Yogyakarta, May 22, 2024 – The Undergraduate Program Graduation Ceremony held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, was a special moment for the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). At the event, two graduates who are identical twins successfully completed their studies with honors. They are Sherlina Oktavian Putri, S.Si., and Sherlita Oktavian Putri, S.Si., both of whom enrolled in the Biology Study Program in 2020. These twin sisters graduated with honors, completing their studies in 3 years, 7 months, and 9 days—a remarkable achievement.

Sherlina and Sherlita also share the same interest in the ecological field. Sherlina’s research topic was “Utilization of Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) as a Phytoremediation Agent for Chromium (Cr) Heavy Metal in Sewon, Bantul Wastewater,” supervised by Prof. Dr. Suwarno Hadisusanto, S.U. Meanwhile, Sherlita’s research was titled “Utilization of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) as a Phytoremediation Agent for Lead (Pb) in Sewon, Bantul Wastewater, Yogyakarta,” under the supervision of Dr. rer. nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, M.Si.

“It just so happened that we both liked biology since high school. We wanted to join the biology program at UGM because it is one of the best in Indonesia, and our parents’ support encouraged us to choose this program,” said Sherlina and Sherlita.

Their achievement not only makes their family and friends proud but also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG No. 4 for Quality Education and SDG No. 5 for Gender Equality. The Dean of the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., stated that this achievement demonstrates the great interest in the field of biology and the very promising prospects, supported by the internationally accredited academic quality of the Faculty of Biology (ASIIN), which provides a highly competitive global edge.

Congratulations to Sherlina and Sherlita on their extraordinary achievements. Best wishes to both of you, and congratulations to your parents for their successful support. May this success continue and inspire many others.

YOGYAKARTA, May 22, 2024 – The Fast Track Program of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has yielded its first fruits, with three undergraduate students from the Biology Study Program, who are also fast-track Bachelor’s-Master’s students in the Master’s Program in Biology, having completed their undergraduate program. The graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The students are Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si. (with Distinction/Cum Laude), Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si. (with Distinction/Cum Laude), and Wahida Aulia Rahma, S.Si. (with Distinction/Cum Laude).

These three students are from the 2020 undergraduate class and graduated the fastest in this graduation period, completing their studies in 3 years, 6 months, and 11 days. They have also been fast-track Master’s students in the Biology Master’s Program since January 2024, starting in the even semester of the 2023/2024 academic year.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., stated that the Fast Track Program is an accelerated study program for undergraduate (S1) students to proceed directly to the Master’s (S2) level. With this program, they have the opportunity to study in both the undergraduate and graduate programs simultaneously, allowing them to complete the Master’s program faster than through the regular program. He added, “The Fast Track Program or Accelerated Pathway from Bachelor to Master is one of the Faculty of Biology’s efforts to provide opportunities for outstanding and potential students to pursue higher education at the Master’s level (S2) more efficiently. The Fast Track Program is organized as an effort to produce graduates with qualifications according to KKNI level 8. Graduates of the Fast Track Program are expected to be able to preserve and manage biodiversity as a source of tropical biological wealth for Indonesia and the world.”

This program supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG No. 4 for Quality Education and SDG No. 5 for Gender Equality. This achievement demonstrates the commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM to providing quality education and equal opportunities for all students, as well as producing graduates ready to compete globally.

Congratulations to Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, and Wahida Aulia Rahma on their outstanding achievements. May success always accompany you in your further education and future careers.

Congratulations to Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, and Wahida Aulia Rahma on their outstanding achievements. May success always accompany you in your further education and future careers.

On Friday, March 29, 2024, the Joyful Iftar Gathering event was held. The JMMB UGM collaborated with the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Yatim Mandiri Foundation to share more happiness with those in need. The Joyful Iftar program not only provided iftar packages but also offered valuable experiences. The participants were treated to a special storytelling session full of inspiration. Religious materials and motivation were delivered to foster spiritual growth and self-development.

The activity took place at the Al-Hayat Mosque of the Faculty of Biology UGM, and was attended by orphans and the underprivileged from the Yatim Mandiri Foundation. The activity was opened by Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara and Zidny Qonita Addini, followed by remarks from Prof Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM and Try Sujatmiko Ramadhani, S.Si representing the Yatim Mandiri Foundation. The activity followed by the distribution of blessings from Prof Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. The activity continued with storytelling by Kak Andria and playing games together. After playing games, the participants broke their fast together.

The purpose of the Joyful Iftar Together activity is to provide an opportunity for orphans and the underprivileged to experience joy and comfort in a warm and friendly atmosphere during the month of Ramadan, to provide valuable and inspirational edutainment experiences, and to foster spiritual growth and self-development. The activity concluded with the Maghrib prayer and group documentation. [Author: JMMB]

On Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2024, the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted training for the 2024 Buddy Counselors. These Buddy Counselors are students selected through a screening process by the Faculty of Biology’s Mental Health Team during the recruitment, held from February 12-16, 2024. They are tasked with providing emotional support and adequate counseling to fellow students in need. The Buddy Counselor program aims to help UGM become a Health Promoting University (HPU) with a focus on Mental Health and a Zero Tolerance for Violence, Bullying, and Harassment, which are the priorities of the UGM HPU activities. For 2024, Buddy Counselors are also assigned to mentor ten new students each during the PPSMB (Student Orientation).

This two-day training took place at the Faculty of Biology UGM and Kaliurang. The first session, held in the Faculty of Biology UGM Auditorium, began with a welcome speech from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. In his speech, Prof. Budi stated that this training activity is a commendable initiative. Being a Buddy is a noble task, and those selected should be grateful as not everyone gets this opportunity. The Buddies are responsible for helping to achieve a balance in mental and physical health. According to the training theme, “Be a Listener, Understand Better,” Buddies must be good listeners. Just like waiting, being a listener requires patience. Those who can wait will achieve success. At the end of his speech, Prof. Budi announced that there would be an award for the best Buddy Counselor during the Dies Natalis ceremony. “There will be an award for the best Buddy, the best of the bestie,” concluded the Dean. Following his speech, the Dean inaugurated the 2024 Buddy Counselors of the Faculty of Biology UGM by presenting jackets to one of the Buddy Counselors.

The first session on Zero Tolerance for Violence, Bullying, and Harassment delivered by Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, S.H., LL.M.(HR), Ph.D., known as Bu Iyik, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law UGM and serves as the Chair of the POKJA Zero-Tolerance Bullying, Violence, and Harassment HPU UGM, as well as the Head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) at UGM. Her presentation covered:

Besides delivering the material, participants also learn to resolve violence cases that occur at UGM, which is followed with great enthusiasm by all participants.

The second session on Mental Health was conducted in the meeting room of Wisma Pesanggrahan PU, Kaliurang. This session was delivered by Yudhistira Adi Perdana, M.Psi., Psychologist from the Faculty of Biology UGM. Mas Yudhis provided insights on how Buddy Counselors should handle counselees, from listening, questioning, to giving advice.

After a break, the evening featured a discussion on the work program to be implemented over a year. Participants were divided into two groups, and each group must present their discussion results, which then summarized by the Mental Health Team consisting of Psychologist Yudhistira Adi Perdana, M.Psi., and Faculty Counselor Lecturers, Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc., Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Si., M.Si., and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, M.Biotech., as well as PIC HPU Faculty of Biology UGM, Titin Fauziah, S.E., M.B.A. To conclude the training, there was a bonding activity involving a bonfire and gift exchange among participants. The next morning, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, all participants went trekking around Kaliurang.

This training is an effort by the Faculty of Biology UGM to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Good Health and Well-being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

“A rose blooms since yesterday, Growing beside the moringa tree. Welcome, dear guests, to the Inauguration and Training of Buddy Counselors.”

Two Students of Faculty of Biology UGM are Selected for Scholarship Nomination for Student Exchange Support Program 2024 at Yamagata University. Miss Maya Nakajima from the International Office, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, is pleased to announce that Roxaline Sih Tanwinilang and Tizania Putri Langithari have been nominated as scholarship recipients for the prestigious Student Exchange Support Program 2024 at Yamagata University under the JASSO scholarship. During the program, Roxaline will be under the supervision of Professor Dr. Tatsuya Ashitani, and Tizania will be under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Satoru Sato.

Roxaline Sih Tanwinilang and Tizania Putri Langithari are dedicated students from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and a strong commitment to their fields of study. Additionally, Roxaline was a recipient of the Sakura Science Program from Yamagata University in 2024.

The nomination of Roxaline and Tizania underscores UGM’s commitment to fostering international academic exchange and collaboration. This opportunity will allow them to benefit from the unique academic and cultural experiences offered by Yamagata University. The Student Exchange Support Program 2024 is designed to enhance the academic and professional development of participants while also strengthening the ties between both institutions.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., stated that the Faculty of Biology at UGM is confident that Roxaline and Tizania will represent UGM with excellence and distinction, contributing to the ongoing success of the exchange program. Their nomination is a significant step in fostering future collaboration and sets a precedent for next year’s students to visit Yamagata University.

Yogyakarta, 17 May 2024 – Dr. Parvez Alam, A Reader (Professor without a Chair) from the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University delivered a public lecture entitled “Biology-Engineering Interface”. The public lecture took place in the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, UGM and was attended by students and lecturers from the Faculty of Biology.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs of the Faculty of Biology was also present to open and moderate the guest lecture.

“Biology has an extreme level of diversity,” said Dr. Parvez started his presentation last Friday (17/5). The Biomaterials and Biomimetics expert from the University of Edinburgh mentioned how scientists try to create imitations of the diversity of existing organisms, which he then called bio-mimetic design.

Dr. Parvez explained an example of an aircraft fin mechanism that is designed to capture air stably, which he then tried to develop into the possibility that the fin would be located at the front: stable but with a speed rate that could be maximized. “But it is not working at the moment because biology is beyond further,” Dr. Parves added.

Bio-mimetic research has been developed by scientists all over the world from the macro level to the molecular level. Development of building structures inspired by human bones: strong, sturdy, but light; the design of gloves that can stick to dry surfaces is inspired by lizards, to how spider webs are 350 times stronger than steel.

Dr. Parvez then explains how the morphological design and structure of organisms is formed according to their way of survival and environment, including how humans try to redesign these morphological structures. Dr. Parvez mentioned several bio-mimetic studies on the claws of arboreal animals to strength research on spider egg casings.
“How can biology help engineers?” Dr. Parvez presented a study by his students who tried to design wings inspired by the mechanism of insect wings. The study focuses on energy efficient flight mechanisms based on insect wing movements with minimal muscle movement.

It is hoped that this synergy between the fields of biology and engineering can explore more deeply how organisms form and work, and implement this in today’s technology.

The public lecture was followed by a question and answer session. Participants, both students and lecturers, were very enthusiastic about attending the lecture and were interested in studying biomimetic engineering in the future.

The public lecture was closed by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology. It is hoped that this public lecture can become a forum for inspiration for collaboration as well as strengthening collaborative relations, especially between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Edinburgh in the future, in line with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals for improving inclusive education and expanding international cooperation (SDG 4 and 17).

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, the Garden Architecture Study Group (KSAT) organized an educational field trip for seedling members. The purpose of this field trip was to enhance their knowledge and skills in applying the material from Small Group Discussion 2 (SGD 2) on architecture landscape, which had been presented a few weeks earlier. The field trip included presentations from the Plant Diversity Sub-Division and the Landscape Ecology Sub-Division, as well as practical application sessions from the SGD 2.

The event began with an opening speech by Laksita Chesarina, the Science Coordinator from KSAT 2021. This was followed by an opening prayer and the field class presentations from each Science Sub-Division. During the field class, Seedlings were divided into groups, each accompanied by ‘Tree’ and ‘Sapling’ members from the respective Science Sub-Divisions. The first session, led by the Ecology Landscape Sub-Division, covered the interaction of abiotic factors with the environment and demonstrated the use of tools for creating mini reports, including measuring soil pH, soil moisture, and temperature at UGM’s Wisdom Park. The second session, conducted by the Architecture Landscape Sub-Division, involved the practical implementation of garden design, including site inventory and notation on a base map. The final session, presented by the Plant Diversity Sub-Division, focused on the growth forms, macromorphological characteristics, and aesthetic values of plants.After the field class presentations, representatives from each station presented their findings, followed by an explanation of the assignments. The field trip concluded with a closing prayer and a documentation.

The 2024 field trip proceeded smoothly and on schedule. It is hoped that this activity will enhance the Seedlings’ ability to apply the Small Group Discussion 2 material and strengthen the sense of community among KSAT members. Furthermore, it is anticipated that KSAT will continue to grow and thrive, deeply rooted in its mission to benefit the academic community and society at large.[Author: KSAT 2024]

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the KSH Alumni Sharing Session 2024 was held with the theme “Unlocking Futures: A Journey to LPDP Scholarship.” Organized by the KSH Network Sub-Department, the event aimed to provide insights about scholarships to KSH members. The event took place online via Zoom meeting from 08.00 – 12.00 WIB and was attended by 28 active KSH members.

The session was opened by the MC and moderator, Firchamy Vuqi Aulia. The event began with an opening ceremony, prayer, singing the KSH anthem, reading the KSH Code of Ethics, and a welcome speech from the Head of the Community Service and Public Relations Department, Jessica Desviana. Following this, a sharing session on the details of the LPDP Scholarship was conducted by KSH alumni Nisrina Salsabila, S.Si., and M. Zulfiqar Meizar Pratama, S.Si., both are awardee of the LPDP Scholarship. After the sharing session, there was a Q&A session, followed by the presentation of certificates to the two speakers.

The event concluded with a closing prayer and a group photo. The session was considered to have run smoothly and was met with great enthusiasm. It is hoped that the event provided significant benefits to all participants by deepening their knowledge of the LPDP Scholarship.[Author: KSH]

Undergraduate students from the Faculty of Biology made another achievement by winning a bronze medal in the National Essay Competition “Soedirman Event of Animal Husbandry 7.0” held on May 4-5, 2024. The team, consisting of Muhammad Syahrul Firdaus (Biology 2022), Annisa Nur Baety (Biology 2022), and Dzakiyyah (Animal Science 2023), under the guidance of Moh. Sofi’ul Anam, S.Pt., M.Sc. This national competition was organized by the Research and Development Unit of Animal Husbandry (UP3) at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, with the theme “Innovation and Creativity of Gen Z in Preventing Global Boiling Through Enhancing Climate Resilience for a Faster Recovery and Stronger Indonesia.”
The competition involved several stages, including proposal submission, preparation for presentation, and presentations before a panel of judges.

The team focused on the animal husbandry subtheme with their essay titled “The Potential of Spirulina sp. and Yucca schidigera Extracts as Feed Additives to Reduce Methane Emissions in Ruminant Livestock.” This innovation was driven by the increasing global temperatures, partly due to rising methane emissions from the livestock sector. Global warming can degrade feed quality, reduce livestock productivity, and cause diseases and death in livestock.To address these issues, the team proposed an innovative feed additive combining Spirulina sp. and Yucca schidigera. Spirulina sp. is a filamentous microalga containing 50-70% protein and 11-18% tannins, while Yucca schidigera is a plant adapted to extreme environments, containing 30-60% saponins. Using these two ingredients as feed additives, can meet livestock nutritional needs, reduce methanogen and protozoa populations in the rumen, decrease methane emissions, improve feed efficiency, and maintain livestock productivity and health.

This innovation is expected to provide a solution to the livestock sector’s challenges in Indonesia. Additionally, the team hopes that participating in this competition will inspire young Indonesians to develop creative ideas and contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs). [Author: Annisa Nur Baety]

Herpetofauna Systematics, from March to April 2024. This activity is part of the Research and Development Department’s (Litbang) program, aimed to enhance the knowledge of KSH Junior Members (AM) in herpetology.

The GSD was divided into five sessions, covering topics from the Amphibia, Testudinata, Crocodylia, Serpentes, and Lacertilia divisions. The sessions were held every weekend, with participants from AM 34, the youngest cohort. Each session was delivered by the Senior Council of each respective division and concluded with an oral post-test.The GSD #1 included a general overview of animal systematics, herpetofauna taxonomy and classification, a brief review of herpetofauna evolution and phylogeny, and understanding herpetofauna identification methods.

The culmination of GSD #1: Herpetofauna Systematics was the Final Assessment (PA) on Saturday, May 4, 2024, held at the gazebo of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The assessment took place from 11:40 AM to 1:40 PM WIB using Google Forms. Participants were divided into three groups and stationed around the gazebo under the supervision of the Senior Council. Overall, the GSD #1: Herpetofauna Systematics series ran smoothly and is expected to significantly enhance the herpetological knowledge of the participants.[Author: KSH]