Yogyakarta, May 8, 2025 – A group of 20 students from Madrasah Aliyah Sayang Ibu in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), accompanied by three teachers, visited the Animal Developmental Structure (SPH) Laboratory at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) for an educational tour.

The visit was warmly welcomed by the Head of the SPH Laboratory, Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S.Si., M.Kes., who gave a presentation on UGM and the Faculty of Biology. The students showed great enthusiasm for the topics discussed, particularly regarding research activities, academic programs, and career prospects in the field of biology.

The session continued with a guided tour of the laboratory facilities, including the animal histology-embryology and animal anatomy sections, led by Sefi Nur Anggaeni, S.Si., a laboratory technician. The students had the opportunity to observe various microscopic specimens and animal organs, providing them with hands-on exposure to the world of science.

This visit reflects the Faculty of Biology UGM’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By opening access to education and fostering collaboration with students from diverse regions, the faculty actively contributes to creating an inclusive and competitive educational ecosystem.

Yogyakarta, May 2025 — The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada is proud to announce that Tiara Putri, a student in the joint degree program between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Universität Greifswald, Germany, has been awarded a scholarship through the highly competitive DAAD-STIBET Programme 2025.

The STIBET Scholarship for Graduation Support and Outstanding Engagement, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst – DAAD), is designed to support outstanding international students studying at universities in Germany. Each year, this scholarship is awarded to only 5 international students who have achieved excellent academic performance. Tiara was selected to receive this scholarship in recognition of her outstanding academic achievements and her commitment to supporting fellow international students.

Tiara is currently conducting research at the Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Universität Greifswald. Her main project focuses on the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and its pathogenicity within living host organisms. The cells used in her research are human choroid plexus endothelial and epithelial cells, aimed at developing a functional in vitro model of the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB). Additionally, Tiara is involved in a second project investigating the co-infection of S. pneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract of children infected with COVID-19, in collaboration with the Eijkman Molecular Biology Research Center, Indonesia.

Beyond her doctoral research at the Universität Greifswald, Tiara is also engaged in social activities that support global sustainable development. One of the ways she gives back is through her involvement with the university’s UNICEF volunteer group, which focuses on promoting and protecting children’s rights. Among their initiatives, they helps collect Pfand—recyclable bottles that can be exchanged for cash in Germany—to raise funds for clean water projects in communities that need it most. It is a simple but powerful effort that directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving access to safe drinking water and better hygiene. For Tiara, contributing to both research and real-world impact is part of her commitment to a more just and sustainable future. Her story reflects the growing role of young people in driving meaningful change across borders.

This achievement highlights the strength of international partnerships fostered by the Faculty of Biology and the important role of dedicated students like Tiara in advancing global scientific cooperation and intercultural understanding.

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.

Suriname, April 2025 — The delegation of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada continued the series of international engagement visits in Suriname by visiting Anton de Kom University (Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname). The delegation consisted of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto as Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources Affairs, and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs.

This visit was received directly by Kartika Doerdjan, M.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Math and Natural Sciences, together with Dr. Irwin Hidalgo (Dean Secretary), and Dr. Irwan Molgo (Head of Biology Program). In the meeting, both parties discussed the initiation of strategic cooperation covering various fields, such as: summer course program, international conference International Conference on Biological Sciences (ICBS), further study for lecturers, visiting professors, joint lectures and research, collaborative publications, training for lecturers and students, development of shared laboratories and facilities, sandwich program, and development of greenhouse and herbarium.

In addition, the delegation also visited the International Academy Suriname (IAS) and was received by the director of IAS, Mrs. Haidy Lie A Ling. The discussion with IAS focused on further study opportunities for students at the Faculty of Biology UGM as well as scholarship opportunities that can be given to prospective international students.

The series of activities in Suriname ended with a dinner with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paramaribo. On this occasion, the delegation of the Faculty of Biology UGM said goodbye to the representatives of the KBRI and expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and support during the activities in Suriname.

This activity also became a real manifestation of the commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 (Quality Education) by increasing access and quality of higher education across countries, and SDG 17 (Partnerships to Achieve the Goals) by strengthening global cooperation in the fields of education, research, and innovation.

Paramaribo, April 15, 2025 – The delegation of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continued the second day of their official visit to Suriname with a number of strategic agendas to expand the international cooperation network and establish friendship with the Javanese diaspora in the country. The delegation was led by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, accompanied by Dr. Slamet Widiyanto (Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources Affairs), and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs).

The agenda of the second day of the visit began with a meeting with Dr. Marciano Dasai, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment of Suriname who is also a UGM alumnus. This meeting discussed the potential for cooperation in sending Surinamese staff for further studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM. In addition, both parties also explored research and development collaboration in various strategic areas such as food security, biodiversity database management, carbon credit, bioprospecting, renewable energy, agriculture, and climate resilience. In the afternoon, the delegation met with Surinamese parliamentarian Evert Legiran Kerto, as well as the management of the Pertjaja Luhur Party, the largest Javanese-based party in Suriname. The discussion focused on opportunities for cooperation in human resource development and technology transfer, as a form of synergy between Indonesian higher education institutions and elements of the Javanese community in Suriname.

The visit continued to Saramakka District, about 50 km from the capital city of Paramaribo, to meet with Javanese community leaders, namely Mr. H. Subari and his family: Mr. David K. Karso and Mrs. Noer Latifah Laily. This meeting was an important event to introduce the Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs of the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as to strengthen relations between UGM and the Javanese diaspora community.

Previously, the delegation was also accompanied by staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Suriname, Mrs. Anissa and Mrs. Risa, during a visit to Mrs. Carla Grossman, Director of the QSI International School of Suriname. This visit aims to promote the International Program (IUP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM to prospective international students.

This visit is part of the Faculty of Biology UGM’s efforts to encourage the internationalization of higher education and strengthen Indonesia’s role in the global arena through cross-country educational and research cooperation, especially with the Indonesian diaspora community.

Through this initiative, it is hoped that the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname can be strengthened, not only in the context of education, but also in the economic, social, and cultural sectors. This initiative also prioritizes the principles of sustainable development which are part of a shared commitment to the SDGs, especially support for inclusive education for all groups (SDG 4 and 10), as well as support for research that contributes to environmental conservation and handling climate change (SDG 13).

Paramaribo, April 14, 2025 – In an effort to expand international networks and strengthen educational relations between countries, the delegation of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc. Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources Affairs, and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, made an official visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Principal Authorized Representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Suriname, Mr. Sadikin, along with staff, namely Mrs. Anisa and Miss Risa. In the productive discussion, several important agendas were discussed, including the promotion of scholarship programs for students, teachers, lecturers and government staff from Suriname to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

Suriname has strong historical ties with Indonesia. More than 135 years ago, the Javanese people first migrated to Suriname as contract workers. Today, their descendants are an important part of the country’s social and political life, although many of them are no longer fluent in Javanese.

Efforts to re-establish cooperation in the fields of education and culture have actually been carried out since the New Order era under the leadership of President Soeharto. Now, this spirit has been renewed by opening up collaboration spaces not only in the fields of education and culture, but also expanded to the economic, industrial, and environmental sectors.

Suriname is also known as a country with zero carbon emissions (zero CO₂ emissions) and as the most forested country in the world. In fact, there is one province whose entire territory is forest so that it does not have its own capital city, and must be represented by the country’s capital. This opens up great potential for cooperation in the fields of biodiversity and conservation as well as climate change, including CO₂ capture which is the main strength of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

On this occasion, the UGM delegation also met with a member of parliament of Javanese descent, Mr. Moertabat Wanica Sidik who is the older brother of the Surinamese Ambassador to Indonesia. He expressed his full support for efforts to increase cooperation that can help prepare Suriname’s human resources, especially the young generation of Indonesian descent, to be able to fill strategic positions in government and other sectors. Currently, there are at least three ministers and several directors who are of Javanese descent and some of them are UGM alumni.

Through this initiative, it is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname, not only in the context of education, but also in the economic, social, and cultural sectors. This initiative also prioritizes the principles of sustainable development which are part of a shared commitment to the SDGs, especially support for inclusive education for all groups (SDG 4 and 10), as well as support for research that contributes to environmental conservation and handling climate change (SDG 13).

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.

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.

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.