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).