Putting this approach into practice, the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM) organized a community outreach program as part of the International Dental Summer Course (IDSC) 2026. The program brought together dozens of participants from universities in Indonesia and abroad to provide oral health education and free dental examinations for elementary school students.

On Wednesday (Jul. 15), the participants visited Baturan 1 State Elementary School in Gamping, Sleman, Yogyakarta, where they conducted dental and oral examinations and provided preventive oral health services for the students.

Dr. Fania Chairunisa, the program coordinator, explained that prevention is a key principle of sustainability and green dentistry. By preventing dental disease before it requires more extensive treatment, preventive care can reduce the need for medical materials and procedures that generate waste.

“Another preventive measure is teledentistry, which allows patients to receive dental consultations remotely through telecommunications technologies such as video calls or dedicated applications. This can also help reduce carbon emissions associated with travel to dental clinics,” Dr. Fania said in a statement released on Tuesday (Jul. 28).

In addition to dental examinations, the students provided Topical Application of Fluoride (TAF), a preventive treatment in which fluoride is applied to children’s teeth to help prevent dental caries.

The treatment is intended to strengthen tooth enamel and inhibit bacteria associated with tooth decay. Early preventive measures such as fluoride application can help reduce the risk of cavities and prevent the progression of early-stage tooth decay.

The activity also gave summer course participants hands-on experience delivering dental care to children.

Gina, a second-semester student at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya (UMPR), said working with children requires more than technical dental skills. Effective communication and an appropriate approach are essential to making young patients feel safe and comfortable.

“We need to adapt and build rapport with the children, so they feel comfortable and are not afraid. We develop practical communication skills like these through regular field experience,” she said.

For Gina and other participants, the community program therefore served a dual purpose: providing preventive oral healthcare to children while allowing dental students to develop the interpersonal skills needed in pediatric dental care.

Asri Ningtyas, a teacher at Baturan 1 State Elementary School, welcomed FKG UGM’s involvement and the IDSC participants. She said the program complemented the school’s existing efforts to promote healthy habits among students.

She also hoped similar collaborations with universities could be held regularly, allowing children’s oral health to be monitored continuously from an early age.

“This toothbrushing education is highly beneficial in complementing our school’s programs. It reminds students that, in addition to eating nutritious food, maintaining good dental and oral health is equally important,” she said.

For FKG UGM, the program reflects the broader role of dental education in promoting prevention and sustainability. Rather than waiting for dental problems to develop and require treatment, green dentistry encourages healthcare providers and communities to emphasize prevention, early intervention, and more environmentally responsible practices.

Through the International Dental Summer Course, students from different countries and academic backgrounds experienced how oral healthcare, education, community engagement, and environmental sustainability connect in practice.

The initiative also demonstrates how preventive dental care can benefit both individual health and the environment. By strengthening oral health awareness and preventing disease from an early age, communities can reduce the need for more extensive dental treatment while supporting greener, more sustainable healthcare.

Reporter: Fajar Budi Harsakti/FKG Public Relations

Author: Jesi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat

Photo: FKG UGM Documentation

Artikel UGM Promotes Green Dentistry Through Free Dental Checkups and Oral Health Education pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr. Ade Febrina Lestari, leader of the community service team, said the program aimed to strengthen collaboration among families, community health volunteers (kader posyandu), community health centers (puskesmas), village authorities, and the university to ensure all stakeholders play an active role in preventing and managing stunting.

“We involved community health volunteers and toddlers who had previously been identified as experiencing stunting,” Dr. Ade said in a statement released on Wednesday (July 22).

The program engaged 40 posyandu volunteers and assessed the health of 37 toddlers. Dr. Ade emphasized that community health volunteers play a critical role in detecting growth problems early. The training therefore focused on strengthening their capacity to monitor children’s growth and development within their communities.

During the program, participants learned anthropometric measurement techniques before applying them directly to toddlers under the supervision of the UGM team. Each child also received a physical examination together with growth and developmental screening, while mothers attended educational sessions on age-appropriate complementary feeding practices.

“Interestingly, not all children who had previously been diagnosed with stunting were actually stunted. Some were simply classified as having short stature,” Dr. Ade explained.

To reinforce the educational sessions, the team distributed a handbook titled Cegah Stunting dari Rumah: Kehamilan Sehat, Pola Asuh Tepat, dan MPASI Bergizi (Preventing Stunting at Home: Healthy Pregnancy, Proper Parenting, and Nutritious Complementary Feeding). The handbook serves as a practical reference for community health volunteers and healthcare workers. The team also distributed duck eggs to volunteers and mothers of toddlers to help improve family nutrition.

The Head of the Imogiri Community Health Center (Puskesmas), drg. Imung reported that the area’s stunting prevalence has continued to decline, reaching 12.7 percent in 2026.

Meanwhile, Danang Kumorojati, Head of Community Affairs (Kamituwo) of Selopamioro Village, said the main causes of stunting in the village have shifted over time. While economic hardship was once the primary driver, inappropriate parenting and child-feeding practices have now become more significant contributing factors.

“This is particularly evident in child-feeding practices, as more parents are working and entrusting childcare to other family members,” he said.

Responding to this challenge, Dr. Ade encouraged parents to make mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free for children. She explained that introducing complementary foods is an important stage of child development and should provide children with positive learning experiences rather than pressure.

Through this initiative, FK-KMK UGM hopes to strengthen collaboration among academics, healthcare professionals, village authorities, community health volunteers, and families. The team believes that preventing stunting requires more than healthcare services alone—it depends on active community participation to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat
Photo: Documentation of FK-KMK UGM

Artikel UGM Partners with Community Health Volunteers to Promote Stunting Prevention in Selopamioro Village pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr. Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono, a researcher at the UGM Center for Herbal Medicine, said the center has been conducting international collaborations since April to prepare the regulatory registration of products from Singosaren SMEs. As part of this effort, the team carried out a strategic visit to Kuala Lumpur from June 18-21 to establish partnerships with key stakeholders.

Based on market research conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Wicaksono said the team found strong market potential for spice-based products and herbal teas from the assisted SMEs. He noted two main factors: Malaysian consumers have long included herbal tonics, herbal teas, and traditional beverages in their healthy lifestyle, while the large Indonesian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur seeks authentic Indonesian flavors, making products such as Jamu Jogorogo, Lokanusa Herbal Tea, and Lokanusa Spice Blends highly appealing.

“With research support and global partnerships, I am confident our products will be well received in the international market,” he said on Thursday (Jul. 9).

In addition to opening export opportunities, the UGM team established a strategic partnership with International Medical University (IMU), one of Malaysia’s leading private universities, which has a nationally accredited laboratory. The laboratory will serve as the testing facility for UGM-assisted herbal products before they are officially marketed in Malaysia to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.

The testing will cover critical parameters required by Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), the country’s equivalent of Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM). The evaluations include raw material stability, microbial contamination, heavy metal contamination, and other mandatory assessments required for NPRA approval.

“We have agreed to conduct stability testing, microbial contamination analysis, heavy metal testing, and other assessments required for NPRA approval,” said Dr. Wicaksono.

According to him, this laboratory collaboration provides a strong foundation for product registration in Malaysia, as herbal and processed food products cannot be legally marketed there without approval from the NPRA.

“With this laboratory partnership, we expect the licensing process to become faster and more systematic,” he explained.

Beyond laboratory testing, the visit also established a distribution channel crucial for export success. During the visit, the team met prospective Malaysian distributors who committed to distribute the products once NPRA marketing authorization is obtained.

“We have already established communication with prospective distributors. Once the license is issued, the products can be shipped immediately. This acceleration has been our goal from the beginning,” he added.

Beyond expanding exports, this initiative is part of Indonesia’s gastrodiplomacy efforts, promoting local products while encouraging the Indonesian diaspora to serve as a bridge to expand SME markets globally.

Dr. Wicaksono explained that one of the main strengths of the products for the Malaysian market is their authentic Indonesian traditional flavor, which sets them apart from mass-produced products. Carefully selected spices combined with floral aromas create distinctive teas with authentic taste and fragrance.

“Lokanusa’s spice blends have received positive responses from several restaurant owners in Malaysia. One of them has even expressed readiness to become a distributor once the products receive marketing authorization,” he said.

Market testing has also shown that the products’ taste and aroma attracted consumer interest. Priced at IDR 50,000 per 100 grams for spice blends and IDR 30,000 per 50 grams for herbal tea, exports to Malaysia could increase SME revenues while serving as a market diversification strategy amid fluctuations in the rupiah exchange rate.

Through laboratory testing partnerships, distribution agreements, and successful market validation in Malaysia, this initiative marks a significant step toward bringing Indonesian spices and culinary products to international markets. UGM remains committed to supporting the process until the products are officially available and accepted by Malaysian consumers, while also paving the way for expansion into other Southeast Asian countries with similar market potential.

Author: Jesi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian

Photo: FK-KMK Community Service Team

Artikel UGM Supports Local SMEs in Expanding to the Malaysian Export Market pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia explained that the decision was based on the severity of the disaster’s impact on the ground.

“This area was among the hardest hit, requiring urgent assistance while also being difficult to reach. Therefore, we focused our efforts here. The decision was made jointly with Kagama Aceh, whose members conducted an assessment to determine which areas should be prioritized,” said Professor Emilia in an interview with reporters following the handover ceremony for temporary housing in Sekumur Village on Sunday (Jul. 5).

As a concrete response, UGM and Kagama Aceh built 26 temporary housing units for residents of Sekumur Village. Notably, the shelters were constructed using timber carried downstream by the flash floods last November, demonstrating an innovative approach amid limited resources and logistical challenges.

The assistance has had a direct impact on the lives of local residents, including 60-year-old farmer Sariyah. After spending months in an inadequate emergency tent, the temporary shelter has restored not only her sense of security but also her dignity. Fighting back tears, she expressed her deep gratitude for the assistance.

“We cannot thank you enough. We are truly grateful. We used to live in a tent, but now we finally have a house. We can sleep peacefully without suffering from the heat or getting soaked by the rain,” she said emotionally.

Eager to leave the evacuation tent, Sariyah moved into the shelter even before construction had been fully completed. During her time in the temporary tent, her health deteriorated as she frequently fell ill. To recover from the disaster, she even sold all of her family’s transportation assets to pay for the removal of mud and debris that had buried her home.

“We sold everything. Around eleven million rupiah was spent just to clear the mud covering the house,” she recalled.

Another resident, 40-year-old Mardiah, also shared her gratitude. Although the flood completely destroyed her oil palm plantation, which had been her family’s primary source of income, she is relieved to finally have a decent place to live.

“We are so happy. It feels like we have finally received real help because we now have a place to live. We used to wait in the evacuation tent, but now we have a house. We are truly grateful for this assistance,” she said.

The program’s success reflects the strong solidarity within UGM’s alumni network. Secretary General of the Central Executive Board of Kagama, Nezar Patria, praised Kagama Aceh as one of the organization’s strongest regional chapters. The assistance was funded through collective contributions from the national organization and regional Kagama chapters across Indonesia.

“We built 26 temporary housing units. In addition, we have supported school rehabilitation and provided educational supplies at several locations in Aceh Tamiang and East Aceh,” said Nezar.

He added that during the first week after the disaster, his team also moved quickly to provide essential logistical support for displaced residents.

Seeing the program’s positive impact, the Regent of Aceh Tamiang encouraged the residents of Sekumur Village to take good care of the facilities provided.

“I hope these disaster relief facilities will be maintained, protected, and utilized as well as possible. Let us use this momentum to recover more quickly and emerge stronger,” he said.

His message echoed that of the Governor of Aceh, as conveyed by Aceh Kagama Chair M. Nasir, who also serves as Regional Secretary of Aceh Province. He said the provincial government has officially concluded the disaster recovery transition period and is now entering the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

“We have completed the recovery transition process and are now moving directly into rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he said.

UGM and Kagama’s commitment extends beyond building temporary shelters. During his visit to the village, Patria, who also serves as Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, found that several sections of the route to Sekumur had no cellular signal. In response, he pledged to accelerate the installation of internet access points in the village.

“We will expedite the development of internet access points in Sekumur Village to support education, healthcare services, and village governance,” said Patria.

Meanwhile, Professor Emilia expressed her appreciation for the strong collaboration among all parties involved. She affirmed that UGM will continue supporting the long-term recovery of the Aceh Tamiang community to help build disaster resilience. One of the university’s planned initiatives is to deploy students through its Community Service Program (KKN-PPM).

“UGM will continue assisting the people of Aceh Tamiang as they move into the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase by sending KKN students to conduct assessments, carry out studies, and help identify the best solutions,” said Professor Ova.

The university is also opening new opportunities for young people in the region through its pre-university program. The initiative is designed to provide students from underserved communities with the opportunity to experience studying at UGM and prepare them for higher education.

Although temporary homes now stand and hope has begun to return, significant challenges remain. As rehabilitation and reconstruction continue, residents such as Sariyah hope additional assistance will be provided to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

“Our plantations are gone. The oil palms are gone, the coconut trees are gone, everything is gone. We no longer have any source of income. Even if we wanted to start a business, there is nothing left to sell. We hope to receive assistance such as crop seedlings so we can cultivate the empty land again and restore our livelihoods,” she said.

Author: M. Aidil Syahputra

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian

Photo: Firsto

Artikel UGM and Kagama Build Temporary Housing for Aceh Tamiang Flood Survivors pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Working with a tofu-producing MSME owned by Riyanto, an entrepreneur from Wirobrajan, the team successfully transformed tofu wastewater into liquid organic fertilizer and improved the business’s simple financial record-keeping system and promotional media in less than two months.

The assisted MSME was Riyanto’s tofu business, located in the Wirobrajan tofu production center in Yogyakarta. Established in 2018, the business is a family enterprise that has navigated various challenges over the years. One of the most significant challenges arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the business was forced to survive amid limited capital, conventional production equipment, and several operational constraints that affected its performance.

The team, consisting of Kevin Abigael Bakara, Almayla Taorayudha, Elga Manik, Maulana Faris Al Ghifari, Piang Amporn Yimyam, Jens Preston Tananta, Muhammad Rafif Hakim, Kartika Kirana Indrastuti, Nabilla Raihana Vildha, and Helena Natania Setyasari, implemented the program from May to June 2026. During this period, the team conducted field observations and discussions with its partner. Through this process, they identified several opportunities for business development. 

“This program is focused on creating measurable impacts for the community, particularly for MSMEs,” said Kevin Abigael Bakara on Monday (Jun. 22).

One opportunity emerged from observations of tofu wastewater, which showed potential for a value-added product. As a concrete step, the team facilitated a collaboration between Riyanto’s tofu business and the Livestock Development Center of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM). The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that includes a pilot project to utilize tofu wastewater as molasses for animal feed.

In addition, the team organized an outreach program on converting tofu wastewater into liquid organic fertilizer, featuring Viagian Pastawan, Ph.D., a lecturer at Animal Science UGM, as a resource person. The initiative aimed to provide MSME owners and community members with insights into alternative wastewater management approaches that generate circular benefits. 

“Through this mentoring program, we hope MSMEs can grow more independently and sustainably while maximizing their potential to create added value for their businesses,” said Kevin, the team leader.

In branding and marketing, the team helped the business’s identity by developing promotional materials and optimizing digital platforms to reach a broader audience. In financial management, the team created a simple Microsoft Excel-based bookkeeping system to encourage the separation of business and personal finances, thereby improving business professionalism. The system includes daily income and expense records, sales price calculations, accounts receivable tracking, and periodic profit reports.

The team hopes the program will serve as an initial step toward business transformation that not only increases productivity and profitability but also creates new value from previously underutilized resources.

Through collaboration among students, academics, and MSME owners, UGM’s Endurance Team contributes to innovative, sustainable, and community-oriented business practices.

Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Endurance Team

Artikel Bakti BCA Scholarship Students Turned Tofu Waste Into Liquid Organic Fertilizer for MSME pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Kadek Darmawan, Stella Stritamar Amabi, and Karimatul Khalidah facilitated the program as part of the Community Empowerment and Networking course. The first stage involved observation and interviews to better understand the students’ daily lives and food management practices within the dormitory.

Based on these initial findings, the students worked with boarding school stakeholders, including dormitory administrators, kitchen managers, and waste management coordinators, to identify the causes of food waste and determine appropriate actions tailored to the school’s conditions and available resources.

Kadek explained that the facilitation process helped the students gain a deeper understanding of food waste issues through the experiences of both students and administrators. Through the discussions, they identified several factors contributing to food waste, including taste preferences, snacking habits, mood, portion sizes, and limited mealtime. 

“We learned alongside the students and administrators to understand the various factors that lead to food waste. The proposed activities emerged from their experiences and needs, while we helped create a space for discussion so that everyone could share their perspectives and suggestions,” said Kadek on Thursday (Jun. 18).

Based on these discussions, the students and administrators selected four main initiatives: education on taking appropriate food portions and developing the habit of finishing meals, the provision of a menu suggestion box, the reactivation of Black Soldier Fly maggot cultivation, and the development of a dormitory cleanliness competition that incorporates food waste reduction as one of its assessment criteria.

Of the four selected initiatives, three have already been implemented. Messages about taking food according to individual needs, the benefits of consuming nutritious meals, and the importance of finishing one’s food are delivered during weekly student development sessions held every Friday evening after the Isya prayer. The materials align with values already practiced in the boarding school environment, such as avoiding excess (israf), expressing gratitude, and using food responsibly.

A menu suggestion box has also been introduced as a communication channel between students and kitchen managers. Through this system, students can provide feedback regarding taste, menu variety, portion sizes, and the meals being served. The collected feedback is then reviewed by administrators and kitchen managers. Meanwhile, the school’s waste management team has resumed cultivation of Black Soldier Fly maggots after approximately four months of inactivity. The maggots are used to process the ongoing food waste.

Another initiative, the development of a dormitory cleanliness competition, is currently in the preparation stage and is expected to be incorporated into the school’s biannual agenda. Under the proposed framework, each dormitory room’s efforts to reduce and manage food waste will become one of the evaluation criteria. Rooms demonstrating the best performance will receive awards, while those producing the most food waste will participate in educational group activities, such as delivering short religious talks, creating posters, promoting the habit of finishing vegetables, or assisting with kitchen activities.

The course tutor for Community Empowerment and Networking, Yunita Fitrianti, guided the students from the initial engagement with the boarding school community through to the early implementation of activities. She emphasized that the most important lesson for the students was learning to view the boarding school students and administrators as individuals who understand their own challenges, rather than merely as targets of an intervention. Students learned to listen first, identify the resources and values already present within the boarding school, and then support initiatives emerging from within the community. 

“In this way, the resulting program belongs not to the students, but to the boarding school itself, making it more likely to continue in the future,” said Yunita.

The active involvement of students and administrators is also essential to ensuring that the activities continue after the university students’ facilitation period ends. The boarding school management expressed positive feedback regarding the initiative. 

“We warmly welcome this program because it provides opportunities for students to learn while actively participating in efforts to reduce food waste within the boarding school. We hope this initiative can continue and develop further as part of character education, allowing values such as responsibility, social awareness, and environmental stewardship to be instilled sustainably among students,” said Ahmad Murod, the caretaker of Al-Imdad Islamic Boarding School.

For the UGM students, the facilitation process provided valuable experience in listening to the needs of boarding school students and administrators, recognizing existing resources, and supporting program implementation without taking over the decision-making process. Through the active involvement of students and administrators, Santri Lawan Food Waste helps reduce food waste at its source and foster more responsible consumption habits, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.

Contributor: Kadek Darmawan
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara Putri
Photo: Team Documentation and Magnific

Artikel UGM Students Support Food Waste Reduction Among Islamic Boarding School Students pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The coordinator of the FK-KMK UGM Community Service Team, Dr. Supriyati, explained that the social service activities and sacrificial animal distribution are annual programs conducted by FK-KMK UGM as part of its commitment to strengthening social care and community engagement values. This year, FK-KMK UGM distributed three cows and two goats across three regencies: Bantul, Kulon Progo, and Gunungkidul. 

“The sacrificial donors include not only lecturers and educational staff but also students, residents, and alumni as part of our community service efforts,” said Dr. Supriyati.

Dr. Supriyati noted that, in addition to sacrificial animal slaughter, the program also included educational and health outreach activities tailored to the specific needs of each community. In Bantul Regency, at Sanggar Among Budoyo, Kampung Pramuka, Wukirsari, Imogiri, FK-KMK UGM collaborated with the Social Welfare Institution Sahabat Pemerhati Difabel (LKS SAPADIFA). The faculty distributed one cow and one goat. 

“The educational activities ranged from reproductive health screening, ultrasound examinations, and urology services to dental and oral health checkups. We also organized a mass circumcision program attended by 17 participants,” she said.

In Kulon Progo Regency, at Al Mu’minun Prayer Hall in Patihombo, Girimulyo, the team distributed one cow and provided education and outreach on children’s mental health and nutrition to students at the local Quranic learning center (TPA). Residents were also encouraged to use teak leaves as environmentally friendly packaging for sacrificial meat.

A similar initiative was carried out in Gunungkidul, where teak leaves were likewise used to package sacrificial meat. At PS Lentera Keluarga in Getas, Playen, Gunungkidul, FK-KMK UGM distributed one cow and one goat. Educational activities in the area included health screenings for local older adults, covering cholesterol, blood sugar, and uric acid levels.

Through the Eid al-Adha observance, Dr. Supriyati hopes the program will help cultivate compassion and solidarity by sharing both happiness and knowledge among FK-KMK UGM lecturers and students. 

“This initiative promotes proper hygiene in sacrificial meat distribution while remaining environmentally friendly through the use of teak leaves and woven bamboo baskets as packaging. This aligns with UGM’s mission as a healthy campus that positively impacts surrounding communities,” she said.

The chair of the organizing committee, Dr. Ibrahim Rahmat, also expressed hope that the program would bring joy to the community and strengthen inclusivity through collaboration. 

“We hope this sacrificial program brings happiness and emotional well-being to people with disabilities who participated in this event,” he said.

Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Documentation of Supriyati and FK-KMK UGM

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Approximately 250 participants from diverse backgrounds took part in the collective action. Mangrove planting was chosen as a concrete ecological prevention measure due to the plant’s ability to absorb blue carbon while serving as a natural barrier that protects shorelines from erosion and the impacts of climate change.

For HMP UGM, planting mangroves today is not merely about planting trees but also about planting hope so that future generations can continue to enjoy sustainable coastlines and a well-preserved environment.

Norol Latifah, Chair of HMP UGM, emphasized that the initiative was not simply a ceremonial tree-planting event but part of a broader moral movement to build ecological awareness among the public amid the increasingly evident threat of climate change. She referred to a 2020 G20 report indicating that global temperatures had risen by approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius and could reach 3.9 degrees Celsius by 2100 if no concrete action is taken.

“Through the small action we are taking today, we hope to create a significant impact on environmental sustainability in the future. Protecting the environment cannot be done alone; it requires collaboration among all elements of society,” she said on Sunday (May. 31).

Norol also stressed that the activity aligns with UGM’s vision of advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through active student involvement in initiatives that generate tangible impacts. At the end of her remarks, she expressed hope that the trees planted would continue to be cared for and become an environmental legacy for future generations.

“Our hope is that the trees planted today will be maintained collectively and become a legacy of environmental stewardship for the people of Kulon Progo in the future,” she concluded.

Kulon Progo Deputy Regent Ambar Purwoko praised the initiative as an effort to preserve the coastal environment. Purwoko expressed hope that the concern demonstrated through the activity would continue to inspire broader environmental conservation efforts.

“I would like to thank Universitas Gadjah Mada for its concern, participation, and support in protecting nature. Hopefully, Indonesia’s natural environment will always be preserved, and the country will remain sustainable with a well-maintained ecosystem,” he said.

Positive responses were also expressed by participants and local residents. One volunteer shared gratitude for having a platform through which young people can contribute directly to environmental conservation.

“We are pleased to have a space to channel our concern for nature. Our desire to protect the environment can be realized through concrete actions such as this mangrove-planting initiative,” the volunteer said.

Warso, a resident of Jangkaran, also expressed his sincere appreciation for the participants’ concern for the environment in his village.

“Thank you for visiting and caring about the natural environment in our village. Hopefully, this small effort can bring a significant impact on the environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Musthofa Anshori, Secretary of the Directorate of Student Affairs, viewed student involvement in environmental initiatives as a tangible implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education, particularly in community service.

Contributor: Naja Ganiswara Ramadhani/HMP
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: HMP UGM

Artikel 1,000 Mangroves Planted by HMP UGM to Restore Kulon Progo’s Coastal Ecosystem pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Several aspects of animal health, including food safety and the halal status of sacrificial meat, have become major concerns amid the increasing volume of animal slaughter during Eid al-Adha. The situation is particularly critical, as Indonesia remains in the control phase of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) outbreaks, while vigilance against Anthrax, Tuberculosis, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) continues to increase.

The deployment and training of the student inspectors were marked by the symbolic presentation of laboratory coats and dissection knives to student representatives, signifying their readiness to work directly in the field. The ceremony was led by UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of FKH UGM, Professor Aris Haryanto, on Saturday (May. 10) at the FKH UGM auditorium.

Dr. Sujito expressed appreciation for FKH UGM’s initiative to deploy student inspectors for sacrificial animals. According to him, activities like this reflect UGM’s commitment to contributing to a theological event that is manifested as a social event, namely the Eid al-Adha sacrifice tradition.

“Activities like this represent UGM’s commitment to ensuring that theological (religious) events can be realized as social events that must be supervised and properly managed,” he said.

As an educational institution, Dr. Sujito emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge with the public. Through direct engagement with the community, he hopes students can learn to dedicate their knowledge in service to society while creating a learning environment that supports the sustainability of veterinary education at UGM.

“I want this moment to become a learning space for students to practice proper slaughtering techniques, not merely based on instinct but grounded in knowledge, and I believe FKH has that capacity,” he added.

At the end of his remarks, Dr. Sujito emphasized that knowledge holds deeper meaning than mere academic grades. He hopes that practical experience in the community, along with real, practical questions from the public, will stimulate forms of intelligence that students may not develop within the university environment, while also improving their communication skills through community service.

“The knowledge you may not have fully used in classrooms, communities, faculties, or the university can become stimulated after engaging directly with society. Meeting people, hearing their questions, and responding to those questions can sharpen your intelligence. That is what I want to emphasize,” he explained.

Professor Haryanto encouraged students to make the most of this practical opportunity so that the knowledge they gain can be applied optimally in the field later.

The training program was divided into two main sessions: seminars and workshops or hands-on practice in inspecting sacrificial animals and meat. During the seminar session, participants received materials on government policies regarding the slaughter of sacrificial animals amid outbreaks of FMD, LSD, and heightened vigilance against Anthrax and PPR.

In addition, participants studied the implementation of hygiene and sanitation measures during slaughter in outbreak situations, particularly in DIY areas, as well as policies and waste management practices related to sacrificial animal slaughter. During the workshop session, participants focused on learning antemortem and postmortem inspection procedures for sacrificial animals.

For this training program, FKH UGM collaborated with the DIY Agriculture and Food Security Agency, the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) DIY Chapter, and the Department of Biological and Veterinary Technology at SV UGM.

The event was also attended by the Head of the DIY Agriculture and Food Security Agency, Aris Eko Nugroho, and the Chair of PDHI DIY, Aniq Syihabuddin.

Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Aldi Firmansyah

Artikel FKH UGM Deployed 325 Student Inspectors Amid Eid al-Adha Animal and Meat Checks pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The activity was conducted in Terong Hamlet and involved local cocoa farmer groups. The program focused on strengthening farmers’ social and organizational capacity as the foundation for sustainable cocoa development.

The assistance program was led by Salma Darajatun as Person in Charge (PIC), along with fellow student team members Azarine Malika Zayyan, Aisya Alifarizki, and Muhammad Rafi Gunadi. The assistance was designed using a participatory approach to ensure farmers’ active involvement in every stage of the process. In addition to improving production, the program targeted the strengthening of farmer group systems. 

“We want farmers not only to increase their yields but also to have strong institutions and the ability to make independent decisions,” Salma said on Wednesday (Apr. 22).

In its implementation, the student team partnered with PT Cipta Inovasi Berkelanjutan (Ailesh) as a strategic partner. This collaboration introduced an approach integrating innovation, communication, and sustainability principles. Ailesh supported the assistance process through education and by reinforcing community empowerment practices. 

“This synergy enriches the perspectives of both students and farmers in managing cocoa commodities. The collaborative approach is expected to create a sustainable system at the local level,” she explained.

The assistance was carried out through various participatory activities, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Through these forums, farmers, students, and partners discussed challenges and opportunities in cocoa development. This process provided a space to gather aspirations while formulating collective solutions.

Farmers were positioned as the primary actors in the program’s planning and implementation. The discussion results served as the basis for developing strategies to strengthen cocoa institutions and marketing.

From the FGDs, several challenges faced by cocoa farmers in Dlingo were identified. These included pest and plant disease attacks, limited water availability, and unmet needs for quality seedlings. In addition, unorganized marketing systems have kept cocoa prices relatively low. Farmers’ trust in collective marketing systems also needs to be strengthened. These conditions became key considerations in designing the next phase of assistance programs.

The Head of the Forest Farmer Group (KTH) Jasema, Sugiyono, expressed optimism about cocoa development in the area. He believes that the cocoa potential in Dlingo can still be improved with proper management. Experiences from other regions serve as references for farmers to draw on as they grow. Farmers’ enthusiasm to learn and adapt continues to increase. 

“In the future, we hope cocoa production here can reach quintal or even ton-scale yields,” he said.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Agricultural Extension Center (BPP), Rohmat Hidayat, emphasized the importance of improving product quality and marketing systems. He noted that the main issue lies not only in cultivation but also in the product’s market value.

Rohmat stressed that strengthening institutional capacity is key to promoting more effective collective marketing. Support from the BPP is expected to reinforce the ongoing assistance program. 

“Moving forward, strong and open institutions must be established so farmers can increase the value of their cocoa,” he explained.

Through this MBKB program, UGM students not only provide initial assistance but also open opportunities for sustained collaboration. The synergy among students, partners, and stakeholders is expected to strengthen local agricultural systems. This program exemplifies the role of higher education in supporting community empowerment based on regional potential.

Strengthening capacity and institutions is a crucial step in enhancing farmers’ competitiveness. With consistent efforts, Dlingo cocoa is expected to become a sustainable, leading commodity.

Reporter: Aisya Alifarizki
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Team Documentation

Artikel UGM Students Support Cocoa Farmer Groups in Dlingo Through Capacity Building Program pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.