In recent years, sequencing technology has become one of the innovative solutions for analyzing genomes. Today, sequencing technology is able to answer various challenges in research related to the biology of humans, plants, animals, pathogens, and the environment. For this reason, in an effort to develop knowledge, innovation and skills in research, on January 28-29 2023 one of the UGM Faculty of Biology lecturers, Dr. dr. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M.Biomed attended a seminar which was held in a hybrid manner, followed by a workshop and a Lab Tour organized by PT Genomic Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI Lab) and took place at the Indonesia Institute for Life Science (iL3) in Jakarta.

The topic of the Webinar was “Multiple PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Research” delivered by Prof. Won-Keun Kim, Ph.D, from the Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Haliyim University. He conveyed the need and importance of research on viruses, related to “Recent Emerging Virus Outbreaks and Infectious Disease”. Genomic surveillance and epidemiological studies continue to be carried out to identify sources and origins of infection, track the spread of pathogens, understand the evolutionary process of emerging viruses, so as to be able to analyze and predict the occurrence of endemics, especially those caused by viruses. On this occasion, various researches related to rodent-borne Paramyxovirus in various countries were presented which infect vertebrates from fish to mammals.

At the workshop, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) was introduced as a sequencing technology that can be used in a variety of genomic applications, such as genome mapping, mutation identification, as well as analysis of genomic variability, from which accurate, real-time genome data can be obtained with processing time. which is faster. Dr.rer.nat. Aril Aditya Parikesit, S.Si., M.Si, presented the use of this technology for pathogen identification, antibiotic resistance, and other studies. He also explained why sequencing is needed and how we plan and carry out nanopore sequencing. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare 4 main things in research with this technology, namely “background intention, sample type, methods, and results analysis”. On this occasion, the 40 workshop participants were divided into 5 groups and carried out sequencing practices. This activity ended with a GSI Lab Lab-Tour at PT Genomic, on Sultan Agung Road, Guntur, Setiabudi Jakarta, which begins with an explanation of various laboratories with their facilities, functions and level of security, and continues with visits to various laboratory rooms along with the latest equipment for sequencing and other services.

In 2023, UGM participated in the 14th Higher Education and Innovation Exhibition or Sulawesi Education and Techno Expo at Sandeq Ballroom Claro Hotel, Makassar City, from Tuesday, 14 February 2023 to Thursday, 16 February 2023. The exhibition was attended by students from all high schools and vocational schools in Makassar City accompanied by teachers, parents and UGM alumni. The enthusiasm of the Makassar city community seems very high to obtain as much information as possible to be able to continue their studies at UGM which includes the admissions pathway for new students, the quota for each study program, and the ratio of the number accepted to the number of applicants for a study program. In addition, some visitors often asked regarding the tuition fees.

On this occasion, the Faculty of Biology UGM, represented by Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, S.Sc., M.Biotech., as the executor of the OIA (office of international affairs) at the Faculty of Biology UGM, actively participates in introducing and promoting the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) to students in the South Sulawesi region, especially in Makassar city. On another occasion, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, explained that IUP Biology is the right choice for students to be able to study at the Faculty of Biology UGM because it has been accredited internationally by ASIIN (European standard accreditation) hence it has advantages over other programs, including the opportunity to take part in a dual degree program where part of the study period will be carried out at partner campuses abroad (Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Japan, and Malaysia), as well as other student mobility opportunities in the form of student exchange, short courses, and internships. He hopes that  this opportunity can help UGM in general, and the Faculty of Biology in particular to introduce the IUP program, hence it can be recognized by the public and provides a great opportunity for the public to be able to gain experience studying abroad even though they are registered as UGM students. Apart from the IUP program, the visitors were also enthusiastic to find out more about the regular undergraduate program, master’s program, and also the doctoral program held at the Faculty of Biology UGM. Abdul also hopes that there will be many students from Sulawesi, especially the city of Makassar and other parts of Eastern Indonesia who will be accepted to study at the Faculty of Biology UGM, both through the IUP program and the regular program, which will later be able to share the knowledge gained on campus. for the progress and development of South Sulawesi and the city of Makassar in particular.

On Friday, 17 February 2023, at 03.30-04.30 p.m, the inauguration of the study group and organization coordinator of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The inauguration was held offline at the Tropical Biology Auditorium Building, Faculty of Biology UGM. The activity was attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Vice Deans, Heads of Study Programs, Heads of Academic and Student Affairs Sections, Student Affairs Coordinators, Lecturers of Study Group and Organization Supervisors, Heads of Study Groups and Organization, as well as several representatives of study groups and organizations coordinator.

This activity was guided by the MC, namely Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara and Firchamy Vuqi Aulia as Young Staff for the Internal Affairs of Biology Student Executive Board UGM. The activity began with an opening by the MC followed by singing Indonesia Raya, the Universitas Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology Mars together. Next is the Reading of the Pledge of Inauguration of study groups and organizations coordinator led by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., which was attended by all Heads of Study Groups and Organizations for the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. After that, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM signed the Pledge with all Heads of Heads of Study Groups and Organizations. The activity was continued with directions from Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. which contains messages and hopes for all study groups and organizations in general for the future. He said that the study groups and organizations in Biology had made a lot of contributions to the faculty. The students who are involved in it as well as the lecturers of the study groups and organizations are people who devote themselves to the interests of the general public. He also said that the faculty would fully support, appreciate, and facilitate the dedication of study groups and organizations that contribute to the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

On Wednesday 8 February 2023, the Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Community Service, and UGM Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., UGM Director of Community Service, Dr. dr. Rustamaji, M.Kes., and Director Secretary of Community Service UGM, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum. The visit began with a discussion on program development in the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology UGM, followed by a tour around the campus of the UGM Faculty of Biology to review the production sites of POC (Liquid Organic Fertilizer) and organic fertilizers produced by the Faculty of Biology.

Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Sc., expressed the importance of community participation around the UGM campus to participate in activities carried out by UGM such as KKN, Research and Community Service. There are 3 very strategic hamlets that are the belt of UGM, namely Sagan hamlet, Blimbingsari hamlet and Terban hamlet. UGM will provide assistance to the community around the UGM campus to be able to supply the needs of UGM and hotels around the UGM campus.

On that occasion, they also discussed the IUP (International Undergraduate Program) program at the Faculty of Biology UGM which has been running and this year there will be the first batch of graduates. The IUP program also provides opportunities for students to take part in KKN activities organized by the university, but in practice there are still some obstacles which yet to be solved, for example the number of credits that must be taken, the time for the KKN to be carried out. Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum., will report and discuss this problem at the university level in order to get the best solution and can be applied to this year’s KKN.

The UGM Faculty of Biology will also play an active role in the management of organic waste generated from the environment around UGM and internally from UGM. The waste will be processed into organic fertilizer and POC which can then be reused by the community around the UGM campus, and can also be sold to earn UGM income.

Indonesia, which is a tropical country, has many types of highly venomous snakes. Research on the diversity of types of reptiles and community service regarding the management of reptiles, especially snakes, have been carried out by many teaching staff or lecturers at the Faculty of Biology UGM. One of lecturers that actively carried out this research is Donan Satria Yudha, M.Sc., from the Animal Systematics Laboratory.

Donan has played an active role in the field of snake wildlife study and management since 2011 until now. Some of Donan’s activity in the study and control of snakes are: assisting the Yogyakarta BKSDA in assessing the diversity of reptiles in conservation areas, assisting the Gianyar Regency Government in inventorying wild animals including snakes, assisting reptile-loving communities by becoming their resource persons and coaches, providing snake handling training to Firefighters Sleman and UGM fires, helping Dr. dr. Tri Maharani, Sp.EM, M.Sc., in identifying venomous snakes that bite humans, providing knowledge and handling of snakes in the PLN substation environment, as well as many other community service activities.

Thanks to Donan’s research and dedication activities related to reptiles, especially snakes, in February 2022, Donan was asked to join the Team for the Study, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, which was initiated by dr. Tri Maharani. This team was formed with various members, starting from emergency doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, health service units, Mr Amir Hamidy a herpetofauna researcher from BRIN and Donan Satria Yudha from Biology UGM.

The Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants Team was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The inauguration of the team was manifested in the form of a letter: “Decree of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, No: HK.01.07/MENKES/1114/2022 concerning the Team for the Assessment, Prevention and Control of Diseases Due to Poisonous Animals and Poisonous Plants, dated 11 April 2022”. In this decree, this team worked for three years from the date stipulated. The Minister of Health’s decree made Donan challenged and ready to help deal with and prevent venomous animals. One of the activities of this team is to produce a guidebook on “Guidelines for Handling Bites, Poisonous Animal Stings and Plant Poisoning” which is currently still in the process of completing the book contents.

Wednesday, 8 February to 9 Thursday 2023 the Faculty of Biology UGM held a Mental Health Literacy Training for students. At 7.45 a.m., the opening of the Mental Health Literacy Training for Students was held in Room 1 & 2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM. This training was attended by 35 participants consisting of representatives of Study Groups and Student Organizations, and also representatives of several batches of bachelor, master, and doctoral program students.

On this occasion the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., was pleased to give a speech and officially open the event. In his remarks Prof. Budi conveyed the importance of holding activities to increase mental health literacy. “Recently at UGM there have been several cases involving student mental health. Let’s make this training an opportunity to improve mental health for ourselves and help those around us.”

All of the participants received material from speakers which was delivered by a team from the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) Faculty of Psychology UGM. The materials presented in the training are:

Day 1:

• Mental Health Stigma and Myths
• Getting Know Mental Health Issues Around Campus (academic burnout, overthinking, procrastination, insecure)
• The Relationship Between Mental Health, Mental Health Problems and Mental Disorders
• Common Mental Disorders and Mental Health Problems

Day 2:

• P3KM (Psychological First Aid and Mental Health) Part 1
• P3KM (Psychological and Mental Health First Aid) Part 2 and Supportive Communication
• Early Detection and Referral Flow
• Develop a Safety Plan
• How to Maintain Positive Mental Health (Personal and Community/System – Prosperous Agencies) and Help Seeking

After 2 days of training, on Thursday 9 February 2023, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. pleased to provide directions and officially close the series of training activities. On this occasion, the Dean introduced students to the facilities owned by the Faculty of Biology UGM. From the Karanggayam research station to the Sawitsari research station. “We are grateful that these 2 days have really benefited. Let us both feel what is happening around us.” At the end of all training sessions, several questions were also given to the participants and a memento was provided for those who could answer the questions.