On Saturday, April 1 2023, a Small Group Discussion 2 of Landscape Ecology were carried out online via a zoom meeting platform. In SGD 2 this Ecoscaping is in the form of teaching by the Sub-Division of Landscape Ecology on Ecosystems and Sampling Techniques. The purpose of holding this Ecoskap Small Group Discussion 2 is to increase Seedling’s knowledge and skills regarding ecosystems and sampling techniques. The SGD 2 Landscape Ecology activity began with the opening by Dana Abruri (KSAT 2020). The presenter explained about landscape ecology which includes tropical rain forest ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, energy flows, sampling methods, and sampling tools. Then proceed with the division of Seedling into 7 groups in the breakout room. In the breakout room, joint discussions were held accompanied by the Sapling of the Landscape Ecology Scientific Sub-Division in each breakout room, namely Adelia Adriani, Anis Rahmatillah, Dyah Ekawati, Syafa Erista Hidayah, Maximus Jonathan Salim, Zahra Fitri Annisa, and Anggi Nada Khoirul Ummah ( KSAT 2021). The SGD 2 Landscape Ecology KSAT activities in 2023 went smoothly and on time. It is hoped that by holding this activity, knowledge and skills regarding ecosystems and sampling techniques will be increased for the Seedling KSAT.

The Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is holding an Academic Workshop “Academic Rules and ASIIN Preparation” on April 11-12 2023 in the Tropical Biology Auditorium Room, Faculty of Biology UGM. The workshop started at 09.00 WIB and was attended by all lecturers from the Faculty of Biology UGM. This event was held to increase understanding of academic rules and preparation for ASIIN accreditation at the UGM Faculty of Biology.

The Academic Workshop program “Academic Rules and ASIIN Preparation” consisted of two days, with the main agenda on the first day including presentations on SI-MONI, academic rules, and ASIIN visitations. The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM who was then represented by the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. The first material presentation was delivered by Prof. Dr. L. Hartanto Nugroho, M.Agr. which explains about SI-MONI, an instrument for monitoring the learning process. Next, Dr. Prof. .D.Eng. which explains the ASIIN visitation activities which will take place in May 2023.

The first day of the workshop was closed by the direction of the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. He emphasized the importance of the synergy of all elements (lecturers, students, and students) in implementing changes to the academic rules of the university and ASIIN visits so that they can run well.

The second day included presentations related to the IUP program by Ms. Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Eng., presentation on academic guidelines for the Bachelor and Masters Programs by Mr. Sukirno, S.Sc., M.Sc. , Ph. D. and Dr. rer. nat. Andhika Puspito N, S.Si., M.Sc. as well as a presentation regarding PPSMB-Pioner by Dr.rer.nat Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Si., M.Biotech. The Academic Workshop “Academic Rules and ASIIN Preparation” at the Faculty of Biology UGM is expected to increase understanding of academic rules and preparation for ASIIN accreditation

Thursday (30/3/23) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, a handover ceremony was held for the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Biology, for the 2021-2026 period. The position handover which was held online via YouTube and offline in the auditorium was attended by all lecturers, educational staff, and student representatives. The handover ceremony began with the reading of the Rector’s Decree regarding the Vice Dean at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Interim Substitutes for the Period 2021-2026. Next, the signing of the position handover document was carried out from the old official to the New Official. The first signing was carried out by Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Sc., Ph.D., Caretaker Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada as the Old Official and Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, S.Sc., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Interim Substitute for the 2021-2026 Period as the new official. The signing of the handover document was then carried out by Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., Caretaker Vice Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada as a former official and Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Sc., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada Interim Substitute for the 2021-2026 Period as New Official.

Next, the remarks of the Old Officials Representative were delivered by Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Sc., Ph.D and the remarks from the representatives of the New Officials were delivered by Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. The third speech was delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. The Dean on behalf of the Faculty of Biology thanked the Vice Deans for the previous period, who according to him had finished their duty very well.

On Saturday, March 18 2023, a series of Seedling KSAT scientific material activities were carried out, namely Small Group Discussion 1 of Landscape Ecology (Ekoskap) online via a zoom meeting platform. In SGD 1 of this Ecosscape in the form of lectures on the Interaction and Distribution of Organisms delivered by the Landscape Ecology Science Sub-Division. The purpose of holding a Small Group Discussion 1 of this Plant Diversity is to increase Seedling’s knowledge regarding the interaction and distribution of organisms.

The SGD 1 Plant Diversity activity began with the opening by the MC, Putri Fredicia Marzuqoh (KSAT 2021). After the opening, the activity continued with an opening prayer and presentation. The material was delivered by Adelia Adriani (KSAT 2021) and Anis Rahmatillah (KSAT 2021). The presenter explained the basic science related to organisms, interactions between organisms and their environment, distribution and abundance of organisms, and examples of interactions and distribution. After the presentation, it was continued with games through the quizizz platform which was included in the Seedling assessment. After that, the SGD 1 Ecoskap activity was closed with a closing prayer and documentation.

SGD 1 Ecoskap KSAT activities in 2023 went smoothly and on time. It is hoped that by holding this activity it can provide a basic understanding of the interaction and distribution of organisms to Seedling KSAT. In addition, we hope that the KSAT can become more firmly rooted so that it is firmly rooted in penetrating civilization so that it can become a study group that has benefits for the academic community and the wider community.

Based on the results of the Faculty Level Achievement Student Selection (Pilmapres) at Universitas Gadjah Mada which was held on 25-26 February 2023 and taking into account the results of the meeting to determine the winner by the university jury team and the faculty jury team on 6 March 2023, the Director of Student Affairs appointed Adiva Aphrodita (Biology 2020 ) as the winner of the 2023 Faculty-Level Pilmapres at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The Pilmapres was held from 12 – 28 January 2023 as an initial stage of selection, namely registration and collection of committee files. These files include Outstanding Achievements (CU) which contain participant achievements, Creative Idea Papers (GK) for undergraduate category participants with the theme “Sustainable Development Goals” according to the participants’ fields of study, and English Language Certificates (TOEFL/ITP/IELTS/ ACEPT/TOEP/TOEIC). The files were then selected by the UGM Achievement Student Community (Kommapres) in the period 7-9 February 2023. The final pass announcement was made on 22 February 2023 which was then followed by the final stage on 25-26 February 2023. The final stage included interviews for Outstanding Achievements ( CU) and Creative Idea presentations (GK) based on the scripts made by each participant.

Adiva Aphrodita has been known as an active student both in academic and non-academic fields while being a student at the Faculty of Biology from semester 1 to semester 6. Adiva is active as a member and violinist in the Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO) organization, which is one of the Units Activities of students engaged in the field of music. In 2021, Adiva became the committee for the Successful Learning Training for New Students (PPSMB) of the Faculty of Biology as a member of the Materials Division. In addition, Adiva became the representative for the Republic of Cuba in the field of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the Model United Nations organized by Global Millennials and the representative for the Republic of Indonesia at the ASIA Youth Speak-Up Forum organized by the Korean National Committee for UN Habitat. Another achievement was that Adiva won 3rd place in the INHESION (International Health and Nutrition Symposium) International Scientific Essay Competition held by FK-KMK UGM. In January 2022, Adiva became one of the awardees in the Sakura Science Program which is a student exchange program between the Faculty of Biology and Yamagata University. In October 2022, Adiva became the awardee of the Biology Faculty student exchange program to Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) for 1 semester until February 2023. Adiva’s other biggest achievement was that Adiva managed to lead one of the Biology Faculty’s PKM-RE teams and brought the team to the PIMNAS stage in December 2022 took place in Malang, East Java. At the PKM, Adiva and the team raised the topic of stunting prevention through the creation of the Sprouted Snack Bar.

The Special Council of the Biology Student Congress (SI KMB) 2023 is the highest forum which was held in special and urgent circumstances on March 2 2023 and was postponed until March 18 2023. This activity was attended by the BO/BSO chairman and KMFB. Before the Special Council was held, there were meetings, discussions, and questionnaires distributed to input revisions from the active participation of KMFB residents so that they were in accordance with the conditions and needs of KMFB.

The 2023 SI KMB was opened on March 2, 2023 at 18.54 online via Zoom Meeting, containing the opening and remarks from the Head of the 2023 Student Senate, reading of the 2023 SI KMB rules, election of the permanent chairperson, then changes to the AD/ART by all Faculty Student Families Biology, followed by the postponement of the special session for the ratification of the DPM-UF Bill which will later be held on March 18, 2023. The SI KMB 2023 was opened with remarks from the Head of the 2023 Biology Faculty Student Senate, Aqil Muhammad Hafiz followed by reading the rules of conduct by the interim chairperson of the session. In the election of the chairman of the permanent session, Jauza Haura Azzahra was elected as the chairperson of the permanent session 1 and Irenna Sheva Maharani as the chairman of the session 2. There were revisions to the first part and the second part. The first part has been revised in article 19 with paragraph 2 deleted and in the second part there is a submission of paragraph in article 4 and changes to the content in article 20. At the end of the activity, the KMFB Law in the AD/ART section was ratified at the Zoom Meeting on Thursday, 2 March 2023 at 20.53 and it was decided to postpone the hearing for the ratification of the KMFB Law on DPM-UF.

The follow-up Special Council for the Ratification of the DPM-UF Law was held in conjunction with an online workshop between the Biology Faculty Student Executive Board (BEM) and the Biology Faculty Student Senate (SEMA) on March 18 2023.

On Sunday, March 19 2023, the Entomology Study Group (KSE) of the Faculty of Biology UGM held an Entotalk event in the form of lectures on Entomology applications and on this occasion the theme was taken regarding the importance of understanding household insecticides. Apart from that, Skill Upgrading was also carried out which aims to foster motivation and add important information to all members which in this case raises information as well as tips and tricks for studying abroad, especially Japan. This activity was attended by active KSE members and took place in Room 1 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. Participants who took part in this event enthusiastically listened to lectures on household insecticides and sharing sessions on lectures abroad from alumni. The activity which took place from 08.00–11.30 WIB was guided by M. Syahrul Firdaus (KSE XXIV) and Ghea Navali Wihatma (KSE XXIV) with resource persons Suryadi Islami S.Sc., M. Biomed., as an alumnus of KSE XII who is currently working as a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lampung and Atikah Fitria Muharromah, S.Sc., M.Eng., as well as an alumnus of KSE XIV who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

This activity starts at 08.00 WIB which begins with remarks from the KSE chairman and the KSE coach or a representative. The event continued with the Entotalk agenda, which was material presentation by Suryadi Islami S.Si., M. Biomed. with the title “Vector Control: Getting to Know Household Insecticides”. The material presented includes the basic concepts of vector and insecticide relations, vectors in general, and various types of insecticides as vector controllers. After that, the Entotalk agenda ended with a question and answer session and continued with the Upgrading Skills agenda. The next activity was a sharing session with resource person Atikah Fitria Muharromah, S.Si., M.Eng. as a KSE alumni who is studying abroad, especially in Japan. The title of the material presented was “Study Abroad: Chance To Study in Ehime University, JAPAN” which contained activities while studying at Ehime University, Japan, ways of adaptation, to information on scholarships for students who wish to continue their education abroad, especially Japan. This series of events ended with a participant documentation session with the speakers at 11.30 WIB.

On March 4 2023, the Postgraduate Student Society KMP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM held a Postgraduate Student Gathering (TAKSA) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM. The event started at 08.00 WIB, opened by the MCs Wildan Alfian Fahmi, S.Si and Fanny Sukma Sundari, S.Si. The offline remark was given by the chairman of the Biology KMP, Yusril Ihza Farhan Wijaya, S.Si. followed by online remarks by the Head of the Masters Study Program, Dr. ret. Nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Si. M.Si and the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. The event was guided by the moderator, Ina Karlina, S.Si.

The TAKSA activity was continued with a Talk Show, which was started by the first speaker, Mukhlish Jamal Holle, S.Sc., M.Env.Sc conveying the need for compatibility between interests and talents with goals to be achieved and the importance of self-contribution in order to be able to spread benefits to the surrounding life. The talk show was continued by the second speaker, Basith Kuncoro Adji, S.Sc., M.Sc, who conveyed the importance of soft skills to expand opportunities when becoming a job seeker.

The activity continued with a game using Quiziz which totaled 15 questions which were won by three participants. They choose members ranging from seven to eight participants to proceed to the next game round, namely the National Insight Test (TWK). The winner of the entire game round ends with the awarding of prizes. The closing of TAKSA ended with a prayer by Rizal Muhammad Rifa’I, S.Pd and photo documentation.

The Faculty of Biology UGM again held a Public Lecture on Thursday 2 February 2023 which was filled in by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michael Sauer, Dipl. Natw. ETH., Deputy Head of The Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria, with the title “Role of Microorganisms in Bioprocess #2”. The public lecture was held in the Auditorium Room of the Faculty of Biology UGM and was attended by lecturers and students as a continuation of last week’s public lecture with a similar title. In the previous lecture, he encouraged the need for more intensive research on native Indonesian microorganisms as a source of biorefinery-based bioplastics.

On this occasion, Prof. Michael returned to continue delivering material on the topic of bioprocess. Prof. Michael explained about the use of alternative carbon sources as a medium in the production of fine chemicals using microbes. The public lecture by him at the Faculty of Biology ended with the enthusiasm of the students during the question and answer session and closed with the presentation of souvenirs from the Faculty of Biology UGM, represented by Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, M.Sc. The implementation of this public lecture is one of a series of activities from BOKU University’s visit to the UGM Faculty of Biology.

Bimo Rizki Abdusshamad, a 2020 IUP Biology UGM program student, has succeeded in becoming a NIGINTERN 2023 intern at the National Institute of Genetics (NIG)/Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Japan, based on an announcement made on the NIGINTERN official website last March 1. After returning from the USA through the IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Award) program and becoming an exchange student at UC Davis, Bimo’s curiosity about programs and opportunities for international exposure continues to increase. Bimo’s interest in and passion for coffee is very high. He feels that the potential for Indonesian coffee in the industrial world and exports have proven to be enormous. Therefore, he will also study coffee not only in the business field but also in the research sector, namely in the field of plant biotechnology which has a well-known laboratory at the Faculty of Biology UGM where Bimo is currently studying.

In early January, with the recommendation letter from Prof. Dr Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. and Nur Indah Septriani S.Sc., M.Sc., PhD, Bimo persistently enrolled as an intern at NIG (National Institute of Genetics). At the institution, he will undergo the intern program for one and a half months in the Plant Cytogenetics laboratory. The selection rate for this internship acceptance is very tight. Every year, only nine people from all over the world get accepted and will work at NIG. This year, more than 1,000 people, both undergraduate and master programs from many universities around the globe have registered, and Bimo is the only Indonesian chosen in 2023. Bimo will leave for Japan on June 15, 2023, fully funded by NIG company. Bimo thought this was a great opportunity to explore Japan for the first time, and also to meet fellow exchange program friends from Japan while he was attending the IISMA program at the University of California, Davis, USA.