Every year the Christian Student Society (PMK) of the Faculty of Biology celebrates the Easter service with the aim of providing a place for Christian students and lecturers to celebrate Easter. This activity is also useful in developing Christian students’ spiritual relationships through joint fellowship. At this Easter celebration, PMK Biology carries the theme “Philadelfia” with the main verse on Hebrews 13:1-3. Through this theme, it is hoped that the brotherly love and friendship that God has given through humans can be channeled in the form of love for others, not only for those we know but for everyone according to the love of Jesus Christ.

This activity was held on Saturday, April 15 2023 at 17.00 – 19.00 WIB in Room 1-2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity was attended by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St. as PMK Biology supervisor lecturer, member of PMK Biology batch 2018 to 2022, representatives of PMK and KMKK UGM, and representatives from the Inter-University Fellowship – Yogyakarta Christian Student Society (PERKANTAS-PMKY).

This activity began with remarks by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and was followed by a celebration session and a prayer session. The celebration session was carried out in the form of Bible-themed games to bring each student closer and create an atmosphere of brotherhood, and was followed by praise through songs. During the worship session, the sermon was delivered by Ev. Fillia A. Laua from GII Hok Im Tong Cornerstone Jogja with the title “Maintain Brotherly Love”. The word that was brought about the extraordinary love of Jesus Christ became the basis for us to love others. Our love can be shown in the form of kindness, empathy, loyalty, and happiness. By carrying out this activity, it is hoped that we can increase brotherly love for everyone around us.

On Saturday, April 29 2023, the BiOSC 2023 Family Gathering was held. This activity was part of the celebration of the 17th BiOSC Anniversary. This time the Family Gathering carries the theme IOS (Bonding BiOSC) with the jargon “Empower One Another”. This activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M. S., M. Sc., as the BiOSC supervisor. In addition, this activity was also attended by 64 BiOSC members. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. giving hope to BiOSC on this 17th Anniversary so that in the future it will be even more solid. Apart from that, he also hopes that BiOSC will be more responsive to the condition of orchids at UGM, especially at the Faculty of Biology.

To enliven the Family Gathering activities, each field with representatives from AD XVII made different performances. In addition to performances, in this Family Gathering activities various group games were also held. The BiOSC 2023 Family Gathering is very exciting and fun. Everything went smoothly. By holding the 2023 Family Gathering, it is hoped that it will strengthen the sense of kinship so as to create a harmonious relationship between BiOSC members

On Saturday, May 6 2023 the UGM Faculty of Biology Community Service Team made their first visit to the Kampung Satwa located in Kedung Banteng, Sumberagung, Moyudan, Sleman, Yogyakarta. This visit was aimed at introducing oneself as well as coordinating with partners in the context of implementing a program entitled “Strengthening Food Security in Kampung Satwa to Improve Family Nutrition and Anticipate Wasting and Stunting Incidents”. This program is one of fourteen proposals that have passed to be funded in the 2023 Community Service-Free Learning Campus (PkM-MBKM) Grant for the Faculty of Biology UGM.

As for some of the activities that will be carried out in Period I (Even Semester Academic Year 2022/2023) include: (1) Counseling on the use of ecoenzymes for households, agriculture, health and the environment, (2) Cultivating microgreens as an alternative to vegetable nutritional needs, (3 ) Dissemination of the Nutrition Awareness Family Program (Kadarzi) and monitoring of the growth and development of children and toddlers, and (4) Utilization of residents’ yards as Nutrition Gardens.

The stunting and wasting prevention program has become a directive from the PKK of Kedung Banteng. With the collaboration between the Swanting Team and the Kampung Satwa, it is hoped that good synergy will be created in the context of preventing and accelerating the reduction of stunting and wasting in the Kampung Satwa and its surroundings through programs to improve community nutrition, especially for children and toddlers. This program is in line with the Republic of Indonesia’s national program for the 2020-2024 period as stipulated in the Republic of Indonesia Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021 and the Republic of Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation No. 13 of 2022.

In its journey to prepare new Study Program, namely Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM held a Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator in the field of Plants for several prospective lecturers of UGM. On May, 11^th 2023 in Ruang Sidang KPTU, The Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator was carried out based on the Portofolio/Recognition of Past Learning scheme.

The assessment was attended by 5 UGM lecturers as participants, namely Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S. (Fakultas Biologi UGM), Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology), Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology), Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology) dan Ir. Atus Syahbudin, S.Hut., M.Agr., Ph.D. (Faculty of Forestry).

Assessor in this professional certification test was Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler, Director Hortus botanicus Leiden, Universiteit Leiden, who was accompanied by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. as Head of Undergraduate Biology Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

After all the assessment process was done, it was stated that the five participants had passed and received professional certificate as Curator of Biodeversity. During the certificates handover, Dean of Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., accompanied by the vice deans, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources) and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni), expressed his pride in the process of this certification assessment and hoped that this result would support the establishment of Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. also stated that, in the future, a professional certification assessment for biodiversity in the field of animals and microbes would be carried out so that the new study program to be established was truly ready with competent and internationally certified lecturers.

Before the assessment was closed, Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler and all of Faculty Directors had a discussion about strategic steps and plans that will very useful in preparing for the establishment of new study program. The certification assessment process ended with a group photo between all of participants, Faculty Directors and Prof. Dr. Paul Kessler.

Thursday, May 11 2023 Gala Dinner was held between Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden at Sasanti Restaurant, Yogyakarta. The Gala Dinner was attended by Prof. dr. Paul J. A. Kessler (Director of Hortus Botanicus, Universiteit Leiden), Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Deputy Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Bachelor Study Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M. Si., Ph.D., Head of the Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng., Head of Office of International Affairs, Faculty of Biology, and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Si., M.Biotech.

Gala Dinner is intended to strengthen good collaboration relation between two parties, Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden after Tuesday, May 9 2023, the MoU was extended regarding collaboration in joint research programs, visiting professorships, resources for exchange, joint seminars , workshops, double degree programs, educational scholarships and various other scopes of collaboration between Faculty of Biology and Leiden University

Gala Dinner occured with small talk and shared experiences through comparisons between Indonesia in general and the Faculty of Biology UGM in particular with Universiteit Leiden in the Netherlands, such as cultural differences, regulations, education and teaching curriculum, research, and so on. Prof. Paul also went down to share about the teaching system at Universiteit Leiden and the Netherlands, both from the development of human resources, functions and publications, connections with various parties, one of which is the United Nations, to how it affects to the development of education, especially within the university sphere.

The implementation of this Gala Dinner is a form of strengthening both working and personal relationships with the collaboration partners of the Faculty of Biology. It is hoped that good collaboration can continue between Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden.

Bioinformatics is one of the compulsory elective courses offered by the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). From the beginning, the course has a program that invites guest lecturers from outside the Faculty of Biology to become part of the “Tim Teaching”. This year, as part of the Academic Internationalization Program, Dr. Neil H. Tan Gana from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine was invited to teach “Bioinformatics for NGS Data Analysis” in two sessions. The lectures were attended by approximately 130 students from the Bioinformatics class and 20 participants from outside the class. The classes were held in a hybrid format, with the first meeting taking place in Room X and the second in Room IV, combined with a Zoom Meeting.

The first session, held on April 26, 2023, covered the basic theory of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and various applications or software used in NGS analysis. This was followed by the second session on May 3, 2023. Each session was conducted interactively, with Dr. Neil always starting his presentations with basic questions related to NGS. Students were able to answer these questions through the chat column or directly during the session. In addition, students were also given the freedom to interrupt the lecture if they had any questions during the presentation.

During the second session, students had the opportunity to practice NGS data analysis directly. Dr. Neil provided a case for the students to solve, and also gave tips and tricks for conducting data analysis and manipulation. Several commonly used software, such as “usegalaxy” and “kbase”, were also practiced during the session. Students expressed satisfaction with Dr. Neil’s explanations, as he explained the steps slowly and clearly. Ulfah, one of the Bioinformatics students, added, “I was very interested in attending Dr. Neil’s class. Not only did I gain new knowledge related to NGS, but I also had the opportunity to follow and solve problems given by Dr. Neil. NGS is currently very important for Biology students to understand, in line with the current developments in the field.”

Tuesday, May 9 2023, Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University received a visit from Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden, The Netherlands. There are Prof. dr. Jesper Knoester (Dean of the Faculty of Science), Professor of the Computer Science Program, Prof. Dr. M. M. Marcello Bonsangue (Professor of Bioinformatics), Prof. dr. Paul J. A. Kessler (Director of Hortus Botanicus), Prof. dr. Erik H. J. Danen, and Yun Tian. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room by the Dean of Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of Bachelor Study Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M. Si., Ph.D., Head of Masters Study Program, Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng., Head of Office of International Affairs, Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Sc., M.Biotech., Mukhlis Jamal Musa Holle, S.Sc., M.Env.Sc., and Nur Indah Septriani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The visit began with an introduction to the Faculty of Biology and Gadjah Mada University in general by the Head of Faculty of Biology UGM and profile of Universiteit Leiden, especially Faculty of Science, was presented by Prof. dr. Jesper Knoester as the Dean. Furthermore, there was discussion regarding the MoU and the implementation of collaboration between Faculty of Biology UGM and Faculty of Science Universiteit Leiden including the mobility program for undergraduate students (IISMA, internship, student exchange), educational scholarships, and double degree program between Faculty of Biology UGM and Leiden University.

Collaboration between Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University and Faculty of Science, Universiteit Leiden has been established since 2016 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) regarding cooperation in joint research programs, visiting professorships, resources for exchange, joint seminars and workshops, PhD programs and post-doc training. During the visit, of MoU extension was signed to continue the collaboration that had taken place before. This visit is expected to enhance collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Science, Leiden University.

On Tuesday, 11 April 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from Prof. Elizabeth van Volkenburgh, Professor of Plant Science at the Department of Biology, University of Washington (UW), USA. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room on the 2nd floor by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Deputy Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc. and Lecturer from the Plant Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St.

The visit began with an introduction to the Faculty of Biology and Gadjah Mada University in general by the UGM Faculty of Biology leadership. In the meeting, a collaboration plan was discussed between the University of Washington and the UGM Faculty of Biology such as student exchanges, summer courses, visiting professors and general lectures. At the meeting, Prof. Elizabeth really appreciated the “International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” which this year will be held in early August 2023. This activity is an annual activity of the UGM Faculty of Biology which offers exploration of biology learning related to biodiversity and tropical ecosystems for the survival of living things. “It is a very good opportunity for students to learn,” he said. Prof. Elizabeth also intends to offer this opportunity to students in her department who are interested in studying ecology, the “ring of fire” and various research related to biology in the tropics.

The visit ended with a tour of the UGM Faculty of Biology, especially in the area of ​​the Plant Physiology Laboratory and the Plant Development Structure Laboratory. This visit is expected to increase cooperation between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Washington, especially the Department of Biology.

On Saturday, April 1 2023, PKPA Labskill X for Orchid Cultivation Techniques was held at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity is a collaboration of the Research Division with the Cultivation Division of BiOSC. This activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. as BiOSC Supervisor Lecturer. Focusing on training and introducing basic material regarding in vitro orchid propagation techniques, this activity is intended to develop student abilities, especially in BiOSC membership. PKPA Labskill X Orchid Cultivation Techniques was successfully attended by 23 members from Diksar XV, XVI, and XVII BiOSC batches. This series of activities begins with a pretest for participants followed by guidance and direction regarding the basic material for in vitro culture of orchid seeds.

Next, participants were invited to practice sowing orchid seeds directly in Laminar Air Flow (LAF). The orchid seeds that were sown this time came from the Spathoglottis genus which came from the Karanggayan and Arundina Greenhouses which were obtained from the exploration results of BiOSC members. In this activity, participants will be taught the steps that must be taken, such as sterilizing tools and materials, preparing orchids for sowing, and how to properly plant seeds in a medium bottle using Vacin and Went medium. The steps in this method need to be considered carefully because it will determine the success of growing orchid seeds into new individuals. In this Orchid Cultivation Technique, participants are expected to have an overview and understand the basic techniques that need to be considered so that the cultivation of orchids from seeds can be successful.

Biology students at Universitas Gadjah Mada (S1) made another achievement by winning the Bronze Medal and Favorite Poster at the national level El Bajo Essay Competition. This achievement was achieved by a team chaired by Amelia Rifki Alifiah (Biology 2019) and its member Fatika Soraya Taufik (Biology 2019) under the guidance of Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. This competition carries the theme “Idea, Innovation and Creativity to Realize the MDGs” and is carried out in two stages. The first stage included online essay selection by the jury with a total of 265 works from State and Private Universities in Indonesia, so that 28 finalist teams were obtained. The second stage was held on 18-19 March 2023 with an offline final presentation at the Office of the West Manggarai Regent, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. The organizers also held field trips for the finalists with the intended destinations including Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Padar Island.

In this competition, Amelia and Fatika brought the title “BOBESTEA: Diabetes-Friendly Boba Milk Tea with α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Mango Kernel Starch (Mangifera indica L.) and Natural Sweetener Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni as an Alternative to Low-Sugar Contemporary Drinks ”. In this essay, Amelia and Fatika discuss that the boba drink trend, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years, has actually contributed to the increase in diabetes cases in Indonesia. The sugar content in one serving of boba drink itself can reach 73.44%, thus exceeding the daily sugar consumption limit. Based on these problems, Amelia and Fatika initiated the BOBESTEA innovation with boba pearls from mango kernel starch containing α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase enzyme inhibitors, as well as milk tea derived from a combination of unsweetened almond milk, black tea, and zero-calorie Stevia natural sweetener. . This innovation is expected to be an alternative solution to current drinks that are much healthier, have a lower risk of diabetes, and can be accepted by consumers, especially millennials and generation Z as the main consumers of boba drinks.