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.

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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.

Friday, August 18^th 2023, Associate Professor from Antioch College, Ohio, United States, Assoc. Prof. Richard Kraince conducted a discussion on initiating research collaboration with the Faculty of Biology via online. The discussion was attended by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc, Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Office of International Affairs of the Faculty of Biology and Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, S.Si., M.Env.Sc., D.Phil. from the Ecology Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology.

Assoc. Prof. Richard is an Associate Professor of Cooperative and International Education from Antioch College, Ohio, United States of America. His research is mostly related to religious movements, environmental conservation campaigns and progressive international education networks, as well as many studies that focus on Southeast Asia and Africa. In a discussion with Faculty of Biology UGM, he expressed his desire to collaborate in an Ecology Education Research project in the Southeast Asian Region and work with Malaysia (Department of Science Studies, Universiti Malaya) and Philippines (Atendeo de Manila University Institute of Sustainability). Apart from that, Richard also explained about Antioch College and his last visit to Indonesia and his collaborative project with LIPI (now BRIN).

Dr. Eko then made a presentation regarding the profile of the Faculty of Biology UGM, study programs and potential collaborations. Dr. Eko really opens up opportunities for collaboration with Faculty of Biology. On this occasion, an expert lecturer from the Ecology Laboratory, Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, S.Sc., M.Env.Sc., D.Phil. who can collaborate in the ASEAN Ecological Education Research Project.

The discussion was a great bridge to increase the collaboration network of the Faculty of Biology. Richard also hopes to establish good research collaborations and looks forward to his planned visit to Faculty of Biology next year. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the Faculty of Biology in supporting sustainable development and in accordance with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), namely quality education (SDGs 4) and partnerships for the goals (SDGs 17).

Friday, 18 August 2023, the Faculty of Biology attended a discussion by the National University Singapore. The discussion was also attended by colleagues from Directorate of Research, Faculty of Geography, Faculty of Forestry, and Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada with a total of 11 participants in the discussion. From the Faculty of Biology attended by Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc, and Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Office of International Affairs of the Faculty of Biology. Meanwhile from the National University Singapore attended by Prof. Lian Pin Koh from the Faculty of Science.

Dr. Eko as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs of the Faculty of Biology had the opportunity to present faculty profiles, study programs, research focus and interests, also potential collaborations such as student exchanges, double degrees, and so on. Representatives from each faculty also had the opportunity to present the profiles of each faculty to find common ground that could be collaborated on.

Furthermore, Prof. Lian Pin Koh from the Faculty of Science, National University Singapore (NUS) appreciated the initiation of the collaboration between the UGM faculties and NUS. Prof. Koh is the Director of the Center for Nature-based Climate Solutions NUS, a center for studies focused on climate policy, strategy and action in Singapore and Asia-Pacific Region. He is also the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Chair Professor of Conservation NUS, Vice Dean of Research Faculty of Science, and Director of NUS’ Tropical Marine Science Institute. Prof. Koh explained his faculty profile at NUS which consists of 7 Departments including Biological Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Math, Statistics, and Physics. Prof. Koh himself is an expert in the field of ecology and environment. He conveyed the potential for collaboration that can be carried out within the scope of research related to climate change which is a special focus at NUS, urban farming, and aquaculture.

Subsequent discussions focused on the potential for collaboration that could be explored in each faculty unit at UGM. Dr. Eko from the Faculty of Biology delivered an initiation for student exchange that could collaborate with the undergraduate training program held at NUS. For forestry and mangrove research, NUS has collaborated with many parties from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines and does not rule out opportunities for collaboration with faculties at UGM. Meanwhile for marine biology research, Prof. Koh expressed his appreciation for the potential for collaboration with Dr. Eko, mainly related to microalgae research. Besides that, Dr. Eko and other delegations from the Faculty of Biology plan to visit Singapore in October, so it will be a great opportunity to focus on the collaboration between the two parties. From the Faculty of Geography itself also conveyed the potential for research collaboration with expert lecturers including on the topic of carbon sequestration and marine science.

The discussion is a great bridge to increase the collaborative network of Gadjah Mada University, especially the Faculty of Biology with the National University Singapore. The collaboration is expected to produce outputs such as research results that can be of benefit to the wider community. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the Faculty of Biology UGM in supporting sustainable development and in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), namely quality education (SDGs 4) and partnership for the goals (SDGs 17).

As a follow-up to the collaboration initiation last June, Universitas Gadjah Mada through their Office of International Affairs held a collaborative discussion with the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, Friday, August 10^th 2023. The discussion was attended by 15 participants from Universitas Gadjah Mada and the University of Warwick. The discussion was attended by representatives from the Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, and the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada. From the Faculty of Biology attended by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. From the University of Warwick attended by Vicky Strudwick as International Partnership Manager for East and South East Asia, and Dr. Irwanda Laory and Dr. Yudhi Ariadi from the School of Engineering, University of Warwick.

The discussion began with introductions and collaborations that had been discussed or planned with the University of Warwick. Dr. Eko conveyed that the collaboration between the Faculty of Biology and the University of Warwick had been going on for a long time through collaborative research conducted by expert lecturers from the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, MS, M.Sc. and Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, M.Si with Prof. Jose Gutierrez Marcos from the School of Life Science University of Warwick. Furthermore, the Graduate School UGM delivered an introduction regarding the Disaster Management program and Biotechnology Study Program. Collaboration in the form of Joint Supervision, General Lecture and Research is highly expected with the University of Warwick. From the Faculty of Psychology conveyed the initiation of potential collaboration and their closest agenda, namely an international conference while from the Faculty of Engineering explained the potential for double degree collaboration following the research collaboration they had previously carried out.

Vicky as the International Partnership Manager of the University of Warwick appreciated the collaboration initiatives that were discussed. She said that collaboration could be carried out in the scope of research related to health to sustainable development and potential for Doctoral Joint Supervision collaboration up to a double degree.

Dr. Irwanda added that collaboration must be supported by scholarships such as the LPDP which is supported by the government at both the doctoral and master levels. The potential for double degree collaboration 2+2 and 3+1 is very likely to be discussed again. Even so, there are still many limitations from the LPDP which can limit collaboration and there needs to be special communication with scholarship providers for the best mechanism, especially in the double degree program.

This discussion is a great bridge to increase the collaborative network of Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially the Faculty of Biology with the University of Warwick after the research collaboration that had taken place previously. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the Faculty of Biology UGM in supporting sustainable development and in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs); quality education (SDGs 4) and partnership for the goals (SDGs 17).

The 6th International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development concluded remarkably on August 11, 2023, with an entertaining and touching closing ceremony. The event took place in Jatimulyo, Kulon Progo.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App., Sc., and committee chair Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., both shared reflections on the importance of this event and the collective efforts made towards a more sustainable future.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, known for his environmental conservation work, expressed gratitude for the dedication and enthusiasm of the participants. He emphasized that the course not only enriched academic knowledge but also built a global network of individuals committed to addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and sustainable development.

Committee Chair Nur Indah Septriani added that the event had been an incredible journey of learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. The participants have shown extraordinary dedication to addressing pressing environmental issues, and we are excited to see the impact they will make in their respective fields.

The ceremony featured a captivating traditional dance performance showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region, highlighting the connection between nature and human tradition. Laughter was added to the evening with humorous interpretations.

The evening also marked the announcement of award recipients, including the funniest, most enthusiastic, most local, friendliest, and best food eater participants. Applause and cheers filled the air as the award recipients were celebrated, adding to the excitement of the night.

As the event concluded, it was evident that the participants were deeply moved, inspired, and motivated to continue their efforts towards a more sustainable planet rich in biodiversity.