However, in this case, a team from the UGM Faculty of Biology and the University of Edinburgh created a robot using the real skeleton of a monitor lizard. 

This collaboration resulted in a necrobot monitor lizard capable of simple movements, serving as a learning tool in animal systematics. 

This technology integrates science and engineering through cooperation between the two universities.

Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, a lecturer at Biology UGM, and Dr. Parvez Alam, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, initiated the research in September last year. 

The idea began when Dr. Alam invited Leo Foulds and Nadia Ditta, two of his master’s degree students from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, to come and work at the Animal Systematics Laboratory, Biology UGM, to study reptile skeletons, particularly those of monitor lizards and snakes. 

“At that time, Biology lecturer Donan Satria Yudha provided information on the movement, taxonomy, and anatomy of reptiles in Indonesia,” Dr. Suyono explained in a statement to reporters on Friday (Feb. 7).

He said that during the first two weeks, the two teams divided tasks, with Dr. Alam recording the movements of live adult monitor lizards while walking. 

Then, both teams studied the mechanics of the monitor lizard’s bones and performed a CT scan of the skeleton to create a mold of it. 

“This skeleton mold would later be fitted with the robot machinery upon returning to Edinburgh,” he added.

In mid-January 2025, Dr. Alam contacted Dr. Suyono and Yudha to share a video showing the mold of the monitor lizard skeleton walking after being equipped with necrobot machinery. 

At the end of January 2025, Alam returned to the Faculty of Biology UGM to install the robot machinery onto the actual monitor lizard skeleton. 

“During the assembly of the robot machinery onto the monitor lizard skeleton, Yudha was assisted by Frans from the Museum of Biology and several students,” Dr. Suyono said.

The assembly process involved Yudha, a lecturer from the Animal Systematics Laboratory, working with FX Sugiyo Pranoto from the UGM Museum of Biology, and several students, including Rashif Naufal Andika, Ananto Puradi Nainggolan, Maula Haqul Dafa, Arkanniti Dibyawedha Adisajjana, and Afif Fatah Rizki.

Assembling the robot machinery onto the actual monitor lizard skeleton, according to Dr. Suyono, was not easy. 

Dr. Alam completed it in three days, successfully creating a necrobot monitor lizard capable of simple movements. 

This result was very satisfying, considering the materials, composition, and structure differences between the mold and the actual bones. 

Dr. Alam later donated the necrobot monitor lizard to the Animal Systematics Laboratory, Biology UGM, as a new learning tool for lecturers and students. 

“For the Faculty of Biology, the process of studying and assembling necrobots from a monitor lizard skeleton provides new knowledge,” he concluded.

Author: Jelita Agustine

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Artikel UGM and University of Edinburgh Create Necrobot Using Monitor Lizard Skeleton pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Goats are also resilient to high temperatures and drought. With these advantages, goats are predicted to become a sustainable source of food security, economically viable, and adaptive to climate change in the future.

According to the 2018 FAO report, when the population of other livestock decreases, the goat population is expected to surpass that of sheep. 

As of 2023, goats are the most productive livestock in Indonesia, with a population of 19.398 million, compared to cattle, which number 18.6 million.

Professor Kustantinah of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science believes that Indonesia’s abundant natural resources will increase the goat population by 3.2% annually and further. 

“The development of livestock throughout Indonesia can be done in suitable environments by empowering existing universities,” she said Friday (Feb. 7).

The Head of the Department of Nutrition and Animal Feed at Animal Science UGM mentioned that Indonesia currently has around 59 faculties of animal science. 

With collaboration, livestock development is expected to be easier to implement.

To boost meat production, meat-type goats, such as Bligon, Kacang, and Marica goats, should be developed. 

“The demand for meat-type goats is quite high, especially during Eid al-Adha (sacrificial feast), and even for export purposes, the potential remains wide open,” she explained.

She also advocated for a Livestock Development Plan involving higher education institutions every five years, or REPELITA, to increase the goat population in Indonesia.

At Animal Science UGM, Professor Kustantinah mentioned several goat development activities have been conducted by staff from the Laboratory of Animal Feed Science in collaboration with other laboratories within the Department of Nutrition and Animal Feed. 

One such initiative is a community service program in a foster village in Nyemani Hamlet, Sidoharjo Village, Samigaluh District, Kulon Progo Regency. 

“The development of goat farming there is mostly managed by women’s farmer groups (KWT), as seen in Gunungkidul, Kulon Progo, and Sleman,” she concluded.

Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria

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Artikel UGM Professor Encourages Collaboration of Animal Science Faculties in Indonesia to Increase Goat Population pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

These include the limited time of demographic bonus, the impact of climate change, the global economic slowdown, the threat of new pandemics, and disruptions caused by artificial intelligence.

In response to these challenges, the director-general urged universities to collaborate with industries and communities to support the government’s programs in ensuring the success of national development. 

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem that allows the community to experience the results of research and innovation from universities,” he said at the national workshop and sharing session titled “Synergy of Law Faculties: The Role of Sustainable Community Service” held at the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM), Thursday (Feb. 6).

Dr. Adziman then explained the priority programs and plans that the president and vice president are currently developing through Asta Cita. 

He emphasized that government programs and innovations developed by universities should reach and benefit the public.

He explained that the ministry no longer focuses on product-based research but has shifted toward challenge-based research, encouraging multidisciplinary interactions to solve societal problems. 

Research topics include artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, food and health technologies, transportation and infrastructure, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. He highlighted that current contributions are focused on solving social and socio-economic problems. 

“We can contribute, and the community can express what is needed,” Dr. Adziman hoped.

The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of UGM, Dr. Arie Sujito, said universities have an obligation to engage in community service in addition to providing education and conducting research. 

This is reinforced by Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, which mandates implementing and realizing the tri-dharma for universities. 

“I hope education’s mission is to enlighten the nation; therefore, ideally, the research results we have and the teaching supported by practical activities based on experience should inspire and provide benefits,” he stated.

He further explained that downstream is not only focused on industries but also on skills and knowledge gained to address issues in society. 

As a result, the social sciences and humanities, particularly law, can ensure that education, teaching, practice, and research can benefit society as a shared responsibility.

Furthermore, Dr. Sujito emphasized that universities can never be neutral because they are always grounded in human values, justice, and welfare. 

This is where law plays its role as a tool to translate the vision of community service to address societal issues. 

“Law should not make people fearful but rather bring them closer,” he concluded.

The Secretary of the UGM Directorate of Community Service, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, presented the achievements of UGM’s community service activities conducted through DPKM. One form of this service is carried out through the Community Service Program (KKN). 

“Primarily, it is the implementation of KKN, community service at Universitas Gadjah Mada, which has been initiated since 1971 and, to this day, remains a compulsory course at the university,” he explained.

Dr. Santosa added that every year, UGM sends an average of around 8,900 students across Indonesia, with the distribution covering 35 provinces, over 100 regencies, and more than 500 villages nationwide. 

“We also focus on border areas,” he said.

In implementing work programs, Dr. Santosa mentioned that KKN activities are directed to use research methods, even if simple. 

He also explained that the directorate publishes a community service journal four times yearly. 

“Community service activities can be turned into research,” Dr. Santosa added.

As a form of service, KKN aims to benefit communities so that the region or community becomes more independent. 

Dr. Santosa explained that to achieve this, the directorate employs strategies to improve community quality, which include interdisciplinarity, broad impact, program downstream, partnership models, thoroughness and sustainability, research-based approaches, and outcome-based approaches. 

“Coordination, collaboration, and publication are key,” he concluded.

Author: Leony

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Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

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Artikel University Research Aimed at Solving National Issues pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Professor Isnansetyo received the award along with two other UGM lecturers: Dr. Rachma Wikandari from the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM) and Professor Ika Dewi Ana from the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM).

Professor Isnansetyo won the Best Innovation Award for his innovation on a waste-free process for utilizing brown seaweed to control fish and shrimp disease and produce biofertilizers. 

“This innovation is inspired by Indonesia’s rich marine resources, which researchers or industries have not widely explored,” he told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

According to him, brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae) contains a high alginate content and fucoidan. 

“Alginates can be applied in medicine, industry, food, feed, and fisheries,” he explained.

His research uses alginate and fucoidan compounds from brown seaweed for aquaculture. 

As a lecturer in the Department of Fisheries, Professor Isnansetyo uses alginates to enhance fish and shrimp immunity, while fucoidan improves fish vaccine effectiveness. 

“This research has produced several immunostimulant formulations based on alginate and fucoidan,” he said.

He hopes the research outcomes can be applied in the community by industries and fish farmers. 

The veterinary pharmaceutical industry can produce fish vaccines with adjuvants like fucoidan and immunostimulants. 

“These vaccines have been distributed to marine fish farmers to enhance fish immunity. We also collaborate with companies to commercialize these products,” he explained.

In the future, he hopes to continue the research to achieve more perfect results. 

One of his efforts is to upgrade the technology used to create vaccines and immunostimulants. 

Professor Isnansetyo revealed that his team had started developing nanoparticles in the form of nano-alginates and nanofucoidan. 

By creating nanoparticles, the effectiveness of the formulated products is expected to increase. 

“We aim to improve the quantity and quality of fishery production as a protein source to enhance public nutrition and health,” he said.

He acknowledged that his research utilizing brown seaweed is based on the concept of a zero-waste process. 

He is grateful for receiving the award for his research on brown seaweed utilization. 

In addition to the Hitachi Award, Professor Isnansetyo also received the 2023 Academic Leader in Maritime Affairs Award from the Directorate General of Higher Education. 

“I am proud to be part of UGM, as this award also reflects UGM’s nationally and internationally recognized reputation,” he added.

Author: Tiefany

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Artikel UGM Researcher Develops Fish and Shrimp Immunostimulants from Brown Seaweed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

UGM Biology lecturer Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya is researching the fungus Rhodotorula glutinis, commonly known as red yeast, as an alternative energy source. 

This fungus can be found in various environments and isolated from air, soil, grass, lakes, seas, food, fruits, human skin, and human waste. 

This research aims to optimize the use of microorganisms for bioenergy production as a renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels.

Dr. Aristya mentioned the potential of red yeast as an alternative energy source. Red yeast has great potential due to its ability to accumulate and produce large amounts of lipids. 

“In some cases, lipid accumulation in R. glutinis can reach 72.4%, making it a potential lipid producer for energy sources,” she told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Its ability to produce large amounts of lipids comes from a biosynthetic pathway that allows this microorganism to convert various carbon sources into high-value compounds, including lipids or other biopolymers. 

The development of lipid products can go beyond biofuels to biopolymer products such as bioplastic polymers like polyhydroxybutyrate.

“Optimizing the synthesis of essential compounds in this red yeast can be done through process, genetic, or metabolic engineering,” he explained.

Dr. Aristya said the selection of red yeast or R. glutinis as research material is based on its ability to accumulate high levels of lipids, particularly triacylglycerol (TAG), which can be converted into energy in the form of biofuel. 

“R. glutinis was also chosen because of its ability to grow on various substrates,” he said.

Not stopping there, red yeast’s ability to produce lipids over 15% of its dry cell weight, it can also metabolize various compounds used as carbon sources, such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, organic acids, glycerol, raw materials, industrial by-products, and wastewater.

It is important to note that this fungus produces and accumulates lipids in large amounts when nitrogen is limited but carbon is sufficient. 

Under such conditions, the yeast redirects its metabolism to lipid biosynthesis as an energy reserve in the form of Triacylglycerol (TAG).

The resulting lipids can be extracted and converted into biodiesel as an energy source. 

“The lipids obtained from the yeast cells will be converted into biodiesel through transesterification, reacting TAG with methanol to produce biodiesel as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The biodiesel obtained can be used as energy,” she said.

Research on the genetic engineering of this microorganism has been ongoing for eight years. 

For this research, Dr. Aristya and her team received a research grant from the Indonesia Toray Science Foundation (ITSF) under the Science and Technology Research Grant (STRG) category. 

With her work titled ‘Yeast Bioengineering for Sustainable Lipid-Based Energy Production from Rhodotorula glutinis,’ Dr. Aristya was one of 18 recipients of the STRG-ITSF award in 2025 on Jan. 30 in Jakarta.

Author: Jelita Agustine  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

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Artikel UGM Lecturer Studies Potential of Red Yeast for Alternative Energy Source pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Universities are expected to contribute to achieving energy security, a fundamental pillar of national sustainable development, through research and development.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Airlangga Hartarto conveyed this during a talk show titled The Role and Opportunities of Universities in the Downstream Agenda and Achieving Energy Security. 

The event took place on Tuesday (Feb. 4) at the SGLC Building Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM).

Dr. Hartarto emphasized that the government considers downstream efforts essential across various commodities, from mining products and agricultural goods to developing new and renewable energy. 

He also highlighted the role and contributions of universities in the national downstream agenda, particularly through curriculum adjustments, the development of vocational programs, and the formation of graduates equipped with the latest technological expertise.

“We must have mastery in downstream, including expertise in electric vehicle technology, microcontroller design, IC engineering, and semiconductor devices,” he stated.

To support downstream, Dr. Hartarto noted that breakthroughs in higher education policies are necessary to ensure equitable access to education for all Indonesians. 

This includes expanding scholarship opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We must encourage young Indonesians to pursue studies related to downstream, both domestically and abroad,” he asserted.

Equally important, he added, is fostering collaboration between universities and stakeholders at both national and international levels. 

This collaboration should be accompanied by research development in technologies that support downstream and energy security.

Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza pointed out that many industries in Indonesia struggle to benefit from downstream due to inadequate gas supplies, necessitating government intervention. 

This condition weakens industrial competitiveness compared to other countries.

“We need to ensure an adequate energy supply to strengthen industrial competitiveness,” he explained.

The talk show moderator, Professor Tumiran, emphasized that universities can play a crucial role in advancing the national downstream agenda and achieving energy security, ultimately supporting Indonesia’s economic growth target of 8%.

“The key question is: What strategy should we adopt to drive 8% economic growth? What is the roadmap? I believe downstream is the answer—to optimize our mineral resources through knowledge and skills transformation, enabling the nation to generate maximum added value,” he concluded.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

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Artikel Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto Urges Universities to Support National Downstream Agenda pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This award was granted for her dedicated research on microprotein developed from soybean boiling water.

Dr. Wikandari has been conducting research on microproteins for approximately four years. According to her, microproteins are an alternative protein with nutritional content between meat and soybeans. 

Its amino acid content is also more complete than that of soybeans. Microprotein itself is made from the mycelium of tempeh mushrooms grown in a liquid medium. 

The harvested texture resembles dough, making it easy to shape into forms like meatballs or sausages. 

“However, there is still a need for development to make the texture of the harvested product similar to chicken meat,” Dr. Wikandari said on Tuesday (Feb. 4).

Regarding her expertise in food processing, Dr. Wikandari mentioned that this microprotein’s advantages go beyond its nutritional value. 

The production process is relatively short, taking just two days, and the yield can be up to one kilogram. Moreover, the reactor needed is only 1×1 meters in size, making it space-efficient. 

“The enzymes it contains can grow on various substrates, such as soybean boiling water,” she explained.

She added that in addition to its nutritional benefits, microprotein production can help address the waste problem generated by the tempeh industry and increase income for tempeh vendors. 

Currently, Dr. Wikandari is working on a sterilization model for the medium, and further research is being conducted on the reactor to simplify it for commercialization.

Dr. Wikandari’s research not only led her to win the Hitachi Award but also earned her several other awards, including the L’Oreal – Unesco for Women in Science National Fellowship 2024 Award Academy.

Dr. Wikandari noted that this award motivated her even more to continue making tangible contributions to society. She acknowledged that introducing this research to the public posed its challenges. 

The lecturer explained that Indonesian society tends to be resistant to new food products, a phenomenon known as food neophobia. However, the mushrooms used in microprotein are the same as those found in tempeh, so there is no need to be concerned about consuming microprotein products. 

“It does need to be cooked beforehand, as it contains RNA that could potentially cause gout, but the microprotein product is safe to consume, just like tempeh,” she said.

In December 2024, Dr. Wikandari introduced microprotein to the public by collaborating with a chef to prepare it as spaghetti. The public response was positive, and many enjoyed the microprotein dish. They remarked that its texture was similar to sausage.

Dr. Wikandari hopes that the research on alternative food potential she has developed can help solve societal problems by exploring and utilizing local food resources.

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

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Artikel Investigating Microprotein Benefits in Tempeh Mushrooms, Dr. Rachma Wikandari Wins Hitachi Award pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

It contains approximately 14-19% crude protein, making it a potential livestock feed, as explained by Professor Zuprizal, a researcher from the Animal Feed Science Laboratory (IMT) at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Animal Science UGM), during the Fapet Menyapa event on Friday, Jan. 24, discussing the potential of feed additives for livestock feed.

Professor Zuprizal mentioned that Indonesia’s annual feed production is about 20 million tons, and the optimal proportion of palm kernel cake used in broiler chicken feed formulation is 10%, supplemented with essential amino acids and enzymes. 

“There is potential to use around 2 million tons of palm kernel cake for broiler chicken feed,” said Professor Zuprizal.

He further explained that using 10% palm kernel cake in broiler feed could reduce the use of corn by approximately 9% and soybean meal by around 3%. 

“This would result in savings, especially since soybean meal is still imported,” he added.

However, due to the high fiber content, particularly mannans in palm kernel cake, supplementation with external enzymes like mannanase, NSPase, and protease is needed to improve nutrient digestibility, which in turn enhances productivity, carcass quality, and the digestive health of broiler chickens.

The IMT team also presented several research examples of feed additives using nanoparticle technology for broiler chickens, such as nanotechnology turmeric extract, nanotechnology cardamom extract, nanoemulsion lemongrass essential oil extract, and soursop leaf extract.

Alongside Professor Zuprizal, the IMT team present at Fapet Menyapa included Professor Kustantinah, Dr. Aji Praba Baskara, Dr. Nanung Danar Dono, Dr. Insani Hubi Zulfa, and Dr. Aeni Nur Latifah.

Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria

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Artikel Palm Kernel Cake Potential as Additional Livestock Feed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The competition was held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, on 20-21 Jan.

In the competition, DTETI students collaborated with students from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (DTMI) as part of the Hi-Flex team. 

In the final round, the Hi-Flex team secured the First Runner-up title at the Huawei Developer Competition 2024 Asia Pacific for their innovation. They competed against 662,220 teams for a total prize pool of USD 34,000.

The Hi-Flex team consists of Aufa Nasywa Rahman, Ahmad Zaki Akmal, and Petrus Aria Chevalier Rambing (Information Technology 2021), along with Larasati Kinanti and Laurencia Otniel Sukamto (Industrial Engineering 2021). 

In a statement to reporters on Sunday (Jan. 27), Rahman explained that the Hi-Flex team designed their innovation based on an idea they conceived and developed independently. 

“All the creation and development of the solution (build solution) were done at DTETI,” he said.

In this competition, participants were tasked with developing information and communication technology (ICT) solutions using Huawei’s cloud technology to address real-world problems. 

“All participating teams were divided into the Enterprise Track and Student Track categories. Each category had six winners after several selection stages, including proposal submission, solution demo presentations, and competing in the final round,” he added.

At this year’s Huawei Developer Competition Asia Pacific, two of the six winning teams in the Student Track category were from UGM. 

The other team besides Hi-Flex was Cloudia Crew, consisting of students from the Department of Computer Science and Electronics at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM). This team secured the Second-Runner-up title.

Reporter: FT UGM/Rasya Swarnasta

Author: Tiefany

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Documentation: Huawei

Artikel UGM Students Win Award at Huawei Developer Competition Asia Pacific pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The conference, held from Jan. 8 to 10 at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, was attended by participants from 19 countries, including Germany, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Morocco, the United States, Japan, Peru, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

ICCMME 2025 was organized by the South Asia Institute of Science and Engineering (SAISE), a collaboration between Yonsei University in South Korea and Sichuan University in China. 

During the event, Perdani presented her paper titled “Pectin and Chitosan Biofilm Composites Enriched with Rambutan Peel Anthocyanins for Colorimetric Intelligent Food Packaging,” which is part of her dissertation research. 

Her study focuses on developing intelligent food packaging using anthocyanins from rambutan peels as color-sensitive dyes in a pectin and chitosan biopolymer matrix system. 

This research aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of the smart biofilm based on the order of mixing its main components. 

“This innovation is expected to offer an eco-friendly solution for food packaging while supporting food safety through quality change indicators,” she explained.

ICCMME 2025 featured various sessions, including keynote addresses by Professor Ikuo Taniguchi (Kyoto Institute of Technology, Japan) and Professor Ki Bong Lee (Korea University, South Korea) and oral presentations from participants across six categories. 

Perdani participated in the ‘Materials Chemistry and Chemical Engineering’ session. She even received feedback from Professor Ikuo Taniguchi on improving the tensile strength of the biofilm in her future research. 

“Finally, after successfully answering questions during the presentation session, I was announced as the recipient of the Best Presentation Award,” she recalled emotionally.

Perdani also had the opportunity to join a laboratory visit and campus tour at the Faculty of Engineering at Yonsei University as part of the conference. 

The paper she presented will be published in the Key Engineering Materials Journal (Scopus Q4), one of the requirements for completing her doctoral program. 

Through the development of biofilm-based packaging as an effort to promote eco-friendly technological innovations, Perdani’s research contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contributor: FTP UGM/Luqlun Arghani

Author: Triya Andriyani

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Artikel UGM Student Wins International Award for Research on Food Packaging from Rambutan Peels pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.