As an effort to produce upcoming biologists in answering biodiversity problems, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Department of Biology is holding UI Creates: Biology Summer School 2023. This activity is designed to accommodate curiosity and the professional aspirations of students from various backgrounds, namely those with a high interest in biodiversity science and ecological functions with a combination of social sciences.
A total of 21 participants took part in this activity consisting of undergraduate and master’s level students from various foreign universities. They came from Universiti Malaya, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tohoku University, Osaka University, and five students from UI. Dean of FMIPA UI Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., gave a warm welcome to the participants, “The UI Creates activity which took place at FMIPA UI was an excellent opportunity for participants, not only to enrich their perspectives in the field of biology, but also to broaden their knowledge about Indonesian language and culture which are integrated in this program. Therefore, we encourage all participants to maximize every opportunity that this program offers, from the academic and social scope of the campus to the faculty.”
UI Creates: Biology Summer School 2023 was held in two stages, namely online and offline. The online stage was held through seven regular meetings, starting from July 4th to July 25th 2023. This stage contained introductory materials regarding biodiversity and its prospect. The material in this stage was provided by lecturers at the Biology Department, FMIPA UI. Meanwhile, the offline activities took place on 1st-6th of August 2023. On the first and second days of the offline stage, the UI Creates FMIPA UI team introduced UI to the participants, including the opportunities that UI offers to international students, facilities, and opportunities that can be utilized by students.
Cultural programs were also an inseparable part of this international activity. Indonesia’s cultural diversity was introduced to the students, especially to foreign students. The cultural aspect that was introduced was the traditional clothing from several regions in Indonesia. Dr. Eko Aditiya Meinarno, S.Psi., M.Si., as one of the speakers in this session wore Central Java traditional clothes when delivering the material, complete with beskap and blangkon.
Traditional games such as congklak, food, and coffee typical of regions in Indonesia such as Toraja coffee, Lampung coffee, and Medan coffee were also introduced, especially to foreign students, so that they become more acquainted with Indonesian culture. As a souvenir, Dr. Eko also distributed the coffee to foreign students. On the following day, participants were invited to the Seribu Islands to see firsthand the condition of Indonesia’s biodiversity and its ecotourism potential. Activities in the form of fieldwork are carried out in the Seribu Islands, specifically on Pramuka Island and Panggang Island. For 4 days, starting from 3rd–6th of August 2023, participants received knowledge regarding the biodiversity and ecotourism of the Seribu Islands.
Apart from that, participants were also divided into several groups and were assigned to design research related to the natural conditions or social conditions of the community in the area. There, the students conducted a survey by interviewing residents to obtain data on the social conditions of the community. The survey results showed that there is a diversity of socio-economic factors among residents regarding the ecotourism potential of the Seribu Islands. Participants also gained knowledge about the history, educational conditions, and marine riches of the Seribu Islands.
Head of the Biology Department, FMIPA UI, Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D., explained the opportunities for collaboration between scientists in researching Indonesia’s natural and cultural riches. He hoped that this activity can provide various views and experiences where it can give birth to meaningful changes in the world of biology. All of this knowledge was obtained by seeing and studying directly in the form of fieldwork provided by this activity.
