On Sunday, 26 February 2023, at 08.00 –12.40 a.m.,the Grand Launching of Biology Student Executive Board, Universitas Gadjah Mada, was held. The Grand Launching was held offline at the Tropical Biology Auditorium Building, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity was attended by Dr. Fajar Sofyantoro, S.Si., M.Sc. as the BEM Supervisor of the Faculty of Biology UGM and 55 students including representatives from various Faculties at Universitas Gadjah Mada, including BEM KM UGM, LEM FKT UGM, BEM KM FKG UGM, BEM KM FMIPA UGM, BEM KMFA UGM, LM Psychology UGM, BEM KM SV, BEM FKH UGM, BEM FKKMK UGM, BEM KMFT, DEMA Justicia UGM, BEM FTP UGM, BEM Geography, DEMA Fisipol, BEM Animal Husbandry UGM, and LMF Philosophy. Not only that, this activity was also attended by representatives from the Study Group and Organization of the Faculty of Biology UGM consisting of the Student Senate (SEMA), Entomology Study Group (KSE), Garden Architecture Study Group (KSAT), Matalabiogama, Christian Student Fellowship (PMK) , Graduate Student Association (KMP), and Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC).

The 2023 UGM Faculty of Biology BEM Grand Launching activity was guided by the MCs, namely Firchamy Vuqi Aulia and Rima Arvisya Natania Putri. This activity began with an opening and prayer, then continued with singing Indonesia Raya, the Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Faculty of Biology Mars together. The next activity was showing a recap video containing remarks by the Head of the Biology BEM 2022 Asa Synergy Cabinet, Ardan Putra Saleh Hutasuhut, and various activities that had taken place in the previous management year. The activity continued with a series of remarks from Aulia Robiatul Adawiyah as Chief Executive of the 2023 Biology BEM Grand Launching, Fathur Syahrian Ramadhani as Head of the 2023 Biology BEM UGM, and Dr. Fajar Sofyantoro, S.Si., M.Sc.. This activity was continued to the main event, namely the prologue from the Field Coordinator and then continued with presentations from each Head of the Biology BEM Department. The next activity is the presentation of definitions, directions, work matrix, and work programs of each department.

The presentation was opened with an introduction from the Field Coordinator and material delivered by the Head of the Department. Departmental presentation activities were carried out in 5 sessions, the first session starting from the Cabinet Administration Division which oversees the Secretarial Department and the Finance Department. Then the second session was from the Internal Field which oversees the Department of Organizational Development and the Department of Human Resource Development. Then continued the third session, from the Student Potential Development Sector which oversees the Interests and Talents Department, the Scientific Development Department, and the Creative Economy Department. The fourth session is from the External Field which oversees the Public Relations and Networking Department, the Social Community Department, and the Media and Information Department. Then the last session from the Student Movement Division which oversees the Advocacy and Student Welfare Department and the Public Opinion Management Department. The Grand Launching of BEM Biology UGM 2023 also featured several performances from Biotimbre and Syrinx as well as a game hosted by the MC. The Grand Launching activity ended with conveying the message from the forum, documentation and closing from the MC.

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.

2023 Faculty of Biology Outstanding Student Election Socialization event was held with the theme “Get ready, show your greatest achievement” by the Department of Scientific Development, Student Executive Board Faculty of Biology. This socialization was held on Sunday, 22 January 2023 at 10.00-12.00 a.m. This event was attended by around 30 students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event began with a talk show session by Adhelia Intan Sabhira as the 2022 Biology Faculty outstanding student and continued with a talk show session by I Putu Gede Eka Praptika as the UGM 3rd level outstanding student.

The 2023 Faculty of Biology Outstanding Student Selection Socialization event was held with the aim of increasing knowledge about Pilmapres, students’ hard skills and soft skills and increasing student enthusiasm to participate with various experiences that will be shared during the activity. The event was held in 2 forms, a talk show session and a question and answer session. The talk show session discussed the speaker’s experiences and impressions, during and after the Outstanding Student Selection event at both the Faculty and University levels, guidelines for registration of outstanding students, benefits of becoming an outstanding student, tips & tricks for preparing the selection of outstanding students at both the Faculty and University levels, such as how to self-branding, building self-confidence and others. Finally, the event was closed with a question and answer session from the audience to all the speakers present regarding the materials that had been presented as well as other questions regarding the 2023 Pilmapres.

PMW Talk is one of the work programs under the Creative Economy Department of BEM Biology. The PMW Talk was held on Saturday, 21 January 2023. The purpose of this activity is to help introduce the Student Entrepreneurial Week (PMW) program among students, especially Biology students and it is hoped that it will be able to increase the entrepreneurial spirit to be able to take part in PMW activities. This event was chaired by Salfa Athallah.

This year, PMW Talk presented friends from the Yoguruto team consisting of Eva (Biology 2021), Andrea (Biology 2020), and Hanif (Biology 2021). The Yoguruto team is a team from the biology faculty that has successfully passed funding in 2022. Submission of material in the form of the initial idea of ​​forming a team, the definition of PMW, terms and conditions, timeline, benefits, activities in PMW, and funding tips to qualify.After the presentation session, a question and answer session was opened which was answered directly by the Yoguruto team. This event ended at 11.15 a.m. and ended with a documentation session.

Assistance in preparing the 2023 PKM Proposal took place on Monday, 24 January 2023 at 02.00-03.30 p.m. The resource person who attended this event was Novanda Eka Saputra S.Pd., winner of the LPDP scholarship for the 2022 Biology Faculty Masters Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, as well as a participant in the 2018 to 2019 PKM event, and won a bronze medal in the PKM-M presentation category. The event began with an opening from the MC and continued with a presentation session which discussed the technicalities of preparing good and correct PKM proposals, and ended with a question and answer session from the participants to the speakers.

The 2023 PKM Proposal Assistance Program was carried out in the form of a socialization or presentation session filled by the MC and resource persons. This event was attended by around 35 students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The presentation session discussed some important informations and things to be concern when preparing a PKM proposal such as the format and rules for the proposal in accordance with the guidebook (margins, fonts, etc.), as well as choosing the right words, writing an interesting and appropriate title with the given format.

This event was carried out with the aim of providing material, assistance, advice, and matters that need to be considered in preparing PKM proposals for Biology students who are interested in participating in the 2023 PKM event

Porsenigama or Gadjah Mada University Sports and Arts Week is a championship event which is held every year by bringing together all contingents from the Faculties and Schools at UGM to compete in the sports and arts disciplines being contested. This activity aims to foster the character of creativity and sportsmanship in a fair competition among students at Gadjah Mada University. Porsenigama 2022 carries the theme “Abhipraya Ark” which is a manifestation for athletes and artists to start a new journey and achieve hope and strength in togetherness. This year’s Porsenigama will be held offline from 16 October to 27 November 2022 with due observance of planned health protocols. The 2022 Porsenigama has the slogan “Incandescent Warriors of Gadjah Mada, Brilliant Creation Porsenigama”.

In this year’s Porsenigama, the Faculty of Biology participated in 19 branches of competition consisting of 12 sports and 7art branches. The Faculty of Biology participants won prizes in the Pencak Silat and Archery sports as well as in the arts, especially the play script competition. In the Pencak Silat sport, the Women’s Singles Art competition was represented by Tiara Amalia Nur Sabrina from class 2021 who won a silver medal and Kinanti Ayurahmawati Pranatami from class 2019 with a bronze medal. In the same competition, the Women’s Competition A and Women’s Competition B, represented by Ranti Aliffia Nurjannah and Jauza Hanifah Azzahra class 2022 won a bronze medal. Furthermore, from the Men’s Team Archery competition, represented by Romualdus Marcel Prima Chrisandy, Andreas Wibisono, and Rafli Nur Muhammad Fahrezi managed to get a silver medal. The Faculty of Biology also won achievements in the field of art, namely the Play Manuscript represented by Sefiansyah Rizqi Fauzi class of 2021 won a bronze medal.

According to Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari as the Head of the Interest and Talent Department of the Faculty of Biology for the 2021-2022 period, she revealed that all of this year’s Porsenigama activities carried out a more integrated mix system than before. “With more offline competitions, it can increase the enthusiasm of the athletes and students of the Faculty of Biology in supporting the contingent team from Biology. Furthermore, there were lots of medals from competitions that the Biology contingent had never won before. The preparations and struggles of the athletes, officials, and all representatives of the Biology contingent produced sweet and very proud results. We thank and congratulate all representatives of the Biology contingent including athletes, participants, officials, the Double Helix support team, and all students who support and enliven Porsenigama 2022.”

“In the future, we will also continue to try to correct deficiencies related to the preparation and implementation of Porsenigama based on this year’s evaluation in order to maximize achievements in the following year. Therefore, it is hoped that more participation from students and support from the Faculty of Biology, both moral and material support. It is hoped that next year’s Porsenigama will run smoothly and that more and more members of the Faculty of Biology will participate in enlivening this activity both internally and externally.” Said Ocza Aradya and Madhava Wiryana as the Contingent Coordinator of the Faculty of Biology.

All the brilliant achievements that have been obtained should be appreciated and can be used as motivation for all students of the Faculty of Biology in making achievements in sports and arts. However, this does not mean that this achievement will be the end point of a struggle, but can further fuel the spirit of sportsmanship to compete in Porsenigama in the following years.

The PKM 2023 Socialization and Brainstorming event took place on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 09.00-11.30 a.m. The event began with a presentation of material on the PKM important points and exploration of ideas from the lecturer who filled the materials, Ms. Lisna Hidayati, S.Sc, M.Biotech. The event continued with a brainstorming session guided by silver medalist at the PKM-RE PIMNAS 35 presentation, Eri Dwi Suyanti as the MC  with Mandrea Nora as gold medalist in the poster category and silver medalist in the PKM-K & PKM-PM PIMNAS 35 presentation category and Alleluia Maria as the silver medalist in the PKM-PM PIMNAS 35 presentation category. The brainstorming session from the resource person was closed with a question and answer session from the audience to all the resource persons regarding the material that had been presented as well as other questions regarding the 2023 PKM event.

The 2023 PKM Socialization and Brainstorming event was held with the aim of providing an overview, inspiration, and sharing experiences to participants, hence they are motivated to take part in 2023 PKM. The event was held in 2 forms, a socialization or presentation session and a brainstorming session or talk show where participants were involved in interactive discussions. This event was attended by approximately 74 students of the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University. The presentation session discussed a brief introductory description of the PKM, and also a presentation on the activities and flow of the program itself, lastly providing information related to the 2023 PKM. Meanwhile, the brainstorming session discussed briefly about experiences from team formation and brainstorming ideas that could be used in PKM events, dynamics during proposal preparation, PKP2, and narrative review writing, as well as experience at PIMNAS competition.

Students of the UGM Faculty of Biology Masters Study Program conducted a thesis research proposal seminar for Class 2021 Even students on Tuesday, December 27 2022. The activity was carried out in the Auditorium room of the Faculty of Biology as the opening ceremony and will be divided into four rooms when entering the main event. The research proposal seminar was attended by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Head of the Master’s Study Program, Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, M.Sc., and the thesis advisors. The series of events consisted of opening and core activities, namely the presentation of proposals by students. The event was opened at 08.00 by host sisters Fanny Sukma Sundari and Rizal Muhammad Rifa’i from the odd 2022 batch. Furthermore, the activity continued with remarks from the Head of the Biology Masters Study Program, Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, M.Sc. This proposal seminar was taken by 47 students guided by 22 thesis supervisors. From this activity, students can get input from supervisors and other colleagues to support the research to be carried out. Furthermore, students are also expected to be able to take comprehensive exams and thesis trials immediately.

The official opening was carried out by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. Writing a research proposal is one of the crucial stages during the master’s education process. The proposal seminar activity is a follow-up to the proposal writing. The Dean advised students to follow up on the seminar proposal activities immediately by carrying out a comprehensive exam in semester 3. All students are expected to be able to take a comprehensive exam from January to March, provided that they have met the specified requirements, namely TPA and TOEFL. The implementation of the proposal seminar is expected to improve the quality of master’s education at the Faculty of Biology UGM, with input that enhances the research plan and the output provided can be in the form of a publication LoA.

Next, students presented their proposals divided into four rooms, namely in the Tropical Biology Auditorium with Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si as moderator, upper courtroom with Dr. Fajar Sofyantoro, S.Si., M.Sc., lecture hall 6 with Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Si., M.Sc, as moderator and lecture room 7 with Akbar Reza, S.Si., M.Sc as moderator. In general, the purpose of the proposal seminar is to find out how much students understand the research that will be carried out. In addition, inputs and improvements are expected to be received and added to the composition of the proposals that have been written. Each student delivered their presentation for 10 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session. The audience was allowed to ask questions at the end of the discussion. Finally, each supervisor gave conclusions on the urgency of the research and clarified the results of the query and answer session. Activities ended at 12.00 in each room. [Khusnul Qonita Maghfiroh]

Mutiara Wahyu Nirmalasari is undergraduate student in Faculty of Biology year 2020. This semester, she’s experiencing study abroad to Korea University through IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) program. It was unexpected for her to be selected to joining the program, but still she was excited and honored.

“Study abroad does open up your horizon about society and how to improve as a student,” she explained.

Mutiara chose a university in South Korea because she’s already interested in its culture since a long time ago so she didn’t need to face culture shock when study abroad. Besides, Korea University has the reputation as the top 3 university in South Korea, and it offers although in the end she couldn’t enroll in the classes she expected. At Korea University, Mutiara took 4 courses: Intermediate Korean 1, Marketing Management, New Media Cinema, and Media Technology.

Studying courses outside biological topics must be difficult, like the terms and basic insights that used in the courses. But Mutiara enjoyed the courses and adapted well since those are general courses. She makes sure herself read the “required reading” from the professor before classes so she can understand the lectures. She also had high curiosity of the courses she took, like searching the unique marketing campaign for Marketing Management course from YouTube, practicing Korean with ahjussi and ahjumma while groceries shopping, and explore surroundings.

Although Mutiara took courses which are not linear to biology, in fact she met biology related topic in her courses. One of the films discussed in class New Media Cinema entitle Gattaca (1997), about genetic engineering, the ethical value and how the future society face the genetic engineering. Besides, the courses she took can be applied to biological field, such as biological innovation product marketing and integration in biological information on digital media.

After finishing IISMA program, Mutiara will be focusing on graduating since there are some mandatory courses that she still has to take. But if she’s given the opportunity, she wants to continue about biotech abroad while trying to create easy and short content since she learned a lot about media here.

“I’m more than happy to go since I haven’t experienced that through my IISMA journey.” (MWN/AS)

Let’s meet Adhelia Intan Sabhira, undergraduate student in Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada year 2020. In 2022, she had the opportunity to join Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) to Radboud University, the Netherlands. It’s a scholarship program by Indonesia government for college students to study abroad for a semester.

For Adhelia, being selected for the IISMA program still feels like a dream, up until now. She believes that IISMA is fantastic and life-changing as it allows them to not only experience college life and a brand new and international setting, but also does it expand their worldview and networking with people from different cultures. “IISMA program provides us with more than useful benefits to pave our future.”

Studying abroad means get out-of-comfort zone for Adhelia. She hopes that by studying abroad, she become more independent, as well as being able to obtain all the knowledge and experience she couldn’t get in Indonesia and explore deeper into where her true passion lies. Furthermore, she is looking forward to share her own insight on Indonesians culture as well as exchanging perspective on various prompts with people from diverse background.

Adhelia enjoys her time in Radboud University, where she has been able to meet and converse with distinguished experts from different fields. Radboud University has the learning environment that extremely significant in shaping the way of studying, where students being assertive and proactive in conveying their opinions, disagreements, and agreements regarding certain topics in academia which is a pivotal point to strengthen students’ understanding on lessons.

In class, she found new learning and teaching system which is very interactive and objected on the analytical and critical-thinking. Adhelia realized that studying in class is not about reading textbooks, listening to lectures, and doing presentations, but it is also about trying to solve different real-life cases and thinking beyond what the students already know.  She is definitely honing skills of importance for her endeavors in Radboud University.

Why Radboud University?

It is a fun fact that Adhelia has spent her childhood in the Netherlands. She recalls the heartwarming memories until now. The sparked experiencing college life in the Netherlands as one of her dreams. Besides, she has the interest on biomedicine. Radboud University offered medical courses that support her interest in biomedicine among universities around the world. Currently, Adhelia is taking 3 courses: Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Globalising Worlds, and Intercultural Communication.

The reasons behind her selected courses are very inspiring. As a tropical country, Indonesia has high prevalence in infectious diseases hence Adhelia learn it from Global Health and Infectious Diseases which will help her with learning the sufficient knowledge on how to reduce the infectious disease cases. Globalising Worlds also closely associated with real-life situations in Indonesia as it studies issues related to urbanization, livelihood, climate change adaptation and mitigations, waste management, etc. in the Global South. Lastly, Intercultural Communications help her to obtain practical insights regarding how to communicate and connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the proper way (AIS/AS).