In support of the development of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) as a sustainable smart city, the 2025 Fundamental Research Team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a field survey from 11–16 August 2025. This activity is part of the 2025 Fundamental Research scheme with the theme: “Smart Waste Management Innovation and Systems to Support the Implementation of a Smart City in Nusantara Capital City.”

(Event Documentation)

The research team was led by Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati, S.Si., M.T., a faculty member of the Department of Development Geography and Chair of the Regional Development Study Focus in the Master’s Program in Geography at UGM. She was assisted by two principal researchers: Prof. Dr. Eko Haryono, M.Si. (Department of Environmental Geography and Head of the Doctoral Program in Environmental Science at UGM) and Ir. Agus Prasetya, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. (Department of Chemical Engineering, UGM). 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.

(Event Documentation)

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 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

A joint team of doctoral students from the Environmental Science, Geography, and Population Studies programs at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a comprehensive field study on Komodo Island as part of the Lesser Sunda Expedition, held from 1–7 July 2025. The expedition aimed to explore the conservation status, behavioral ecology, and sustainable tourism potential of the world’s largest lizard species — the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).

(Activity Documentation)

During their visit to Komodo Island, the students had the rare opportunity to encounter Thomas, a 20-year-old male Komodo dragon, guided by conservation rangers from Komodo National Park led by Mr. Fajar. Coincidentally, the visit took place during the Komodo mating season, which occurs between June and August. Komodo dragons are solitary reptiles, preferring to remain within their territorial range and interacting with others only during mating season or while hunting large prey. read more

As part of the Lesser Sunda Expedition, the Doctoral Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continued its research journey to several islands in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago from 4–6 July 2025. The expedition aimed to identify and map the ecological potential of marine and terrestrial ecosystems on small tropical islands. This research adopted an integrated approach, combining analyses of abiotic and biotic resources with insights into local cultural elements. The fieldwork was conducted aboard a research vessel, supported by local enumerators Akbar and Amir, who possess deep knowledge of the region’s socio-ecological dynamics. read more

The Doctoral Program in Environmental Science, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized an activity under the Lesser Sunda Expedition in collaboration with the Doctoral Program in Population Studies and the Doctoral Program in Geography. The target location of this expedition was the premium tourism area of Labuan Bajo. As part of the series of activities, an Interactive Talkshow was held between UGM representatives, partners, and alumni. The event, conducted on 3 July 2025, was attended by Prof. Eko Haryono and Dr. Sudaryatno along with the expedition participants, Dr. Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras (representing Public Relations and Collaboration of UGM Graduate School), representatives from Keluarga Alumni Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA) Manggarai Chapter led by Mr. Stefan, partners from Komodo National Park (TNK) represented by Mr. Ichwan, and academics from El Bajo Campus in Labuan Bajo. read more

A total of 25 doctoral students from Universitas Gadjah Mada representing three study programs—Environmental Science, Geography, and Population Studies—conducted the Sunda Kecil Expedition, one of which took place in Wae Rebo Village, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on July 2–3, 2025. This activity formed part of a field-based learning initiative designed to connect students with real-world practices of culturally and environmentally grounded village tourism management.

(Documentation of the Activity)

Wae Rebo is renowned as a traditional village located in a mountainous area that can only be reached after a three- to four-hour hike. The village’s main attraction lies in its seven conical traditional Manggarai houses known as Mbaru Niang, which encircle a sacred stone altar called Compang. read more

East Nusa Tenggara, July 2025 – Twenty-five doctoral students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), representing the Doctoral Programs in Environmental Science, Geography, and Population Studies, conducted the Sunda Kecil Expedition from July 1–7, 2025. This initiative served as a transdisciplinary learning platform connecting science, culture, and sustainability policy. Four strategic locations were chosen as the focus of the expedition, each illustrating the complex relationship between humans and the environment in the eastern Indonesian archipelago. read more

(June 24, 2025) — In celebration of World Environment Day 2025, the Graduate Program in Environmental Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Environmental and Disaster Mitigation Clinic (KLMB) of the Faculty of Geography UGM and the Indonesian Association of Environmental Experts (IALHI), held a National Seminar on “Inclusive Environmental Law Enforcement: Ensuring Justice for Sustainability.” The theme underscores the cultural and legal dimensions of environmental studies by addressing recent trends in environmental violation cases. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. read more