The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada participated in the International Collaboration Forum 6.0 activity organized by the Division of Community and International Networking of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) on November 11 2022, online via zoom meeting at 14.30-17.00 (MYT). The event collaborated with several universities including De La Salle University, Philippines, Nanhua University, Taiwan, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, Vtrox Academy, Malaysia.

In the class A parallel session with the theme Environmental in Innovating Higher Education, the UGM Faculty of Biology was represented by the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr., Sc., who is also the Chair of the Indonesian Biology Consortium (KOBI). In addition, also represented by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as head of the Doctoral Program Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. delivered the theme Domestication of Indonesian Native Fish an Integrative of Natural Resources Management and Innovation in Higher Education. On this occasion he said that wader populations in nature had begun to decline due to invasive species, and the development of water body management that paid little attention to the balance of the ecosystem. This problem is solved by developing technology for wader cultivation, supplying larvae, collaborating with local farmers for mass cultivation, developing post-harvest products, collaborating with the local government and also the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and making quality feed formulations. In terms of innovation in Higher Education, native fish research and database establishment, research and development of fish farming technology, problem-based learning for teachers and students, innovation and implementation for commercial and economic (bio-entrepreneurship) and community education for conservation will continue to be carried out in higher education environment, especially by UGM.

In the event, Prof. Budi and Mr. Bambang invited participants of the International Collaboration Forum 6.0, especially the younger generation, to continue to collaborate in developing ideas related to environmental preservation. This event is very useful and interesting especially in order to reduce the ecological footprint which is the impact of human activities on the environment which is needed to meet human needs and lifestyle.

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the KPTU Meeting Room, KPTU Building, Faculty of Biology, UGM, a briefing and release was held for students who will take part in Student Exchange activities at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The briefing was attended by the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc, Caretaker Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si. Phd., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc, Head of Undergraduate Program, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., IUP Manager, Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D ., Eng., OIA Manager, Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc. Ph.D., as well as staff and eight students participating in the Student Exchange.

In the meeting, Prof. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr. Sc. as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, explained to students that the cooperation between UGM and UTHM, Malaysia was not a collaboration that had only been going on for a while. The founders of UTHM were UGM alumni including alumni from the Faculty of Biology, UGM. Students should be grateful and proud because they were selected as Exchange participants at UTHM, one of Malaysia’s best universities. Furthermore, Mrs. Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si. Ph.D. also added that students should support each other while at UTHM. Further, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. explained that the students were not only representatives of Universitas Gadjah Mada but also representatives of Indonesia. Therefore, students are expected to be able to maintain the good name of the country and institution while participating in the Exchange activities. Regarding academics, Mr. Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc. Ph.D., as the Head of the Undergraduate Program at the Faculty of Biology, said he was ready to help convert marks ​​from UTHM to UGM which might delay.

Of the eight students who attended the briefing, there were six students who and were ready to leave, which are Ghina Alyaa Khairunnisa Purnomo, Divkha Amanda, Mayland Muhammad Hanbal, Tsabitah Putri Asmalda, Adiva Aphrodita, and Zidni Meirizka Utami. Meanwhile, Delvi Sari and Rajendra Regaputra, they are still waiting for the visa process to be completed.

The event was then closed with the hope that the Student Exchange activities could run smoothly according to plan. The students are scheduled to depart the next day on Thursday, November 03, 2022. The students arrived safely and were greeted by UTHM representatives.[aa]

Thariq Rahman Aly is Biology student from year 2019 and he’s willing to be an environment scientist in the future. This year, Thariq got the chance to joining IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards).

“I felt grateful like never before. It made me contemplate and be grateful for all the things I’ve experienced throughout my life and all the people that supported and helped me. They made me the way I am now to be able to achieve this milestone,” he said, to express his gratefulness to be selected for joining this program.

In this opportunity, he managed to choose University of Queensland, Australia to be his host university as it offered courses that pursue his dream in contributing to maintain the global environment. At UQ, Thariq found courses that specifically would fulfil his ambitions and interest the most, there are Analysis of Scientific Data, Environment and Society, Design for A Better World, and Media and Society. The courses supported him in shaping his perspective, deepening his knowledge, and improving his skills. He believes that environmental issues under biological contexts are inseparable from anthropological dynamics. It is an ongoing discourse that requires the perspectives of a diverse community. For Thariq, these courses offer the opportunity for discussions, lectures, and intercultural exchange of perspectives needed to dive into that world.

At his first time arrived at UQ, he was quite surprised by how diverse the students are, because there is a melting pot of various cultures and ethnicity. It was harder for him to spot a native Australian than finding international students. Besides, UQ St Lucia Campus has beautiful views with its connection with the natural environment. Walkways are surrounded by trees and plants, seated with various colourful birds. The view is at its most beautiful during spring when the purple jacaranda trees start to bloom.

Thariq perceived that UQ is holding its academic integrity to the utmost importance. Throughout his study, Thariq received modules that educate students about academic integrity comprehensively and the consequences if they do not follow it. At first, it made him feel a little bit tense but it also gave him the positive learning experience that inspired and motivated him to study better.

Thariq spent his time at Brisbane, where he can enjoy the various awesome views and the connected natural environment within the city. He also participated on various events while living at Brisbane, such as student gatherings and festivals. Other than that, Thariq enjoyed casual walks and outings with his fellow IISMA awardees and new friends he made there. He also found quite remarkable diving spots just offshore Brisbane. He dived several times together with the UQ diving community and it was an irreplaceable experience to gain. He felt much livelier than ever.

IISMA is not just a program to further enrich skills and knowledge, but also utilize it to solve current global issues. Thariq hopes that after finishing this program, he can further contribute back to Indonesia for the advancement of society and consequently improve the living environment for the sake of future generations. “Though I am going to need to finish my thesis first,” he closed his statement. (TRA/AS)

Let’s meet Adhelia Intan Sabhira, undergraduate student in Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada year 2020. In 2022, she had the opportunity to join Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) to Radboud University, the Netherlands. It’s a scholarship program by Indonesia government for college students to study abroad for a semester.

For Adhelia, being selected for the IISMA program still feels like a dream, up until now. She believes that IISMA is fantastic and life-changing as it allows them to not only experience college life and a brand new and international setting, but also does it expand their worldview and networking with people from different cultures. “IISMA program provides us with more than useful benefits to pave our future.”

Studying abroad means get out-of-comfort zone for Adhelia. She hopes that by studying abroad, she become more independent, as well as being able to obtain all the knowledge and experience she couldn’t get in Indonesia and explore deeper into where her true passion lies. Furthermore, she is looking forward to share her own insight on Indonesians culture as well as exchanging perspective on various prompts with people from diverse background.

Adhelia enjoys her time in Radboud University, where she has been able to meet and converse with distinguished experts from different fields. Radboud University has the learning environment that extremely significant in shaping the way of studying, where students being assertive and proactive in conveying their opinions, disagreements, and agreements regarding certain topics in academia which is a pivotal point to strengthen students’ understanding on lessons.

In class, she found new learning and teaching system which is very interactive and objected on the analytical and critical-thinking. Adhelia realized that studying in class is not about reading textbooks, listening to lectures, and doing presentations, but it is also about trying to solve different real-life cases and thinking beyond what the students already know.  She is definitely honing skills of importance for her endeavors in Radboud University.

Why Radboud University?

It is a fun fact that Adhelia has spent her childhood in the Netherlands. She recalls the heartwarming memories until now. The sparked experiencing college life in the Netherlands as one of her dreams. Besides, she has the interest on biomedicine. Radboud University offered medical courses that support her interest in biomedicine among universities around the world. Currently, Adhelia is taking 3 courses: Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Globalising Worlds, and Intercultural Communication.

The reasons behind her selected courses are very inspiring. As a tropical country, Indonesia has high prevalence in infectious diseases hence Adhelia learn it from Global Health and Infectious Diseases which will help her with learning the sufficient knowledge on how to reduce the infectious disease cases. Globalising Worlds also closely associated with real-life situations in Indonesia as it studies issues related to urbanization, livelihood, climate change adaptation and mitigations, waste management, etc. in the Global South. Lastly, Intercultural Communications help her to obtain practical insights regarding how to communicate and connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the proper way (AIS/AS).

Bimo Rizki Abdusshamad or more often called Bimo was successfully selected to participate in the Indonesian International Mobility Awards (IISMA) at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). IISMA is a scholarship program from the Indonesian government that provides opportunities for students to study abroad. Bimo started the selection process in the middle of semester 4 by registering through the official IISMA website. Next, Bimo was asked to choose the course and university he was interested in. The IISMA registration process was also assisted by the Faculty of Biology such as providing letters of recommendation and approval regarding courses to be taken at Host University so that credit transfers can be made. Furthermore, Bimo also did an English proficiency test, made a SKCK, wrote an essay question such as academic and non-academic achievments, plans to engage with local and international communities during IISMA program, and reasons for joining the IISMA program. All files were then sent to the university through the Office of International Affairs (OIA UGM) and the Ministry of Education through the IISMA website. In addition to files, the selection process also includes a “kebhinekaan” test and interview session. The final selection results had been announced on May 15, 2022.

One of the reasons that made Bimo choose UC Davis as an IISMA host university was because this university has departments and research related to agriculture and food science. Interested in coffee had brought him to UC Davis, which is famous for its course design of coffee by analyzing coffee using sensors and chemical engineering. It is a matter of pride for Bimo to be at UC Davis. Besides UC Davis, there are many great places and locations around California to visit, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. In addition, Bimo also considered the experience in America to be a great journey, because many top-global leading companies and businesses come from here.

Bimo’s journey to take part in IISMA begins on July 24, 2022. Bimo departed from Semarang to Jakarta to gather with all other IISMA participants. The trip from Jakarta to the USA was carried out the next day after a release meeting was held by IISMA representatives. IISMA participants made one transit in Taipei until finally the journey continued to San Francisco. During his studies in the USA, Bimo felt difficult to adapt to US food and to the various shops there which closed quite early. However, behind the sorrow he experienced, there were many joys that Bimo felt, such as having new relationships from various circles, living with the host family who often took him around to see orchestras, visit peach farms, and visit various famous places in New York, such as the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. Bimo’s hope after participating in the IISMA activity is to open a start-up regarding coffee and be able to introduce Indonesian coffee abroad, especially America. Bimo hopes to be present at the coffee exhibition in San Francisco, and will be a committee at the coffee stand as a representation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia located in San Francisco. Bimo hopes to expand his connections and open a path to introduce the American audience to Indonesian coffee.

Euglena is an organism that has both plant and animal characteristics. These organisms can move like other aquatic animals because they have flagella. However, it  also carry out photosynthesis as in plants. So that Euglena can absorb CO₂ through the process of photosynthesis and can take food directly through the cell surface.

Food is often stored as a complex carbohydrate known as paramylon, which allows organisms to survive in extreme conditions. Euglena is rich in wax esters used for the production of BioAvtur and also contains protein and other active compounds which are developed into food, feed, cosmetics, drugs and fertilizers. Furthermore, Euglena also has the ability to absorb CO2 produced from flue gas, so it can be developed to reduce the greenhouse effect.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, a lecturer at the Faculty of Biology UGM together with PUI Microalga Biorefinery, Center for Energy Studies and the Department of Chemical Engineering UGM since 2019 received funding from NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development) Japan to collaborate with large industries in Japan such as Euglena Co,Jp , Mitsubishi, DENSO, ITOCHU and Universities/Research Institutes in Japan, such as Tsukuba University, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and RIKEN.

Research conducted by the Faculty of Biology in the UGM research group has succeeded in obtaining more than 30 local Euglena isolates and one of them has a growth speed and biomass production that is competitive with Euglena strains from Japan both in laboratory and mass scale. In addition, the local isolates studied also have the ability to absorb CO₂ up to 15% and can grow at low pH. The culture under low pH conditions is not only resistant to high concentrations of CO₂, but also reduces the level of contamination by bacteria and fungi, especially on a mass scale. This research also received funding from SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) for the next 5 years in collaboration with BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia Power Paiton, and partners from Japan, namely Tokyo University, Euglena Co.Jp and RIKEN.

RIKEN is Japan’s largest and most comprehensive research organization for basic and applied sciences founded in 1917, and has been promoting innovative and pioneering research in a wide range of fields spanning the entire range of the natural sciences, from biology to quantum physics and computer science. It is hoped that the results of research on Euglena can be a new and renewable energy alternative and can be a source of food and new medicines for the future.

International classes can be one solution in responding to the government’s challenge to increase the ranking of universities in the international arena. However, internationalization is still being intensively carried out, even though UGM is ranked 231 based on the QS World University Ranking (QS WUR) this year. For instance, with the International Undergraduate Program or IUP.

The Faculty of Biology has entered the fourth year of implementing the IUP program. To further strengthen the IUP, the Faculty of Biology participated in the Campus Expo organized by Regents School Bali on October 4 – 5, 2022. In addition, with 17 foreign universities, the Faculty of Biology introduced the IUP Biology program to students, teachers, and parents of Regents students. Balinese School. “We hope that the number of registered and active IUP students at the Faculty of Biology will increase yearly,” said Zuliyati, head of the IUP Faculty of Biology UGM.

Yamagata University is a higher-educational institution that has a long tradition and history starting with the establishment of the Yamagata Prefectural Normal School (YPNS) in 1878 and subsequently joining as part of the National University system in 1949. Yamagata University is currently ranked #401-450 at Asian Universities (according to QS World University Rankings 2022) and has 6 Faculties (Undergraduate Study) and 8 Graduate Schools spread across Yamagata Prefecture in 4 campuses, namely: Kojirakawa Campus (Yamagata City), Iida Campus (Yamagata City), Yonezawa Campus (Yonezawa City), Tsuruoka Campus (Tsuruoka City).

In addition to these campuses, Yamagata University also has an affiliated school and campus called the Mogami Campus Area. As a comprehensive university, Yamagata University offers students a wide variety of curricula, especially in the arts and sciences.

Since 2018 until now, the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada has collaborated with the Faculty of Science at Yamagata University, especially in the visiting professor program from Yamagata University to the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as Lecturers from the Faculty of Biology UGM as invited speakers at Yamagata University. Closer cooperation, at the beginning of 2020 the Sakura Science Program for undergraduate-regular and S1-IUP (International Undergraduate Program) students conducted training and workshops for 1 week at the Faculty of Science Yamagata University. However, with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 and 2022, the Sakura Science Program will be held online.

Considering that in 2023 the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic is getting better, it is planned that the Sakura Science Program 2023 will be carried out offline or lurin in several laboratories and fields around Yamagata University. It is planned that in 2023, 10 undergraduate students will be selected with the support of Sakura Science Program funds and 5 students who have personal funds to participate in the program.

In order to improve academic and research cooperation, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. (Plt. Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources), and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni) made a return visit to Yamagata University Japan on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Faculty of Science Yamagata University Japan.

During their visit, discussions with Prof. Miyagi as Vice Dean for Education, Faculty of Science Yamagata University; Dr. Arai (Head of International Office, Yamagata University); Prof. Jun Yokoyama and Prof. Pujiyama (Senior Lecturer and Researcher) related to the development of double degree academic cooperation for doctoral programs and international exposure programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Hopefully the cooperation that has been going on so far through the Sakura Science Program can continue and develop (double degree program), so that students can add knowledge as well as study abroad experiences so that UGM remains Locally Rooted, Globally Respected.

Thursday (29 September 2022), the Faculty of Biology UGM again received a visit from the Australian National University (ANU) in order to hold a Double Degree presentation. The event, which was held online the previous year, was finally able to be held in a hybrid manner, both via zoom and offline at the Auditorium of Tropical Biology, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This presentation was attended by Caretaker Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si. Ph.D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono. S.Si., M.App.Sc. and Manager of the Office of International Affairs Faculty of Biology, Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si. M.Sc. Ph.D. Present online the Manager of the International Undergraduate Program of the Faculty of Biology, Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., Eng. and Head of the Undergraduate Study Program, Faculty of Biology, Sukirno, S.Si. M.Sc. Ph.D. Meanwhile, from ANU, it was attended by Jay Poria, Head of Relations and Partnerships, ANU College of Science, ANU College of Health and Medicine. The presentation was also attended by students from the S1-Regular, S1-IUP, and S2 programs both via zoom and offline.

The event began with an opening by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si. M.App.Sc. which describes the five-year collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and ANU, College of Science. He also emphasized that the collaboration with ANU is something to be grateful for because ANU is the best campus in Australia. The commitment of both parties is manifested in the form of Double Degree cooperation which can be followed by UGM students who have studied for two years at UGM for undergraduate students and one year at UGM for master students.

In the next presentation, Jay Poria explained that ANU is the first ranked university in Australia and ranked 30th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023). ANU has won six Nobel Prizes and has a strong focus on research. The facilities offered by ANU are also very varied, including an ideal campus environment, high standard laboratories, and very adequate facilities for students. Jay further explained about the Double Degree program offered by ANU with a 2+2 scheme. This means that undergraduate students can join the program if they have completed two years of study at UGM and the next two years at ANU. Students are also required to have taken the Evolution course and have an IELTS score of 6.5 at the time of registration.

The next program that Jay Poria offers is Future Research Talent (FRT) for Masters students. This program aims in general to develop research cooperation between the two countries. Program participants will receive research facilities that are very supportive and guided by the best ANU experts. The selection process for this program is carried out in two stages, namely the first stage by UGM. Participants who pass the UGM selection will then be re-selected by ANU. Only the shorlisted participants are accepted for this program.

Jay also added that there are scholarships from ANU for Ph.D candidate students. The key criteria for qualifying for this scholarship are already doing a good level of thesis research and obtaining good grades in master’s studies. This presentation was closed by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si. M.App.Sc, with the hope that the cooperation between the Faculty of Biology UGM and ANU, the College of Science will be better and stronger.[aulia]

The MBKM Team, Faculty of Biology UGM, chaired by Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. with four student members, namely Amelia Rifki Alifiah, Fatika Soraya, Tiara Rachma Jatiningtyas, and Qonita Fillah on Sunday, 18 September 2022, held a Catfish Cultivation and Digital Marketing Training in Kebonalas Village, Manisrenggo, Klaten. This event is one of a series of MBKM programs to develop Fruit Garden Village in Kebonalas. This activity took place at the RW hall in Kebonalas at 09.00 s.d. 12.30 WIB and attended by 31 participants consisting of representatives of the Kebonalas Village community. At this event, there was socialization and direct practice by the village community regarding catfish cultivation and the small scale production of alternative feeds as well as digital marketing training.

The training activities were divided into two presentation sessions. The first training was about catfish farming and alternative feed production with Mr. Suharjita, a practitioner from the Faculty of Biology UGM, as a speaker. In catfish cultivation, feed is the highest expenditure. The cost of feed can reach 70-80% of the total production cost. Therefore, the participants of Kebonalas Village were given training on the manufacture of alternative feeds using household waste and other organic materials. In this training, the participants were given tips and things to consider in catfish farming such as making ponds, water management, sorting, to marketing strategies. Not only that, Mr. Suharjita also invited the residents of Kebonalas Village to practice directly how to ferment feed and manage pond water by utilizing probiotics from independent cultures to reduce the high cost of purchasing probiotic products.

The second training is a training on digital marketing together with Laili Nugraheni who is a student of the Faculty of Biology who received PKM and PMW funding from Gadjah Mada University. The target of this training is young village residents in the hope of helping the movement of MSMEs in Kebonalas Village in digital and internet-based marketing. This presentation aims to provide an overview to the public regarding the basic principles of entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and how to make attractive products. In this presentation there is also an interactive discussion with participants about the strategy to sell products to attract more buyers.

It is hoped that the event that has been held this time will be able to provide benefits for participants who are interested in catfish cultivation so that they can increase their business with various tips and tricks that have been conveyed by the resource persons. In addition, it is hoped that young people and Kebonalas residents who are interested in digital technology are able to apply the knowledge that has been given to develop their business through digital marketing. Hopefully with this activity, catfish cultivation which is currently being developed in Kebonalas Village can produce high-quality livestock and can help village communities who are developing their businesses to innovate with digital marketing. We do not forget to say thanks to all levels of the Village Management  (Bapak Supriyanto, S.Pd. and Bapak Suwadi, S.Pd. and teams), BUMDES Maju Makmur (Ibu Mulat and Teams), BPD, Karang Taruna Kebonalas Village, and all parties who have been involved and supported the continuity of this event.