The Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Biotechnology at Universitas Gadjah Mada hosted a Short Course and Workshop specifically designed for high school biology teachers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). This event took place on August 7-8, 2024, and aims to build the capacity of educators in the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology. The workshop welcomed 30 biology teachers from various high schools across Yogyakarta, providing them with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of molecular genetics and its applications.
Event
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Biotechnology Study Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a workshop on molecular docking for biotechnology research applications. The workshop was led by Muhammad Saifur Rohman, S.P., M.Si., M.Eng., Ph.D., a lecturer in Agricultural Microbiology at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to utilize molecular docking techniques in their research projects. Molecular docking is a crucial computational tool in biotechnology, allowing researchers to predict the interaction between molecules and target proteins. This technique is widely used in drug discovery, protein engineering, and understanding biochemical pathways.
On July 24, 2024, the Doctoral Programs in Biotechnology at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a laboratory visit aimed at familiarizing students with research support facilities. This visit included a tour of the Integrated Laboratory for Research and Testing (LPPT) and the Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC) at the Faculty of Agriculture, UGM.
During the visit, students were introduced to the state-of-the-art equipment and resources available at these facilities, which are essential for conducting advanced dissertation research. The tour provided a comprehensive overview of the lab capabilities, including the latest technologies in biotechnology and modern agricultural research, and demonstrated how these resources could enhance their research projects.
The Study Program of Master and Doctoral in Biotechnology at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada organized the “Biotech Student Camp” on Tuesday (July 9), aimed at supporting students in completing their final projects. This hybrid event was attended by over 40 students. “We extend our gratitude to the students who attended both online and offline at this annual event of the Biotechnology Program. Essentially, this event is about monitoring and mutual support,” said Dr. Dini Wahyu Kartika Sari, S.Pi., M.Si., Head of the Study Program of Master in Biotechnology.
The International Conference and Workshop on Biotechnology (ICW Biotech) 2024 is a prominent global gathering hosted by the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Biotechnology at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada. Held on July 3-4, 2024, at the Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta, this year’s conference was a collaborative effort with the Research Center for Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Indonesian Biotechnology Consortium (KBI). The hybrid event drew a wide range of participants, including scientists, practitioners, and academics, all united by a shared interest in advancing the field of biotechnology.
Two students of Study Program of Master’s in Biotechnology UGM, Nada Tazkia Purba and Nurmara Salsabila, along with Study Program of Biotechnology UGM’s lecturer Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri and Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas attended a workshop at the University of Adelaide (UoA), Australia on June 18-21, 2024. This activity is one of the objectives of the KONEKSI (Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia-Indonesia) Program, a collaborative initiative between organizations in Australia and Indonesia. Together with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Center for Future Crops Development, Australian National University (ANU), the research collaboration entitled “Building a Sustainable Future: Developing Nutritious and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties” also involves BRIN Indonesia and IRRI Philippines. On this trip, the KONEKSI research consortium was fully present, namely Dr. Aris Hairmansis, Dr. Yudhistira Nugraha, and Trias Sitaresmi, M.Sc. from BRIN; Prof. Inez Slamet-Loedin from IRRI; and Dr. Siti Nurbaiti, Dr. Yustina C.F.S., Gloria Fransisca K.L., and a team of research assistants from UGM.
The Research Center for Biotechnology held a National Seminar on Biotechnology as an annual agenda that has been going on for a long time. This year’s National Seminar on Biotechnology IX was held on October 21 2023, inviting four talented speakers in each field. The four speakers are Marc Alfons M Peeters (Bambu Nusa Verde), Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, S.Si., M.Sc. (Gadjah Mada University), Ts. Dr. Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin. (Universiti Sains Malaysia), and Dr. Dian Kesumapramudya, M.Sc., Ph.D., SpA. (Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Nowadays, nanoparticle-based technology is the powerful approach done by many researchers. Nanotechnology offers better biocompatibility and bioavailability. Thus characteristics provide better support for various field of research including health, industry, environment, food, and materials. Through that circumstances, Magister Biotechnology of Universitas Gadjah Mada held General Lecture: Application of Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Biomedics on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Biotechnology Study Program UGM invited TS. Dr. Rabiatul Basria S.M.N. Mydin, a researcher from Universiti Sains Malaysia as a keynote speaker.
Biotechnology is a branch of biology that is currently developing rapidly. Career opportunities for graduates of the Biotechnology are very broad. Graduates of the Biotechnology can build careers as bioentrepreneurs, forensics, extension workers, consultants, NGO activists, formulators and policy makers, researchers, lecturers, and work in other positions in the private and government sectors. One of the careers most sought after by students and graduates of the Biotechnology is to become a researcher or academician. In order to provide an overview of careers in the field of research, the Biotechnology Master’s Study Program UGM has been held a career lecture in collaboration with Dr.rer.nat. Yustian Rovi Alfiansah, BRIN researcher, as speaker.
Biotechnology Study Program held a public lecture with speakers from NARA Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) on September 1st, 2023 at 3rd floor, PAU Building UGM. Starting the public lecture meeting this time, Prof. Hisaji Maki as public relations explained the profile of NAIST to the students who attended the lecture. NAIST is a national university of Japan located in Kansai Science City, the border region between Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto. Founded in 1991, NAIST consists of schools in three integrated fields: information science, biological science, and materials science. In 2018, NAIST underwent an organizational transformation to continue research in these areas while promoting interdisciplinary research and education in traditional fields. With this new, one-of-a-kind school organization, NAIST strives forward with the goal of conducting cutting-edge research in cutting-edge fields and training students to become future leaders in science and technology.