Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, S.Si., M.Sc., lecturer and researcher from the Animal Systematics Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted a training program on Wildlife Identification Techniques for staff members of the Biodiversity Section, Environmental Division of PT Freeport Indonesia from March 17 to 22, 2025.

Staff from the Biodiversity Unit attended the training, which aimed to strengthen their capacity to identify four major terrestrial vertebrate taxa: amphibians, Reptiles, Birds (Aves), and Mammals. The program combined in-class theoretical sessions with hands-on field practices conducted in PT Freeport Indonesia’s operational area.

In addition to taxonomy and morphological identification, the participants were introduced to wildlife sampling techniques, scientific photography, and specimen preservation methods, including wet preservation and basic taxidermy. The training was delivered interactively, with participants showing great enthusiasm during both practical sessions and scientific discussions.

The training reflects the Faculty of Biology UGM’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, particularly in Papua, which is recognized as one of Indonesia’s most biologically rich regions.

This training aimed to equip biodiversity staff with the skills to accurately identify and document wildlife within the working area, which will support evidence-based conservation efforts.

This activity also aligns with Universitas Gadjah Mada’s broader mission to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), which focuses on protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing terrestrial ecosystems, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing human resource capacity in the life sciences.

The training program serves as a collaborative engagement model between academia and industry, advancing sustainable, science-based environmental management.

Yogyakarta, March 20, 2025 – The Entomology Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a training session on the Identification and Rearing of Wood and Bamboo Pest Insects. The training was attended by students, Entomology Laboratory lecturers (Drs. Hari Purwanto, M.P., Ph.D., Dr. Eng. Atikah Fitria Muharromah, S.Si., M.Eng., Aryo Seto Pandu W., S.Si., M.Sc.), and laboratory staff (Rio Tri Rahmawati, S.Si.) as part of the implementation of the KDM and Lit-MBKM Research Grant 2025.

This event featured Drs. Agus Ismanto, a researcher in wood and bamboo pests from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as the main speaker. The session was officially opened by the Head of the Entomology Laboratory and continued with a presentation by Drs. Agus Ismanto. He delivered an in-depth training on rearing techniques and the identification of pest insects that commonly attack wood and bamboo, two crucial commodities in Indonesia’s handicraft industry.

According to Drs. Agus Ismanto, identifying pest insects is a crucial first step in effective pest management. During the training, participants learned various identification techniques using microscopes and other tools such as loops. They were also trained to recognize the physical characteristics of different pest species commonly found in wood and bamboo, including Dynoderus sp., Lyctus sp., and Mynthea sp.. Additionally, the session covered various solutions to combat pest infestations that could degrade the quality of wood and bamboo. These solutions included environmentally friendly methods such as soaking and boiling the wood or bamboo in water.

This training also aimed to strengthen collaboration between academics, researchers, and students in an effort to enhance understanding of the importance of protecting wood and bamboo from pest infestations, which could impact both economic and ecological sectors.

The event is expected to bring significant benefits to all participants while expanding knowledge about the role of insects as pests and the importance of entomological research in improving the quality of wood and bamboo craft commodities in Indonesia.

This training not only provided academic benefits but also contributed to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

Yogyakarta, February 20, 2025 – PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA) continues to strengthen its commitment to driving innovation in Indonesia’s palm oil industry through its Open Innovation program. The socialization of this program was held at the Tropical Biology Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, and was attended by both faculty members and students from the Faculty of Biology UGM. This event also marked the continuation of the collaboration between BGA and the Faculty of Biology UGM, which began last year.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, emphasized the importance of cooperation between academic and industry to enhance the quality of research and innovation. He expressed great appreciation for the opportunity to continue this collaboration, especially since the Dean himself was one of the recipients of BGA’s innovation grant last year.

During the event, Dr. Ade Agung Laksono, Bumitama Academy Department Head at PT BGA, served as the keynote speaker. Under the theme “Integrated Innovation to Advance the Indonesian Palm Oil Industry,” Dr. Ade shared BGA’s commitment to opening opportunities for Indonesian researchers to directly contribute to the development and sustainability of the national palm oil industry. “BGA focuses on the upstream management of palm oil plantations, and through the research grant we offer, we aim to explore the potential of Indonesian researchers in providing practical solutions to the various challenges in the palm oil sector,” said Dr. Ade.

In his presentation, Dr. Ade also highlighted some of the main challenges facing the Indonesian palm oil industry this year, including reduced production capacity due to pest attacks and suboptimal processing of crude palm oil into edible oils. To address these issues, BGA is offering researchers the opportunity to apply their findings directly in the field, utilizing the land provided by BGA.

This year, the BGA research grant program not only invites faculty members but also opens up participation to students from universities across Indonesia. Through this initiative, it is hoped that the research innovations emerging from the Faculty of Biology UGM can further contribute to the advancement of the palm oil industry in Indonesia, while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly for inclusive education (SDG 4) and collaborative innovation (SDG 17). This initiative is expected to strengthen the synergy between education and industry, opening opportunities for more applicable research that can have a direct impact on the agricultural and palm oil plantation sectors in Indonesia.

On Friday, 14th of February 2025 at 1-1.30 PM, Gentalk 1 is 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 first Gentalk of this year, there are 3 speakers, which are Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si., Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si., and Tiara Putria Judith. Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si and Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si. are master students in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2023, while Tiara Putria Judith is a master student in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2024, all 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, Andreas Wibisono, as a part of the Scientific 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. In the speech, Mrs. Ganies express 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 “ Bioinformatics approach in genomic research : Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)” . This presentation contains the history of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) which is a development from the previously known method, Sanger Sequencing. Unlike Sanger sequencing, NGS can detect the whole genome in a shorter time with high-throughput results. One of the applications for NGS is its usage for WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing). This presentation also introduced a website called usegalaxy as a free online platform for genome sequencing analysis. All participants are given a tutorial to access the website and follow instruction to analyse a sequence. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. With the success of the first 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 researches done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. [Author: Formasigen]

On January 31, 2025, a delegation from the Waste Management Task Force of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) met with the newly elected Mayor of Yogyakarta, Dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG (K), to discuss potential collaborations for waste management in the city. The meeting took place in Meeting Room IV F at Sadewa Hospital, where both parties expressed their commitment to addressing the pressing waste management issues facing Yogyakarta.

The delegation from UGM included prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc., the Vice Dean for Finance and Human Resource, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., the Head of the Task Force, and other members including Mr. Suharjita and Mr. Heru. The meeting aimed to explore collaborative efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and improve agricultural productivity through effective waste management strategies.

Mayor Hasto highlighted the alarming statistic that Yogyakarta generates approximately 300 tons of waste daily, necessitating serious management from upstream to downstream. He emphasized the importance of implementing clean technologies and innovative solutions to tackle this issue, which directly impacts food security and the overall health of the local ecosystem.

During the discussion, the Mayor introduced his vision for the “One Village One Sister University” and “One Village One Sister Company” programs. These initiatives aim to empower local communities by fostering partnerships with educational institutions and businesses to create sustainable waste management practices. The collaboration with UGM’s Faculty of Biology is expected to play a crucial role in this endeavor.

The UGM delegation proposed the application of various technological products, including probiotic solutions and organic fertilizers like BIOFERTI, which have been developed to address the challenges posed by organic waste. These products not only help in waste reduction but also enhance soil health and agricultural productivity, contributing to food security in the region.

The meeting also focused on the importance of ecosystem protection and the need for a comprehensive approach to waste management that considers environmental impacts. The UGM team emphasized the significance of educating the community about waste segregation and the benefits of using clean technologies in daily practices.

Both parties agreed on the necessity of conducting further research and pilot projects to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The collaboration aims to create a model for sustainable waste management that can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.

As the meeting concluded, Mayor Hasto expressed his gratitude for the UGM delegation’s commitment to environmental issues and their willingness to collaborate. He reiterated that effective waste management is not just a municipal responsibility but a collective effort that requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including academia, government, and the community.

The partnership between UGM’s Faculty of Biology and the Yogyakarta city government marks a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to environmental sustainability, food security, and community empowerment. The collaboration is expected to yield innovative solutions that will benefit both the city and its residents in the long run.

Yogyakarta, January 31, 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Workshop (Workshop P2MKSA) on Friday, January 31, 2025. The event took place at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM WIB and was attended by all lecturers of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, along with Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM. After the opening ceremony, a group photo session was held to document the event.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., stated that the workshop aims to gather input from lecturers regarding the 2024–2028 Master Plan for Research and Community Service at the Faculty of Biology UGM. This plan will later be submitted to the Faculty Senate for approval. Additionally, in the afternoon session, the P2MKSA team would provide an overview of various research and community service grants offered by the faculty.
“I highly appreciate the role of young lecturers in drafting this Master Plan and other programs. They are the next generation who will lead the Faculty of Biology toward greater progress and innovation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., emphasized that the Master Plan for Research and Community Service is crucial for supporting the faculty’s accreditation process, both for LAMSAMA and other accreditations.
“This Master Plan will be a strategic document that not only guides the faculty’s research and community service but also plays an important role in the accreditation process. With proper planning and the support of all lecturers, we can continuously improve the academic quality and contribution of the Faculty of Biology UGM, both nationally and internationally,” said Prof. Budi.

Discussion on the Master Plan for Research and Community Service

Yogyakarta, 22 January 2025 – Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) together with Western Sydney University (WSU) officially opened the International Summer Course (ISC) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity took place in two locations, at UGM, Yogyakarta on 21-23 January 2025 and continued in Tarakan, Kalimantan on 24 January – 8 February 2025.

The ISC opening event was attended by 16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU staff-lecturers, and UGM lecturers. The opening begins with a report from Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Faculty of Biology UGM, who also acts as Chair of the International Summer Course Organizer. He revealed that this activity was a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU that had been established over the last few years.

In his speech, Prof. John Charles Hunt, WSU lecturer, hopes that this activity can continue and expand collaboration in the research and academic fields in the future. In line with that, Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, expressed her appreciation for this collaboration, and stated that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after collaboration with Monash University and the UGM Vocational School. Prof. Puji also appreciated the focus of the summer course which raised the issue of biodiversity and environmental sustainability as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation in Kalimantan and Papua.

Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono also gave a speech and opened the event. He said that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and nature, and hopes that ISC participants can take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during activities in Yogyakarta. Prof. Budi also emphasized that this ISC is the first in 2025, before the implementation of the regular ISC in July-August.

The event continued with a visit to the Biology Museum, Faculty of Biology UGM, guided by Donan Satria, M.Sc., Lecturer in Animal Systematics, Faculty of Biology. The participants were very enthusiastic in listening to explanations about the history, role and various collections in this museum.

Next, the participants carried out field activities at the Marine Research Station, Faculty of Biology, Porok Beach, Gunung Kidul. This activity includes intertidal sampling and observing biodiversity on the beach. The exploration was guided by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman who focuses on animals and Dr.Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra regarding Macroalgae. Martin Holland, International Summer Course Coordinator from WSU, said that this field trip was a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.

Through this ISC, it is hoped that collaboration between WSU and the Faculty of Biology UGM can become closer, opening up opportunities for further collaboration in the academic and research fields, as well as contributing to achieving Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). This activity is in line with SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which focus on biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and international cooperation.

With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities can continue and strengthen relations between UGM and WSU, as well as support conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally.

Monday, January 23, 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a workshop titled “Master Plan for Research and Community Service of the Faculty of Biology 2024-2028”. The event took place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM WIB at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika, Faculty of Biology UGM.

The Microalgae Study Group, the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully conducted a Bioinformatics Workshop titled “Bioinformatics Approaches to Genomic Research: RNA-Seq and Genome Sequencing”. The workshop was held from December 10 to December 13, 2024, and was attended by 17 participants, including lecturers, students, and professionals.

The workshop’s featured Afif Pranaya Jati, S.P., M.Sc., a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Australia as main speaker. The event aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics techniques for analyzing genomic and transcriptomic data. Participants were introduced to advanced methodologies for RNA-Seq data analysis, genome sequencing, gene mining, and hands-on application of bioinformatics software tools.

The workshop was officially opened on Friday, December 10, 2024, by the Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, UGM. The first day focused on theoretical aspects, including sampling techniques and sequencing quality control (QC), delivered by the primary speaker. Additional sessions included an online lecture by Matin Nuhamuda, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM, on the topic “Genome Mining—From Data to Insight.”

On the second day, participants explored the basics of sequencing and its application to metagenomics. The third day covered an introduction to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and the interpretation of resulting data. On the final day, participants focused on RNA sequencing and data interpretation. Practical sessions utilized data from the NCBI database and real-time data interpretation by participants. Analyses were performed using the Galaxy EU platform, a web-based bioinformatics data analysis tool from Europe that is freely accessible.

The workshop concluded with remarks from Prof. Endang Semiarti and Dr. Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra. Prof. Endang highlighted the workshop’s critical role in enhancing bioinformatics analytical skills, which are increasingly in demand. She expressed hopes for similar activities to be conducted in the future.

This workshop aimed to expand participants’ knowledge of genomic research across diverse fields such as health, agriculture, and biotechnology. The event aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education by fostering excellence in human resource development through education. It also served as an approach to studying the biodiversity of life forms, contributing to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Leipzig, 10 December 2024 – The UGM Faculty of Biology team consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, M. Biotech. carried out a visit to Leipzig University, Germany last Tuesday (10/12). The visit was an effort to strengthen the recognition and collaboration of the Faculty of Biology UGM with various of the world’s best universities.

Leipzig University is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second oldest in Germany. Founded in 1409, this university has successfully produced tens of thousands of alumni spread throughout the world. The Faculty of Biology UGM has collaborated, especially in research, with the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Public Veterinary, Leipzig University. Collaboration with Prof. Uwe Truyen and Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed’s research activities and visiting professor at the Faculty of Biology have been implemented since 2023. This collaboration emphasizes the One Health approach which involves the integration of human, animal and environmental health to answer global challenges such as zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

The visit was welcomed by Prof. Uwe Truyen and Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed and colleagues from Leipzig University. The results of the discussion focused on double degree, international exposure and post-doctoral opportunities. Leipzig opens up double degree opportunities with various faculties for doctoral level, as well as joint research and publications. Another collaboration is international exposure through the International Workshop on One Health Leipzig University in August 2025 and at Badr University, Egypt in November 2025 which is open to undergraduate to doctoral students.

The visit was a step by the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level, especially Leipzig University, Germany. This collaboration is also a commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM to support sustainable development and in accordance with sustainable development targets (SDGs), namely inclusive quality education (SDGs 4) and increased recognition of global partnerships (SDGs 17).