As the second mega-biodiversity country, Indonesia is rich in a variety of natural resources. However, in its utilization, it is often not managed in a sustainable manner so that it threatens the preservation of biodiversity in the future. Conservation efforts are needed to maintain and restore biodiversity in Indonesia. Therefore, the Indonesian Biology Consortium or KOBI chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc collaborated and synergized with the Indonesian Conservation Communication Forum (FKKI), especially WWF Indonesia to initiate the preparation of the Indonesian Biodiversity Index (IBI). Furthermore, WWF Indonesia as a member of the KOBI IBI Committee took the initiative to develop permanent plot sampling activities in two representative working areas, namely the Sebangau Katingan (SEKA) landscape and Papua. Permanent determination of sampling plots for the Papuan landscape is intended for data collection and monitoring of Pig-nosed Turtles and birds.
The Graduate Student Family (KMP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM held a work and budget meeting on Saturday, March 18 2023 which was attended by 42 KMP officials. This activity began with the opening and reading of a prayer, followed by remarks from the Head of KMP Natha Abhipraya, Yusril Ihza Wijaya. In his remarks, the Head of KMP said that KMP is the only postgraduate-level organization at the Faculty of Biology that is autonomous and does not only work in the academic field but in the field of community service. Yusril as chairman of KMP, appreciated the work programs of each division which will continue to be evaluated so that they can run optimally and make a real contribution to society and the environment as the embodiment of the tri dharma of higher education.
The Faculty of Biology UGM is a faculty that continues to advance in conducting genomic and bioinformatic research. One of the lecturers in this faculty, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. had the opportunity to take part in The Asia-Pacific (APAC) Population-Genomics, Informatics, and Interpretation Workshop 2023 in Thailand. Organized by Oxford Nanopore Technology, the workshop was held at the Thailand Science Park Convention Center, The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Rangsit, Bangkok, Thailand, on March 15-16 2023. Led directly by the Chairman of the Satriabudi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), namely dr. Vincentius S.W Budhyanto, Dr. Niken, together with Genomics Researchers from Airlangga University, Del Institute of Technology, YARSI University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, left for Thailand with the full support of YSDS.
This training activity is a continuation of the “Socialization of Increasing the Quality and Quantity of Processed Food Products with Natural Dyes in Malangrejo Padukuhan” which was held on Saturday, March 11, 2023. This activity aims to increase the understanding of the Malangrejo community regarding the steps and requirements for obtaining an SLHS and SPP-IRT registration number for the product they own. In addition, the community was also given several recipes for diversifying food using natural dyes and vegetable plants from their yards. It is hoped that the diversification of food products by the people of Malangrejo can improve the quality and quantity of MSME products, so as to improve the people’s economy.
Monday, April 17 2023, the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, officially collaborated with the Indonesian Association of Parents with Thalassemia (POPTI) Magelang. The offline signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place at Tidar Hospital, Magelang City, at 09.30 WIB. The MoU document was signed by Dr Woro Triaksiwi Wulansari, Sp.A., M.Sc. as Chairperson of POPTI Magelang, while representatives from the Faculty of Biology UGM namely Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding.
On March 18, 2023, a presentation on the Business Plan ENVIROTECH 4.0 innovation by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia was held with the sub-theme of organic solid waste management, as well as commemorating World Waste Recycling Day. The STARGAZE team fronted by Eva Yunizar Reza Permana Putri, Fanny Najmi Faza, and Fika Zulfiani participated in the competition. The title raised was “MoldtoPlast” Product Innovation of Aspergillus niger Spore Suspension as a Biodegradation Agent for Plastic Packaging Waste” under the assistance of Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, S.Si., M.Sc.
The Biology Research Genetics Student Forum (FORMASIGEN) in collaboration with the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology UGM has held the Formasigen 2023 Training of Trainers (TOT) activities on 8 – 10 & 14 – 15 March 2023. TOT is a laboratory training activity related to basic techniques in genetics for Formasigen members. The purpose of implementing this activity is to help all Formasigen members to improve laboratory skills which are lacking due to the disruption of learning and practicum activities during the pandemic in the last few years.
Two staff from the Surabaya Plantation Plant Seed and Protection Center attended Basic Bioinformatics Training on 16-17 March 2023 at the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory. The two staff members are Fathul Mukaromah, S.P., M.P. and Asri Maria, S.P. The resource persons at the training were Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D. and Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.
The material provided in this training includes an introduction to how to trace sequence data in GenBank; introduction to the theory of consensus sequence and alignment of sequences (alignment), identity, similarity, and polymorphic sites; practice of using GeneStudio and BioEdit programs to compile consensus sequences, practice of using BLAST and Identification Engine for identification, practice of using MEGA, Mesquite and DnaSP programs to calculate genetic distances, genetic variation and phylogenetic tree reconstruction.
On Saturday, April 1 2023, a Small Group Discussion 2 of Landscape Ecology were carried out online via a zoom meeting platform. In SGD 2 this Ecoscaping is in the form of teaching by the Sub-Division of Landscape Ecology on Ecosystems and Sampling Techniques. The purpose of holding this Ecoskap Small Group Discussion 2 is to increase Seedling’s knowledge and skills regarding ecosystems and sampling techniques. The SGD 2 Landscape Ecology activity began with the opening by Dana Abruri (KSAT 2020). The presenter explained about landscape ecology which includes tropical rain forest ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, energy flows, sampling methods, and sampling tools. Then proceed with the division of Seedling into 7 groups in the breakout room. In the breakout room, joint discussions were held accompanied by the Sapling of the Landscape Ecology Scientific Sub-Division in each breakout room, namely Adelia Adriani, Anis Rahmatillah, Dyah Ekawati, Syafa Erista Hidayah, Maximus Jonathan Salim, Zahra Fitri Annisa, and Anggi Nada Khoirul Ummah ( KSAT 2021). The SGD 2 Landscape Ecology KSAT activities in 2023 went smoothly and on time. It is hoped that by holding this activity, knowledge and skills regarding ecosystems and sampling techniques will be increased for the Seedling KSAT.
The Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is holding an Academic Workshop “Academic Rules and ASIIN Preparation” on April 11-12 2023 in the Tropical Biology Auditorium Room, Faculty of Biology UGM. The workshop started at 09.00 WIB and was attended by all lecturers from the Faculty of Biology UGM. This event was held to increase understanding of academic rules and preparation for ASIIN accreditation at the UGM Faculty of Biology.
The Academic Workshop program “Academic Rules and ASIIN Preparation” consisted of two days, with the main agenda on the first day including presentations on SI-MONI, academic rules, and ASIIN visitations. The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM who was then represented by the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. The first material presentation was delivered by Prof. Dr. L. Hartanto Nugroho, M.Agr. which explains about SI-MONI, an instrument for monitoring the learning process. Next, Dr. Prof. .D.Eng. which explains the ASIIN visitation activities which will take place in May 2023.