Yogyakarta, the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) proudly announces the successful implementation of the Level 2 Tissue Culture Competency Test. The event was attended by 12 participants from Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), Universitas Airlangga (Unair), Atma Jaya University, Andalas University, and UGM itself. This examination was a result of collaboration between the Faculty of Biology at UGM and the National Agricultural Professional Certification Institute (LSP) involving three competent assessors: Ari Setiowati, MP., Woro Anindito, Ph.D., and Aries Bagus Sasongko, M.Biotech.

The Level 2 Tissue Culture Competency Test took place on Saturday, August 5th, 2023, in the Upper Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Examination participants displayed exceptional skills in various aspects of tissue culture, including the latest laboratory techniques and methodologies. The test aimed to evaluate practical abilities, theoretical knowledge, and problem-solving skills of participants, which are crucial for advancing the field of biology. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Deputy Dean of Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni (P2MKSA) at the Faculty of Biology UGM, who delivered an inspiring opening speech. Dr. Suyono emphasized the importance of inter-institutional collaboration and highlighted the pivotal role of tissue culture in the development of biological sciences. Furthermore, the Faculty of Biology now offers Professional Certification for Biological Curators as a professional stage between Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Remarkably, participants of the Level 2 Tissue Culture Competency Test will receive a national competency certificate from Badan Nasional sertifikasi Profesi (BNSP). BNSP is an independent institution established as mandated by Article 18 paragraph (5) of Law Number 13 of 2004, with the task of conducting work competency certification and granting licenses to professional certification institutions (LSPs) that meet the prescribed requirements for conducting work competency certification. Currently, in accordance with the law, university graduates must possess both a diploma and a competency certificate. The presence of this certificate will enhance graduates’ competitiveness and provide added value when applying for jobs, as stated by Drs. Surini, M.Si., Director of the Agricultural LSP.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean of P2MKSA, stated, “The Level 2 Tissue Culture Competency Test is a testament to the commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM in producing quality and competent graduates. We take pride in being a part of the effort to elevate the standards of professionalism in the realm of biology through collaboration with the National Agricultural LSP.”

The Faculty of Biology UGM hopes that the success of this event will have a positive impact on the participants and contribute to the improvement of the college’s Key Performance Indicators (IKUs) as well as the enhancement of biological science competency for certificate holders.

August 25, 2023 — In a significant step towards promoting international academic collaboration and enriching the educational experiences of its students, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an online socialization of the Double Degree program via a Zoom Meeting, featuring guest speaker Ms. Premila from the University of Leeds. The event was inaugurated by the opening remarks of Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M. app., Sc. Vice Dean for Research, Community Engagement, and Cooperation of the Faculty of Biology at UGM. Attended by 20 students, this session provided insights into the undergraduate program of study, offering two years of learning experience at UGM followed by two years abroad, resulting in the attainment of two degrees simultaneously.

Commencing the event, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App., Sc. delivered the Opening Address, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in shaping graduates with broad knowledge and awareness of global challenges. He expressed UGM’s commitment to building partnerships with universities worldwide.

The enthusiastic presence of 20 students at this event showcased their interest in exploring educational opportunities beyond national boundaries. Their presence served as evidence of the growing curiosity among Faculty of Biology, UGM students to expand their educational journey through international engagement. This event will be followed by intensive guidance for students who will apply for the Double Degree program in collaboration with Leeds University.”

Yogyakarta, August 24, 2023 – The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) was enlivened by the visit of 15 alumni from the Class of 1969. The purpose of this visit was to celebrate nostalgia and strengthen the bonds of camaraderie.

The warm welcome of these alumni was led by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., as the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., as the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni, in the Biologi Tropika Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology UGM. This visit became an extraordinary moment to build networks among the alumni and the academic community of the Faculty of Biology.

Dean Budi Setiadi Daryono expressed, “We are honored and delighted to welcome back the alumni of the Class of 1969 to our campus. Their visit is a tangible testament to the enduring spirit of the Faculty of Biology UGM within our alumni.”

Furthermore, the Vice Deans provided explanations about academic developments, research, and new facilities at the Faculty to the alumni. The visit also included a campus tour, visiting Room IV, one of the classroom spaces that is still active and used to reminisce about the beautiful moments during their studies and share interesting stories. A highlight of the visit was the tour to Biomart, where the alumni could observe innovative products derived from waste processing at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The Faculty of Biology UGM has produced various sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, such as compost fertilizer from leaf litter, probiotic fertilizers, and Liquid Organic Fertilizer (LOF). The enthusiasm of the alumni was evident as they witnessed the tangible contributions of the Faculty of Biology UGM in addressing environmental challenges, which have recently garnered attention in the city of Yogyakarta.

The visit of the alumni from the Class of 1969 to the Faculty of Biology UGM today serves as evidence that the academic spirit and camaraderie remain deeply ingrained in every facet of the development of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

As many as 228 new Undergraduate Program students were accepted at the Faculty of Biology UGM, consisting of 206 regular students and 22 international class students (IUP) in 2023. For the regular Undergraduate Program level, 64% of students received UKT scholarships. “It can be said that more than half of our total new students get subsidized Superior Education Single Tuition Fee (UKT) relief,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., in an internal interview, Tuesday (22/8).

Budi considers the provision of scholarships to new students from underprivileged families as a concrete form of the commitment of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to make the concept of a populist campus the foundation for providing affordable superior education for students with various social and economic backgrounds.  In this regard, the Faculty of Biology UGM would also like to express its appreciation and gratitude to around 36% of parents of new students who have the financial capacity and have fully financed their children’s education without relying on UKT scholarships. This action is considered as part of the spirit of mutual cooperation in ensuring quality education for students, both current and future generations at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

Education is the foundation for the country’s progress, so that economic limitations are not an obstacle for the nation’s best young generation to achieve quality education on the UGM campus, said the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs (Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc.). The Faculty of Biology UGM is firmly committed to forming future leaders who have a view of sustainability, especially for prospective students from all over Indonesia. Furthermore, the seriousness of the Faculty of Biology UGM in providing opportunities for the nation’s sons and daughters who meet the requirements to enjoy global quality education, while at the same time strengthening local roots, is a strong principle.

As a Legal Entity State University (PTNBH), Gadjah Mada University has the flexibility to form an identity as a national university that promotes inclusivity in student admissions, continued Bambang. This concept of inclusivity reflects the spirit to accommodate students from various walks of life, while maintaining the integrity and quality of education.

Bambang also explained that the distribution of new students for the Faculty of Biology UGM this year came from more than 25 provinces in Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke. So that it is hoped that an equal education can be received by all generations of the nation, without exception and will be able to produce young leaders of the nation later, he concluded.

In early March 2023, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) – 2023 Research Team from the Faculty of Biology at UGM, led by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., along with a student named Andi Muhammad Naufal Khaeri, conducted observations on the embryonic development of eggs and the feeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm, Yogyakarta. The purpose of this activity was to understand the process of breeding exotic birds, particularly Ostriches, in Yogyakarta, which is located at Mahasvin Farm.

The Mahasvin Farm exotic bird breeding group is currently making efforts to hatch exotic bird eggs, including Ostriches. These efforts aim to achieve several objectives, including the conservation of exotic animals, the development of exotic wildlife tourism for the community, and, most importantly, the enhancement of educational facilities and media for wildlife development and conservation. The potential for this endeavor is significant, and they have already succeeded in hatching various types of exotic birds. However, there are currently some challenges in maintaining the embryonic development of these exotic birds.

Based on the results of discussions and observations with partners, obstacles in the Ostrich hatching process were identified, such as the imperfections in the incubator machine and the inability of the current feed to fully meet the nutritional needs. Therefore, in May, it was discussed and initiated to create a new incubator process and develop a proper feed composition to ensure the successful breeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm.

Biology students at Gadjah Mada University (S1) Zildan Basara made another achievement at the national level by winning 2nd place in the National Essay Competition in collaboration with student of Electronics and Instrumentation (S1), MIPA Faculty UGM Ferdian Arvin Nayandra.This national-level essay competition was organized by UKM MAPALA LOKA SAMGRAHA Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, namely “Jaga Bumi Tetap Lestari”. The competition was opened on 1 May 2023, and the winners were announced on 10 June 2023.

In this competition, the team took the sub-theme Technology and Environmental Innovation with the title “Integration of Microfluidics Technology and the Role of Microorganisms as Biosorption Agents in Detection and Mitigation of Heavy Metal Pollution on the River Code, Yogyakarta”. The team discusses that rivers in Indonesia are vital resources for human life, serving as a source of drinking water, agricultural irrigation, transportation, and also rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately, many rivers in Indonesia Suffer from serious pollution, including being contaminated by heavy metals. According to the data from Bureau of Statistic (BPS), throughout the year 2021, 10,683 villages in Indonesia suffered from river contamination. In addition, according to the same data, approximately 46 percent of Indonesian rivers have experienced severe contamination, 32 percent have moderate, 14 percent have moderately polluted, and 8 percent have mild contamination. (Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, 2022). In the past few decades, the Code River has experienced significant pollution levels, including contamination by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which enter the river through poorly managed industrial and domestic waste (Harian Jogja, 2021).

Therefore, it is essential to develop sensitive and effective detection methods to identify the level of heavy metal contamination in River water. In addition, bioremediation approaches are also needed to eliminate heavy metal contamination, where microorganisms capable of reducing or eliminating heavy metals can be utilized to naturally clean the river. The essay aims to integrate microfluidics technology as sensitive biological sensors in the detection of heavy metals, and utilizing microorganisms as bioremediation agents that can reduce the level of heavy metal contamination in the river Code water.

On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the Bioconnect event was held between HIMBIO UNPAD and BEM BIOLOGI UGM. The activity was conducted virtually through the Zoom meeting platform and was attended by all members of HIMBIO UNPAD and BEM BIOLOGI UGM. The event was hosted by MC Anisah Qurrotu’Ainii, a staff member of BEM Biologi UGM, and Reni Nur’anifah, a staff member of HIMBIO UNPAD.

The event began with an opening by the MC and a recitation, followed by singing the Indonesian national anthem, the Himbio Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology March together. Next on the agenda were welcoming speeches and general introduction of Himbio UNPAD and BEM Biologi UGM followed by discussion sessions.

The activities continued with an ice-breaking session, followed by Focus Group Discussions (FGD) by each department. The entire series of events for the Himbio UNPAD x BEM Biologi UGM Study Visit was carried out successfully, culminating in a closing ceremony and a joint documentation session.Through this event, it is hoped that all staff members of BEM Biologi UGM can establish good cooperation with external parties and gain valuable insights and learning experiences from this activity.