As an attempt to improve and support women farmers group’s entrepreneurial independence in outdoor plants cultivation and utilization, a PKM-MBKM socialization has been conducted in partnership with Amanda Women Farmers Group, located at Padukuhan Kepuh Wetan, Kalurahan Wirokerten, Kapanewon Banguntapan, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The activity began with an introduction of the PKM-MBKM UGM Team, led by Prof. Diah Rachmawati, S.Si., M.Si., accompanied by students from the Faculty of Biology of Universitas Gadjah Mada class of 2022: Jovanka, Samantha Sonya Putri, Dhea Amelia, and Khansa Fauziah Rachman. During the socialization, a presentation was given regarding outdoor plants, focusing on the bioactive compounds and benefits of garden plants such as rosella, butterfly pea, lemongrass, and ginger.

These plants can be utilized to produce various products including tea, natural dyes, dried noodles, and soap. In addition, a brief explanation on how to cultivate the four plants was provided, allowing participants to apply and further develop the cultivation methods in the next session. This socialization of outdoor plants innovation to marketable products aimed to encourage product innovation, enhance the utilization of local natural resources, and strengthen the entrepreneurial independence of the Amanda Women Farmers Group. The participants were highly interested and partook in the discussion. They proposed to add outdoor plants such as aromatic ginger and suggested product innovations, namely herbal brews, natural rice dyes, and colored soaps. In the next activity, the benefits of the compounds contained in each outdoor plant will be explained. These activities support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3—ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being—by utilizing outdoor plants that can be transformed into value-added products with health benefits. They also align with Goal 17— strengthening partnerships —through the sustainable collaboration between the PKM-MBKM Team from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and their community partner, Amanda Women Farmers Group.

Yogyakarta, May 15, 2025 – Akbar Reza, a lecturer from the Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was invited as a speaker in the international discussion session “Live from the Field: Restoring Tropical Forests”. The event was organized by the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) in collaboration with the OCELOTS (Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems) network, the Center for Environmental Inquiry at Sonoma State University, and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This session brought together researchers and academics in the field of ecology from various countries including Costa Rica, Hawai’i, Ecuador, and Indonesia to share practices, challenges, and innovative approaches to tropical forest ecosystem restoration through interactive video presentations. The event is part of The Virtual Field, an international initiative developed during the pandemic to provide virtual field experiences for biology students around the world.

Attended by nearly 80 students from universities across tropical countries, Akbar presented the implementation of an online learning module on ecosystem restoration that he has integrated into undergraduate ecology courses at UGM. This effort is supported by a grant from the NSF through the OCELOTS Faculty Mentoring Network program. The module aims to enhance context-based learning focused on tropical ecosystems through open and collaborative online methods.

The discussion also featured Dr. Becky Ostertag from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, who spoke about functional trait-based restoration approaches, and Dr. Rakan A. Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Research Station, who highlighted the effectiveness of tree cluster planting as a forest recovery strategy.

The session was moderated by Brittany Cavazos, Assistant Professor of Biology at Stonehill College, Massachusetts, and Miriam San José, a researcher at the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was streamed live from Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica and the UGM Biological Forest in Indonesia.

“From this event, I learned that tropical forest restoration is not just about ecological techniques, but also about social engagement, education, and cross-regional knowledge sharing,” said Akbar. “The opportunity to compare Indonesia’s restoration context with those of Hawai’i and Costa Rica has provided new and valuable perspectives for both myself and my students.”

The “Live from the Field” program not only offers a global learning experience for students but also provides teaching guides, pre-session reading materials, and session recordings that can be used asynchronously by lecturers and educators around the world. More information is available at thevirtualfield.org and ocelots.nrem.iastate.edu.

Yogyakarta, 28 April 2025 — The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), hosted a guest lecture titled “Managing Biodiversity at PT Freeport Indonesia”, featuring speaker Kukuh Indra Kusuma, S.Si., from the Biodiversity Section, Environmental Division of PT Freeport Indonesia. Kukuh, a 2006 graduate of the Faculty of Biology UGM, is currently active in environmental management at one of Indonesia’s largest mining companies.

Held at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, the event was attended by students, lecturers, and members of the Faculty of Biology UGM academic community. Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs, officially opened the lecture. In his remarks, Dr. Eko expressed appreciation for Mr. Kukuh’s return and emphasized the importance of such moments in inspiring students and alumni to explore career opportunities in the mining sector.

Moderated by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, the session began with an introduction to Mr. Kukuh’s active involvement during his student years and his achievements in various international research competitions.

In his presentation, Mr. Kukuh outlined the history and operational scope of PT Freeport Indonesia, which spans across Grasberg, Underground Mine, Tembagapura, to Amamapare Port. He highlighted the environmental management challenges posed by such an extensive and complex mining area, as well as the various initiatives undertaken by the company to safeguard biodiversity.

A range of environmental rehabilitation and conservation programs have been implemented, including land reclamation and revegetation using native species such as matoa and angsana, tailings (SIRSAT) management, and mangrove restoration efforts targeting up to 500 hectares of replanting annually. PT Freeport has also developed integrated post-mining research facilities such as cattle farming, agricultural land, hydroponics, aquaculture, and integrated farming systems.

In terms of biodiversity conservation, the company conducts species monitoring, ecosystem succession assessments, and has established conservation facilities such as botanical gardens and ecosystem dioramas. These initiatives are carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) through the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

The lecture concluded with an interactive discussion session that was met with great enthusiasm from the students. The event is expected to serve as a catalyst for innovation and academic engagement in ecosystem conservation research (SDG 4 and 15), while also promoting cross-sectoral collaboration toward sustainable development (SDG 17).

The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Animal Developmental Structure Laboratory (SPH), successfully held its first batch of animal microtechnique training on April 22–24, 2025. The training was attended by five participants, comprising three doctoral students and two undergraduate students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM.

Head of the SPH Laboratory, Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S.Si., M.Kes., emphasized the importance of this training as a platform to strengthen laboratory skills and foster cross-level academic knowledge sharing.

“This training represents a concrete contribution from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, in equipping students with applicable and relevant microtechnique skills for biological research. Insyaa Allah, we plan to organize this training in 2 to 3 batches each year,” said Dr. Ardaning.

The training included both theoretical sessions and hands-on practicals, focusing on the preparation of histological slides using the paraffin method—one of the fundamental techniques in microtechnique. Participants were guided by a teaching team consisting of seven lecturers and two laboratory technicians from the SPH Laboratory. All participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm, actively engaged in discussions, and showed great interest in each session.

Beyond serving as a competency-enhancing activity, this training also contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 on quality education. Through this initiative, the Faculty of Biology UGM hopes to continuously support the advancement of education quality, particularly in mastering specific technical skills in the field of biology.

Moreover, this microtechnique training is expected to become an inspiring example for other educational institutions in developing practice- and research-based learning, in pursuit of producing excellent and globally competitive graduates.

Yogyakarta, 21 April 2025, The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is pleased to announce that the Professional Study Program of Biodiversity Curator (Program Studi Profesi Kurator Keanekaragaman Hayati, PKKH) has been officially granted Accreditation status by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) with BAN-PT Decree’s No. 6161/SK/BAN-PT/Ak.P/PP/III/2025 and last for 5 years. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of PKKH, which stands as the first professional program of Biodiversity Curator in Asia and the second globally to focus specifically on the education and preparation of highly competent and professional Biodiversity Curators.

The conferment of this accreditation represents formal recognition of PKKH’s dedication and preparedness in delivering high-quality professional education. It also reflects the program’s commitment to its vision of developing Biodiversity Curators who embody the principles of Pancasila and demonstrate excellence, self-assurance, professionalism, cultural rootedness, creativity, innovation, and a strong capacity for collaboration in national and international.

Through an adaptive and integrated curriculum aligned with the evolving demands of the professional landscape, as well as strategic collaborations with partner institutions nationaly and internationally, PKKH continues to enhance the quality of its academic implementation. The program places a strong emphasis on integrity, competence, and leadership in the conservation and management of biodiversity.

This accomplishment reinforces PKKH’s optimism in advancing as a reference professional program in biodiversity curation, while also promoting the spirit of Pancasila and the cultural values of Indonesia on the global stage. Moreover, this achievement aligns with UGM’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education. By ensuring the delivery of high-standard professional education in biodiversity curation, PKKH contributes to the development of inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning opportunities. Furthermore, through its focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management, the program also supports SDGs No 14 on Life Bellow Water and SDGs No 15 on Life on Land, reinforcing the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

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, 20 February 2025 , PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing innovation within Indonesia’s palm oil sector through the implementation of its 2025 Open Innovation Program. The program was formally introduced during a socialization event held at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and was attended by faculty members and students.

This activity also marked the continuation of collaboration between PT BGA and the Faculty of Biology UGM in the previous year. In his opening address, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., underscored the strategic importance of partnerships between academia and industry in enhancing the relevance and quality of research and innovation. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen this partnership, noting that he was a recipient of the BGA Innovation Grant in the previous cycle.

Dr. Ade Agung Laksono, Head of the Bumitama Academy Department at PT BGA, delivered the keynote presentation titled “Integrated Innovation for Advancing the Indonesian Palm Oil Industry.” In his presentation, Dr. Ade reaffirmed BGA’s dedication to facilitating broader participation by Indonesian researchers in addressing practical challenges within the national palm oil industry.

“BGA operates primarily in upstream plantation management. Through this research grant initiative, we seek to explore the potential of Indonesian researchers in delivering applied solutions to key issues in the palm oil sector,” Dr. Ade stated.
Among the critical challenges highlighted were the decline in production capacity due to pest outbreaks and inefficiencies in the processing of crude palm oil into refined products. To address these issues, BGA is offering researchers access to plantation land, thereby providing an opportunity to apply their research’s findings.

In addition to faculty researchers, the 2025 Open Innovation Program is also open to university students across Indonesia. This initiative is expected to further promote research-based innovation originating from academic institutions such as the Faculty of Biology UGM, contributing meaningfully to the development of the national palm oil industry. Furthermore, it aligns with key objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs No. 4 on Quality Education and SDGs No.17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

Through this initiative, PT BGA aspires to strengthen the integration between higher education institutions and industry, while fostering impactful and solution-oriented research in the fields of agriculture and plantation science in Indonesia.

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.

Bantul, Indonesia – February 19, 2025 – In a proactive public health initiative, students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) collaborated with the Bantul District Health Office and the Yogyakarta Public Health Laboratory Center (BBLABKESMAS) to conduct rodent surveillance in Beran Hamlet, Canden Village, Jetis Subdistrict, Bantul Regency. This joint effort was initiated following confirmed human cases of leptospirosis and hantavirus in the area, with the infections suspected to have also affected other family and community members.

The surveillance began on Tuesday, February 18, with the placement of 50 single-live rat traps. As a result, nine traps captured rats (Rattus spp.) and two traps captured Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus), both considered potential reservoirs of disease.

The student research team comprised Dita Dwi Putri, Zahwa Khoirun Nisa, Dhiyaa Sekar Hanum, Shaila Revita Zahra, and Trissa Amalia Putri and Rizky Nur Endah Sari. Their participation is part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Research Program, supervised by Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, B.Sc., DAP&E, M.Biomed.

Moving forward, molecular analysis will be conducted on the captured specimens to detect the presence of Leptospira bacteria and hantavirus, providing crucial data to inform future public health responses. This initiative reinforces the Faculty of Biology UGM’s dedication to community welfare and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDGs No 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDGs No 4: Quality Education, SDGs No 15: Life on Land, and SDGs No 17: Partnerships for the Goals.