In order to promote local creative products through the development of KABUT KEBONALAS Manisrenggo Klaten Tourism Village, the MBKM Team Built a Village for the Faculty of Biology UGM which was coordinated by Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D together with four MBKM students from the Faculty of Biology UGM ( Darren Nicholas Rahmanto, Fadilah Rahma Julianty, Joananda Taufik Ardana, and Tamara Sugihara carried out integrated community service together with Muhammad Naufal Dzakwan Luzen and teams from several clusters through the UGM PPM KKN program. This activity began with initial coordination with the Kebonalas Village Government and POKDARWIS Management KABUT KEBONALAS. This activity aims to integrate the MBKM Building Villages service program which has been started in 2022 so that it touches more on MSMEs and local culture and arts, fosters networking opportunities, and contributes to the economic growth of the community. Kabut Kebonalas Tourism Village together with the MBKM Team, Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University. This survey was also carried out to gather ideas for activities in various agricultural and health techniques that are innovative and environmentally friendly.

The Kabut Kebonalas tourism awareness group team consists of Mr. Supriyanto, S.Pd. (Village Head), Mr. Robani, S.P. (Chairman of BPD), Mr. Suwadi, S.Pd. (Sekdes), Mr. Sunardi, Mr. Riyanto Wahyudi and others have been approved by the Department of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism of Klaten Regency through Decree Number 2 of 2023, accompanied by a lecturer from the UGM Faculty of Biology (Mr. Sukirno, S.Si., M. Sc., Ph.D.) and fruit plant cultivation practitioner, UGM Faculty of Biology (Mr. Yusuf Sulaeman, S.IP). This activity was also supported by MBKM Building Village students, namely Darren Nicholas Rahmanto, Fadilah Rahma Julianty, Joananda Taufik Ardana, and Tamara Sugihara. This activity supports the SDG’S, especially to eradicate poverty (SDG1), create inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable communities (SDG 11) and to combat climate change (SDG 13).

A survey was also carried out in Sapen Manisrenggo Village, Klaten, to explore local potential which would be used as a flagship in community empowerment based on local wisdom and potential, such as agriculture, plantations and environmental conservation, including developing the potential for cultivating mangosteen and durian fruit.

#SDG 1: Poverty; #SDG 11 Inclusive communities; # SDG 13: Climate change; #UGM Biology

KABUT KEBONALAS Manisrenggo Klaten Tourism Village, which was built starting in 2021 and began planting fruit plants together with the MBKM Team Building a Village, Faculty of Biology UGM, which was coordinated by Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Since 2022, has entered the first harvest period. In November 2023, the first longan harvest was carried out together with MBKM students from the UGM Faculty of Biology together with elements of village society such as all POKDARWIS members, village government officials and PKK groups. On February 28 2024 KABUT KEBONALAS together with the MBKM team held harvest activities and socialization of tourist destination rides to all MUSPIKA Manisrenggo District. In this activity the village government invited Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Head of Manisrenggo Subdistrict Mr. Slamet, S.H., M.Si., DANRAMIL Manisrenggo Mr. Captain Inf. Sukarman, KAPOLSEK Manisrenggo AKP Fajar Damhudi, S.H., all members of POKDARWIS and elements of PEMDES Kebonalas, as well as the staff of teachers and the Manisrenggo Community Health Center. Thank God, longan, honey star fruit, avocado and crystal guava have entered their first harvest. This activity was also attended by the Coordinator of the PPM KKN team – Muhammad Naufal Dzakwan Luzen and teams from several clusters through the UGM PPM KKN program and the MBKM team Darren Nicholas Rahmanto, Fadilah Rahma Julianty, Joananda Taufik Ardana, and Tamara Sugihara.

This activity opened with a performance of the Gatotkaca Dance by Dik Dhimas and then continued with training for POKDARWIS KABUT KEBONALAS which was attended by resource persons from FK POKDARWIS KLATEN. This activity aims to strengthen POKDARWIS management and explore the village’s potential to be more integrated in MSME tourism villages, local culture and arts, grow networking opportunities, and contribute to the community’s economic growth. Kabut Kebonalas Tourism Village together with the MBKM Team, Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University.

The Kabut Kebonalas tourism awareness group team consists of Mr. Supriyanto, S.Pd. (Village Head), Mr. Robani, S.P. (Chairman of BPD), Mr. Suwadi, S.Pd. (Sekdes), Mr. Sunardi, Mr. Riyanto Wahyudi and others have been approved by the Department of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism of Klaten Regency through Decree Number 2 of 2023, accompanied by a lecturer from the UGM Faculty of Biology (Mr. Sukirno, S.Si., M. Sc., Ph.D.) and fruit plant cultivation practitioner, UGM Faculty of Biology (Mr. Yusuf Sulaeman, S.IP).

This activity supports the SDG’S, especially to eradicate poverty (SDG1), create inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable communities (SDG 11) and to combat climate change (SDG 13).

#SDG 1: Poverty; #SDG 11 Inclusive communities; # SDG 13: Climate change; #UGM Biology

In an effort to introduce the biological world and the International Undergraduate Program of the Faculty of Biology UGM and its career prospects, campus visits and introductions were carried out at two international high schools in Denpasar, Bali, namely Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School and Santosa Intercultural School on February 12 2024. On the agenda, the Faculty UGM Biology was represented by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni and Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School (GMIS), formerly Gandhi Memorial International School, is a private international school with campuses in Jakarta, Bali, and Semarang. GMIS Bali is located in Renon, Denpasar and was founded in 2007. GMIS Bali has almost 500 students from more than 30 countries. The teaching staff at the school are mostly Indian and Indonesian.

Santosa Intercultural School was founded in 1997 and is an independent, non-profit institution serving students from age 2 to grade 12. It consists of Doremi Preschool and Doremi Excellence School (DES). DES offers the Cambridge International Curriculum to its students. DES is fully accredited by the Indonesian Ministry of Education. Classes are held in English, but foreign students have mandatory Indonesian language classes. They follow the Cambridge curriculum and receive a certificate after grades 10 and 12.

After the zresentation session, it was followed by a discussion about the fields taught during lectures and career prospects for alumni of the UGM Faculty of Biology. Apart from that, the opportunity to take a double degree program (Double Degree) and the Fastrack Program was a part of what attracts many students’ interest. The International Undergraduate Program at the UGM Faculty of Biology, which is internationally accredited by ASIIN, has collaborated for a double degree program with the Australian National University (Australia), Leeds University (United Kingdom), and Western Sydney University (Australia). Meanwhile, the Double Degree Program collaboration process for undergraduate programs with James Cook University (Australia and Singapore) is in the process of being agreed. Apart from the double degree program, there is also a student exchange program with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (Malaysia), Yamagata University (Japan), Chiba University (Japan), Groningen University (Netherland), and James Cook University (Australia and Singapore ). Another international program that students can take part in is the International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. Every year around 80-90 students from more than 10 universities from 8 countries participate. On a regular basis, the Faculty of Biology UGM also hosts guest lectures from professors from overseas partner universities as well as the International Conference on Biological Sciences every 2 years.

This collaboration is an activity of the Faculty of Biology UGM in recruiting prospective local and international students for the International Undergraduate Program and expanding international networks to improve the quality of research and academics at the global level.

Timor Leste, January 31, 2024 –  Delegation from the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada, comprising of Prof. Dr. Suwarno Hadisusanto, S.U., the Chairman of the Faculty Senate, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean, and Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., the Head of the Tropical Biology Department, visited Pusat Budaya Indonesia (PBI) in Dili, Timor Leste.

Established in 2019, Pusat Budaya Indonesia (PBI) symbolizes the collaboration between the Indonesian and Timor Leste governments. PBI serves not only as a hub for Indonesian cultural activities in Timor Leste but also as a diplomatic center facilitating cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations.

Discussions between the UGM Faculty of Biology delegation and representatives from PBI resulted in a strong commitment to support the dissemination of information about the Faculty of Biology UGM to the Timor Leste community through various media channels. This effort will be supported by Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia (KBRI) and PBI to ensure accurate and widespread information.

PBI also offers an international certified internship program for students of the Faculty of Biology UGM. The Program will include one month of preparation, one month of independent study and teaching assistance at PBI, and one month of reporting at one of the five state-owned enterprises or BUMN in Timor Leste, such as Mandiri, BRI, Waskita Karya, Pertamina, and Telkomsel.

The delegation from the Faculty of Biology UGM also explored the possibility of collaboration in the Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata – KKN) at the Indonesia-Timor Leste border, specifically in Timor Tengah Utara, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province. Moreover, there is an opportunity for professionals in Timor Leste to pursue further studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM with scholarships provided by the faculty.

This visit also fostering our connections with the Family of Alumni of the Biologi Faculty UGM or Keluarga Alumni Biologi UGM (Kabiogama) and the UGM Alumni Family or Keluarga Alumni Universitas Gadjah Mada (Kagama) residing in Timor Leste.

This visit aims not only to exchange information but also to strengthen the ties between the Faculty of Biology UGM and institutions in Timor Leste (SDG 17) and create new opportunities for collaborative academic development (SDG 4).

Juma Iking and Hyunji Shin are two foreign students who got the opportunity to take part in a one-semester student exchange program at the UGM Faculty of Biology in the Even Semester 2022/2023. Juma Iking is a student in the Bachelor of Biology program from Radboud University, the Netherlands and Hyun Ji Shin from Jeonbuk National University, South Korea. At the UGM Faculty of Biology, Juma took courses in Paleontology, Mammalogy, Entomology, Mycology, Plant Biosystematics and Biogeography. Meanwhile, Hyunji took courses in Cyto Genetics, Biotechnology, Evolution, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Plant Development Structure.

“Living in Yogakarta, Indonesia, and studying Biology at UGM was a very interesting experience. This was my first time visiting Indonesia, but everyone, from students to staff and professors, was very kind and caring. “I was also involved in volunteer activities at Somoitan Elementary School every weekend, which was the most memorable experience,” said Hyunji.

Both Hyunji Shin and Juma Iking stated that they had gained extraordinary and memorable experiences, especially during their exchange at the Faculty of Biology UGM. They have also visited various places in Indonesia and enjoyed the natural beauty and its culture. It is hoped that this activity can encourage the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDG’s 7) regarding quality education.

In the Odd Semester of the 2023/2024 Academic Year, the Faculty of Biology UGM accepted one exchange student through the Student Exchange Program in Biological Sciences. It is hoped that this activity can encourage the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDG’s 7) regarding quality education. The student comes from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands named Noémie Minghetti. Noémie is from Grenoble, France, a city nestled among the French Alps, but she has also lived for several years in America.

Noémie chose to study in the Netherlands because she preferred studying in English, something that is not always offered in France. She is interested in conducting research so studying in English makes this more accessible. In the Netherlands she study a Bachelor in Biomedical Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This is similar to biology but the study is more focused on human biology and health. Noémie plans to finish her studies this year and then plan on pursuing a master’s in biomedical research in Belgium. She is interested in microbiology and would like to study antibiotic alternatives in the future.

This is what made her interested and decided to take all the microbiology courses offered by the Faculty of Biology UGM. Apart from that she heard that Yogyakarta is the center of Indonesian Culture, with many temples and beautiful nature very close by to visit. This is in line with her interests in dance and traveling. During the exchange she has traveled to many places such as Sumatra to see orangutans and Ijen Crater to see the blue flames.

Noémie also shared that she had an extraordinary experience in Indonesia. She had the opportunity to travel and meet many people. She enjoyed the small class sizes so she could meet the Professors because at her home University there were more students in one class. She said, when she goes home, she will miss the food and nature of Indonesia but also the friendly people.

The Faculty of Biology UGM plays an active role in realizing sustainable development goals (SDG’s). To support and realize SDG’s 7 concerning about quality education, and SDG’s 17 to strengthen global cooperation, the Faculty of Biology UGM delegations consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. (Dean), Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. (Vice Dean for Research, Service, Collaboration and Alumni), and Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Chair of the Undergraduate Study Program) made a collaborative visit to Ankara University Türkiye in order to develop cooperation and collaboration in the fields of academics and research, training, publications, student mobility and community service. This activity is the initiation of the first formal collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and university in Türkiye.

This visit was held on 11 – 12 December 2023 at Ankara University. Ankara University was founded on 13 June 1946 and consists of 19 Faculties and 1 College. On December 12^th, 2023, the delegation was received by The Head of Department of Field Crops Prof. Dr. Hayrettin Kendir and Biotechnology Section Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khawar. This visiting session began with an introduction to the profile and facilities at the UGM Faculty of Biology and two public lectures entitled The Dynamics and Evolution of Melon-Infecting Virus in Indonesia Influenced by Climate Change, and Integration of Biorefinery Concept in Biofuel Production from Microalgae, each delivered individually. -each by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono. This lecture was attended by lecturers, researchers and postgraduate students at the Faculty of Agriculture Ankara University.

After the lecture, the next visitation agenda was an orientation to research facilities and laboratories within the Field Crops Departments and the initiation of collaboration with the Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University. In this meeting, the delegation was received by Chief Technology Officer Dr. Esra Mine Unal and team. In this meeting, discussions were discussed about exploring research collaboration and student mobility/double degree programs, especially for postgraduate programs. The laboratories in this institute are ISO certified and are a national reference centre in Türkiye.

The visit then closed with a discussion of cooperation in the field of exchange for students, professors and researchers; research collaboration, joint lectures, collaborative conferences, seminars, symposia and joint degree programs between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Agriculture Ankara University. In this collaboration meeting, the MoU was signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Hasan Huseyin Atar. In the discussion on this collaboration, it was also stated that this MoU is as a starting point for collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and Ankara University and will subsequently be expanded with collaboration with the Faculty of Science and Biotechnology of the Institute of Ankara University. The implementation of this collaboration is expected to begin in 2024.

The delegation from the Faculty of Biology UGM consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. (Dean), Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. (Vice Dean for Research, Service, Collaboration and Alumni), and Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Chair of the Undergraduate Study Program) made a collaborative visit to Cairo University in Egypt in order to build cooperation and collaboration in the fields of academics and research, training, publications, student mobility and community service. This activity is one of the programs to support and realize sustainable development goals (SDG’s 7) regarding quality education, and SDG’s 17 to strengthen global cooperation.

This visit was held for 3 days from 8 – 10 December 2023. After visiting several programs on 8 and 9 December 2023, on 10 December the delegation was received by The Dean of Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Sameh Abdelfattah, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Fatima Samir, The Head of Department of Entomology and Pesticides Prof. Dr. Hamdy  Elshabrawy, Editor in Chief of Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Prof. Dr. Said Elsalamouny from the Department of Entomology, The Head of International Relations Office Associate Prof. Dr. Mostafa Helal and International Relations Office Prof. Dr. Mohamed Foad Elmanyalawy. In this meeting, collaboration programs for student mobility/student exchange, training and seminars/workshops, research and publication collaboration, initiation of double degrees for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs, as well as international summer courses and visiting professors as implementation of collaboration at the UGM Faculty of Biology were discussed with Cairo University.

After holding collaborative discussions, the delegation had the opportunity to deliver a public lecture at the Faculty of Agriculture. The lecture was held in the Library Main Hall Faculty of Agriculture and was attended by lecturers, staff and bachelor and postgraduate students. In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono delivered a lecture on The Dynamics and Evolution of Melon-Infecting Virus in Indonesia Influenced by Climate Change, while Dr. Eko Agus Suyono delivered a lecture on Integration of Biorefinery Concept in Biofuel Production from Microalgae. In this public lecture, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. conveying the topic Is Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier presents in Indonesia?

The series of activities then continued with a visit to the Cairo University Research Park which has obtained certification for a seed testing centre, food safety (microbiology, soil science, aflatoxin lab) and GMO’s, a laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture and a dairy and wheat product downstream unit. It is hoped that this collaboration can be implemented in 2024.

In order to build cooperation and collaboration in the academics and research, training, publications, student mobility and community service, the Faculty of Biology UGM sent 3 delegations consisting of the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM (Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc .), Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni (Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc.), and Head of Undergraduate Study Program (Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. ) to Cairo University Egypt. This activity supports the realization of sustainable development goals (SDG’s 7) for quality education, and SDG’s 17 to strengthen global cooperation.

This visit was held for 3 days from 8 – 10 December 2023. During the visit, the delegation was received by Prof. Dr. Said Elsalamouny from Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. This activity is to build a collaborative network in the field of science, and is the first formal collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and a university on the African continent.

On December 8 2023, the delegation toured various faculties and facilities on the Cairo University campus, such as the University Council building for senate meetings and receiving state visits/speeches, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Main University Library, Faculty of Language, Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, and Faculty of Commerce.

Prof. Said Elsalamouny said that Cairo University is the second oldest university in Egypt after Al-Alzhar University. The university was founded in 1908, and was previously known as Aegyptian University. Then it changed to King Fuad I University or Fu’ad al-Awwal University from 1940 – 1952. Since the Egyptian Revolution, this university was then changed to Cairo University. Some of the forerunners of Cairo University emerged from the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering in 1816, the Faculty of Law in 1886, the Faculty of Irrigation and Construction in 1866, the Faculty of Agriculture in 1867 and the Faculty of Language in 1872.

In commemoration of the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, the Kebonalas Village Government, Manisrenggo District, Klaten, Central Java, supported by the MBKM Kabut Kebonalas Team, held a mass sports event together with the residents of Kebonalas Manisrenggo village.

This event was attended by around 3,000 Kebonalas residents of all ages. This event was the culmination of the commemoration of the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia which was opened by Mr Supriyanto, S.Pd. Activities in this event include joint exercise, followed by a leisurely walk of 6 km, and continued with musical entertainment and door prize distribution. In his opening remarks he said that the tourist village of Kabut Kebonalas is a joint property and hopefully it can play a role in improving the welfare of the residents. He also expressed his thanks to the Faculty of Biology UGM for partnering with the village government and hoped that this activity could be sustainable.

This activity is very much in line with the sustainable development goals (SDG’s), namely SDG 1 to reduce poverty, SDG2 to promote agriculture and food security, SDG 11 to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable settlements, SDG 13. To combat climate change, and SDG 15 to maintain terrestrial ecosystems, especially in increasing water catchment.