Saturday, 2 March 2024, from 08.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. the Biology Student Family Grand Launching of the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada was held. The Grand Launching was held offline at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM, and was attended by Dr. Fajar Sofyantoro, S.Si., M.Sc. as Biology Student Executive Board Advisory Lecturer, several Advisory Lecturers of Study Groups and Organizations namely Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. as advisory lecturer of Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC); Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si. as advisory lecturer of Garden Architecture Study Group (KSAT; Donan Satria Yudha, S.Si., M.Sc. as advisory lecturer of Herpetology Study Group (KSH), as well as 31 students from representatives of Study Groups and Organization of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The Grand Launching was guided by Syarifathunnisa Iryanti dan Muhammad Haidar Alii as the Master of Ceremony. This activity began with an opening and prayer, then continued with singing Indonesia Raya, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology March. The activity was followed by a series of remarks that began with remarks from Thasya Arini Salsabila as field coordinator of the event, Muhammad Nurul Fathoni Adha as the head of the 2024 Biology Student Executive Board, and Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti as advisory lecturer of Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC). Then proceed to the main event of the Grand Launching with presentations by each Study Group and Organizations. The event was attended by representatives of 12 study groups and organizations, including the Biology Orchid Study Club, Garden Architecture Study Group, Matalabiogama, Entomology Study Group, Herpetology Study Group, Marine Study Group, Genetic Research Student Forum, Congregation of Biology Muslim Group, Catholic Student Association, Christian Student Fellowship, Graduate Student Association, Student Senate and Biology Student Executive Board. The presentation covered an introduction to the names and meanings of the new cabinet, its vision, and mission, direction of movement, the new cabinet’s organizational structure, as well as various work programs to be implemented by each Study Group and Institution. The Grand Launching event of KMFB also features several performances by Biotimbre and Syrinx, as well as games facilitated by the MC. The Grand Launching event concluded at 1:00 PM WIB and ended with conveying the message from the forum, documentation, and closing from the MC.

Yogyakarta, March 8, 2024 – PT. Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA) held a socialization event for the Call for Proposal Open Innovation 2024 at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Friday. The event, attended by various parties, aimed to introduce the Open Innovation BGA program to lecturers, students, and researchers at UGM, as well as to foster collaboration in addressing challenges and creating innovations in the palm oil sector.

The event began with a welcoming speech from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology at UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr. Sc., who emphasized the importance of optimizing existing palm oil plantations to increase production without the need for further land expansion.

Moderating the event was Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si., a lecturer from the Faculty of Biology at UGM. The main speakers were Dr. Azis Natawijaya, as the Head of Corporate Development at PT.BGA, and Abid Zulfikar, S.Si., serving as Corporate Planning & PDCA at PT. BGA. They discussed information related to Open Innovation BGA, including the scope of innovation, requirements for potential inventors, and the series of activities to be carried out.

Additionally, the speakers provided in-depth explanations about palm oil, including the introduction of the plant, its utilization in daily life, and its position among vegetable oil commodities. They also highlighted the distribution of palm oil land cover and land usage efficiency. They also outlined the challenges faced by PT BGA as a palm oil industry and the importance of collaboration with researchers from UGM in addressing these challenges.

During the event, PT. BGA provided ample opportunities for lecturers, students, and researchers from the Faculty of Biology at UGM to propose their innovations and research findings with funding support of up to hundreds of millions. This initiative is expected to encourage productive collaboration between industry and academia in addressing global challenges in the future.

The socialization event for the Call for Proposal PT. Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA) Open Innovation 2024 at Universitas Gadjah Mada is expected to be a good starting point in creating innovative and sustainable solutions in the palm oil industry.

Yogyakarta, March 6 2024 – The Faculty of Biology in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing held a guest lecture in collaboration with Universiteit Leiden, the Netherlands. The guest lecture was held in the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology with guest speaker Prof. Dr. Herman Spaink as Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, Prof. Dr. Erik Danen as Dean of Graduate School of Science and Professor of Cancer Drug Target Discovery, Universiteit Leiden, Dr. Jan de Sonneville and Dr. Yi Ding from Life Science Method BV, the Netherlands. The lecture was attended by students, lecturers and researchers from various faculties of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

“This guest lecture did not only present one, but 4 guest lecturer,” said Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology in his speech, Wednesday (6/3). He also gave warm greetings to the four speakers who attended the guest lecture and expressed his appreciation for the long-standing collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and Universiteit Leiden, in particular the Faculty of Science.

“We have collaborated with UGM on joint facility, working with robotic injection and CRISPR Cas9,” said Prof. Herman replying Prof. Budi before. He appreciated the research collaboration that existed, especially in the construction of joint facilities for research Zebrafish with UGM.

In the guest lecture, Dr. Yi Ding gave a presentation entitled “Zebrafish: an excellence organism for diabetes” which focuses its research on developing Zebrafish as an animal model for diabetes case studies. Next, Dr. Jan de Sonneville with his presentation “From research Finding to Prototype to Product. Design, Engineering, and Business Development of Life Science Methods BV”. Dr. Jan conveyed the development of the robotic microinjection tool as an efficient and effective alternative to manual injection.

As Dean of Graduate School of Science, Universiteit Leiden, Prof. Erik also gave a presentation regarding Universiteit Leiden, especially the Faculty of Science. On the same occasion, the Professor of Cancer Drug Target Discovery also gave a lecture with the title “Model for cancer drug target discovery”. He also mentioned the development of the zebrafish animal model in his pharmacology research.

Prof. Herman was the closing guest lecture on Wednesday afternoon (6/3). The Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology delivered his presentation entitled “Mycobacterial diseases and the search for new medicines”.

All participants were enthusiastic about attending the lecture from morning to afternoon. It is hoped that this collaboration can contribute to the development of research and education in Indonesia, in line with support for sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially support for inclusive education through sustainable partnerships (SDG 4 and SDG 17).

Yogyakarta, 4 and 5 March 2024 – As part of collaboration in developing Integrated Laboratories and Research of Zebrafish, Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially the Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, held a workshop in collaboration with Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden, the Netherlands. The workshop was guided by Prof. Dr. Herman Spaink as Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, and Prof. Dr. Erik Danen as Dean of Graduate School of Science and Professor of Cancer Drug Target Discovery, Universiteit Leiden. The workshop was also led by Dr. Jan de Sonneville, and Dr. Yi Ding from Life Science Method BV, the Netherlands who developed the robotic microinjection tool together with Universiteit Leiden. The workshop was attended by lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health also the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, and was held in the Zebrafish Research Laboratory, LPPT (Integrated Research Center Laboratory), UGM.

Prof. Herman started the workshop with a presentation about gene editing and manipulation using CRISPR-Cas, gene sequencing and Zebrafish development which is the focus of research on the development of animal models for studies related to gene function, pharmacology and the study of various diseases. On the occasion of this workshop, CRISPR-Cas injections will be carried out in particular Cas9 and Cas13d targeting TBXTA (no tail gene), and gene sequencing using oxford nanopore MinION.

Dr. Yi and Dr. Jan then guided the microinjection stages. Automated robot microinjection is a tool developed by the Company Life Science Method BV in collaboration with Leiden. Robotic microinjection has previously been researched and provides efficiency that is not much different from manual injection, but is more effective and shortens research time.

Prof. Erik also delivered a presentation at the workshop session regarding his research which focuses on the development of pharmacology and drug discovery using zebrafish as an animal model. He also uses robotic injection technology to inject tumor cells into the collagen gel that creates micro tumours to understand the mechanisms of cell migration and tumor metastasis.

Through this workshop, it is hoped that it can contribute to the development of research and education in Indonesia, in line with support for sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially support for inclusive education through sustainable partnerships (SDG 4 and SDG 17).

[MBKM]- The MBKM team, under the guidance of Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Si., M.Si., collaborated with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of West Kalimantan to conduct forensic DNA analysis on evidence in the case of monkey abuse by a public servant in Singkawang with the initials RS.

The examination process was conducted at the Animal Systematics Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology at UGM. The samples received on Friday, March 1, 2024. The team conducted forensic DNA examination on the hair and palm of the hands of long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) infants, involving a number of students who collectively handled the samples from isolation, amplification to visualization of the results. DNA examination is one of the foundations for identifying the evidence found.

RS, a public servant in Singkawang Regency, was arrested by the police on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, after one of the video contents of his abuse went viral and caught the attention of international animal lovers’ activists. Based on the issued video, long-tailed monkeys were tortured by being boiled, fried, mutilated, and hammered. For his actions, RS charged under Article 91 of the Livestock and Animal Health Law and or Article 302 of the Criminal Code concerning Cruelty to Animals, with a maximum penalty of nine months in prison. Assuming that the DNA forensic identification process succeeds, it will be contributed as evidence to enforce the Quarantine Law.

Forensic DNA analysis in animal abuse is a crucial step to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in Life on Land (SDGs 15) and SDGs 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. With DNA forensic technology, we can contribute to testifying the violations against animals, ensure impartial law enforcement, and raise awareness of the need to protect animal life to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Thus, the collaboration between forensic science and animal protection can positively contribute to various aspects of SDGs, including justice, peace, and environmental sustainability.

[MBKM]- The MBKM team, under the guidance of Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Si., M.Si., collaborated with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of West Kalimantan to conduct forensic DNA analysis on evidence in the case of monkey abuse by a public servant in Singkawang with the initials RS.

The examination process was conducted at the Animal Systematics Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology at UGM. The samples received on Friday, March 1, 2024. The team conducted forensic DNA examination on the hair and palm of the hands of long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) infants, involving a number of students who collectively handled the samples from isolation, amplification to visualization of the results. DNA examination is one of the foundations for identifying the evidence found.

RS, a public servant in Singkawang Regency, was arrested by the police on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, after one of the video contents of his abuse went viral and caught the attention of international animal lovers’ activists. Based on the issued video, long-tailed monkeys were tortured by being boiled, fried, mutilated, and hammered. For his actions, RS charged under Article 91 of the Livestock and Animal Health Law and or Article 302 of the Criminal Code concerning Cruelty to Animals, with a maximum penalty of nine months in prison. Assuming that the DNA forensic identification process succeeds, it will be contributed as evidence to enforce the Quarantine Law.

Forensic DNA analysis in animal abuse is a crucial step to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in Life on Land (SDGs 15) and SDGs 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. With DNA forensic technology, we can contribute to testifying the violations against animals, ensure impartial law enforcement, and raise awareness of the need to protect animal life to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Thus, the collaboration between forensic science and animal protection can positively contribute to various aspects of SDGs, including justice, peace, and environmental sustainability.

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, The Grand Launching of the Tumbuh Kelana Cabinet of the Herpetology Study Group (KSH) took place at the Tropical Biology Auditorium from 09:30 AM to 12:00 PM, served as an introduction of the new cabinet for the 2024 term to KSH partners and the faculty advisor, Donan Satria Yudha, S.Si., M.Sc.. A total of 17 partners attended the Grand Launching, including 4K.Yogyakarta, KSHK FKH UGM, JMMB, KSB UAJY, GAMA Cendikia, Matalabiogama, BEM Biologi, KP3H, PMK, KMT, SEMA Biologi, UPII, Formasigen, KSE, KSAT, BIOSC, and FSC.

The event included the introduction of the new KSH cabinet for the year 2024 and a presentation of the work program planned for the term, followed by a question and answer session for all participants. The Grand Launching proceeded smoothly and concluded with a documentation session. It is hoped that the KSH work programs will be successful throughout the year and the relationship with partners will strengthen further.

On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Grand Launching of the Student Senate 2024 took place at the Tropical Biology Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event was attended by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc., as the advisor of the Student Senate, along with members of the Student Senate, representatives from Study Groups and Institutions.

The event was opened by Manika Rosalia Lysander and Salma Farah, followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Biology March. Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc. delivered the opening remarks, followed by a speech from Marfuah, the Chairperson of the Faculty of Biology UGM Student Senate. The event proceeded with presentations by the Student Executive Board (SEMA) regarding their planned work programs. The presentation began with an overview of SEMA’s work program for the upcoming year by Marfuah and Jovika Syifa Ananmaimuna, followed by presentations from each division. The Secretary, Irenna Sheva Zahrani, continued the presentation, followed by Naufal Irba Sahril presenting the budgetary work program. Denianto Agung Wicaksono then present the work program of Commission 1, followed by Muhammad Rafi Fairuza presenting the work program of Commission 2, and Asitya Fitri delivered the work program of Commission 3. The last two presentations were from the SEMA’s Honor Board and the Media and Networking Bureau, presented by Yunia Farkhamni and Huriyah Winda Nabillah, respectively. It hoped that the SEMA work programs will be successful throughout the 2024/2025 tenure. The event concluded at 17:30 with a closing session involving reflections, messages, and a group photo session.

On Thursday, 27 February 2024, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry with SINTAS Indonesia conducted a kickoff meeting marked as the start of the Java Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) survey, known as the Java-Wide Leopard Survey (JWLS). The design and activity plans of JWLS are all developed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in collaboration with conservation enthusiasts for Indonesia’s large carnivores. The JWLS will be carried out by UPT Direktorat KSDAE-KLHK with its local partners for about two years. The JWLS is fully funded by The Ministry of Environment and Forestry and private partners. The JWLS marked the first wild animals survey based on a community in Indonesia with the most camera traps, locations, funding, and involved parties.

As one of the academic stakeholders, the Faculty of Biology at UGM has given the opportunity to attend this event, represented by Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono. The Faculty of Biology UGM consider this survey as an opportunity to obtain more credible scientific data on the population and distribution of leopards throughout Indonesia. The idea of genetic analysis to understand population structure, prey, and inbreeding has proposed, aiming to achieve genetic conservation in line with CBD points. Dr. Sendi, who has previously worked on a similar survey, the Sumatra Wide Tiger Survey, has provided input and is ready to contribute alongside various parties to ensure the success of this national survey. This data expected to serve as a basis for the development of more effective and sustainable conservation strategies. The kickoff event for this leopard survey hoped to be a significant initial step in conservation efforts for this species. The Faculty of Biology at UGM welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government and non-governmental organizations, to create a better biodiversity for wildlife on the island of Java.

Yogyakarta, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Seminar Room of the Library and Archives of UGM on the 2nd floor, was conducted a training on press release writing and online media content creation. The event was held online and offline, with approximately 75 participants from various faculties, departments, and study centers within UGM attending in person. Three librarians from the Faculty of Biology Library, Ekowati, Rusna, and Suharsono, participated in the training organized by the UGM Librarian Forum. The event began with a presentation of the activities report of the UGM Librarian Forum over the past year, delivered by the forum’s chairperson, Maryatun SIP, MA.

Subsequently, the event was officially opened by the Head of UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, SIP., MBA. In his remarks, he expressed the aim of the training to equip librarians with knowledge, additional insights, and skills, particularly in utilizing online media and news writing, and enabling them to make tangible contributions to support of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) program. The training featured two speakers: Megaputra Zulfikar Whana Aji Kesdu (Chief Streaming Officer, Support IT) and Teguh Supriyadi, S.Sos. (Field Producer, CNN Indonesia TV), moderated by Maniso Mustar (Librarian, Faculty of Medicine UGM), and hosted by Wasilatul Baroroh, S.S.I. (Librarian, UGM).

The first session, presented by Megaputra Zulfikar Whana Aji Kesdu, focused on utilizing online media content. He emphasized that not all online media platforms should be followed and discussed how to manage online media effectively to enhance institutional visibility, expand information reach limitlessly, compete with other institutions, and support university performance, particularly in implementing SDGs, building communities, and promoting education. According to him, the fundamental principles in creating online media were quality content that engages the audience, consistency, SEO, and user-friendliness for easy access when users browse for needed information.

The second session was delivered by Teguh Supriyanto, S.Sos. According to Teguh, the principle of writing news should include the 5W+1H elements. He advised creating catchy and unique titles and composing articles with at least five paragraphs and five photos to elicit positive responses from readers. The discussion during the training was engaging, with some participants asking questions about strategies to penetrate national media. Hopefully, training sessions like this will continue to be organized by the UGM Librarian Forum, providing librarians with opportunities to enhance their competencies and writing skills as a tangible contribution to support UGM’s SDGs program. At the end of the session, participants were assigned to writing a press release and uploaded via the link ugm.id/presensiprkm. Cheers to literacy and appreciation for the UGM Librarian Forum!