The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) plays a central role in the university’s ecosystem education programs, serving as the primary driver of initiatives to study and preserve biodiversity. Through flagship programs, the Faculty of Biology brings together students, researchers, and practitioners to address critical issues in ecosystem conservation. It also spearheads research and community outreach projects, including collaborations with local communities to protect endangered species and restore habitats. With its expertise in both flora and fauna, the faculty is instrumental in fostering interdisciplinary approaches to ecosystem education and sustainability at UGM. Some of the programs are described as follows.
- The Biodiversity Curator Program aims to train professionals in biodiversity conservation and research. This program emphasises the importance of preserving both plant and animal species.
- The 8th National Seminar on Tropical Biology, themed “Biosecurity Innovation and Tropical Biodiversity Conservation.” The seminar provided academics, researchers, and practitioners a platform to discuss innovative biosecurity and biodiversity conservation solutions in tropical regions. The seminar brought together approximately 100 participants representing 21 institutions across Indonesia. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Faculty of Biology at UGM and PT. Rentokil Indonesia. This collaboration aims to foster synergy between academia and industry, particularly in addressing biosecurity and biodiversity conservation in Indonesia.
UGM students participated in releasing 80 turtle hatchlings and planting 150 mangrove seedlings on Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi, to support marine tourism and ecosystem restoration. It is part of the educational program for UGM’s undergraduate students, KKN-PPM UGM (Kuliah Kerja Nyata – Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat). This Community Service program is mandatory for students, integrating academic knowledge with real-world applications to address societal challenges. It emphasises interdisciplinary and sustainable community empowerment.
UGM lecturers assisted in managing coastal ecosystems and empowering communities in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, addressing sustainability and waste issues in coastal areas (UGM Assisting Coastal Ecosystem Management in South Kalimantan).
One of the key collaborators with UGM in education programmes on ecosystems is the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (https://www.orangutan.or.id/). The collaboration supports forest conservation, reforestation, and research efforts aimed at protecting endangered species and their habitats.
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