In 2023, UGM participated in the 14th Higher Education and Innovation Exhibition or Sulawesi Education and Techno Expo at Sandeq Ballroom Claro Hotel, Makassar City, from Tuesday, 14 February 2023 to Thursday, 16 February 2023. The exhibition was attended by students from all high schools and vocational schools in Makassar City accompanied by teachers, parents and UGM alumni. The enthusiasm of the Makassar city community seems very high to obtain as much information as possible to be able to continue their studies at UGM which includes the admissions pathway for new students, the quota for each study program, and the ratio of the number accepted to the number of applicants for a study program. In addition, some visitors often asked regarding the tuition fees.

On this occasion, the Faculty of Biology UGM, represented by Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Sc., M.Biotech., as the executor of the OIA (office of international affairs) at the Faculty of Biology UGM, actively participates in introducing and promoting the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) to students in the South Sulawesi region, especially in Makassar city. On another occasion, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, explained that IUP Biology is the right choice for students to be able to study at the Faculty of Biology UGM because it has been accredited internationally by ASIIN (European standard accreditation) hence it has advantages over other programs, including the opportunity to take part in a dual degree program where part of the study period will be carried out at partner campuses abroad (Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Japan, and Malaysia), as well as other student mobility opportunities in the form of student exchange, short courses, and internships. He hopes that  this opportunity can help UGM in general, and the Faculty of Biology in particular to introduce the IUP program, hence it can be recognized by the public and provides a great opportunity for the public to be able to gain experience studying abroad even though they are registered as UGM students. Apart from the IUP program, the visitors were also enthusiastic to find out more about the regular undergraduate program, master’s program, and also the doctoral program held at the Faculty of Biology UGM. Abdul also hopes that there will be many students from Sulawesi, especially the city of Makassar and other parts of Eastern Indonesia who will be accepted to study at the Faculty of Biology UGM, both through the IUP program and the regular program, which will later be able to share the knowledge gained on campus. for the progress and development of South Sulawesi and the city of Makassar in particular.

On Friday, 17 February 2023, at 03.30-04.30 p.m, the inauguration of the study group and organization coordinator of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The inauguration was held offline at the Tropical Biology Auditorium Building, Faculty of Biology UGM. The activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Vice Deans, Heads of Study Programs, Heads of Academic and Student Affairs Sections, Student Affairs Coordinators, Lecturers of Study Group and Organization Supervisors, Heads of Study Groups and Organization, as well as several representatives of study groups and organizations coordinator.

This activity was guided by the MC, namely Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara and Firchamy Vuqi Aulia as Young Staff for the Internal Affairs of Biology Student Executive Board UGM. The activity began with an opening by the MC followed by singing Indonesia Raya, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology Mars together. Next is the Reading of the Pledge of Inauguration of study groups and organizations coordinator led by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., which was attended by all Heads of Study Groups and Organizations for the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. After that, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM signed the Pledge with all Heads of Heads of Study Groups and Organizations. The activity was continued with directions from Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. which contains messages and hopes for all study groups and organizations in general for the future. He said that the study groups and organizations in Biology had made a lot of contributions to the faculty. The students who are involved in it as well as the lecturers of the study groups and organizations are people who devote themselves to the interests of the general public. He also said that the faculty would fully support, appreciate, and facilitate the dedication of study groups and organizations that contribute to the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

On Friday 10 February 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo Semarang. The guests who attended from UIN Walisongo Semarang included the Dean, Dr. H. Ismail, M.Ag., Deputy Dean for Student Affairs, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Hj. Nur Khasanah, M.Kes., several teaching staff, and one alumni from the Faculty of Biology, Ms. Tara. The visit was held at the KPTU Meeting Room. this meeting also attended by the Dean of the 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. Niken Satuti Nur Hadayani, Head of Department, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Sc., M.Sc., Secretary of the Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of Bachelor Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. , Head of Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc.,

This meeting was to strengthen relations between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo by signing a Cooperation Agreement especially in the fields of education, research and community service.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo wanted to learn a lot from the Faculty of Biology UGM, because the Faculty of Biology UGM is the oldest biology faculty in Indonesia that has achievements both domestically and abroad, and has been accredited by ASIIN. Collaborations that have been carried out with the Faculty of Biology UGM include seminars, workshops, delivery of Masters studies, student exchange activities, research assistance, and MBKM.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM said he was very happy and grateful for the collaboration that had been carried out, hopefully in the future this collaboration will have a positive impact on both parties. In October 2017, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.SC once attended an invitation from UIN Walisongo Semarang to become a guest speaker for a seminar. Until now there are 11 UINs that have collaborated with the Faculty of Biology UGM, including UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim, UIN Alauddin Makassar, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin, and UIN Sultan Thaha Saifuddin

On Thursday 2 February 2023 the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., joined leadership agenda of Universitas Gadjah Mada to the BINUS University Alam Sutera campus, Tangerang City, Banten.

In this occasion, the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was able to learn from BINUS University in the academic field, research management, management of information technology systems and other innovative programs that can improve the academic quality of students and lecturers.

These programs include the use of IT for the learning process that makes it easy for lecturers and students to interact, integration of IT systems at all academic levels, human resources and infrastructure, apprenticeship programs that are connected to the career development of students after graduation, study program promotion systems with more millennial program names and an efficient staffing structure.

In this occasion, an agreement was made for collaboration in the development of BINUS University’s biotechnology study and research programs with the Faculty of Biology UGM.

On Wednesday 8 February 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Community Service, and UGM Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., UGM Director of Community Service, Dr. dr. Rustamaji, M.Kes., and Director Secretary of Community Service UGM, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum. The visit began with a discussion on program development in the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology UGM, followed by a tour around the campus of the UGM Faculty of Biology to review the production sites of POC (Liquid Organic Fertilizer) and organic fertilizers produced by the Faculty of Biology.

Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., expressed the importance of community participation around the UGM campus to participate in activities carried out by UGM such as KKN, Research and Community Service. There are 3 very strategic hamlets that are the belt of UGM, namely Sagan hamlet, Blimbingsari hamlet and Terban hamlet. UGM will provide assistance to the community around the UGM campus to be able to supply the needs of UGM and hotels around the UGM campus.

On that occasion, they also discussed the IUP (International Undergraduate Program) program at the Faculty of Biology UGM which has been running and this year there will be the first batch of graduates. The IUP program also provides opportunities for students to take part in KKN activities organized by the university, but in practice there are still some obstacles which yet to be solved, for example the number of credits that must be taken, the time for the KKN to be carried out. Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum., will report and discuss this problem at the university level in order to get the best solution and can be applied to this year’s KKN.

The UGM Faculty of Biology will also play an active role in the management of organic waste generated from the environment around UGM and internally from UGM. The waste will be processed into organic fertilizer and POC which can then be reused by the community around the UGM campus, and can also be sold to earn UGM income.

Indonesia, which is a tropical country, has many types of highly venomous snakes. Research on the diversity of types of reptiles and community service regarding the management of reptiles, especially snakes, have been carried out by many teaching staff or lecturers at the Faculty of Biology UGM. One of lecturers that actively carried out this research is Donan Satria Yudha, M.Sc., from the Animal Systematics Laboratory.

Donan has played an active role in the field of snake wildlife study and management since 2011 until now. Some of Donan’s activity in the study and control of snakes are: assisting the Yogyakarta BKSDA in assessing the diversity of reptiles in conservation areas, assisting the Gianyar Regency Government in inventorying wild animals including snakes, assisting reptile-loving communities by becoming their resource persons and coaches, providing snake handling training to Firefighters Sleman and UGM fires, helping Dr. dr. Tri Maharani, Sp.EM, M.Sc., in identifying venomous snakes that bite humans, providing knowledge and handling of snakes in the PLN substation environment, as well as many other community service activities.

Thanks to Donan’s research and dedication activities related to reptiles, especially snakes, in February 2022, Donan was asked to join the Team for the Study, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, which was initiated by dr. Tri Maharani. This team was formed with various members, starting from emergency doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, health service units, Mr Amir Hamidy a herpetofauna researcher from BRIN and Donan Satria Yudha from Biology UGM.

The Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants Team was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The inauguration of the team was manifested in the form of a letter: “Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, No: HK.01.07/MENKES/1114/2022 concerning the Team for the Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, dated 11 April 2022”. In this decree, this team worked for three years from the date stipulated. The Minister of Health’s decree made Donan challenged and ready to help deal with and prevent venomous animals. One of the activities of this team is to produce a guidebook on “Guidelines for Handling Bites, Poisonous Animal Stings and Plant Poisoning” which is currently still in the process of completing the book contents.

Wednesday, 8 February to 9 Thursday 2023 the Faculty of Biology UGM held a Mental Health Literacy Training for students. At 7.45 a.m., the opening of the Mental Health Literacy Training for Students was held in Room 1 & 2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. This training was attended by 35 participants consisting of representatives of Study Groups and Student Organizations, and also representatives of several batches of bachelor, master, and doctoral program students.

On this occasion the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., was pleased to give a speech and officially open the event. In his remarks Prof. Budi conveyed the importance of holding activities to increase mental health literacy. “Recently at UGM there have been several cases involving student mental health. Let’s make this training an opportunity to improve mental health for ourselves and help those around us.”

All of the participants received material from speakers which was delivered by a team from the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) Faculty of Psychology UGM. The materials presented in the training are:

Day 1:

• Mental Health Stigma and Myths
• Getting Know Mental Health Issues Around Campus (academic burnout, overthinking, procrastination, insecure)
• The Relationship Between Mental Health, Mental Health Problems and Mental Disorders
• Common Mental Disorders and Mental Health Problems

Day 2:

• P3KM (Psychological First Aid and Mental Health) Part 1
• P3KM (Psychological and Mental Health First Aid) Part 2 and Supportive Communication
• Early Detection and Referral Flow
• Develop a Safety Plan
• How to Maintain Positive Mental Health (Personal and Community/System – Prosperous Agencies) and Help Seeking

After 2 days of training, on Thursday 9 February 2023, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. pleased to provide directions and officially close the series of training activities. On this occasion, the Dean introduced students to the facilities owned by the Faculty of Biology UGM. From the Karanggayam research station to the Sawitsari research station. “We are grateful that these 2 days have really benefited. Let us both feel what is happening around us.” At the end of all training sessions, several questions were also given to the participants and a memento was provided for those who could answer the questions.

Tuesday, 07 February 2023, a Socialization of Library Services was carried out in order to introduce the campus facilities to Faculty of Biology UGM Postgraduate new students. The activity was carried out offline, starting at 09.30-10.00 WIB in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology UGM and attended by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Biology Postgraduate Program even batch of 2022/2023. On this occasion the UGM Faculty of Biology Library presented librarian Rusna Nur Aini as a resource person. Before the presentation started, Mrs. Rusna, representing the person in charge of the Library, Drs Ign Sudaryadi, M.Kes, conveyed her welcome and welcome to join the Library to all participants. In her presentation, she gave a glimpse of the library staff, location and service time of the UGM Faculty of Biology Library.

Then a profile video of the UGM Faculty of Biology Library was shown, which can also be accessed via the UGM Faculty of Biology Knowledge Channel YouTube. Furthermore, it was also explained about the library services of the Faculty of Biology such as circulation services and online services to make it easier for new postgraduate students to support their academic activities. In addition, the BIO-DIGILIB application, which is the Digital Library of the Faculty of Biology UGM, can be accessed via windows or Android smartphones. After that, it was explained about the activities of the UGM Faculty of Biology Library which is not only responsible for providing library services but also making contributions such as literacy classes for new students, community service, collaborating with other units, reviewing books, training and others.

At the end of the presentation, it was also conveyed about the types of online services that students can enjoy, including member registration/member activation, free references,  final project files submission, extension of borrowing books through simaster account, and lastly about renting space in the library itself. In the last session, it was also explained about the presence of visitors to the UGM Faculty of Biology Library through the simaster account of the student concerned. It was hoped that this type of event can add some  insight and knowledge to new students about how to get access to services in the library.

The UGM Biology Museum presented their routine thematic exhibitions in the first quarter of 2023. Unlike the previous theme, the theme raised this time is snake exhibition. The exhibition takes place in room 2. The purpose of this snake exhibition is to provide educational facilities to visitors regarding various matters related to the life of snakes and also contains various tips and facts about snakes.

When visitors entered the thematic exhibition room, visitors will get information about tips to prevent the arrival of snakes. In addition, there were some infographics about how the snake’s life cycle takes place and the division of snake groups based on fangs and their habitat. This exhibition also presented some interesting facts about snake tongues. After that, there were taxidermy displays of various snake species, intact snake skeletons, as well as wet preservation.

In the future, various thematic exhibition innovations will always be improved in order to educate visitors with interesting information.

The issue that Educational Laboratory Institutions (PLP) or laboratory assistants typically encounter is that they have not implemented techniques for operating, maintaining, and repairing microscopes properly and correctly. This problem arises especially in agencies that have laboratories and microscopes in them. Therefore, on Tuesday 7 February 2023  the Faculty of Biology UGM held Training on Microscope Operation and Repair Techniques at UGM.

“This training is for the MBKM program for Education Personnel, especially for Laboratory Assistants at UGM. Why MBKM? because the participants who took part in the training today willingly to learn more without any enforcement” said Mr. Mulyanto, S.T., M.M as Chair of the Committee who also serves as Plt. Head of Administration Office of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The full day training was opened by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets and HR, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. In her remarks Dr. Niken thanked the organizers for their initiative in organizing this event. She also thanked the participants who had enthusiastically participated in this event. This enthusiasm can be seen from the participants who attended the training coming from six faculties at Gadjah Mada University, which are Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Faculty of Dentistry. She hoped that through this training, this knowledge could be applied in the laboratories of each participant.

The training, which was held at the Microteaching Laboratory, Building B, 2nd Floor, Faculty of Biology, UGM, started at 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. The resource persons were from PT Miconos, which is one of the manufacturers and distributors of laboratory equipment in Yogyakarta. The training was continued with independent assignments on the 8 to 9 February 2023 in the laboratory of each participant.