Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the 2025 Scheduled Internship activity which took place on 20–22 June 2025 in the Cilacap Payau Forest area, Central Java. This activity was attended by 44 students and 17 lecturers with the main focus on introducing mangrove ecosystems, implementing collaborative research, and developing student skills in the field.

The Cilacap Payau Forest area was chosen because it is a unique transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with an area of ​​around 10 hectares. This mangrove forest plays a crucial role as an ecological buffer zone for the Segara Anakan area and is an ecotourism destination with collaborative management between Perum Perhutani KPH Banyumas Barat and the local Forestry and Plantation Service.

During the three-day activity, students explored the diversity of mangrove flora and fauna, collected vegetation data, surveyed wild epiphytic orchids, studied plant morphological adaptation, and analyzed the diversity of fish, crustaceans, and insects. Other activities include making herbarium, insect collection, sediment and litter sampling, and observation of lichen and honey bees. Students are also trained in the use of practical methods such as fish morphometric analysis and anatomical adaptation of mangrove leaves. In supporting field activities, the committee also provides various facilities, including a basecamp for briefings and rest, three boats that can be used for the sampling process up to the young sea, and local guides who assist in collecting field data.

“This practical work is very important as a means of real learning for students in understanding the complexity of the mangrove ecosystem and developing applicable field research skills. We also hope that this activity can encourage increased awareness of the importance of brackish water ecosystem conservation for environmental balance and the lives of the surrounding community,” said Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., one of the supervising lecturers.

In addition to supporting the process of education and academic research, this activity is also in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of aquatic ecosystem conservation (SDG 14: Life Below Water), terrestrial ecosystem preservation (SDG 15: Life on Land), and strengthening partnerships to achieve global goals (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals). Through active collaboration between UGM academics and local communities, this activity is expected to be able to provide a positive contribution to environmental sustainability and the socio-economic welfare of the local community. With the ongoing activity, the Faculty of Biology UGM is committed to continuing to be at the forefront in encouraging integrative education, useful research, and sustainable community service.

On Wednesday, 28^th of May 2025, Mid Year Evaluation of Formasigen 2025 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This event was held for all Formasigen’s members. This event was attended by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer. Mid Year Evaluation of Formasigen 2025 is aimed to evaluate the cabinet’s ministry program for the first half of the year. This event had 2 main sessions that were presentations about evaluation of programs that have been done in the first half of the year and Q&A from the audience.

Kegiatan diawali dengan presentasi dan evaluasi program kerja ketua dan wakil ketua. Selanjutnya, presentasi dan evaluasi program kerja dilanjutkan oleh Sekretaris, Bendahara, Kepala Divisi PSDM, Kepala Divisi Keilmuan, Kepala Divisi Kerumahtanggaan, Kepala Divisi Media dan Informasi, dan Kepala Divisi Humas dan Jaringan. Seusai presentasi, dilakukan sesi tanya jawab dan kesempatan evaluasi dari anggota yang hadir. Setelah dilakukan presentasi, kegiatan dilanjutkan dokumentasi dan makan siang. Dengan dilaksanakannya Evaluasi Tengah Tahun ini, diharapkan semua program kerja Formasigen Kabinet HomeoGenesis di setengah periode berikutnya dapat berjalan dengan lancar dan evaluasi dari program yang sudah berjalan bisa diterapkan.

The event was started by a presentation and evaluation of programs done by the chairman and vice chairman of Formasigen 2025 cabinet HomeoGenesis. Presentation and evaluation of programs were carried on by programs of each division from each head of division. After each presentation, the audience was given room to discuss and having Q&A session. The next activity was documentation followed by lunch. With the realisation of this event, we hope that all assigned programs can be held without any significant challenge for the remaining half of the year and the evaluations noted can be applied for a better program realisation. This Mid Year Evaluation also helps support the Sustainable Development Goals number 4 and 17 that are quality education and partnerships for the goals.

On Friday, 16th of May 2025 at 1-2.30 PM, Gentalk 6 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In this Gentalk edition, the speakers are Maylisa Andini and Enjang Sekaryati, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. for their undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Muhammad Rafi Fairuza, as the head of the Public Relation Division of HomeoGenesis Cabinet. The next activity is a presentation about “ Detection of Leptin Gene (LEP) and Leptin Receptor (LEPR) Genetic Variation in People with Obesity”. In this session, presenters explain about the cause of obesity, methods used for detecting Leptin gene (LEP) and Leptin receptor (LEPR) variation, genes that regulate appetite, and genes associated with obesity . After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. Through Gentalk, we hoped that this could be a good start to create a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the research done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. This research also hoped to help actualize the 3^rd Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is Good Health and Well-Being. [Author: Formasigen]

On Friday, 21st of March 2025 at 1-2.30 PM, Gentalk 4 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer, also attended this program. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In this Gentalk edition, the speaker is Laura Silka Karawina Rokhmat, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D for her undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Ghefira Nurrahima Tsuraya, as a part of the Public Relation Division of HomeoGenesis Cabinet, followed by an opening speech by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. as the supervisor lecturer of Formasigen. The next activity is a presentation about “Genetic Variation Northern Calling Fiddler Crab, Gelasimus Borealis (Crane, 1975), from Kulon Progo, D.I.Yogyakarta Using 16s rRNA Mitochondrial Gene”. In this session, she shares about identification methods and genetic variation analysis of Northern Calling Fiddler Crab, Gelasimus Borealis, using 16s rRNA mitochondrial gene. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. Through Gentalk, we hoped that this could be a good start to create a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the research done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. This research also hoped to help actualize the 15^th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is Life On Land.

On Friday, 14th of March 2025 at 1-2.30 PM, Gentalk 3 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer, also attended this program. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In the third Gentalk of this year, the speaker is Tan Rendy, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2022 under the supervision of Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. for his undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Winda Lutfiana Hafidz, as a part of the Public Relation Division of HomeoGenesis Cabinet. The next activity is a presentation from Rendy about “ Genetic Transformation of Plants Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens”. In this session, Rendy shares his experience during the IISMA program in the UBC (University of British Columbia) surrounding genetic engineering including methods used in doing genetic transformation for the purpose of plant breeding. In this session, Rendy also talked about various websites to search for gene sequences such as Phytozone and also websites for designing primer such as Primer3Plus. He also shared how to verify the validity of the primer we designed using websites such as NCBI. In NCBI there is a feature called BLAST to check if the designed primer is specific to a certain gene. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. Through Gentalk, we hoped that this could be a good start to create a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the research done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. This research also hoped to help actualize the second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is no hunger.

On Sunday, 9^th of March 2025, Open House Formasigen 2025 was held in the Auditorium of Tropical Biology, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This event was held for all Formasigen’s members, study group and organisation delegates, and all faculty of biology’s students. This event was attended by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer. Open House Formasigen 2025 is aimed to introduce the cabinet’s ministry and program for the following year to all related student organisations, especially organisation of Faculty of Biology UGM. Beside that, this event also used to open a discussion forum and partnership opportunity with external organisation. This event had 2 main session that are program socialisation of HomeoGenesis cabinet and talkshow from alumni.

The event was started by socialisation of this cabinet’s fundamental work approach by the chairman and vice chairman of Formasigen 2025 cabinet HomeoGenesis. The program socialisation carried on by program of each division from each head of division. After each presentation, the audience was given room to discuss and having QnA session. The next activity was a little ice breaking session followed by talkshow from Formasigen’s alumni. The main topic of the talkshow was the century of biology from Adib Fakhruddin Yusuf, S.Si., M.Sc. as the speaker. After that, the speaker was given souvenir from Formasigen’s current chairman followed by documentation. All guest that attend Open House were also asked to give their feedback and hopes for Formasigen 2025. With the realisation of this event, we hoped that all assigned program can be held without any significant challenge and the relation of Formasigen and external party can be better and can lead to more opportunity.

Yogyakarta, March 12, 2025 – Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again held a Sharing Session event regarding the Double Degree program with the University of Leeds, UK. This event was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 and aimed to provide students with a deeper understanding of international study opportunities through the Double Degree program.

This event was hosted by the Coordinator of the International Undergraduate Program, Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, S.Si., M.S., Ph.D., who explained various aspects of the Double Degree program and the benefits that can be obtained by UGM students who participate in the program. On this occasion, a representative from the University of Leeds, Premila Kanaphaty, was also present to provide further information regarding the Leeds campus, available facilities, and registration procedures for participating in the Double Degree program.

“This Double Degree Program is part of the collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Leeds, which allows students to obtain degrees from two leading international universities,” said Dr. Tyas in his speech.

Premila Kanaphaty also gave an interesting presentation about campus life in Leeds, as well as various facilities that support students’ success in pursuing their education. In addition, she also explained the registration procedure and requirements to be able to participate in the Double Degree program.

Since this collaboration began, the Faculty of Biology UGM has sent seven students to participate in the Double Degree program at the University of Leeds, who are currently continuing their studies there. The enthusiasm of UGM students for this program is very high, as evidenced by the large number of participants who attended and actively asked questions during the sharing session.

This Double Degree Program provides a golden opportunity for students to broaden their horizons and develop their academic abilities in an international environment, while opening up wider career opportunities in the future.[aulia]

On Friday, 28th of February 2025 at 1-1.30 PM, Gentalk 2 was held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer, also attended this program. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In the second Gentalk of this year, there are 3 speakers, which are Muhammad Ariq Alfito, Muhammad Sena Budiman, Muhammad Fatih. All of them are Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. for their undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Aliyah Syahidah, as a part of the Public Relation of HomeoGenesis Cabinet, followed by an opening speech by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. as the supervisor lecturer of Formasigen. In the speech, Mrs. Ganies expressed her hope for this program to be held more consistently and better so that this program can be a vessel for knowledge sharing and discussion for all Faculty of Biology’s students. The next activity is a presentation from all three speakers about “ Phylogenetics of Strawberry”. This presentation contains the history and uniqueness of strawberries that have gone through several evolution processes before being the usual fruit that we eat. Presenters also give insight about the importance of learning about phylogenetics and all the important components of the phylogenetic tree. Another thing being shared is all the steps to produce a good visualisation and interpretation of a phylogenetic tree. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. With the success of the second Gentalk of this year, we hoped that this could be a good start to be a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the research done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. This research also hoped to help actualized the second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is no hunger.

On Saturday and Sunday, 22^nd to 23^rd of February 2025, had been held Grand Launching x Makrab at Sokkyo Ramen & Homestay. This event was held for all Formasigen’s members. This event was attended by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer and Mr. Indra Lesmana, S.Si., M.Sc. as one of the lecturer from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding Faculty of Biology UGM. Grand Launching x Makrab is aimed to introduce the cabinet’s ministry and program for the following year while also bringing the team closer. This event consisted of 4 main events that included a sharing session with the lecturers from Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding Faculty of Biology UGM, pre-seminar class, cabinet meeting, and other bonding activities.

The event was started by sharing session with Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer and Mr. Indra Lesmana, S.Si., M.Sc. as one of the lecturer from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding Faculty of Biology UGM about Formasigen’s history and their Formasigen experience. The next activity was pre-seminar class with Thoriq Abdul Halim, Biology UGM student batch 21, as the presenter. Pre-seminar class is a session where a senior student presents tips and tricks about preparing and presenting proposal for undergraduate thesis to the new Formasigen members. After pre-seminar class, the next activity was a cabinet meeting where Denianto Agung Wicaksono, as the Chairman of Formasigen 2025, presented all programs plan for the following year to all Formasigen members. After Grand Launching x Makrab was held this year, we hoped that all Formasigen 2025 members could get to know each other better and be closer personally. It’s also hoped that all members can understand the history of Formasigen and the plan for the following year better after this sharing session. Pre-seminar class is also hoped to prepare all members for their undergraduate thesis proposal so that they can be more prepared and produce a better result.