Orchid was chosen as their research object because environmental degradation which happens continuously can disrupt its growth. Therefore, cross-sector orchid development needs to be done.
“We also involve West Bali National Park, Botanical Gardens of Purwodadi, Bogor and Cibodas,” he explained.
He added that I-MHERE research project, also involves students. Therefore, the output is not only useful for lecturers. Students can follow it up as thesis material. “Besides a research report, furthermore we should produce a manuscript and a standing banner,” Budi conveyed.
I-MHERE research program lasts between January 25th – February 28th for proposal submission. Furthermore, evaluation involving reviewer experts in orchids will be conducted. Meanwhile, announcement of winners will be made from 28-30 March. The winners will present their research result before compilation by the end of year 2011.
Faculty of Biology UGM is one of three Faculties of UGM which won research grant from Indonesia Managing Higher Education for Relevance and Efficiency (I-MHERE) from Directorate General of Higher Education year 2010. The others are Faculty of Forestry and Agriculture. The I-MHERE grant is for ten lecturers, six of them are lecturers of Faculty of Biology. Each grant amounting 700 million rupiah will be especially for research about orchids (Orchidaceae family).
“Six grants are for lecturers of Faculty of Biology, the rest is for lecturers of Udayana University, Tanjungpura University, Hasanudin University and Lambung Mangkurat University,” said Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M. Agr. Sc, Person in Charge of I-MHERE program project of Faculty of Biology UGM, in socialization of I-MHERE research grant in the Faculty on Tuesday (25/1). The socialization was not only attended by lecturers but also students of graduate and postgraduate programs of Faculty of Biology.
Budi said that to win I-MHERE research grant should pass tight selection process. Five universities which passed the selection are UGM, Bandung Technology Institute, University of Indonesia, Airlangga University and Brawijaya University. Budi said that the development of orchid research of I-MHERE program also involves other universities, such as Udayana University, Tanjungpura University, Lambung Mangkurat University and Hasanudin University.
“Many previous research results of Faculty of Biology were published in international journals, such as Flora of Malaysiana,” said Budi who is famous for his Gama Melon research.
As we know that Indonesia is rich with orchids (Orchidaceae family). The number of orchids is more than 5,000 species all over Indonesia. Unfortunately, many orchids almost become extinct particularly due to illegal logging. Vanda foetida orchid (South Sumatera) is one example of orchids which is almost extinct. This condition became the concerns for researchers of Faculty of Biology UGM. Since year 1976, Faculty of Biology UGM has been seriously conducting orchid cultivation and conservation.