The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM), in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), has officially launched the International Summer Course on Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Biodiversity Conservation on Monday, Jun. 30, 2025.
Running until Jul. 26, this summer course reflects UGM’s firm commitment to promoting international collaboration on sustainability issues, particularly in the fields of fisheries and marine biodiversity conservation.
“We want students to gain deeper insights into various issues surrounding marine biodiversity conservation,” said Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice-Dean for Research, Community Service, and Collaboration at Biology UGM, on Thursday, Jul. 3, 2025.
Vice-Dean Suyono mentioned that seven students from UTS joined the program, while the rest of the 50 participants comprise students from Biology UGM and other universities across Indonesia.
Their participation in the summer course is expected to enhance cross-cultural interactions and encourage students to engage in community-based activities.
Dr. Wulan Rahmiati, Coordinator of the Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM (FIB UGM), confirmed that in addition to academic lectures, participants will also engage in contextual learning activities through Indonesian language classes and cultural introduction programs facilitated by INCULS.
“We hope this language training becomes a crucial gateway for fostering meaningful interactions between the participants and the local community,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Megan Murray, representing UTS, expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome from UGM.
She noted that UTS students were very enthusiastic about learning, not only in academic terms but also about Indonesia’s rich social, cultural, and ecological diversity.
“Students can learn so much from Indonesia’s cultural life and biodiversity,” she stated.
Biology UGM Dean, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, emphasized that this year’s summer course serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, international network-building, and cross-national awareness about environmental issues, especially those related to marine and coastal ecosystems.
“The younger generation plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future through education, research, and community engagement,” he concluded.
The 26-day program includes a wide range of activities such as field excursions to Porok Beach, permaculture training at Bumi Langit, educational visits to the Biology Museum, and cultural exploration trips to major historical sites such as Prambanan Temple, Sojiwan Temple, Sonobudoyo Museum, the Yogyakarta Palace, the heritage district of Kotagede, and the Royal Tombs of Imogiri.
Participants will also be involved in UGM’s Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) and attend online lectures delivered by academic experts from various institutions, including Universitas Gadjah Mada, University of Technology Sydney, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chiba University, Leiden University, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universitas Hasanuddin, and others.
Reporter: Biology UGM/Nur Indah Septriani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Biology UGM