The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM), in collaboration with Western Sydney University (WSU), officially opened the International Summer Course (ISC) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Biology UGM.
This event takes place in two locations: at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from Jan. 21-23, 2025, and continues in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, 2025.
16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU lecturers, and several UGM Biology lecturers attended the ISC opening.
The event began with a report by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of Biology UGM, who also serves as the Chairperson of the International Summer Course.
“This activity is a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU, which has been established over the past few years,” said Dr. Suyono on Thursday (Jan. 30).
Professor John Charles Hunt, a representative from WSU, expressed hope that this event would continue and expand collaboration in research and academia.
A similar sentiment was shared by Professor Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, who expressed appreciation for this collaboration, mentioning that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after the partnership with Monash University and UGM Vocational College (SV UGM).
“I believe the focus of this summer course on biodiversity and environmental sustainability, as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation efforts in Kalimantan and Papua, is highly relevant,” she said.
The Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, noted that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and natural resources and hoped that ISC participants would take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during their time there.
The summer course participants visited the UGM Biology Museum, guided by Donan Satria, a lecturer in Animal Systematics at Biology UGM. They were enthusiastic about learning about the museum’s history, role, and collections.
The participants then engaged in field activities at the Marine Research Station of Biology UGM on Porok Beach, Gunungkidul.
These activities included intertidal sampling and biodiversity observation at the beach, led by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, who focused on animals, and Dr. Thoriq Teja Samudra, who focused on macroalgae.
Martin Holland, WSU’s International Summer Course Coordinator, mentioned that this field trip served as a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.
Professor Daryono stated that this ISC could strengthen the collaboration between WSU and Biology UGM, opening up opportunities for further cooperation in academics and research while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
“With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities will continue and further strengthen the relationship between UGM and WSU, supporting conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally,” he concluded.
Report by: Biology UGM/Ichsan Risalba
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya