Team Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM) – Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), led by Prof. Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D., has successfully implemented the first phase of its activities in Kepuh Kulon RT 001, Wirokerten, Banguntapan, Bantul. This phase focused on the production of onion-based snack sticks enriched with four variants of Tanaman Obat Keluarga (TOGA – Family Medicinal Plants). The program engaged five undergraduate students Swastikhansa Parahita Sulistyaningrum, Afrina Syah Putri, Isna Kuminingrum, Asitya Fitri Miadi, and Amyra Asa Nurhanifa with the primary aim of raising community awareness about the health benefits of TOGA plants through interactive learning. Additionally, the initiative introduced an innovative approach to utilizing TOGA in developing value-added food products, particularly onion sticks infused with TOGA extracts, which are not only beneficial for health but also palatable to a broad demographic, especially children. This event marked the fifth consecutive year of PkM-MBKM implementation in RT 001 Kepuh Kulon. The current semester’s activities were conducted on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 09:30 to 15:00 WIB at the residence of the RT head, Mr. Zamzuri. The event garnered enthusiastic participation from local residents, including 14 women and Mr. Sunartono, the village head (Kepala Dukuh) of Kepuh Kulon. In his opening remarks, Mr. Sunartono emphasized the practical uses of TOGA as part of daily health practices. He shared his personal experience consuming TOGA-based herbal drinks, noting significant health improvements, and encouraged the community to continue leveraging TOGA plants through the program. He also urged local residents to sustain the initiative independently, promoting a spirit of productivity and creativity within the community. Prof. Rina highlighted the importance of TOGA utilization in improving public health and fostering local innovation. She emphasized the potential of incorporating butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) into food products such as onion sticks, especially given children’s general aversion to medicine. She also underscored the crucial role of community solidarity in the program’s success and its potential contribution to the local economy by promoting TOGA-based healthy snacks as a new entrepreneurial opportunity.

The main activities included a knowledge dissemination session followed by a hands-on workshop on producing TOGA-enriched onion sticks. Participants were introduced to TOGA concepts, health benefits, the nutritional properties of selected TOGA plants, and the step-by-step methodology for snack preparation. The community members were divided into four groups, each focusing on one TOGA variant (butterfly pea, turmeric, roselle, and sappanwood). Each group prepared dough following a standard recipe until it reached the desired consistency. The dough was then flattened using a rolling machine, cut into uniform strips, deep-fried, and packaged in labeled plastic pouches and jars to improve product appeal. To further engage participants, a quiz session was held at the end of the activity, with door prizes awarded to active attendees.

The enthusiasm and skill displayed by the residents during the workshop are expected to drive the program’s sustainability. Additionally, the PkM-MBKM team provided a complete set of equipment and a pressing tool to enable continued production by the community. The next phase of the program is scheduled for the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year (September), focusing on further processing of TOGA into additional value-added products to enhance community welfare. This community service program aims to expand knowledge and practical skills in processing TOGA into beneficial health products, thereby contributing to improved public health and local economic resilience. The initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Tagline:
SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community Service Team of the Partner Village Program (Desa Mitra) Wukirsari from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has carried out the first activity for this year’s community service. This Desa Mitra community service activity is a continuation of the 2024 program, which was targeted at the women farmer group in Sruni. In 2025, the Desa Mitra program will be implemented at SD Negeri Pusmalang, focusing on 4th-grade students. Coordination and discussions with the school principal regarding permission for this community service activity has begun since March 2025.

Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada is proud to announce the release of students to participate in the student exchange program to Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in the Odd Semester of the Academic Year 2024/2025. The release event was attended by the Vice Deans, Head of Undergraduate Programs, Assistants of Undergraduate Programs, Managers of the International Undergraduate Program, Managers of the Office of International Affairs, Coordinators of Academic and Student Affairs, and the students namely Hanan Zharifah Zahra, ⁠Izdihar Al Dzahabiyyah, Adifa Brahmantya Darudhita, Aulia Robiatul Adawiyah, ⁠Nur Farah Susilowati, Annisa Nur Baety, and Yohana Adiastika Puspita.

In his remarks, the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. expressed the importance of international experience for students. He reminded students to prioritize punctuality, communicate well in dealing with every problem, and respect the different cultures in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. added to pay attention to local wisdom and ethics when interacting with lecturers. “We hope that students can adapt to the stricter learning methods at UTHM,” he said.

Furthermore, the Vice Dean for Finance, Administration, and Human Resources, Dr. Slamet Widianto, M.Sc. said that the collaboration with UTHM is a collaboration that has been established for a long time and is running very well. He emphasized to students to be able to maintain the good name of the institution because students are ambassadors for the faculty, university, and also the country.

The Head of the Undergraduate Program, Dr. Sukirno, Ph.D. also provided an explanation regarding the academic aspects during the exchange program. He ensured that students do not need to worry about converting grades and mapping the curriculum, because the faculty will provide full support to ensure the smooth running of their academic process. This event is expected to be a good first step for students to develop global insights and experiences. The Faculty of Biology hopes that participants will bring home valuable knowledge and experience that will benefit their academic and personal development. [Aulia]

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Dyadha Oriach is a biology undergraduate program student at Radboud University and Rutger Lemstra from the Geography Program of the University of Groningen of the Netherlands who has the opportunity to take part in a student exchange program for one semester at the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University. Oddly in the 2022/2023 semester, both of them tasted learning at the UGM Faculty of Biology in full. Dyadha took courses in Carcinology (the study of crustaceans), marine biology, phycology (the study of algae), malacology (the study of molluscs), limnology (the study of lakes), and biomaterials. Unlike Dyadha, who join as a bachelor’s degree in biology in her home university, Rutger is a student of the geography study program, taking courses in plant anatomy, plant systematics, and cell and molecular biology.

“Coming to Indonesia has been an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet so many wonderful people and to see the world from a different perspective. I explored wonderful places, tried delicious food, learned a bit about the traditional dance, the language, its rich biodiversity and culture in general and even about myself. I’m thankful and happy for this incredible opportunity at UGM”, said Dyadha.

Rutger said “Studying in biology is something new, and very worth doing. Apart from studying, I also studied culture and visited Gunung Leuser National Park, Lake Toba, Bali and East Timor”.

“Hopefully in the future the collaborative program of the Faculty of Biology UGM with Radboud University and Rutger Lemstra from the University of Groningen of the Netherlands can be sustainable,” said Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. in a meeting with Rutger and Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D., on the sidelines of his preparation to return to the Netherlands (SHP).