• Home
  • News Release
  • page. 14
Arsip:

News Release

BAPPENAS RI Visits the Faculty of Biology UGM Regarding Development of Genetic Resources Conservation in Indonesia

CooperationNews Release Wednesday, 3 July 2024

Yogyakarta, 3 July 2024 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada received a visit from the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) of the Republic of Indonesia consisting of the BAPPENAS Forestry Directorate Team. The discussions and field visits related to research and development of genetic resources for biodiversity in Indonesia. The visit was received in the KPTU Meeting Room, Faculty of Biology UGM, also attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, lecturers from various laboratories at the Faculty of Biology, as well as Head of the Agrotechnology Innovation Center UGM, Alan Soffan, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D.


Prof. Budi as Dean of the Faculty of Biology welcomed the field visit from BAPPENAS, especially as support for the curation of genetic resources for biodiversity is very necessary for ecosystem sustainability. He, accompanied by Dr. Eko delivered a profile of the Faculty of Biology. He underlined the concern in the world of biology regarding biological curation through the establishment of a new study program at the Faculty of Biology, the Profession Program for Biodiversity Curator (PKKH).

Alan as Head of the Center for Agrotechnology Innovation UGM (PIAT) also welcomed BAPPENAS’ visit. He said that PIAT would also support efforts to manage Indonesia’s biodiversity in the future. BAPPENAS colleagues also plan to visit the PIAT UGM area in Berbah, Sleman, Yogyakarta.

Farida Yulistianingrum, S.Si., ME, MPP, from BAPPENAS, revealed that BAPPENAS is aware of the potential of Indonesia’s biodiversity and genetic resources. The BAPPENAS visit aims to explore data, information and views of experts/academics and agencies regarding gaps in the development of the genetic resource axis. These development efforts will then be continued with mapping and analysis of biodiversity in each region. Farida is also aware of the challenges related to research at the tertiary level, including regulations that are considered not support the implementation of research.

“Resource management is not yet connected, each is mostly kept at the level of individual university researchers,” said Prof. Budi. He also expressed the concerns that prompted the formation of the Indonesia Biodiversity Index (IBI) in 2019. IBI collaborates with the Indonesian Conservation Communication Forum (FKKI) and various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Indonesia to collect and share biodiversity data. Prof. Budi emphasized that there is a lot of data produced by Indonesian researchers, but it is spread in the form of thesis, books, and so on. This data curation effort has been ongoing for four years, and by 2024 alone they have produced no less than 11,000 pieces of information on species status and trend data.

Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, who is under the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology, further added that the culture collection of various microbial genomes in Indonesia is still limited. The largest collection is currently managed by the Indonesian Culture Collection Laboratory (InaCC) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), while other collections are managed by researchers at various universities in Indonesia. This culture is only 0.4% of the total culture collection in the world.

Dr. Eko, with his microalgae research focus under the Biotechnology Laboratory, also conveyed the urgency in curating these cultures, including the expensive costs of maintaining cultures including human resources who can manage cultures, as well as the absence of databases, especially bioprospection databases. According to him, this database is crucial for the country’s progress, especially the contribution to various industries such as pharmaceuticals, and so on.

BAPPENAS also recognizes the limitations of policies/regulations from central to regional which still focus on economic value. Proposals regarding incentive regulations for conservation efforts or biodiversity credits in the regions still need to be evaluated as support for biodiversity conservation. Unfortunately, the model for biodiversity credit focuses more on terrestrial areas and is limited to marine areas.

The next discussion continued on concerns regarding the management of biodiversity databases in various scientific fields; entomology, wildlife and various plants are the focus of research at the Faculty of Biology UGM. Efforts to manage genetic resources are considered to be an emergency concern so that efforts are needed to manage the Indonesian database index sustainably, including the proposed biodiversity index which is a regional performance achievement.

The field visit was followed by a visit to the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) UGM.It is hoped that the discussion between BAPPENAS and the Faculty of Biology UGM will contribute to observation, development of biodiversity governance and related regulations, so that Indonesia can become more independent in managing its biodiversity.

Application of Bioinformatics for Strengthening The PUAPT Food Security Program: The Lecturers from Faculty of Biology UGM Enhance Skills with NGS Training at GSI

News Release Tuesday, 2 July 2024

Yogyakarta, July 1, 2024 – Two lecturers from the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in advanced training on the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform organized by Genomic Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI). This three-day training covered theoretical and practical aspects of using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform. Participating in this training is a part of the commitment to advancing bioinformatics research in Indonesia. The implementation of High-Performance Computing (HPC) to process large biological datasets aligns with UGM’s research goals, and this training equips researchers with the necessary skills to effectively utilize these advanced tools.



Day 1: Introduction to ONT Platform and Basic Bioinformatics

The first day of the training consisted of theory and practical sessions. The theory session introduced participants to the ONT platform, the latest NGS technology that uses electrical current through nanopore proteins. There was also a demonstration of using the minKNOW software for ONT and EPI2ME LABs for post-NGS data processing. The practical session introduced basic bioinformatics programming using bash, including file systems, post-NGS data reading, file management, software management using Mamba, and de novo alignment techniques.

Day 2: Advanced ONT Features and Data Processing

The second day continued with the theory session on the advantages of ONT over other platforms, particularly the Adaptive Sampling concept, which makes ONT flow cells more efficient and the data obtained more specific. The practical session included assembly, variant calling, annotation, and an introduction to Biopython, a Python package for bioinformatics data processing. The second day training concluded with a lab visit to observe the sequencing infrastructure at GSI Lab.

Day 3: Metagenomic Analysis and Final Project

The final day focused on practical sessions and the final project. Participants learned about 16s Metagenomic Analysis using EPI2ME Labs through the Command Line Interface (CLI). The training concluded with a final project, where participants processed ONT fastq (.fastq) files into bam (.bam) files for further analysis using R Studio or Python.

Importance of NGS Analysis in Supporting Biosecurity Topics to Achieve Food Security

Advancements in NGS tools have significantly enhanced research in life sciences, allowing for more specific and in-depth studies. Understanding the genetic material of organisms is crucial for comprehending their activities and life processes. This is evident in the rapid progress of precision medicine, which reveals individual uniqueness through genetic analysis.

In the PUAPT research program, the Faculty of Biology UGM has mandated biosecurity in land and water management within the Food Security working group. These tools are invaluable for studying the rhizosphere microbiome community, microbe-plant interactions, the impact of microbiomes on fertilizer and pesticide usage, and gene expression differences in food crops under specific land and water management treatments. NGS analysis plays a crucial role in supporting these efforts to achieve sustainable food security, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs No.2 of zero hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and SDGs No.13 related to combating climate change to support sustainable agriculture.

The Organic Waste Management Task Force Conducts Training on Organic Fertilizer Production for Residents of Caturtunggal, Sleman, Yogyakarta

News ReleaseWaste Management Friday, 28 June 2024

On Monday (27/5), the Organic Waste Management Task Force of the UGM Faculty of Biology provided training on organic fertilizer production for Residents of Caturtunggal, Sleman, Yogyakarta. This training was organized in response to the request of the Acting Head of Caturtunggal, Aminudin Aziz. The training participants were 30 members of the Caturtunggal Women’s Farmer Group. The Organic Waste Management Task Force, led by Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, M.Kes., delivered the material and practical session on making compost with the addition of Bioferti 2023.


“This household waste composting training is part of the Caturtunggal Village government’s program,” said Aziz in his opening remarks. Caturtunggal Village has also been affected by the closure of the Piyungan Landfill, making household waste a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. “This training is a form of community service from the Faculty of Biology, which has the Bioferti 2023 formula to help accelerate the composting of organic materials,” said Hery during his presentation.

Bioferti 2023 is a starter product from the UGM Faculty of Biology that has been proven to degrade organic waste in about 7 to 14 days. The formula analysis results show that it contains 2.70% nitrogen (N), 0.62% phosphorus (P), and 68.3% potassium (K), meeting the standards for organic fertilizers. This formula is continuously being developed by the Organic Waste Management Task Force, which has a team of experts, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc.

The organic fertilizer training program in Caturtunggal Village, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, is an embodiment of SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well Being) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). “We will continue to contribute to the residents of Yogyakarta in addressing organic waste,” Hery concluded the training.

The Organic Waste Management Task Force Team Provides Training on Waste Management at Patehan Village, Kraton, Yogyakarta

News ReleaseWaste Management Friday, 28 June 2024

On Wednesday (22/5), the Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, conducted training on organic waste management for residents of Patehan Village, Kraton, Yogyakarta. The training was guided by Harjito and Nanang, who were directly supervised by the Task Force Chairman, Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, M.Kes., and attended by 15 people, led by Mrs. Sri Marpinjun.


This training was a response to a request letter from the residents of Patehan Village. “We have tried composting with various methods, but there are still many challenges that weaken the residents’ enthusiasm,” said Sri, explaining the reason for the training request. “The long decomposition time in our densely populated housing creates problems,” Sri added. The Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, has a formula that can accelerate composting, namely Bioferti 2023. Composting with the Bioferti 2023 probiotic formula from the Faculty of Biology, UGM has proven capable of degrading organic waste in about 7-14 days, with organic fertilizer content of N (2.70%), P (0.62%), and K (68.3%), which meets organic fertilizer standards.

The mentoring program of the Organic Waste Management Task Force in Patehan Village, Kraton District, Yogyakarta, is one of the efforts to achieve SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). “We hope that the residents of Patehan Village will carry out organic waste composting independently, thereby reducing the burden of waste management and even becoming an example for residents in other villages in Yogyakarta,” said Hery, concluding the training (dus).

Biology Students Win 1st Place at OGG FITB ITB 2024 Essay Competition with Innovative Self-Pigmented Biotextile for Green Industrial Revolution

AchivementsNews Release Wednesday, 26 June 2024

Over the past decade, the Textile and Textile Products (TPT) industry in Indonesia has risen sharply alongside the increasing demand for clothing and lifestyle needs. However, the textile industry still relies on conventional methods that produce hazardous waste, especially from the dyeing process, which is the most significant contributor to environmental waste. Moreover, the current management of Wastewater Treatment Plants (IPAL) has not effectively handled the waste produced.


Driven by these concerns, Erwinda Dwi Chofifah and Kotimah, students from the Faculty of Biology, class of 2022, initiated a solution focusing on the upstream production process of textiles by creating an eco-friendly biomaterial based on bacterial cellulose with the ability to produce color pigments (self-pigmented biotextile). Under the guidance of Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, S.Si., M.S., Ph.D., this innovation, named I-CHERA, was introduced at the essay competition of the Geography and Geoscience Olympiad (OGG) organized by the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (FITB) at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

After passing a series of administrative and document selections, I-CHERA made it into the top 10 best works and had the opportunity to be presented in person on June 21-23, 2024, at ITB. Targeting the sub-theme “Green Industrial Revolution through Sustainable Industrialization Practices,” I-CHERA outperformed other projects proposed by hundreds of student teams from various universities across Indonesia and won 1st place. Erwinda and Kotimah hope this innovation will help Indonesia realize a green industrial revolution in the future.

Strengthening Research Collaboration, Lecturers from Faculty of Biology UGM visited the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development ANU and UoA through the KONEKSI Program

CooperationNews Release Monday, 24 June 2024

Saturday, 1 June 2024, would be the beginning of the journey of one of the Faculty of Biology UGM lecturers, as well as the head of the Research Centre for Biotechnology, Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri participated in training activities and workshops at the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Adelaide (UoA), Australia. This program is part of the KONEKSI Grant which is a partnership program between Australia and Indonesia. With the title “Building a Sustainable Future: Developing Nutritious and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties”, this collaboration also involves BRIN Indonesia and IRRI Philippines. Through this funding, Dr. Yekti had the opportunity to include young lecturers from the Faculty of Biology, namely Dr. Siti Nurbaiti. Both were warmly welcomed by members of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Future Crops Development on Monday 3 June 2024, which also coincided with their regular meeting held every first week of every month.


During two weeks at ANU, Dr. Yekti and Dr. Baiti was accompanied by Dr. Hendry Susila who is an Innovation Fellow at the Training Centre and Chief Investigator of this team’s KONEKSI grant. Dr. Hendry is also an alumnus of Faculty of Biology UGM, class of 2007, who at that time was supervised by Dr. Yekti for the final thesis assignment. Apart from carrying out laboratory activities related to molecular work, Dr. Yekti and Dr. Baiti also visited the Australian Plant Phenomic Network (APPN) which provides facilities with a machine learning system used for automatic analysis of plant characteristics. One of them is through high-throughput multispectral imaging which can capture three-dimensional (3D) views of plants with a wide range of light wavelengths. Besides, there are many controlled growth chambers and capsule chambers for plant growth and development, especially related to ecophysiology.

In another moment, coinciding with the visit of the Australian Award awardee, who mostly came from the coconut and spice industry in Indonesia, Dr Yekti and Dr Baiti also joined in the activities held at the Agrifood Innovation Institute. Dr Hendry also introduced the Training Centre and the KONEKSI grant. On the final day at ANU, Dr. Yekti had the opportunity to take part in seminar activities regularly held by the Research School of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences (PS Seminar Series) which can be accessed offline and online. Dr. Yekti presented some research that had been carried out by the pigmented rice research group. Still at ANU, Dr. Yekti and Dr. Baiti also met with students from the IUP program of the Faculty of Biology UGM who are currently taking part in a double degree program at the School of Biology, College of Science, ANU (Vanessa Jesslyn Wijaya and Sabut Kharisona). As well as one of the alumni of Faculty of Biology UGM, Imam Fathoni, who is currently attending Ph.D. program.

The activities continued in Adelaide, a workshop attended by all members of the Training Centre for Future Crops Development from ANU and UoA, including industry partners. The KONEKSI team was also present completely: Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas, Dr. Yustina C.F.S., Gloria Fransisca K.L., and a team of research assistants from UGM; Dr. Aris Hairmansis, Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha, and Trias Sitaresmi, M.Sc. from BRIN; and Prof. Inez Slamet-Loedin from IRRI. This activity, which took place from 18-21 June 2024, not only contained an overview of the vision, programs, research areas and achievements of the Training Centre but also opportunities for future collaboration and sharing from partners about career diversity and work experience in research and industry. Poster sessions from doctoral and postdoctoral students also stimulate communication between participants and build new connections. Discussions related to the concept of Responsible Research and Inclusive Innovation (RRII) also enriched the interaction by dividing participants into small groups.

The workshop activities were continued with a meeting of the KONEKSI consortium to convey research progress from both science and social science research. Together with Prof. Barry Pogson (Centre Director) and Prof. Joan Leach (Director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science), discussions regarding the achievements, challenges and sustainability of collaboration in the future were the main discussion points with the hope that this collaboration would be maintained and become stronger.

On the last day in Adelaide, the KONEKSI team had the opportunity to come to the UoA Waite campus, specifically the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S), which is an international research consortium with one of the projects to develop and provide plants with high nutrition, supply of materials and medicines needed for future space exploration. Apart from that, the KONEKSI team visited the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility at UoA. With this facility, a combination of biology, engineering, robotics, and data management are collaborated and integrated to measure how plant genetics are expressed in various growing conditions to accelerate the understanding and development of higher yielding and more nutritious plant varieties, resistant to climate change, and more sustainable agricultural practices.

Through this activity, it is also hoped that the existing collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and ANU will continue and become stronger, for both students and lecturers to increase capacity, capability and international networks as a form of commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM in supporting sustainable development and in accordance with sustainable development targets (SDGs) which include good quality education (SDGs 4) and revitalization of global partnerships (SDGs 17). Apart from the double degree program, which is already running, there are other open opportunities through the Future Research Talent (FRT) program (https://science.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/future-research-talent-awards-indonesia) and scholarships from ANU for Ph.D. candidate students.

BioSYNC: Sharing Alumni IISMA 2024

News ReleaseStudent Activities Monday, 24 June 2024

On Friday, June 21, 2024, the BioSYNC: Sharing Alumni IISMA 2024 event was successfully held by the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Biology Student Executive Board (BEM) UGM Cabinet Padma Birawa, and was attended by students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The objective of this event was to provide information about the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) scholarship program and share experiences of IISMA Alumni.


The event began with an opening and prayer led by Muhammad Haidar Ali and Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara as the Masters of Ceremony (MC), followed by speeches from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., and a documentation session. Next, an opening speech on the importance of study exchange delivered by Mutia Asri Khairunnisa. The event proceeded to the main agenda, a talk show session moderated by Firchamy Vuqi Aulia. In this session, three speakers shared their experiences and essential tips in preparing for the IISMA scholarship program: Mutia Asri Khairunisa, IISMA Awardee 2023 at Pennsylvania State University; Raden Rara Lilliane Gemma Amanda, IISMA Awardee 2023 at Sapienza University of Rome; and Felix Luman Shanahan, IISMA Awardee 2024 at the University of Groningen. The final session provided information about the IISMA 2025 by the Head of the Bachelor in Biology Study Program, Faculty of Biology, UGM, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. It hoped this event will inspire students from the Faculty of Biology UGM to pursue overseas studies, including through the IISMA program. [Author: Hafizh Wahyu Sukmawan]

IUP Biology Alumni, Faculty of Biology UGM, Receive 2024 LPDP Scholarship

AchivementsNews Release Friday, 14 June 2024

LPDP (Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education) once again presents prestigious educational opportunities for IUP Biology graduates. Julio Jonah Lengkong Worang and Aisyah Rahmah Tantri, two talented and dedicated IUP Biology alumni from the class of 2019, have successfully received LPDP scholarships to pursue their master program abroad. Julio will continue his studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in Singapore, while Aisyah will continue her studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.


These two outstanding students have demonstrated their commitment to science and self-development since the beginning of their studies in the IUP Biology program. The LPDP scholarships that they received are as recognition of their academic achievements and leadership throughout their studies.

Julio Jonah Lengkong Worang has been accepted to the National University of Singapore (NUS) to pursue a Masters in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability, starting on 5 August 2024. The one-year program is renowned for its focus on global issues and nature-based climate change solutions. Julio said that the curriculum at NUS focuses on current world issues and practical nature-based climate solutions, facilitating students with necessary on-field skills, including technological-driven innovations to assist in the field of conservation. “I am very grateful to LPDP for their tremendous support. This is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow and contribute in the field of biology,” said Julio.

Meanwhile, Aisyah, who is known for her sensitivity to environmental and sustainability issues, will broaden her horizons at the University of Edinburgh in the Masters for Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis. “Receiving the LPDP scholarship is a great honor for me. The application process was challenging, required hard work, and a strong vision for my future. I am grateful to have received tremendous support from the faculty and fellow alumni, who guided me through it. With this scholarship, I am excited to pursue my aspirations and make a positive impact in Indonesia,” said Aisyah enthusiastically.

Head of Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Biology UGM, Sukirno, M.Sc., Phd and IUP Biology Manager, Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D. expressed their acknowledge for Julio and Aisyah, and their belief that they will success. “We are very proud to see the achievements of these two IUP Biology alumni. This is an extraordinary example of their dedication and resilience in pursuing their dreams,” said Sukirno.

LPDP is committed to continuing to support higher education in Indonesia by providing scholarships to potential and dedicated students like Julio and Aisyah. This scholarship not only opens the door to quality education abroad, but also builds a broad professional network to support Indonesia’s progress in the future.
To Julio and Aisyah, we congratulate them on their incredible achievements, and we hope that they will continue to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with the same passion and determination.[aulia]

Nusantara Orchid Biodiversity Show (NOBiS) 2024: Orchid Odyssey, Revealing the Extraordinary Journey of Orchids Through the Past, Present, and Future

HeadlineNews ReleaseStudent Activities Monday, 10 June 2024

The Nusantara Orchid Biodiversity Show (NOBiS), which is a series of orchid photography competitions and annual webinar, is being held again by the Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC), Faculty of Biology, UGM. This webinar is held online with the aim of educating and providing training to the younger generation through seminars and activities workshop. This year’s orchid photography competition has the theme “Orchid Odyssey: Revealing the Extraordinary Journey of Orchids Through The Past, Present, and Future”. A total of 56 participants took part in the orchid photography competition by submitting their work on 7 – 17 May 2024. The results of the participants’ photography work are then displayed in the form of a virtual exhibition via ArtSteps which can be accessed by all participants. The winners of the orchid photography competition at the NOBiS event were Dary Saka Fitrady as First Place, Imaduddin Akhyar Kusumaperdana as Second Place, Yosvaldo Gerry Setiono Putra as Third Place, and Muhammad Nadhif Al Sulthony as Favorite Champion, which was announced at the peak event of the 2024 NOBiS.

The orchid photography competition has a positive impact on sustainable development. Webinar and photography competitions can contribute to the appreciation of biodiversity, which is in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12: Responsible consumption and production, 15: Life on Land, and 17: Partnership to achieve goals. Orchid photography is an effort that can be used as a tool to visualize biodiversity and help remind us of the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting the environment.

NOBiS webinar event this year carries the theme “Orchid Odyssey: Revealing the Extraordinary Journey of Orchids Through The Past, Present, and Future” with the implementation time on 1st June 2024 at 09.30 online and attended by 144 participants. The NOBiS 2024 webinar aims to provide a means for the public to learn and understand the preservation of orchids in Indonesia through genome editing and tissue culture propagation techniques. Therefore, this year, BiOSC invited three speakers who have become experts in the field of orchids in Indonesia, namely Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., Prof. Dr. Dewi Kusuma, S.P., M.Si., and Dr. André Schuiteman.

Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. is a head of Laboratory of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada and has research focus on plant tissue culture, plant molecular genetics, plant biotechnology, orchidology, cell and molecular biology. On this occasion, he shared insights regarding Indonesian Orchid Plant breeding with the application of Genome Editing. Current orchid populations in nature are decreasing due to natural disasters, illegal logging, and domestication for collection, decoration, and also for herbal medicine. So we need Ex situ and In situ conservation efforts such as genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 system as the cheapest and easiest to apply technology, having a revolutionary impact on basic research to study gene function and plant breeding to produce new orchids with plenty of seedlings and early flowering.

Orchid production and conservation also can be supported by the method of plant tissue culture, its delivered by Prof. Dr. Dewi Sukma, S.P., M.Si. as a professor of Agronomy and Horticulture department of Agronomy and Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture IPB University and have research interest in plant genetic diversity, breeding and cultivar development and also in plant genetic engineering. Orchid need tissue culture because its lack of seed endosperm so it can provide a higher number of seedling and provide a sterile ad healthy propagules, tissue culture can be an independent breeding of time and season and also can facilitated the in vitro breeding to maintain the existence and availability of Indonesian orchid for future research and potential uses.

The last topic delivered by Dr. André the research leader in the Asia team of Royal Botanic Garden United Kingdom with the research focus on Taxonomy, Conservation and Evolution of Orchidaceae. The diversity of Indonesian orchid is about 26000 species in 800 genera, but not easy to tell because many species are poorly understood, especially the distribution of species in Borneo and New Guinea. The existence and availability of Indonesian orchid should be maintained because there is a lot of diversity and distribution of it such as Dimorphorchis lowii and Paraphalaenopsis laycockii from Borneo, Bulbophyllum muricatum and Dendrobium azureum from Tanah Papua.

It is hoped that the informative webinar material will broaden the knowledge of orchid lovers as well as introduce BiOSC to the outside as a study group that focuses on orchids with the jargon of “Tumbuh, Berkembang, Lestari”. Nusantara Orchid Biodiversity Show (NOBiS) National Photography Competition

2024: “Orchid Odyssey: Revealing the Extraordinary Journey of Orchids Through The Past, Present, and Future” expected to inspire and encourage deeper understanding of history, uniqueness, preservation, and future challenges faced by orchids. Through photography, Participants are expected to be able to express messages about the existence of orchids in the past, present and future. [Author: BiOSC]

Biology Students Win Bronze Medal and Favorite Poster at National FAPERTA FAIR 5 with Futuristic Innovation for Disease Detection in Rice Plants (Oryza sativa L.)

AchivementsNews Release Wednesday, 5 June 2024

The issue of pathogens in rice plants is a focus of agricultural empowerment efforts in Indonesia. These pathogens cause disease outbreaks that lead to a decrease in rice productivity. To address this obstacle, some farmers tend to rely on pesticides without noticing the condition of the rice plants. As a result, their efforts were ineffective and posed a threat to environmental health due to chemical pollution from excessive pesticides.


Addressing this issue, Adzkiya Aqmaliza Rahmattillah and Sheva Rimma Dhanty, biology students from the class of 2021, innovated a smartphone-integrated smart scanning application based on Artificial Intelligence called ORYSMART. This application can detect diseases in rice plants and provide treatment recommendations, under the guidance of Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si. ORYSMART was introduced at the FAPERTA FAIR (Futuristic and Prestige Research, Technology, and Art) 5 competition at Dhyana Pura University, Denpasar, Bali, on May 18-19, 2024. In its fifth batch, FAPERTA FAIR carried the theme “The Role of Young Innovators in Facing Global Competition to Welcome Golden Indonesia 2045.” At the event, Adzkiya and Sheva, with ORYSMART, won the Bronze Medal and the Favorite Poster Award in the Technology subtheme as a futuristic innovative solution that can help address diseases in rice plants. With its scanning and recognition capabilities, ORYSMART can detect the type, symptoms, causes, and handling solutions for rice plant diseases. The application offers advanced analysis that combines human and artificial intelligence, providing more accurate disease analysis and effective handling solutions. ORYSMART also facilitates access to consultations with experienced and reliable plant protection experts.

This application aimed to empower rice farmers in Indonesia to manage their fields better and more effectively. Therefore, ORYSMART is designed to be practical and easy to use, especially for users who are not yet familiar with the technology. This innovation is expected to be a significant step in agricultural empowerment in Indonesia, supporting national food security towards Golden Indonesia 2045. This innovation and idea also contribute to achieving SDG 2 (zero hunger) by improving rice productivity, the staple food for most Indonesians. [Author: Sheva Rimma Dhanty]