Headline
The delegation left Bangka Belitung on August 15, 2023, with hopes that the collaborative efforts in cultivating and conserving endemic orchids of Bangka Belitung would soon materialize. May the substantial contributions to the preservation of Indonesia’s unique orchids become a reality soon. (Author: LAU).
On Monday, 21 August 2023, Faculty of Biology received a visit from the University of Groningen, Netherlands attended Drs. Tim Zwaagstra, M.A. as Senior Policy Advisor Southeast Asia and Japan and Mervin Bakker, M.Sc. as Director of International Strategy & Relations University of Groningen. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology and was attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Head of the Undergraduate Study Program, Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Office of International Affairs of the Faculty of Biology and Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, M.Si. from the Microbiology Laboratory.
During the visit, Dr. Eko as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs presented the profile of the Faculty of Biology, study programs, facilities, and collaborations that have been forged by the Faculty of Biology both with domestic and overseas partners. On that occasion, Prof. Budi as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology also added about the collaboration established by the Faculty of Biology, with vital parties in Indonesia such as BUMN and the government, which hopes to reach and provide more benefits to the wider community.
The collaboration with the University of Groningen had previously been initiated by the Faculty of Biology regarding student exchange and at this meeting it was discussed again as a follow-up to the previous discussion. Tim and Mervin also appreciated the collaboration plans that will be implemented as well as the potential for further collaboration such as double degrees, joint publications, participation in the International Summer Course also student mobility. This collaboration is also potentially supported by a scholarship from the Indonesian government, namely the LPDP Program which is currently able to support double degree programs up to joint publication. There is also a need for further discussion, especially plans for specific programs such as double degrees which require curriculum alignment and so on.
The visit was a step by the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level as well as building good relations, especially with the University of Groningen. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the Faculty of Biology UGM to supporting sustainable development and is in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely quality education (SDGs 4) and partnership for the goals (SDGs 17).
In early March 2023, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) – 2023 Research Team from the Faculty of Biology at UGM, led by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., along with a student named Andi Muhammad Naufal Khaeri, conducted observations on the embryonic development of eggs and the feeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm, Yogyakarta. The purpose of this activity was to understand the process of breeding exotic birds, particularly Ostriches, in Yogyakarta, which is located at Mahasvin Farm.
The Mahasvin Farm exotic bird breeding group is currently making efforts to hatch exotic bird eggs, including Ostriches. These efforts aim to achieve several objectives, including the conservation of exotic animals, the development of exotic wildlife tourism for the community, and, most importantly, the enhancement of educational facilities and media for wildlife development and conservation. The potential for this endeavor is significant, and they have already succeeded in hatching various types of exotic birds. However, there are currently some challenges in maintaining the embryonic development of these exotic birds.
Based on the results of discussions and observations with partners, obstacles in the Ostrich hatching process were identified, such as the imperfections in the incubator machine and the inability of the current feed to fully meet the nutritional needs. Therefore, in May, it was discussed and initiated to create a new incubator process and develop a proper feed composition to ensure the successful breeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm.
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.
On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the Bioconnect event was held between HIMBIO UNPAD and BEM BIOLOGI UGM. The activity was conducted virtually through the Zoom meeting platform and was attended by all members of HIMBIO UNPAD and BEM BIOLOGI UGM. The event was hosted by MC Anisah Qurrotu’Ainii, a staff member of BEM Biologi UGM, and Reni Nur’anifah, a staff member of HIMBIO UNPAD.
The event began with an opening by the MC and a recitation, followed by singing the Indonesian national anthem, the Himbio Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology March together. Next on the agenda were welcoming speeches and general introduction of Himbio UNPAD and BEM Biologi UGM followed by discussion sessions.
The activities continued with an ice-breaking session, followed by Focus Group Discussions (FGD) by each department. The entire series of events for the Himbio UNPAD x BEM Biologi UGM Study Visit was carried out successfully, culminating in a closing ceremony and a joint documentation session.Through this event, it is hoped that all staff members of BEM Biologi UGM can establish good cooperation with external parties and gain valuable insights and learning experiences from this activity.
Sunday, 4 June 2023 Oceans Day 2023 was held by the Marine Studies Group of the Faculty of Biology UGM as part of their participation in World Ocean Day on June 8 and was attended by 56 members of Marine Study Group and 18 volunteers from Faculty of Biology UGM. Ocean Day 2023 has the theme “Stop Plastic Waste Polluting the Sea” and comprised two main activities: a seminar and beach cleanup.
The Seminar began at 08.30 to 11.00 at the auditorium of Biology Tropika and was guided by Renisha Windy Puspita Sari (DXXII) and Ahmad Aris B. R. (DXXIII). The seminar began with a welcoming speech from Filda Mega AYU as chairperson of the committee and A. Najib Dhiaurahman , the chairperson of Marine Study Group. Then the seminar continued with a presentation on plastic waste management to reduce water pollution and its solution through marine biology by Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D. followed by discussion.
The next series of activities was beach clean-up at Baros Beach which took place 13.00 WIB to 16.00 WIB. This beach cleaning activity is a volunteer activity carried out directly on the shores of Baros Beach, collecting scattered waste in the area and educating about marine waste management.
May the knowledge and experience that has been given at Oceans Day 2023 not stop at this event alone, but be accepted and implemented continuously by all participants , and shared with anyone. Eternal and unlimited, invincible and powerful, such is the ocean. Together, let’s save the seas from all damage and pollution because this can be a real action to protect future generations. Happy World Sea Day! Cheers to Jay KSK!
Friday, 7 July 2023, PKM Coordination and Monitoring Meeting 2023 was held online through a zoom meeting and was attended by 45 students. This event consist of 3 session, began with explanation about the timeline of PKM 2023 by representatives of the PKM Corner Biology committee, then followed by the sharing session from Eri Dwi Suyanti (2020) the participants of PKM 2022 2nd winner for presentation on the PIMNAS 35 and continued for discussion.
In this meeting Eri shared about preparation at each stage of PKM after passing funding such as research implementation, documentation, filing logbook, fund usage and preparation for monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore Eri shared tips and tricks to pass to PIMNAS and so on.
This meeting was held to support Biology Students who managed to pass funding at PKM 2023.
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.