survival of living things. “It is a very good opportunity for students to learn,” he said. Prof. Elizabeth also intends to offer this opportunity to students in her department who are interested in studying ecology, the “ring of fire” and various research related to biology in the tropics.

The visit ended with a tour of the UGM Faculty of Biology, especially in the area of ​​the Plant Physiology Laboratory and the Plant Development Structure Laboratory. This visit is expected to increase cooperation between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Washington, especially the Department of Biology.