Yogyakarta, April 21, 2025 — The Study Program of Doctor in Biotechnology, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), proudly held a certificate awarding ceremony for Auliana Afandi, a doctoral student who successfully completed a double degree program in collaboration with the Management of Biological Environment Study Program, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Japan.
The certificate was formally presented by the Dean of the UGM Graduate School, Prof. Ir. Siti Malkamah, Ph.D., in a ceremony held today, Monday, April 21, 2025. The event was also attended by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Widyanto, M.Sc., Head of the Study Program of Doctor in Biotechnology, Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas, M.Sc., Head of the Master’s Program in Biotechnology, Dr. Dini Wahyu Kartika Sari, M.Si., as well as the UGM supervisory team.
Auliana was enrolled in the double degree program from 2017 to 2023, with Gifu University serving as the home university, and Universitas Gadjah Mada as the host university. Throughout her doctoral journey, she was jointly supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Subandiyah, M.Agr.Sc. as the main supervisor from UGM, Dr. Ir. Arif Wibowo, M.Agr.Sc. as the co-supervisor from UGM, and Prof. Dr. Koji Kageyama as the primary academic advisor from Gifu University.
Her dissertation, titled “Identification and Genetic Diversity of Phytophthora nicotianae Causing Heart Rot in Pineapple at South Sumatra and Java”, addresses a significant issue in the field of plant pathology. The research highlights the identification and genetic variation of Phytophthora nicotianae, a major pathogen causing heart rot disease in pineapples cultivated in South Sumatra and Java. The findings are expected to contribute valuable insights for the development of more effective and sustainable plant disease management strategies, particularly in tropical horticultural systems.
This successful double degree program reflects UGM’s strong commitment to international academic collaboration and to fostering global research excellence through interdisciplinary and cross-border cooperation.