The Master’s Program in Environmental Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially launched the Odd Semester of Academic Year 2025/2026 by organizing a series of deficiency and field practice activities for students. These activities aim to strengthen interdisciplinary foundational knowledge and enhance students’ academic capacity in understanding complex and multidimensional environmental issues.

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The one-week deficiency program featured experts from various disciplines, alumni, and UGM librarians, equipping students with essential knowledge on critical environmental issues such as climate change (SDG 13), clean water and sanitation management (SDG 6), terrestrial ecosystem restoration (SDG 15), clean and affordable energy transition (SDG 7), and partnerships for sustainable development goals (SDG 17). Dr. Sudrajat, the program coordinator, stated that the deficiency program serves as an important moment to align students’ understanding across diverse academic backgrounds and prepare them with a strong theoretical and conceptual foundation to advance their studies in environmental science and geography. read more

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation from the University of Birmingham (UoB) at the UGM Graduate School on Wednesday, 6 August 2025. The meeting was attended by Prof. Siti Malkhamah, Prof. Eko Haryono, and Dr. Priyaji Agung Pambudi from UGM, alongside Prof. Gregor Leckebusch and a student representative, Ahmad, from UoB. Both universities discussed plans for deeper collaboration across multiple areas, including academic exchanges, joint research projects, and the development of joint degree programs. read more

Yogyakarta, 5 August 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through its Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Environmental Science, held a meeting with a delegation from National Taiwan University (NTU) to strengthen international collaboration in education and research. The meeting, conducted at UGM’s Land Resources Study Center, was attended by Prof. Eko Haryono and Prof. Junun Sartohadi representing UGM, as well as Prof. Jr-Chuan Huang and Dr. Ci-Jian Yang from NTU.

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During the meeting, both parties discussed several strategic collaborative initiatives, including joint supervision programs, student exchanges, summer schools, guest lectures, international field activities in Indonesia and Taiwan, as well as an annual joint conference focused on geoscience. read more

The Biotic Studies Team from the Master of Environmental Science Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a Field Work Course (Kuliah Kerja Lapangan/KKL) in the Mojo Mangrove Essential Ecosystem (KEE), Pemalang Regency. The team analyzed mangrove community structure, measured carbon stocks, and assessed environmental parameters affecting the mangrove ecosystem in an area designated as a role model for collaborative mangrove management in Indonesia.

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Previous studies by Renta et al. (2016) indicated that Avicennia marina dominates the tree level with an Importance Value Index (IVI) of 153.24, while Rhizophora mucronata dominates the sapling level with an IVI of 171.40. The area demonstrates significant carbon sequestration potential, with estimated biomass carbon stocks of 21.55–144.22 tons C/ha and sediment carbon stocks of 98.45–181.06 tons C/ha, averaging a total carbon stock of 155.13 tons C/ha. These findings position the Mojo mangrove forest as one of the most effective natural solutions for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. read more

The Master of Environmental Science Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a Field Study (Kuliah Kerja Lapang, KKL) on Coastal Resilience in Pemalang Regency from 14–17 July 2025. The study analyzed beach cleanliness using the Clean Coast Index (CCI) and Hazardous Item Index (HII) across three strategic locations: Widuri Beach in Pemalang District, Joko Tingkir Beach in Petarukan District, and the Mojo Mangrove Essential Ecosystem (KEE) in Ulujami District. This research responds to the critical issue of anthropogenic marine debris along Indonesia’s coasts, particularly in Pemalang Regency, which has significant tourism and maritime economic potential. read more

Students from the Master of Environmental Science program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have completed a comprehensive field study to analyze the phenomenon of seawater intrusion and its impact on groundwater quality in the coastal areas of Pemalang Regency. The Field Work Course (KKL) was conducted from 14–17 July 2025 across four strategic sub-districts—Pemalang, Taman, Petarukan, and Ulujami—representing the diverse characteristics of the coastal region.

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Seawater intrusion is a hidden threat that jeopardizes the sustainability of water resources in Indonesia’s coastal zones. Groundwater in these areas plays a critical role in meeting community needs, yet the intrusion of seawater can significantly reduce water quality, posing risks to public health and local water security. This issue is exacerbated by anthropogenic activities, including excessive groundwater extraction, land-use changes, and coastal development pressures. “This study serves as an initial step to understand the underground crisis of freshwater slowly being contaminated by seawater,” said the Research Team Coordinator, emphasizing the urgency of a rigorous scientific investigation into coastal hydrogeological dynamics. read more

Students from the Master of Environmental Science program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a field study on coastal resilience in Pemalang Regency from 14–17 July 2025. Portions of Pemalang along the northern coast of Java have experienced rapid development but face significant threats from climate change. Unlike other northern coastal areas such as Semarang, Demak, or Jakarta, which have received public attention, Pemalang has not yet become a priority area for mitigation efforts, despite the significant impacts of coastal hazards already felt by local communities. read more

The Master’s Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a Field Study (Kuliah Kerja Lapang / KKL) with the theme “Coastal Resilience” in Pemalang Regency, Central Java. From a social perspective, this study focuses on analyzing the perceptions of coastal communities regarding environmental issues and their impacts on the socio-economic conditions of residents across 16 villages in four sub-districts: Pemalang, Taman, Petarukan, and Ulujami.

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This research employed a quantitative descriptive method with data collected through a Likert scale to measure community perceptions. Preliminary findings indicate an increase in the frequency of tidal flooding (rob) and high waves in Pemalang’s coastal areas in recent years. Supporting data from the Pemalang Marine and Fisheries Office show that approximately 55% of the coastal population works in the fisheries sector, while data from Pemalang Regency Statistics (BPS, 2023) record that around 18% of the total population lives below the poverty line, with most residing in coastal areas. Field observations revealed that among the four sub-districts, Ulujami exhibited the highest perception levels across all coastal issues, including infrastructure and housing damage due to tidal flooding, declining water and soil quality, and the loss of livelihoods caused by environmental degradation. read more

The Master’s Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a comprehensive Field Study (Kuliah Kerja Lapangan/KKL) with the theme “Coastal Resilience” in Pemalang Regency, Central Java, on 14–18 July 2025. This activity employed a multidisciplinary approach to analyze various aspects of coastal environmental issues, encompassing social, physical, and biotic dimensions across four key sub-districts: Pemalang, Taman, Petarukan, and Ulujami.

The comprehensive findings from five research clusters reveal the interconnected complexity of coastal challenges in Pemalang Regency. The Social Cluster found that Ulujami Sub-district demonstrated the highest perception level across all coastal issues, including infrastructure, housing, and agricultural land damage caused by tidal flooding, degradation of water and soil quality, and the loss of livelihoods due to environmental pressures in coastal zones. [Read more] read more

The Doctoral Program in Environmental Science, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continues to strengthen its commitment to international collaboration through the implementation of the Doctoral Internship Program, a joint initiative with the Faculty of Geography and Guilin University of Technology (GUT), China. This program provides opportunities for international students to engage in cross-border academic and research experiences. Since April 21, 2025, five students from GUT have joined UGM for approximately three months—three students in the non-degree Doctoral Program in Environmental Science and two students in the Master’s Internship Program in Geography. Prior to their arrival, the participants prepared study and research plans and are being supervised by UGM academics, including Prof. Eko Haryono, to actively participate in academic and research activities during their stay in Indonesia. read more