The Senate of the Faculty of Biology UGM held an IUP (International Undergraduate Program) Evaluation FGD on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 at the Swiss-Belboutique Hotel Yogyakarta. In this event, material was delivered by resource persons, Mrs. Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Sc., Ph.D. and Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.Eng. and attended by all members of the UGM Faculty of Biology Senate. The journey of the IUP program for the Faculty of Biology from 2019 to the present has shown very good progress, and IUP Biology is a program that has Academic Manuscript, until now these Academic Manuscript have become the template for all IUPs at UGM.

The IUP Biology that shows good progress certainly needs to be improved so that it is even better, therefore the Biology Faculty Senate held an FGD to evaluate the IUP program. Chair of the Faculty Senate, Prof. Dr. Suwarno Hadisusanto, S.U., said that this activity was carried out to provide an evaluation and provide solutions for the obstacles faced by the IUP program to make it even better.

During the FGD, resource persons conveyed materials and information to all members of the Senate, then carried out discussions and formulations. Discussion by members of the Faculty Senate by providing suggestions and input, for further formulation carried out by Commission 1 of the Faculty Senate. The results of the formulation of the IUP Evaluation FGD consisted of 3 (three) stages, namely: input, process and output. These stages were further elaborated and explained to be submitted to the faculty as an evaluation of the Biology IUP program.

On March 25 2023, the Postgraduate Student Society (KMP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM held a Family Gathering and Welcome Party for the Postgraduate Student Society Management (KMP) which was held face-to-face at the Jasmine Corner Building, 2nd floor. The purpose of this activity was to strengthen ties of friendship between the management of the KMP for the 2022/2023 management. This event was attended by the General Chair of KMP (Yusril Ihza Farhan Wijaya, S.Si), Deputy Internal Chair (Aji Sukma Iqbal Najibulloh, S.Sc.), External Deputy Chair (Tondy Ukasha, S.Pd.), and KMP Management in 2022/2023 with a total of 36 people.

The event started at 16.30 WIB with an informal opening which was opened by the Master of Ceremony (MC), namely Wildan Alfian Fahmi, S.Si and Syefrina Rosyada, S.Si., then the activity started with name introduction games by all activity participants sequentially. All activity participants introduced themselves and mentioned the names of all other participants who had introduced their names. Furthermore, the second game, namely guessing the picture, was directed by the MC and followed by three groups, each group consisting of four people.

Then at 17.15 WIB, the formal opening was carried out and guided by the MC. The formal opening began with the recitation of the holy Al-Quran which was sung by sister Siska Noviana Dewi, S.Si. and followed by remarks from the chairman Yusril Ihza Farhan Wijaya, S.Si. said that KMP is a place and a home that can accommodate aspirations for Biology UGM Postgraduate Students

At 17.40-18.00 WIB, the committee prepared food and drinks for breaking the fast and the start of the joint iftar activities. Furthermore, the evening prayer is carried out and followed by eating together. As a closing, the activity continued with an Islamic singing competition which was attended by each KMP division representative and there were three divisions that sent their representatives to take part in the competition.

On Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 09.00, the KSATalk 2023 activity was carried out, namely a seminar with the theme “Therapeutic Garden: A New Way To Heal Yourself” which was carried out online via the zoom meeting platform. In this KSATalk #1, KSAT invited Mr. Syafni Sukmana, S. P., M. Sc. from the Indonesian Landscape Architecture Association as a guest speaker. The KSATalk #1 activity aims to provide participants with knowledge about how to build a garden that is able to meet their physical, psychological and spiritual needs in order to provide peace for the audience. The KSAT Talk #1 activity was attended by approximately 150 participants.

The KSAT Talk #1 activity began with an opening by the MC, namely Syafa Erista Hidayah (KSAT 2021). The activity continued with a prayer session led by the MC, followed by opening and remarks by the KSAT coach, Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si. then continued with remarks by the head of the KSAT, namely Zildan Basara (KSAT 2020), as well as remarks from the chairman of the KSATalk committee by Hanifah Trihastuti (KSAT 2021). The next activity was guided by Fika Zulfiani (KSAT 2021) as the moderator by introducing the speakers along with handing over mementos in the form of certificates, and documentation activities.

Furthermore, the main activity, namely the material presentation session delivered by Mr. Syafni Sukmana as the resource person. The material presented included the notion of a therapeutic garden, the development of a therapeutic garden from time immemorial in Indonesia, the role and function of a therapeutic garden primarily as a means of therapy for hospital patients, the uniqueness of a therapeutic garden, types, requirements, and how to make a garden can be categorized as a therapeutic garden. The material presentation session went in two directions with the interaction between the presenters and the participants. After the presentation session, the activity continued with a question and answer session where only 8 questioners could answer regardless of the many questions due to the great enthusiasm of the participants. After that, the KSATalk #1 activity was closed with a prayer.

On Saturday, March 25 2023 in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology UGM, the opening and presentation of the Workshop material took place: “MOSQUITOES AND FLIES-BORNE DISEASE: INTRODUCTION TO MOSQUITOES AND FLY AND ITS ROLE”. Vector-borne diseases are common in subtropical & tropical areas, including in Indonesia and contribute around 17% of all infectious diseases. This workshop was held to study vectors that play a role in disease transmission. Biological vectors, namely mosquitoes (larval and adult stages); Aedes aegypti (Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika virus vectors), Culex quinquefasciatus (urban filariasis vector, Japanese encephalitis virus), and Anopheles vagus (malaria vector); as well as flies, Tabanus sp. [(pineapple fly, Jw), vector of surra disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi]. In addition, studying mechanical vectors, including Musca domestica, Chrysomya, and the meat fly, Sarcophaga.

The event began with an opening which was followed by a Report from the Head of the Committee by Wali Nasir S. Umri who said that the workshop participants exceeded the target, namely 27 people out of the targeted 20 participants. Participants are Undergraduate Program students, Doctoral Program students, alumni of the Faculty. Biology UGM, and participants from PT Rentokil-Initial.

The whole series of events went smoothly, and the participants were very enthusiastic. Before delivering the material, a pretest was carried out, this was to measure participants’ understanding of mosquitoes and flies. The presentation of Introduction to Flies material was delivered by Dr.Dra.Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M. Biomed and mosquito materials were presented by Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, S.Si., M.Kes. After Ishoma, the activity continued with a practicum which took place at the Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Animal Systematics, Faculty of Biology UGM. The 27 participants were divided into 3 groups which took turns observing, identifying and making identification keys based on the important morphological attributes/characters for identification. In addition to a book containing workshop material, a practicum guide has also been prepared which makes the practicum easier. The event ended with the delivery of certificates and merchandise for active participants. In the practicum event guided by assistants Afraneta Aulya, S.Si, Aluyia Nur Illahi, S.Si; and Wali Nasir S. Umri, S.Si, as well as the instructor Atika Fitria Muharromah, S.Si., M.Sc. Hopefully this short workshop is useful, providing valuable knowledge and learning that can improve careers, research innovation, and collaboration. Thanks to PT Rentokil Initial for the support for this event and all the committee for the good cooperation.

On Sunday, March 12, 2023, a series of scientific material for the KSAT Seedling was carried out, namely Small Group Discussion 1 of Plant Diversity. At SGD 1 this Plant Diversity was basic material on Plant Systematics and Making Herbarium which was delivered by the Plant Diversity Science Sub-Division. The purpose of holding a Small Group Discussion 1 of Plant Diversity is to increase Seedling’s knowledge regarding the Basics of Plant Systematics and Making Herbariums.

This activity began with the opening by the MC, Tsaabita Rona (KSAT 2021). After the opening, the activity continued with an opening prayer and presentation. The material was delivered by Sefilla Musdalifah and Latifa Noor Aisha (KSAT 2021). The presenter explained the basic knowledge related to plant systematics, the key to plant systematics, plant identification, and how to make a herbarium. The SGD 1 Plant Diversity activity was closed with a closing prayer and documentation. This discussion went smoothly and on time. It is hoped that this activity will provide a basic understanding of plant systematics and herbarium making.

As the second mega-biodiversity country, Indonesia is rich in a variety of natural resources. However, in its utilization, it is often not managed in a sustainable manner so that it threatens the preservation of biodiversity in the future. Conservation efforts are needed to maintain and restore biodiversity in Indonesia. Therefore, the Indonesian Biology Consortium or KOBI chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc collaborated and synergized with the Indonesian Conservation Communication Forum (FKKI), especially WWF Indonesia to initiate the preparation of the Indonesian Biodiversity Index (IBI). Furthermore, WWF Indonesia as a member of the KOBI IBI Committee took the initiative to develop permanent plot sampling activities in two representative working areas, namely the Sebangau Katingan (SEKA) landscape and Papua. Permanent determination of sampling plots for the Papuan landscape is intended for data collection and monitoring of Pig-nosed Turtles and birds.

The coordination and discussion meeting for the Papua landscape Biodiversity Index was held on Friday, 17 March 2023 offline from 13.00 – 16.00 WIT at the Grand ABE Jayapurta Hotel. The coordination meeting was chaired directly by the Chairperson of the KOBI and attended by participants from the Biology Study Program S1 and S2 FMIPA Cendrawasih University, Biology Study Program at Papua University, the WWF Papua Team and the WWF Conservation Program Team. Presentations on recommendations for permanent plot sampling locations and monitoring methods were delivered by the Drafting Team, namely Risma Anggraeni, S. Si and Wahyu Febriani, S.Si.

The recommendations for location recommendations submitted by Risma Anggraeni were analyzed based on a tiered quantitative approach from several parameters resulting in 7 recommendations for bird survey locations in 7 districts or sub-districts of 4 regencies in Papua, namely Tambrauw, Sarmi, Jayapura and Merauke regencies, and 3 recommendations for turtle survey locations. – Pig-nosed turtles in 3 rivers namely the Fei, Mamats and Catarina Rivers in Asmat Regency.

Regarding the recommendations for monitoring methods, Wahyu Febriani recommends the line transect and counting point methods for observing birds and the transect and nest survey methods for observing pig-nosed turtles. For bird watching, another method is bioacoustic, but so far this method can only be used for an inventory of species diversity.

Presentation of updates on IBI activities and exposure to the results of the permanent analysis of the sampling plot, then the participants responded to and provided input. At the end of the event a conclusion was made and a follow-up plan was made to involve lecturers, researchers and students from Cendrawasih University and Papua University who would collaborate and work together with researchers from the IBI-KOBI Committee and WWF Indonesia.

The Graduate Student Family (KMP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM held a work and budget meeting on Saturday, March 18 2023 which was attended by 42 KMP officials. This activity began with the opening and reading of a prayer, followed by remarks from the Head of KMP Natha Abhipraya, Yusril Ihza Wijaya. In his remarks, the Head of KMP said that KMP is the only postgraduate-level organization at the Faculty of Biology that is autonomous and does not only work in the academic field but in the field of community service. Yusril as chairman of KMP, appreciated the work programs of each division which will continue to be evaluated so that they can run optimally and make a real contribution to society and the environment as the embodiment of the tri dharma of higher education.

The event continued with the election of chairpersons, where the KMP work meeting and budget meeting were chaired by Muhammad Rifaldi, Nur Hafiz, and Tasya Nur Aliyah. The agenda that was carried out at this session was reading the rules of conduct, submitting work programs in the internal sector, submitting work drafts in the external field, submitting and ratifying the budget meeting for one period of the KMP Natha Abipraya Cabinet. The discussion continued with the presentation of the vision, mission, logo and meaning of the Nata Abhipraya Cabinet, as well as work programs including plotting of management and fixation of management, cabinet work meetings, grand launching of KMP, monitoring of all KMP management, mid-term evaluation of management, awarding of KMP management, final evaluation of management and MUBES XIII 2023. The presentation of the KMP budget plan was delivered by the general treasurer and her staff. The activities of the KMP Natha Abhipraya work and budget meeting ended with approval and a prayer.

The Faculty of Biology UGM is a faculty that continues to advance in conducting genomic and bioinformatic research. One of the lecturers in this faculty, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. had the opportunity to take part in The Asia-Pacific (APAC) Population-Genomics, Informatics, and Interpretation Workshop 2023 in Thailand. Organized by Oxford Nanopore Technology, the workshop was held at the Thailand Science Park Convention Center, The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Rangsit, Bangkok, Thailand, on March 15-16 2023. Led directly by the Chairman of the Satriabudi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), namely dr. Vincentius S.W Budhyanto, Dr. Niken, together with Genomics Researchers from Airlangga University, Del Institute of Technology, YARSI University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, left for Thailand with the full support of YSDS.

The workshop which invited genomic scientists and researchers from Asia-Pacific provided an excellent opportunity to understand the problems of long-read human genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and how to overcome these problems; understand the structure of ONT data and how it differs from short reads analysis; and preparing a workflow for the analysis of variation in the human genome, including analysis of Single Nucleotide Variant (SNV)/indels, Copy Number Variations (CNV) and Short Tandem Repeat (STR). In addition, the workshop participants had the opportunity to hear a presentation from NIVDIA, an American multinational technology company, about their support for large-scale genomics studies. On the 2nd day, workshop participants were invited to tour the NSTDA Innovation Cluster, one of which visited the NSTDA Supercomputer Center (ThaiSC) and saw the LANTA Supercomputer System. An important opportunity at the end of the activity is to discuss and benefit from the experience of the bioinformatics team from several institutions in Asia-Pacific so that later they can contribute together to the advancement of genomic research in Indonesia.

This training activity is a continuation of the “Socialization of Increasing the Quality and Quantity of Processed Food Products with Natural Dyes in Malangrejo Padukuhan” which was held on Saturday, March 11, 2023. This activity aims to increase the understanding of the Malangrejo community regarding the steps and requirements for obtaining an SLHS and SPP-IRT registration number for the product they own. In addition, the community was also given several recipes for diversifying food using natural dyes and vegetable plants from their yards. It is hoped that the diversification of food products by the people of Malangrejo can improve the quality and quantity of MSME products, so as to improve the people’s economy.

The training activity began with an opening, remarks from the Head of Activities, Wedomartani Village Head, Dukuh Malangrejo representing the partners, and KWT members. After the welcoming session, the activity continued with the presentation of training material and discussion by Mr. Gunanto, S.KM, M.Sc., as the Sub Coordinator of the Pharmacy and Health Food and Beverage Substance Group, Sleman Health Office with the topic “Technical Provision of SLHS and PIRT Permit Management for MSMEs”. This material contains, among others, several routes for registration of MSME products to obtain SPP-IRT or SLHS numbers, requirements that need to be prepared, as well as types of MSME processed products that can be registered according to their respective class codes. The discussion at the presentation went in two directions, several KWT members actively asked about the registration of their processed products. Furthermore, there was also a presentation of material and discussion by Ms. Lisna Hidayati, S.Sc., M.Biotech., as a Lecturer from the Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM with the topic “Diversification of Types of Food and Beverages with Natural Dyes”.

At the beginning of the activity and also at the end of the activity, a pretest and also a posttest were carried out to test the understanding of the community, especially KWT members, regarding the training that had been carried out that afternoon. From the results of the pretest and posttest, it was found that there was an increase (14%) in the community’s understanding of the debriefing material delivered by the resource persons. The training activity event was closed with a group photo of the participants involved in the training activity.

Monday, April 17 2023, the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, officially collaborated with the Indonesian Association of Parents with Thalassemia (POPTI) Magelang. The offline signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place at Tidar Hospital, Magelang City, at 09.30 WIB. The MoU document was signed by Dr Woro Triaksiwi Wulansari, Sp.A., M.Sc. as Chairperson of POPTI Magelang, while representatives from the Faculty of Biology UGM namely Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding.

The collaboration between POPTI Magelang and the Faculty of Biology UGM was initiated to support the implementation of the Free Learning-Free Campus Program (MBKM) for research related to thalassemia and will support the screening program for thalassemia carriers for potential partners with thalassemia and Indonesian society in general. Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that needs attention to suppress the emergence of new cases through a thalassemia screening program. dr. Woro as Chair of POPTI Magelang really hopes that this collaboration will not only be for MBKM Research activities but also community service activities, education and motivation for families with thalassemia and other activities that are beneficial to POPTI and the UGM Faculty of Biology, as well as the wider community.

This collaboration also collaborates with various related parties who can support both implementation and financing. In particular, the collaboration between POPTI Magelang and the Faculty of Biology UGM is expected to provide support through research related to thalassemia as well as contribute to the success of prevention programs and reducing the prevalence of thalassemia sufferers in Indonesia.