UGM sent its students to attend International Summer Course (ISC) on Advanced Marine Biology which was held from July 7 until 14, 2017 at Nagoya University, Japan.
This year, UGM sent three students, they were Riris Anindya Ghifari and Dewi Permatasari from Faculty of Biology as well as Catur Rudy Atmoko from Faculty of Agriculture. In 2016, UGM sent three students from Faculty of Biology and a student from Faculty of Agriculture. Meanwhile, in 2015, UGM sent five students from Faculty of Biology.
Riris said ISC 2017 was attended by 12 participants from various countries in the world. Besides Indonesia, this event was also attended by students from Malaysia, China, Japan, France, Mexico, Austria, and Singapore.
“Over there, we study fundamental biology including fundamental of animal taxonomy and fertilization process observation,” said Riris on Monday (24/7).
The participants also obtained an opportunity to study the development stage of sea urchin and Ascidian. In addition, they studied molecular phylogenetic analysis, proteomic analysis, as well as genome editing technique. Aside from doing activity in the laboratory, they also explored the sea by taking samples of the marine biota in an intertidal zone in Sugashima island and samples of plankton in the seashore and offshore areas in order to compare the types of planktons in those locations.
“We also obtain an opportunity to visit Toba Aquarium to study marine biota that can be found in Japanese seas,” she added.
On the other hand, Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Budi Setyadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., said ISC 2017 is expected to increase the students’ skills in conducting research on marine biology sector as well as giving international experience and network. Moreover, institutionally, the cooperation between Faculty of Biology UGM and Nagoya University which has been built since 1995 is expected to be strengthened through this event. He also hopes the cooperation can be broadened, not only in student exchange but also collaborative research to develop marine research in Indonesia.