Tuesday (9/7), the Center for Standard Testing of Forestry Instruments (BBPSIK) held a Forum Discussion Group (FGD) on Gender Roles in Public Services at the BBPSIK Cendana Room Jl. Student Army Hall Km. 15, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Lecturer at the Faculty of Biology, Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Sc., M.Sc. invited as special representatives from Gadjah Mada University together with a student, Delia Sawanda Syarifatullah to provide input regarding public services at BBPSIK. Dwi and several lecturers at UGM have routinely sent students to carry out Practical Work (KP) at BBPSIK in recent years so that they know BBPSIK’s service standards so far.

This FGD presented speakers Aan Eddy Antana, ST, M. Eng. from The Handicraft and Batik Center and Indiah Ratna Dewi, S.Si. from The Center for Standardization and Services for the Leather, Rubber and Plastic Industry (BBSPJI). Henri Supriyanto, S.Hut.T, MAP. present as an internal speaker. A total of 120 offline and online participants attended this FGD. In his speech, the Head of BBPSIK, Dwi Prabowo Yuga Suseno, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D, expressed his hope, “This FGD was held as a basis for implementing public services, to gain understanding between organizers and facility users regarding gender mainstreaming at BBPSIK”.

Aan conveyed the public service standards at The Handicrafts and Batik Center which have taken into account the excellence of men and women in public services. Women excel in the areas of good interaction and empathic value while men excel in problem-solving and systemization and competitive value. In this arena, efforts are made to balance the ratio between men and women in this hall. Similar to Aan’s presentation, Indiah said that there were efforts to achieve a balanced male-to-female ratio in her agency as well as efforts to internalize gender mainstreaming in her center. “Currently we should be proud, the Gender Development Index in Yogyakarta has reached 96.9%,” said Indiah. Henri as a resource person from BBPSIK conveyed BBPSIK’s vision to internalize public services based on gender equality. “We learn from these two agencies and want to hear input from the invitees who are stakeholders, partners, and users of our services,” said Hendri in his presentation.

The speaker’s presentation was followed by an interactive discussion from the audience. Dwi conveyed his experience of sending KP students to BBPSIK and asked about the possibility of sending KP students to the Crafts and Batik Center and BBSPJI. “In 2024, the KP agenda at our faculty will be held between July and August, how will BBPSIK and these two centers anticipate the large number of KP enthusiasts in this institution,” asked Dwi in the forum. Henri, Aan, and Indiah answered in the same way that these three bodies would accept practical work students in their institutions with open arms. Still they needed to consider the registration time, which should be six months before inplementing of the KP. “It will be straightforward  for us to allocate students to each lab if you are willing to send us a letter six months before the implementation of the KP,” Henri expressed his hope. “We will add student supervisors in each of our labs so that the quota can increase every year for KP,” said Aan, providing a solution.

This FGD ended with the signing of the FGD Minutes. Dwi, representing UGM and BBPSIK service user, had the honor of signing the A Post Event Report and was also responsible for overseeing the implementation of gender equality-based public services at BBPSIK.

This activity is a manifestation of the SDGs Healthy and Prosperous Life (SDGs 3), Gender Equality (SDGs 5), Reducing Inequalities (SDGs 10), and Partnerships to Achieve Goals (SDGs 17). (DUS)

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, Class IV from SD Negeri Deresan Yogyakarta had a special opportunity to

explore the world of science through an inspiring visit to the Animal Structure and Development Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology at UGM. This visit aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the scientifi

c concepts they learn in class and to inspire their interest in science. A total of 58 fourth-grade students from SDN Deresan, accompanied by 2 homeroom teachers and 4 accompanying teachers, were welcomed at the Faculty of Biology UGM by the Faculty’s Guest Reception Team and greeted by the Head of the Animal Structure and Development Laboratory, Dr. Ardaning Nuruliani, M. Kes. The children were then divided according to their classes and invited to the Histology & Embryology Section and the Animal Anatomy Section of the Animal Structure and Development Laboratory. All the lecturers of the Animal Structure and Development Laboratory, along with Master’s and Bachelor’s students conducting research there, also welcomed the students.

In the Histology & Embryology Section, students were introduced to microscopes and how to use them. They also observed the diffusion process and colorful microscopic preparations. Meanwhile, in the Animal Anatomy Section, students observed skeletal preparations, internal organs, and several anatomical specimens. The children showed remarkable enthusiasm and deep curiosity while learning in the laboratory. The visit also included a question-and-answer session, where the children were given the opportunity to ask questions about interesting science topics to the Master’s and Bachelor’s students conducting research in the laboratory. Intelligent and creative questions flowed, reflecting the growing interest in science among the young generation.

According to Mr. Paino, A. Ma (IVA Class Teacher) and Mr. Danang Nor Wicaksana, S.Pd. (IVB Class Teacher), this visit is part of the school’s efforts to provide diverse and in-depth learning experiences for their students. The students ended their visit with bright smiles on their faces and a deep sense of inspiration. “I want to be a scientist one day!” ; “I want to study here” and “I want to go to UGM” exclaimed the fourth graders with sparkling eyes. Such hopes may seem distant, but with visits like this, those possibilities feel much closer.

This activity of welcoming elementary school students is part of the Faculty of Biology’s commitment to supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goal no. 4 Quality Education, goal no. 5 Gender Equality, and goal no. 17 Partnership for the Goals. Additionally, this initiative aligns with SDG goal no. 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by fostering early interest in science and technology, and goal no. 10 Reduced Inequalities by providing equal learning opportunities regardless of background.

Friday, July 21^st 2023, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a Workshop on SDGs for Internal Capacity Development: UGM Towards a Sustainable Campus at the Lotus Ballroom, Artotel Suites Bianti, Yogyakarta. The event was attended by representatives from various UGM working units including from Faculty of Biology represented by Mukhlis Jamal Musa Holle, S.Sc., M.Env.Sc., D.Phil. The event began with remarks by the Vice Chancellor for Education and Teaching Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M. Hum., DEA. Prof. Wening explained the importance of the contribution of universities and their academic community in realizing the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) which have been promoted by the United Nations since 2015. Anticipation needs to be done to ensure that life in the future will avoid crises including the food crisis, extreme climate change and so on. UGM in the management of the SDGs is also got 2^nd ranked in Indonesia and will continue to be developed. Prof. Wening also explained the importance of active data collection and publication to media so that activities carried out at UGM can be exposed to the wider community.

Further remarks were given by the Head of Quality and Reputation Assurance of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. L. Hartanto Nugroho. He explained that contributions for SDGs can be made in small ways and small changes can have a big impact. A simple example in terms of segregating waste in a university environment, it must be carried out systematically and massively and involve all components and the academic community at the university.

The workshop continued with a general presentation by Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Apt. and Ir. Sentagi Sesotya Utami, St., M.Sc., Ph.D. They explained that the most important aspects of the 17 SDGs are the environment and human sustainability. University ranking in terms of SDGs is not the main thing to achieve, but the ranking is a form of measurement for achievements or activities that have been carried out. UGM also supports sustainability in university governance from the aspects of ecosystems and the environment as well as human sustainability. This can be seen in the policies and regulations issued by UGM. The principles of sustainability or campus sustainability applied at UGM include energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly transportation. In addition, the achievements of the activities carried out need to be balanced with massive publications so that they can be heard outside the university.

The workshop continued with Forum Group Discussions (FGDs) where participants were divided into 4 categories: Medicines, Agro and Life Science, Social Science, and Art and Humanities. Discussions focused on implementing the SDGs in their respective work units, SWOT analysis, plans for follow-up activities and plans for publication of SDGs achievements. In the discussion, representatives of the Faculty of Biology who included in Agro and Life Science category explained what activities had taken place at the Faculty of Biology and presentation ideas regarding the implementation of SDG No. 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG No. 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Some of the components of the discussion include how programs play a role in overcoming food insecurity for the academic community and the general public, interventions for dealing with food insecurity, publication of sustainability reports, waste management, to how each work unit can represent research or activities carried out at the work unit level as part of the SDGs.

The workshop ended with closing and a reminder of how important everyone’s role is in realizing the SDGs, especially at the university level. It is hoped that this activity can be a trigger for the implementation of the SDGs and better publications at Universitas Gadjah Mada.