Through the Joint Research Project from the Japan Society for Promoting Science Bilateral Exchange Program (JSPS-BJRP) 2018, Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology), Dr. Ir. Aziz Purwantoro, M.Sc., and Dr. Ir. Jaka Widada, M.Sc (Faculty of Agriculture), collaborated with Dr. Yasushi Yoshioka (Graduate School of Science) and Prof. Dr. Shogo Matsumoto (Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science) from Nagoya University, Japan. The collaboration project was proposed to apply genome editing techniques in the genetic engineering of orchids. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, Dr. Endang and Prof. Matsumoto aiming to promote fast flowering through genome editing techniques. This research collaboration is realized as part of the MoU between UGM and Nagoya University since 1995. As part of the program, Prof. Matsumoto and two Master Program students from Nagoya University, Kana Ninomiya and Yuki Asano visited the Laboratory of Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biology UGM. Also, Prof. Matsumoto gave a guest lecture with the title “How to Change the Useful Traits of Horticultural Crops by Genome Editing based on Molecular Physiology of Type 2 Red-Fleshed Apple Coloring”. The guest lecture was held on August 21 at the Auditorium of Faculty of Biology, attended by more than 200 undergraduates, postgraduate and doctoral students, as well as lecturers from the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Agriculture.

To further increase the understanding of tropical biodiversity and sustainable development, the Faculty of Biology UGM held the International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development 2018. Around 20 international students and 18 local students participated in this event. Apart from experts from UGM, this activity also invited academics, NGO activists, and industry parties from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

The summer course, which was carried out in collaboration with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), took place from 6 to 12 August 2018, where the participants attended lectures, workshops, and field activities. In between the lectures, the participants performed a batik making workshop using natural dyes supervised by Mr. Hatmoko, the owner of Hatmoko Batik. Also, the field activities were held at the Paliyan Wildlife Reserve and Sadranan Beach. On the last day of the event, the participants enjoyed a presentation by Mika Mei Jia Tan (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity) discussing youth’s role in protecting biodiversity in the ASEAN region.

Friday (11/5/18), a guest lecture by Dr. Ryutaro Akiyama was held discussing “A role of extracellular environment in collective migration of organ progenitors.” Dr. Akiyama is a researcher from the Nara Institute of Science & Technology (NAIST), Japan, and a colleague of Dr. Bambang Retno Aji (Lecturer at the Faculty of Biology). The guest lecture was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology and attended by lecturers and students interested in animal structure and development. Dr. Akiyama shared his research in identifying environmental factors affecting the organ morphogenesis in Zebra Fish. Soon, the Faculty of Biology plans to develop a Zebra Fish Research Center to facilitate organ development and morphogenesis research.

Rusna Nur Aini, a librarian from the Faculty of Biology, won first place in the 2018 UGM Best Librarian competition. The competition was held on May 11, 2018, raising the theme of “Beyond the bubbles: for a better librarian and library”. Rusna presented an article entitled “Collaboration between librarian and students: A best practice in the Faculty of Biology.” The article reported an innovative program held in the library of Faculty of Biology involving students as volunteers in managing the library.

Comment:

I wish this kind of event can motivate other librarians to continue working hard and learn new things, especially in developing our skills to contribute more to the Faculty and University.

Phytoplasm X is a scientific article writing competition held by the Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak. Presenting an article entitled “Establishing a healthy model village in preventing the mosquito-borne diseases through educative learning,” a team from the Faculty of Biology comprised of Giyantolin, Jundi Faaris, and Dwi Jami Indah successfully obtained second place in the competition.

Comments:

Even though placing as the 2nd winner, we are very proud as a student from the Faculty of Biology, considering that most of the participants were students majoring Pharmacy from various universities in Indonesia. It proves that Biology could provide alternative solutions in coping with various problems in society.

The BORN 3 National Competition was held in 4-6 May 2018 by the HMPSP BIOLOGI “Lumba-lumba” FKIP Universitas Jember. A team from the Faculty of Biology consisting of Fadilah Husnun, Muhammad Alif Ishak, and Arvita Fatmadanni competed with finalists from other leading universities such as Universitas Jember, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Diponegoro, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, and Universitas Mulawarman. Their article entitled “Pewarisan Karakter Fenotip Melon Hibrida (Cucumis melo L. ‘Tacapa Gold’) Hasil Persilangan Melon ♀’Tacapa Silver’ dengan ♂’Hikapel’ Guna Menunjang Ketahanan Pangan Nasional” was awarded as the runner up in this competition. Also, the member of the team received a “Best Presenter” award from the committee for the outstanding presentation.

In collaboration with the Pusat Studi Bioteknologi, the Faculty of Biology organized a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Hans-Jörg Jacobsen entitled “Development of Teaching Methods and Curriculum in Life Sciences”. The lecture was held on April 18, 2018, in the Ruang Sidang of the Faculty of Biology UGM. Prof. Jacobsen was invited to share his experience as the dean of Leibniz Universitat Hannover and his contribution to the Bologna Process, a standardization protocols for higher education in EU from 1996-1999. As one of the implementations of Senior Experten Servise from the Government of Germany, the guest lecture was expected to provide new insights on constructing a better education system and curriculum development in the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The GGMUN 2018, held on 13 to 16 April 2018, was a parliament-based forum discussing topics related to the 17 Global Goals set by the United Nations (UN). Thomi Asyari and Imroatul Habibah, two undergraduate students from the Faculty of Biology, attended the forum in Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The three-day event was started by opening the International Youth Symposium on Global Goals. On the second day, a parliament-based discussion was held in which Thomi was assigned as the representative of Maldives and Imroatul as of Portugal. The last day was concluded by the International Grant Symposium, inviting distinguished speakers and organizing art and cultural performances from each country.

Ainurrizqi started to pursue martial art by joining the Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa (UKM) in October 2017. His first competition in Judo was in the Monas Open International Judo Championship di Jakarta where he joined as a participant. Finally, in February 2018, he won a bronze medal in the 2018 Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu International Cup competition in Thailand.

Comments:

I learned many valuable experiences during the competition. Also, I was happy that I could go abroad for the first time in my life for free. Besides, I made friends with participants from other countries. I wish this experience would help me to grow further in pursuing and learning the martial art.

Faculty of Biology UGM and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Malaysia has established a joint-collaboration program in academic and research since 2017. As part of the program, an online lecture by Dr. Hann Ling Wong (Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences UTAR) was held on April 9th, 2018. More than 50 undergraduate students from both universities attended the lecture about “Molecular mechanism on Plant Response to Pathogenic Infection” by Dr. Wong. The next joint lecture is scheduled on April 16th, 2018, by Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc (Faculty of Biology, UGM).