On Monday, 20 February 2023 the 2023 Independent Learning Campus (MBKM) Research Team in the Faculty of Biology UGM, with  Dr. dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M.Biomed as the leader, along with 6 students (Qurotul Ainina, Muhammad Makmal Baha, Alifyanita Maulida, Muhammad Rizki, Ratnaduhita, and Deanova) have carried out initiation and coordination with partners, PT Pradipta Paramita Agroutama which is located on Jl. Waru Raya, Waru, Pulosari, Karanganyar. This activity was intended to convey the plan and design of MBKM Research activities entitled: “DIVERSITY OF PROTOZOANS AND SOIL MICROARTHROPODS AS BIOINDICATORS OF SUCCESS OF COMPOSTING AND SOIL CONTAMINATION” as well as an introduction to the formation of the research team.

Until now the composting process has become a common and easy thing to do, however, studies on compost yields, especially in the presence of soil microfauna, have very limited information. The presence of protozoa, worms and soil microarthropods is an important part of the composting result because it can be an indicator of the quality of the fertilizer/compost produced. In addition, the main nutrient content and supporting nutrients also require in-depth study. Various organic fertilizers have been made with various basic ingredients.

The presentation of the MBKM-Research activity plan was carried out by Dr. Upiek, who received a positive response and welcomed the activities to be carried out by the director of PT Pradipta Paramita Agroutama, Mrs. Dra. Agnes Heratri, M.Sc. She also conveyed that her company had started producing organic fertilizer since 2004 with the basic ingredients of cow dung, and continues to make innovations related to organic fertilizer production. In this presentation it was also conveyed that in the manufacture of this fertilizer,there are many things that need to be considered such as the basic ingredients of the fertilizer, the content of lignin, pectin, starch, and etc.

It was also conveyed that good compost/fertilizer has microbiotic characteristics such as being able to present fertilizing organisms, odorless, and with soil texture. So far, in the composting process, molasses has been added. There are 4 types of starters that can be used in composting, depending on the basic ingredients. Hard plants will require a longer time than soft plants, and of course will require a different starter. After an in-depth discussion regarding the planning and implementation of activities, initiation, coordination of MBKM-Research activities, this was ended with a group photo.

In recent years, sequencing technology has become one of the innovative solutions for analyzing genomes. Today, sequencing technology is able to answer various challenges in research related to the biology of humans, plants, animals, pathogens, and the environment. For this reason, in an effort to develop knowledge, innovation and skills in research, on January 28-29 2023 one of the UGM Faculty of Biology lecturers, Dr. dr. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M.Biomed attended a seminar which was held in a hybrid manner, followed by a workshop and a Lab Tour organized by PT Genomic Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI Lab) and took place at the Indonesia Institute for Life Science (iL3) in Jakarta.

The topic of the Webinar was “Multiple PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Research” delivered by Prof. Won-Keun Kim, Ph.D, from the Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Haliyim University. He conveyed the need and importance of research on viruses, related to “Recent Emerging Virus Outbreaks and Infectious Disease”. Genomic surveillance and epidemiological studies continue to be carried out to identify sources and origins of infection, track the spread of pathogens, understand the evolutionary process of emerging viruses, so as to be able to analyze and predict the occurrence of endemics, especially those caused by viruses. On this occasion, various researches related to rodent-borne Paramyxovirus in various countries were presented which infect vertebrates from fish to mammals.

At the workshop, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) was introduced as a sequencing technology that can be used in a variety of genomic applications, such as genome mapping, mutation identification, as well as analysis of genomic variability, from which accurate, real-time genome data can be obtained with processing time. which is faster. Dr.rer.nat. Aril Aditya Parikesit, S.Si., M.Si, presented the use of this technology for pathogen identification, antibiotic resistance, and other studies. He also explained why sequencing is needed and how we plan and carry out nanopore sequencing. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare 4 main things in research with this technology, namely “background intention, sample type, methods, and results analysis”. On this occasion, the 40 workshop participants were divided into 5 groups and carried out sequencing practices. This activity ended with a GSI Lab Lab-Tour at PT Genomic, on Sultan Agung Road, Guntur, Setiabudi Jakarta, which begins with an explanation of various laboratories with their facilities, functions and level of security, and continues with visits to various laboratory rooms along with the latest equipment for sequencing and other services.

On Friday, 17 February 2023, at 03.30-04.30 p.m, the inauguration of the study group and organization coordinator of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The inauguration was held offline at the Tropical Biology Auditorium Building, Faculty of Biology UGM. The activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Vice Deans, Heads of Study Programs, Heads of Academic and Student Affairs Sections, Student Affairs Coordinators, Lecturers of Study Group and Organization Supervisors, Heads of Study Groups and Organization, as well as several representatives of study groups and organizations coordinator.

This activity was guided by the MC, namely Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara and Firchamy Vuqi Aulia as Young Staff for the Internal Affairs of Biology Student Executive Board UGM. The activity began with an opening by the MC followed by singing Indonesia Raya, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology Mars together. Next is the Reading of the Pledge of Inauguration of study groups and organizations coordinator led by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., which was attended by all Heads of Study Groups and Organizations for the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. After that, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM signed the Pledge with all Heads of Heads of Study Groups and Organizations. The activity was continued with directions from Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. which contains messages and hopes for all study groups and organizations in general for the future. He said that the study groups and organizations in Biology had made a lot of contributions to the faculty. The students who are involved in it as well as the lecturers of the study groups and organizations are people who devote themselves to the interests of the general public. He also said that the faculty would fully support, appreciate, and facilitate the dedication of study groups and organizations that contribute to the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

On Friday 10 February 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo Semarang. The guests who attended from UIN Walisongo Semarang included the Dean, Dr. H. Ismail, M.Ag., Deputy Dean for Student Affairs, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Hj. Nur Khasanah, M.Kes., several teaching staff, and one alumni from the Faculty of Biology, Ms. Tara. The visit was held at the KPTU Meeting Room. this meeting also attended by the Dean of the 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. Niken Satuti Nur Hadayani, Head of Department, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Sc., M.Sc., Secretary of the Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Sc., M.Sc., Head of Bachelor Program, Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. , Head of Doctoral Study Program, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Si., M.Sc.,

This meeting was to strengthen relations between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo by signing a Cooperation Agreement especially in the fields of education, research and community service.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology UIN Walisongo wanted to learn a lot from the Faculty of Biology UGM, because the Faculty of Biology UGM is the oldest biology faculty in Indonesia that has achievements both domestically and abroad, and has been accredited by ASIIN. Collaborations that have been carried out with the Faculty of Biology UGM include seminars, workshops, delivery of Masters studies, student exchange activities, research assistance, and MBKM.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM said he was very happy and grateful for the collaboration that had been carried out, hopefully in the future this collaboration will have a positive impact on both parties. In October 2017, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.SC once attended an invitation from UIN Walisongo Semarang to become a guest speaker for a seminar. Until now there are 11 UINs that have collaborated with the Faculty of Biology UGM, including UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim, UIN Alauddin Makassar, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin, and UIN Sultan Thaha Saifuddin

On Thursday 2 February 2023 the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., joined leadership agenda of Universitas Gadjah Mada to the BINUS University Alam Sutera campus, Tangerang City, Banten.

In this occasion, the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was able to learn from BINUS University in the academic field, research management, management of information technology systems and other innovative programs that can improve the academic quality of students and lecturers.

These programs include the use of IT for the learning process that makes it easy for lecturers and students to interact, integration of IT systems at all academic levels, human resources and infrastructure, apprenticeship programs that are connected to the career development of students after graduation, study program promotion systems with more millennial program names and an efficient staffing structure.

In this occasion, an agreement was made for collaboration in the development of BINUS University’s biotechnology study and research programs with the Faculty of Biology UGM.

On Wednesday 8 February 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Community Service, and UGM Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., UGM Director of Community Service, Dr. dr. Rustamaji, M.Kes., and Director Secretary of Community Service UGM, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum. The visit began with a discussion on program development in the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology UGM, followed by a tour around the campus of the UGM Faculty of Biology to review the production sites of POC (Liquid Organic Fertilizer) and organic fertilizers produced by the Faculty of Biology.

Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., expressed the importance of community participation around the UGM campus to participate in activities carried out by UGM such as KKN, Research and Community Service. There are 3 very strategic hamlets that are the belt of UGM, namely Sagan hamlet, Blimbingsari hamlet and Terban hamlet. UGM will provide assistance to the community around the UGM campus to be able to supply the needs of UGM and hotels around the UGM campus.

On that occasion, they also discussed the IUP (International Undergraduate Program) program at the Faculty of Biology UGM which has been running and this year there will be the first batch of graduates. The IUP program also provides opportunities for students to take part in KKN activities organized by the university, but in practice there are still some obstacles which yet to be solved, for example the number of credits that must be taken, the time for the KKN to be carried out. Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum., will report and discuss this problem at the university level in order to get the best solution and can be applied to this year’s KKN.

The UGM Faculty of Biology will also play an active role in the management of organic waste generated from the environment around UGM and internally from UGM. The waste will be processed into organic fertilizer and POC which can then be reused by the community around the UGM campus, and can also be sold to earn UGM income.

Indonesia, which is a tropical country, has many types of highly venomous snakes. Research on the diversity of types of reptiles and community service regarding the management of reptiles, especially snakes, have been carried out by many teaching staff or lecturers at the Faculty of Biology UGM. One of lecturers that actively carried out this research is Donan Satria Yudha, M.Sc., from the Animal Systematics Laboratory.

Donan has played an active role in the field of snake wildlife study and management since 2011 until now. Some of Donan’s activity in the study and control of snakes are: assisting the Yogyakarta BKSDA in assessing the diversity of reptiles in conservation areas, assisting the Gianyar Regency Government in inventorying wild animals including snakes, assisting reptile-loving communities by becoming their resource persons and coaches, providing snake handling training to Firefighters Sleman and UGM fires, helping Dr. dr. Tri Maharani, Sp.EM, M.Sc., in identifying venomous snakes that bite humans, providing knowledge and handling of snakes in the PLN substation environment, as well as many other community service activities.

Thanks to Donan’s research and dedication activities related to reptiles, especially snakes, in February 2022, Donan was asked to join the Team for the Study, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, which was initiated by dr. Tri Maharani. This team was formed with various members, starting from emergency doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, health service units, Mr Amir Hamidy a herpetofauna researcher from BRIN and Donan Satria Yudha from Biology UGM.

The Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants Team was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The inauguration of the team was manifested in the form of a letter: “Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, No: HK.01.07/MENKES/1114/2022 concerning the Team for the Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, dated 11 April 2022”. In this decree, this team worked for three years from the date stipulated. The Minister of Health’s decree made Donan challenged and ready to help deal with and prevent venomous animals. One of the activities of this team is to produce a guidebook on “Guidelines for Handling Bites, Poisonous Animal Stings and Plant Poisoning” which is currently still in the process of completing the book contents.

Wednesday, 8 February to 9 Thursday 2023 the Faculty of Biology UGM held a Mental Health Literacy Training for students. At 7.45 a.m., the opening of the Mental Health Literacy Training for Students was held in Room 1 & 2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. This training was attended by 35 participants consisting of representatives of Study Groups and Student Organizations, and also representatives of several batches of bachelor, master, and doctoral program students.

On this occasion the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., was pleased to give a speech and officially open the event. In his remarks Prof. Budi conveyed the importance of holding activities to increase mental health literacy. “Recently at UGM there have been several cases involving student mental health. Let’s make this training an opportunity to improve mental health for ourselves and help those around us.”

All of the participants received material from speakers which was delivered by a team from the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) Faculty of Psychology UGM. The materials presented in the training are:

Day 1:

• Mental Health Stigma and Myths
• Getting Know Mental Health Issues Around Campus (academic burnout, overthinking, procrastination, insecure)
• The Relationship Between Mental Health, Mental Health Problems and Mental Disorders
• Common Mental Disorders and Mental Health Problems

Day 2:

• P3KM (Psychological First Aid and Mental Health) Part 1
• P3KM (Psychological and Mental Health First Aid) Part 2 and Supportive Communication
• Early Detection and Referral Flow
• Develop a Safety Plan
• How to Maintain Positive Mental Health (Personal and Community/System – Prosperous Agencies) and Help Seeking

After 2 days of training, on Thursday 9 February 2023, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. pleased to provide directions and officially close the series of training activities. On this occasion, the Dean introduced students to the facilities owned by the Faculty of Biology UGM. From the Karanggayam research station to the Sawitsari research station. “We are grateful that these 2 days have really benefited. Let us both feel what is happening around us.” At the end of all training sessions, several questions were also given to the participants and a memento was provided for those who could answer the questions.