The black orchid, known as Coelogyne pandurata Lindl., is a rare endemic flora of Indonesia. This orchid can only be found in East Kalimantan and Papua. Its uniqueness lies in its black labellum adorned with green stripes and fur, along with green flower ornaments with triangular-shaped petals. This orchid holds high economic value as an ornamental and rare plant collection. Unfortunately, infrastructure development projects in East Kalimantan have escalated the rate of extinction in the wild. Despite being categorized as Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and protected by the Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 7 of 1999, this orchid faces challenges.

In light of this, three UGM students, part of the UGM 2023 PKM-RE Team funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, namely Anisa Dewi Rahayu, Lathief Al Umami, and Shiddharta Arya Anggoro Cen from the Faculty of Biology, with their supervising professor, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., are undertaking ex situ conservation through micropropagation using Temporary Immersion Systems (TISs) technology.

The application of TISs technology represents a cutting-edge method to accelerate the growth and development of the black orchid. Its advantages include the elimination of subculturing, optimal aeration, and prevention of hyperhydration. The innovative integrated sensor system of TISs facilitates the monitoring of environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide levels. Lathief explains that the development of the TISs device, equipped with real-time sensors, is controlled by an Arduino Uno to facilitate environmental parameter regulation. The sensor measurements of environmental conditions are displayed on an LCD display. Shiddharta adds that the incubation chamber design at the top, serving as a space for explants from seeds to plantlets, can be flexibly adjusted according to needs without the need for modifying the sensor and actuator system.

Anisa elucidates that the application of the integrated sensor TISs on black orchid plantlets in the UGM Biology Biotechnology Laboratory has proven to accelerate growth parameter increments. This application initiates the development of modern and efficient ex situ conservation efforts for other endangered plants, leading to the production of higher-quality plants with minimal production costs.

A team of Biology students at Gadjah Mada University (S1) made another achievement at the national level by winning first place in the National Essay Competition, led by Ghefira Nur Fatimah along with Jauza Hanifah Azzahra, Meinawa Amaliah, Fadilla Nur Hidayat, and Nimas Ayu Pramesthi. This national-level essay competition was organized by Brawijaya University from June 1st to September 13th, 2023, with the theme “Collaborative Nation-Building through Applied Technology Innovation towards Self-Reliant Indonesia,” . This event encompassed various stages, including the submission of works, assessment, finalist announcement, video presentation submission, video presentation assessment, and winner announcement.

The team took the subtheme Food and Agriculture Processing Technology, with their work titled “Organic Capsule Fertilizer Made from Household Organic Waste as a Manifestation of Circular Economy and Environmental Conservation.” Their scientific work was motivated by the escalating issue of waste accumulation in Indonesia, a country that generates approximately 21.2 tons of waste per year, predominantly consisting of household waste such as food waste, dry leaves, wood, tree branches, and food industry waste. Among the household waste types employed by Ghefira and her team was the mangrove crab shell waste (Scylla serrata). The mangrove crab’s body is primarily composed of its shell, accounting for about 80% of its weight, with the remaining 20% being edible flesh. They selected the mangrove crab shell due to its biocompatible, biodegradable, low toxicity, easy synthesis, and safe application properties.

In their innovation, Ghefira and team implemented two technologies: vermicomposting and microwave technology. This combination transformed organic waste into an innovative product: water-soluble organic capsule fertilizer. The organic fertilizer was crafted from household organic waste, while the water-soluble capsule shell was created from mangrove crab shells. The vermicomposting technology was utilized in the production of organic fertilizer involving the use of earthworms, specifically Eisenia foetida and Eisenia Eugeniae, in composting organic matter. The end result of vermicomposting technology is vermicompost, a mixture of worm castings and compost.

The microwave technology was used in producing water-soluble capsule shells using mangrove crab shell material. Chitin compounds found in mangrove crab shells can be transformed into chitosan for capsule shell production. The chitosan from mangrove crab shells has a large molecular weight, necessitating the application of microwave technology to produce chitosan with high deacetylation degree and low molecular weight, ensuring high solubility in water. The process for making chitosan capsule shells involves several sequential steps, including sample preparation, chitin isolation (deproteinization, demineralization, and decolorization processes), chitosan synthesis (repeated deacetylation using microwave), production of Glucosamine Hydrochloride (GLcN HCl) (via hydrolysis and centrifugation processes), and finally, capsule shell formation using modified capsule molds.

Through these two technologies, they produced water-soluble organic capsule fertilizer with numerous advantages. The use of fertilizers that previously required mixing various components may now be simplified through the capsule form, making application on plants more convenient. Individuals need not worry about measuring fertilizer quantities, as the organic capsule fertilizer already contains all necessary elements for plants in a complete and precise manner. Additionally, the capsule form facilitates storage due to its relatively small size, saving storage space. The water solubility of the organic capsule fertilizer is relatively fast, preventing residual waste during use. Therefore, the organic capsule fertilizer implements a circular economy system and is anticipated to contribute to environmental conservation.

The Panasonic Scholarship Indonesia was first launched in 1998 by Panasonic Corporation Japan to celebrate its 80th anniversary. The scholarship is offered through PT. Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia in the form of Postgraduate Scholarships at the best universities in Japan for outstanding graduates with a Bachelor’s degree (S1) from various universities in Indonesia. Since 2014, Panasonic has changed the scholarship policy to provide Education Cost Aid and monthly Stipends for Bachelor’s (S1) and Master’s (S2) students, and in 2019, it was extended to include Diploma (D3/D4) students. The selection process for the Panasonic Scholarship begins with candidate selection through their respective universities /faculties /programs, followed by Panasonic’s own selection. The determination of scholarship recipients takes into various factors such as the completeness of administrative documents, students’ GPA, language proficiency, family’s economic condition, involvement in organizations, “Future Plan” essay, and readiness to become a Panasonic Scholarship recipient.

Panasonic has designated 22 students as recipients of the Panasonic Scholarship 2023, comprising 12 students from the Bachelor’s program (S1), 4 from the Master’s program (S2), and 6 from the Diploma program (D3/D4). Adhisa Fathirisari Putri (Bachelor) and Aji Sukma Iqbal Najibulloh (Master) are students in Faculty Biology UGM, respectively, who have been selected as recipients of the Panasonic Scholarship 2023. Adhisa’s essay titled “To Understand Oneself, To Be A Leader of Our Own Self” explores the connection between neuroscience and human capability in understanding oneself, becoming a self-leader, and enhancing the quality of life. Aji’s essay, “Researcher is A Leader for Their Research Object,” explains the steps to comprehend one’s identity and leadership style, manage study plans, and explore taxonomic research opportunities for Indonesia’s progress.

The scholarship awarding ceremony for the awardees was held in person at PT. Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia on Thursday, July 27, 2023. In his address, Mr. Tomonobu Otsu, the President Director of PT. Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia, expressed that the 22 selected students are talented individuals who are expected to contribute to society at large. Aji was chosen to deliver a gratitude speech, highlighting that wise students not only enhance their knowledge and skills but also develop attitudes and leadership qualities to understand their own capacities.

 

Biology students at Gadjah Mada University (S1) Zildan Basara made another achievement at the national level by winning 2nd place in the National Essay Competition in collaboration with student of Electronics and Instrumentation (S1), MIPA Faculty UGM Ferdian Arvin Nayandra.This national-level essay competition was organized by UKM MAPALA LOKA SAMGRAHA Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, namely “Jaga Bumi Tetap Lestari”. The competition was opened on 1 May 2023, and the winners were announced on 10 June 2023.

In this competition, the team took the sub-theme Technology and Environmental Innovation with the title “Integration of Microfluidics Technology and the Role of Microorganisms as Biosorption Agents in Detection and Mitigation of Heavy Metal Pollution on the River Code, Yogyakarta”. The team discusses that rivers in Indonesia are vital resources for human life, serving as a source of drinking water, agricultural irrigation, transportation, and also rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately, many rivers in Indonesia Suffer from serious pollution, including being contaminated by heavy metals. According to the data from Bureau of Statistic (BPS), throughout the year 2021, 10,683 villages in Indonesia suffered from river contamination. In addition, according to the same data, approximately 46 percent of Indonesian rivers have experienced severe contamination, 32 percent have moderate, 14 percent have moderately polluted, and 8 percent have mild contamination. (Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, 2022). In the past few decades, the Code River has experienced significant pollution levels, including contamination by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which enter the river through poorly managed industrial and domestic waste (Harian Jogja, 2021).

Therefore, it is essential to develop sensitive and effective detection methods to identify the level of heavy metal contamination in River water. In addition, bioremediation approaches are also needed to eliminate heavy metal contamination, where microorganisms capable of reducing or eliminating heavy metals can be utilized to naturally clean the river. The essay aims to integrate microfluidics technology as sensitive biological sensors in the detection of heavy metals, and utilizing microorganisms as bioremediation agents that can reduce the level of heavy metal contamination in the river Code water.

 

 

During the Festival of Ideas, The 21st Indonesian Scholars International Convention (ISIC), Indonesia achieved an honor for the success of Jimmy Al Fa’is and Elvian Indah Nilamsari,who secured first place in an international essay competition. They outperformed competitors from all around the world with their ideas on the topic of  Sustainable Transition. These two students proposed opportunities for Indonesia to achieve energy independency by harnessing the potential we possess.

ISIC is a scientific forum that was organized annually by the United Kingdom Student Association of Indonesia. In 2023, one of its events was  an essay and scientific poster competition open to all Indonesian students across the country. The competition was highly competitive,participated by Indonesian students from 10 different countries. This year, there were 3 essays with 2 nominations contested. (1st and 2nd Place). On this achievement, they were invited to attend an international conference at Nottingham University, UK.

Elvian and Jimmy proposed a comprehensive approach to the sustainable energy transition in Indonesia.They presented strategic steps for Indonesia to achieve energy self-sufficiency through the conversion of food waste. Using bioreactors, they showed how microorganisms can efficiently convert food waste into lipid-rich materials, which can be converted into biodiesel as a clean and renewable energy source. The scientific approach emphasized the importance of waste reduction, promoting environmental responsibility, and harnessing Indonesia’s potential in the renewable energy sector.

The idea originated from the challenges posed by an increasing population and the rising energy demand.consequently,the Indonesian government must meet energy needs, including fuel. However, fossil fuels, which have been the primary global energy source, are depleting rapidly and pose significant environmental threats. Based on these facts, Elvian and Jimmy proposed the innovation of a mini bioreactor that can be operated on both small and large scales. This innovation is expected to increase biodiesel production and lead Indonesia towards energy self-reliance.