YOGYAKARTA- The number of recipients of research grant of Indonesia Managing Higher Education for Relevance and Efficiency (I-MHERE) program Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada has increased as compared with last year. In 2010, from 16 proposals that were submitted, 6 were funded, this year from 21 proposals, 10 are stated to obtain research funding.
According to the PIC of I-MHERE Project Sub-Activity 2.1.2 Faculty of Biology, Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., from 10 recipients of research grants this time apart from Faculty of Biology, also involve other universities, such as Hasanuddin University, Lambung Mangkurat University, Udayana University, and University of Tanjungpura. "Especially for UGM, there are 2 Faculties, namely Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Biology," Budi said, Tuesday (12/ 4), in the Lower Meeting Room Faculty of Biology in his remarks of research presentation of I-MHERE program.
Budi added that from research grants that were obtained, one of them is prepared as a grant of incubation. This grant is prepared as a unit of business activity that would create a result. He said the involvement of five universities in I-MHERE program is expected to strengthen the cultivation and conservation of orchids in Indonesia and the world which are threatened to extinction. Orchid has become one of the objects of research in the program I-MHERE. "This is as a pilot project to strengthen the cultivation and conservation of orchids in the world," he said.
Meanwhile, Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Retno Peni Sancayaningsih, M.Sc., expected that the study of orchids in the I-MHERE program can produce the study of other species. It is very possible especially with several partner universities. "This is to raise another tropical biodiversity research, especially after inviting other campuses," Peni said.
By cooperating with other universities, it is believed to be able to protect orchids which are widely spread in Indonesia. Through the fund obtained, she hoped it would trigger a follow-up to the research, not just stop at the publications, but also benefits to society. "The principle of conservation is not only to protect, but also to improve the welfare of society. Fortunately, orchids can benefit the industrial world," Peni said.
The presentation was witnessed by several reviewers, including Dr. Irawati, M.Sc. (Bogor Garden), Dr. Didik Widyatmoko, M.Sc. (Head of Cibodas Garden), and Dr. Susiani Purbaningsih (F-MIPA UI).