In its journey to prepare new Study Program, namely Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM held a Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator in the field of Plants for several prospective lecturers of UGM. On May, 11^th 2023 in Ruang Sidang KPTU, The Competency Assessment of Biodiversity Curator was carried out based on the Portofolio/Recognition of Past Learning scheme.

The assessment was attended by 5 UGM lecturers as participants, namely Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S. (Fakultas Biologi UGM), Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology), Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology), Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology) dan Ir. Atus Syahbudin, S.Hut., M.Agr., Ph.D. (Faculty of Forestry).

Assessor in this professional certification test was Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler, Director Hortus botanicus Leiden, Universiteit Leiden, who was accompanied by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. as Head of Undergraduate Biology Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

After all the assessment process was done, it was stated that the five participants had passed and received professional certificate as Curator of Biodeversity. During the certificates handover, Dean of Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., accompanied by the vice deans, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources) and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc. (Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni), expressed his pride in the process of this certification assessment and hoped that this result would support the establishment of Biodiversity Curator Education Study Program, Faculty of Biology UGM.

Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. also stated that, in the future, a professional certification assessment for biodiversity in the field of animals and microbes would be carried out so that the new study program to be established was truly ready with competent and internationally certified lecturers.

Before the assessment was closed, Prof. Dr. Paul J.A. Kessler and all of Faculty Directors had a discussion about strategic steps and plans that will very useful in preparing for the establishment of new study program. The certification assessment process ended with a group photo between all of participants, Faculty Directors and Prof. Dr. Paul Kessler.

Bioinformatics is one of the compulsory elective courses offered by the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). From the beginning, the course has a program that invites guest lecturers from outside the Faculty of Biology to become part of the “Tim Teaching”. This year, as part of the Academic Internationalization Program, Dr. Neil H. Tan Gana from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine was invited to teach “Bioinformatics for NGS Data Analysis” in two sessions. The lectures were attended by approximately 130 students from the Bioinformatics class and 20 participants from outside the class. The classes were held in a hybrid format, with the first meeting taking place in Room X and the second in Room IV, combined with a Zoom Meeting.

The first session, held on April 26, 2023, covered the basic theory of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and various applications or software used in NGS analysis. This was followed by the second session on May 3, 2023. Each session was conducted interactively, with Dr. Neil always starting his presentations with basic questions related to NGS. Students were able to answer these questions through the chat column or directly during the session. In addition, students were also given the freedom to interrupt the lecture if they had any questions during the presentation.

During the second session, students had the opportunity to practice NGS data analysis directly. Dr. Neil provided a case for the students to solve, and also gave tips and tricks for conducting data analysis and manipulation. Several commonly used software, such as “usegalaxy” and “kbase”, were also practiced during the session. Students expressed satisfaction with Dr. Neil’s explanations, as he explained the steps slowly and clearly. Ulfah, one of the Bioinformatics students, added, “I was very interested in attending Dr. Neil’s class. Not only did I gain new knowledge related to NGS, but I also had the opportunity to follow and solve problems given by Dr. Neil. NGS is currently very important for Biology students to understand, in line with the current developments in the field.”

On Saturday, April 1 2023, PKPA Labskill X for Orchid Cultivation Techniques was held at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity is a collaboration of the Research Division with the Cultivation Division of BiOSC. This activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. as BiOSC Supervisor Lecturer. Focusing on training and introducing basic material regarding in vitro orchid propagation techniques, this activity is intended to develop student abilities, especially in BiOSC membership. PKPA Labskill X Orchid Cultivation Techniques was successfully attended by 23 members from Diksar XV, XVI, and XVII BiOSC batches. This series of activities begins with a pretest for participants followed by guidance and direction regarding the basic material for in vitro culture of orchid seeds.

Next, participants were invited to practice sowing orchid seeds directly in Laminar Air Flow (LAF). The orchid seeds that were sown this time came from the Spathoglottis genus which came from the Karanggayan and Arundina Greenhouses which were obtained from the exploration results of BiOSC members. In this activity, participants will be taught the steps that must be taken, such as sterilizing tools and materials, preparing orchids for sowing, and how to properly plant seeds in a medium bottle using Vacin and Went medium. The steps in this method need to be considered carefully because it will determine the success of growing orchid seeds into new individuals. In this Orchid Cultivation Technique, participants are expected to have an overview and understand the basic techniques that need to be considered so that the cultivation of orchids from seeds can be successful.

Biology students at Universitas Gadjah Mada (S1) made another achievement by winning the Bronze Medal and Favorite Poster at the national level El Bajo Essay Competition. This achievement was achieved by a team chaired by Amelia Rifki Alifiah (Biology 2019) and its member Fatika Soraya Taufik (Biology 2019) under the guidance of Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. This competition carries the theme “Idea, Innovation and Creativity to Realize the MDGs” and is carried out in two stages. The first stage included online essay selection by the jury with a total of 265 works from State and Private Universities in Indonesia, so that 28 finalist teams were obtained. The second stage was held on 18-19 March 2023 with an offline final presentation at the Office of the West Manggarai Regent, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. The organizers also held field trips for the finalists with the intended destinations including Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Padar Island.

In this competition, Amelia and Fatika brought the title “BOBESTEA: Diabetes-Friendly Boba Milk Tea with α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Mango Kernel Starch (Mangifera indica L.) and Natural Sweetener Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni as an Alternative to Low-Sugar Contemporary Drinks ”. In this essay, Amelia and Fatika discuss that the boba drink trend, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years, has actually contributed to the increase in diabetes cases in Indonesia. The sugar content in one serving of boba drink itself can reach 73.44%, thus exceeding the daily sugar consumption limit. Based on these problems, Amelia and Fatika initiated the BOBESTEA innovation with boba pearls from mango kernel starch containing α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase enzyme inhibitors, as well as milk tea derived from a combination of unsweetened almond milk, black tea, and zero-calorie Stevia natural sweetener. . This innovation is expected to be an alternative solution to current drinks that are much healthier, have a lower risk of diabetes, and can be accepted by consumers, especially millennials and generation Z as the main consumers of boba drinks.

Science continues to develop rapidly, one of which is related to anatomical characteristics as important parameters in botanical studies, including systematics, evolution, to ecophysiology related to plant adaptation. The diversity of plants in Indonesia is directly proportional to the characteristics of its internal structure. For the analysis of plant anatomical characters, special knowledge is needed related to the technique of making microscopic preparations. Therefore, training in the technique of making anatomical preparations is very important, as well as being a place for friendship and information sharing.

In order to carry out community service and establish collaboration with other parties, the Laboratory of Plant Structure and Development, Faculty of Biology UGM accepted two students from the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Jambi (UNJA). Students from the University of Jambi namely Dita Rahmayanti and Suci Sri Mulya to carry out plant microtechnical training which was carried out for 12 days, on 20 February – 7 March 2023.

The opening of the training as well as the welcoming of students from UNJA was carried out at the Plant Structure and Development Laboratory which was welcomed and opened directly by Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. as Head of Plant Structure and Development Laboratory. The training consisted of lectures/discussions on plant microtechnics (especially embedding and non-embedding methods, micrometry, and optilab) and the anatomical structure of roots and leaves. Participants were also given the opportunity to independently practice making plant preparations (practicum (hands on), and their analysis. The material was conducted by Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. and Utaminingsih, S.Si., M.Sc., while the practicum was conducted with Utaminingsih , S.Sc., M.Sc.. Independent work was carried out for 3 days accompanied by a laboratory assistant (Mrs. Prapti).

The official closing of the activity was carried out by Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. on Tuesday, March 7 2023. In his remarks, he said that by participating in this training it was hoped that the knowledge gained by the two students would be useful and could be developed in their institutions later. Hopefully this training activity can be a starting point for research collaboration and collaboration in the future.

Biology students at Gadjah Mada University (S1) made another achievement at the national level by winning 1st place in the National Essay Competition. This achievement was achieved by Zildan Basara, a student at the Faculty of Biology class of 2020. This national-level essay competition was organized by the Respati Tasikmalaya STIKes Student Executive Board at an annual event, namely the Stunting Response Festival. This year, the Stunting Response Festival has the theme “One Step for Indonesia: Optimizing Zero Stunting for Golden Indonesia”. The competition was held online with 103 registrants from 79 universities, the competition opened on 16 February 2023, and the winners were announced on 23 March 2023.

In this competition, Zildan raised the title “Ensuring Healthy Child Growth to Realize Golden Indonesia: Exploring Challenges and Solutions to Optimizing Zero Stunting”. In this essay, Zildan discusses that Indonesia is one of the countries with a high prevalence of stunting in the world. According to data from the World Bank (2021), the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia in 2020 is 27.4% of the number of children under 5 years of age. This means that around 7.8 million children in Indonesia were stunted that year. This figure places Indonesia as the country with the fourth highest stunting rate in the world. This is a serious problem because stunting can have an adverse impact on children’s physical, cognitive and social development, and can affect their quality of life in the future. Therefore, overcoming stunting is one of the main priorities in achieving the vision of the Golden Indonesia.

Optimizing zero stunting is an important program in preventing stunting in children in Indonesia. This program involves various aspects such as exclusive breastfeeding, provision of complementary foods, access to clean water and good sanitation, health education for pregnant women and their families, increasing the availability of healthy and nutritious food, and community empowerment. The development of this program needs to involve various parties and be supported by supporting policies.

Saturday, March 18 2023, the Student Senate (SEMA) Workshop was held with the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Biology UGM along with the ratification of the 2021 Faculty Student Representative Council Draft Law. This workshop is a meeting between SEMA and BEM with the aim is to submit the entire work program of each commission or department for one year of management period, namely the 2023/2024 service period. SEMA Biology carries the parliamentary name ‘Cakra Optima’ and BEM Biology carries the cabinet name ‘Laskar Aswattha’ in this year’s management period. This Workshop activity is open to the Faculty of Biology Student Society (KMFB), where representatives of three batches namely the 2020, 2021, 2022 and Study Groups/Institutions also attend and witness virtually.

This Workshop activity was carried out online through the Zoom Meeting platform with Nirina Adelia Putri as the Master of Ceremony. The activity started at 12.30 WIB with the agenda including the opening by the MC, remarks by Fathur Syahrian Ramadhani as chairman of the 2023 Biology BEM and continued by remarks from the chairman of the 2023 Biology SEMA namely Aqil Muhammad Hafiz, then continued with the Special Session for the Ratification of the 2021 DPM UF Bill, presentation by BEM, then presentation by SEMA, and finally closing.

From the presentations that have been delivered there are good suggestions from BEM to SEMA and from SEMA to BEM. These proposals can later be studied further and used as a basis if there are additions or changes to each work program that has been submitted. The workshop activity was then closed at 17.45 WIB and ended with an online photo session together

The series of Education and Training (Basic Education and Training), one of the XXIII KSK Biogama work programs, has been fully implemented offline in 2023. The series of KSK Biogama Education and Training activities consist of Outbound activities, Troop Deployments (gelar pasukan), and Field Training. Training XXIII aims to recruit potential new members and educate prospective cadres so they have the character needed in the organization. The XXIII Training has the theme: “Building competent, skilled and dedicated members of KSK Biogama to advance Indonesian maritime affairs”.

Outbound is one of a series of Basic Training Education (Diklatsar) events for prospective KSK Biogama members. In this event, participants consisting of 27 students received material from the committee at each post that had been placed. The material includes first aid, survival, making tents, making campfires, and learning sampling. The event was held on February 8 2023 at the UGM campus.

Troop deployment (gelar pasukan). In this event, participants consisting of 23 students made preparations for all the equipment and necessities that would be brought to the field training venue. Apart from that, in this activity the participants were also trained to built good tents so that they could be applied to field training events. This event was held on February 22, 2023 at Jalan Taman Biologi UGM.

Field training and inauguration are part of a series of Basic Training Education (Diklatsar) events for Biogama KSK member candidates. In this event, participants consisting of 23 students received field education for 3 days on 24-26 February 2023, by walking along Krakal Beach, Sarangan Beach, to Drini Beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. prospective members of KSK were appointed as young members of KSK Biogama by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. who was accompanied by Abdul Razaq Chasani, Ph.D. as the Supervisor of KSK Biogama and A. Najib Dhiaurahman as the Chairman of KSK Biogama.

Monday (10/4/23) Faculty of Biology UGM held a recitation in the month of Ramadan. The recitation, which is one of the routine activities carried out by the Faculty of Biology UGM every month of Ramadan, this time takes the theme “Benefits of Fasting in a Scientific Perspective”. The recitation took place at the Al Hayat Mosque and was attended by all Lecturers, Education Staff, Dharma Wanita Persatuan, and Student representatives.

Furthermore, remarks were delivered from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. In his remarks Prof. Budi said that knowledge would be successful if faith and piety were increased. “The Faculty of Biology always holds lectures even during a pandemic. The purpose of this study is to fulfill our obligation as Muslims to continue learning to increase the sharpness of knowledge. Apart from that, it is also to increase friendship, hopefully with friendship our brotherhood with fellow Muslims will get stronger, “said Prof. Budi.

The speaker this time is Ustadz Noor Saif Muhammad Mussafi, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. He said that for fasting people there are two joys, when breaking the fast and meeting the Lord in the afterlife. “Tomorrow is a good deed that will be our provision,” said Ustadz Saif. Furthermore, he conveyed that fasting is actually a universal activity, it can be carried out by any community like the people before the Prophet. When fasting, we are actually learning self-control, controlling ourselves from excessive things. The recitation was closed with a prayer led by Ustadz Noor Saif Muhammad Mussafi, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. and continued breaking the fast with takjil provided by the committee.

On Saturday, March 25 2023, a series of Seedling KSAT scientific material activities were carried out, namely Small Group Discussion 2 Landscape Architecture-Plant Diversity online through the zoom meeting platform. The purpose of holding the Archives-Ketam Small Group Discussion 2 is to increase Seedling’s knowledge and skills regarding the stages of work in garden design and plant macromorphology.The presentation of material was delivered by Ahmad Alfian Nafis (KSAT 2021) and Fika Zulfiani (KSAT 2021). The presenter explained the stages of work in designing a park which included program planning, site inventory and analysis, design development, and final design. After the presentation, it was followed by a question and answer session and a quiz via the Google Forms platform. After the quiz, followed by a short break. Then it was continued with materialization by the Plant Diversity Scientific Sub-Division. The material was delivered by Fharsya Febrildha (KSAT 2021) and Nurul Maf Qurrotun I. (KSAT 2021). SGD 2 KSAT activities in 2023 went smoothly and on time. It is hoped that holding this activity will increase knowledge and skills regarding the stages of work in designing gardens and plant macromorphology for Seedling KSAT.