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UGM Academic Shares Ecological Restoration Practices and Learning Module Adaptations in International “Live From The Field” Class

News Release Friday, 9 May 2025

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.

Tiara Putri, UGM Double Degree Doctoral Student of the Faculty of Biology, Awarded Prestigious DAAD-STIBET Scholarship

News Release Friday, 9 May 2025

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.

Gentalk 5: Genetic Variation of Tadpole Using Mitochondrial Gene

Student Activities Tuesday, 6 May 2025

On Friday, 25th of April 2025 at 1-2 PM, Gentalk 5 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 speakers are Jessica Desviana and Naely Muna Camelia, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D for their undergraduate thesis.


This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Kotimah, 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 of Tadpole Using 16s rRNA Mitochondrial Gene”. In this session, she shares about identification methods and genetic variation analysis of several frogs and toads’ tadpole 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 15th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is Life On Land.
[Author: Formasigen]

The Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding in Collaboration with FORMASIGEN, Faculty of Biology UGM, Hosts the 1st National Mini Workshop on “Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree”

News Release Tuesday, 6 May 2025

On Sunday, April 26, 2025, from 09.00 to 12.00 WIB, the 1st National Mini Workshop themed “Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree” was successfully held online and open to the public. The event was attended by Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Genetics and Plant Breeding Laboratory and academic advisor of FORMASIGEN. This workshop served as a platform to share knowledge on genetics and provided practical training on various methods for constructing phylogenetic trees. The session featured speakers Muhammad Fatih, S.Si., Muhammad Ariq Alfito, S.Si., and Muhammad Sena Budiman, S.Si., all of whom are recent graduates of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Class of 2021, with total 11 participants.

The event began with an opening by the MC, Husna ‘Ainun Rahmawati, followed by welcoming remarks from the Head of the Laboratory and FORMASIGEN Advisor, as well as from the Workshop Coordinator, Muhammad Syahrul Firdaus. The workshop included presentations and demonstrations on the use of software tools for phylogenetic tree construction. Specifically, the trees were built using the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. Participants also engaged in a hands-on session, where they practiced constructing phylogenetic trees under the direct guidance of the speakers. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session with the audience. This Mini Workshop was organized in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As the first Mini Workshop held this year, it is hoped to mark a positive beginning, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations among genetics researchers.

The Role of Higher Education in Indonesia in Education for Sustainable Development: Presentation by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono in a Webinar Hosted by Monash University

CooperationNews Release Monday, 5 May 2025

Yogyakarta, May 2, 2025 — Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, a lecturer and researcher from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated as a speaker in the Regional Research Catalyst Webinar of 2025 Webinar #4 themed “Sustainable Development and Education”, organized by the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia. The webinar was held virtually on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and was moderated by Eisuke Saito from Monash University.


In the webinar, Dr. Eko presented a talk entitled “The Environment, Sustainability, and Universities in Indonesia: An Examination of the Nexus”, which is part of a book chapter co-authored with Ko Nomura of Nagoya University, Japan. In addition to Dr. Eko, Professor Alex Lechner, an expert in urban design from Monash University Indonesia, also contributed perspectives to the discussion on the interconnection between education and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Indonesia.

Dr. Eko’s presentation highlighted the historical dynamics and challenges of environmental education and sustainable development in Indonesia. He explained that such programs have existed since the 1970s, and even earlier through the scout movement. Universitas Gadjah Mada was a pioneer in sustainable development programs through a collaborative approach involving faculty, students, and local communities—namely, the Community Service Program (KKN) that began in 1951 as the Student Deployment Program (PTM) to assist the government in providing educators outside Java. This program continues today, having evolved from a development-centered approach to one focused on empowerment, and is now known as KKN-PPM (Community Empowerment Learning-Based Community Service Program).

Furthermore, Dr. Eko emphasized the crucial role of higher education institutions in structurally integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions. He also noted that strategic funding and institutional support are essential to strengthening the bridge between education, research, and community service in concrete actions addressing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) issues.

The topic presented by Dr. Eko reflects a strong commitment to the global goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education (SDG 4), developing sustainable communities (SDG 11), taking climate action (SDG 13), and fostering cross-sector and institutional collaboration (SDG 17). By reinforcing the role of universities as agents of change, his presentation affirms Indonesia’s important contribution to the success of the global sustainable development agenda through the integration of science, policy, and community empowerment.

Exploring Biodiversity Management at PT Freeport Indonesia: A Guest Lecture with an Alumnus of UGM Faculty of Biology

News Release Tuesday, 29 April 2025

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).

Sharpening Animal Microtechnique Skills: Faculty of Biology UGM Holds Intensive Training for Students

News Release Friday, 25 April 2025

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.

PKKH UGM Attains Accreditation Status from BAN-PT: A Manifestation of Commitment to Becoming an Excellent and Internationally Standardized Professional Program

News Release Monday, 21 April 2025

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.

Faculty of Biology UGM Genomics Researcher Participates in Global Genomic Research Sharing in Da Nang, Vietnam

News Release Saturday, 19 April 2025

Prof. Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., a genomics researcher from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, together with the Satria Budi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), and  genomics researchers from IPB University, Universitas Mataram, and Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati (UGJ), participated in an event organized by Pacific Biosciences held on April 14–16, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Da Nang, Vietnam. Participation in PrIMS 2025 is not only about sharing research findings, but also about learning from the global scientific community and establishing international partnerships to accelerate the adoption of genomic sequencing technologies in Indonesia in response to increasingly complex research challenges.


PacBio PrIMS 2025 brought together experts, scientists, and professionals in the field of genome sequencing from various countries across the Asia-Pacific region, covering key topics such as Plant, Animal & Microbial Genomics, Human Genomics, Iso-Seq & Single Cell Iso-Seq, Bioinformatics, and Emerging Applications & Technologies. Participation in PrIMS 2025 is part of a continuous effort to foster global collaboration and strengthen national genomics research capacity, which is vital for accelerating the use of next-generation sequencing technologies to address major challenges in public health and environmental sciences. This forum also provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration between Indonesian researchers and international partners in developing laboratory infrastructure, technology transfer, and cross-border scientific training. With a spirit of collaboration, Indonesia’s participation is expected to serve as a bridge toward strengthening an inclusive and globally competitive genomics research ecosystem.

Faculty of Biology Initiates Academic Collaboration with Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname and International Schools in Suriname

CooperationNews Release Friday, 18 April 2025

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.