Issues of climate change, food security, and technological disruption have become global challenges that need to be addressed jointly across countries.
Therefore, cross-disciplinary and international collaboration in the field of cutting-edge interdisciplinary research innovation is expected to be able to address these problems.
This emerged at the UGM Annual Scientific Conference (UASC) 2025, held for two days from Jul. 30-31, 2025, at the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM).
Dr. I Made Andi Arsana, as Chair of UASC 2025, affirmed that this conference serves as an academic dialogue space, covering three major, interconnected themes.
These are biology, agriculture, and advancements in science and technology. The conference features 249 papers from 19 countries, with 13 keynote speakers selected to present their research findings.
“This conference is not just about the quality of research, but also about collaboration and building cross-border networks. This is part of our vision to promote impactful science and technology,” Dr. Arsana said on Wednesday (Jul. 30).
One of the sessions at this conference featured Professor Bradley Ledwig, a researcher from the University of Luxembourg, who discussed advancements in sustainable hydrogen research and collaboration.
According to Professor Ledwig, hydrogen has extraordinary potential for decarbonizing various industrial sectors.
“Hydrogen is like a versatile knife; it can be used everywhere, but not all of its applications make economic sense. We must choose applications that genuinely need hydrogen, not just because it can be used,” the professor explained.
Additionally, in a discussion with Professor Wolfram Brück from the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, he highlighted the great potential of plant-based food waste.
This can be a source of innovative raw materials through a targeted fermentation approach.
He stated that his team successfully developed fermentation technology based on Indonesian tempeh microorganisms to extend shelf life and increase the content of bioactive compounds.
“We don’t just want to save leftover products; we also want to give them added value through food biotechnology innovation,” he revealed.
UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, also hoped that the UASC would not be just treated as an academic event.
Instead, it should be a call to action that presents interdisciplinary dialogue, including collaborative research and innovation.
“Through a conference like UASC, UGM will continue to be committed to developing science that aims to empower communities, the environment, society, and build innovation for the common good,” Dr. Hadmoko added.
Organized by the UGM Directorate of Research, the UASC 2025 is a combination of three discussions.
These are the 11th International Conference on Science and Technology (ICST), the 6th International Conference on Smart and Innovative Agriculture (ICoSIA), and the 6th International Conference on Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering (BioMIC).
Some of the speakers who attended this conference include Professor Shigeki Nakauchi, Professor Abraham Cárdenas Tristán, Dr. Filip Biljecki, Dr. Daniel Mendham, Professor Szilvia Kusza, Dr. Khamarrul Azahari Razak, Professor David J Manton, Professor Waranyoo Phoolcharoen, Dr. Takuji Yamada, Dr. Trung Quang Vo, and Dr. Ronny Martien from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto Adi