On Tuesday morning (August 15, 2023), an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm was evident at the main entrance of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI). That bright morning marked the first day of the Faculty Academic System Introduction (PSAF) series of activities, a warm welcome to new undergraduate students for the 2023/2024 Academic Year.

The area witnessed the first steps of the new FMIPA UI students. There, students gathered to fill out an attendance list before being directed to the activity center in the FMIPA UI Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory Building – PT Pertamina, on the UI Campus, Depok. The activity, chaired by Alexandra G.M. Samantha (Chemistry 2021) under the guidance of Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, Student Affairs Manager, ran until August 16-18, 2023.

This year, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at the University of Indonesia (UI) accepted 1,053 new students from nine undergraduate study programs. In an activity titled “Building Competence, Realizing Future Dreams,” they were given an introduction and overview of the campus environment, academic system, and student life at the Faculty.

The Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan, who represented the Dean of FMIPA UI who was unable to attend, officially opened the event.

“Welcome new students to our beloved campus, FMIPA UI,” said Prof. Budiawan opening his remarks.

“FMIPA UI is a faculty that continues to develop, a faculty that continues to contribute to the progress of the University of Indonesia, and all of you here are a source of pride for us because you have succeeded in getting the opportunity to develop your potential and abilities at the best campus, FMIPA UI,” he said.

Prof. Budiawan also expressed his appreciation to the new students for their enthusiasm in participating in this activity. However, he emphasized that PSAF is only the first step. He believes that the most important thing is how students can navigate the educational process at FMIPA UI as optimally as possible, enabling them to excel and make a real contribution to the faculty and university.

Prof. Budiawan hopes that through this introduction to the campus environment, new FMIPA UI students can get a complete picture and information, so that they can study comfortably and enthusiastically.

Finally, he introduced his staff starting from the Chair of the Board of Professors, the Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures, and General Administration, the managers, the head of the Academic Quality Assurance Unit (UPMA), the heads of departments and the heads of study programs.

The first day’s activities continued with presentations from managers within the UI Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Administration Center. Through these presentations, the managers introduced the functions and roles of their respective units to the new students.

In addition, the new students were also treated to a series of interesting talk shows featuring inspiring speakers, namely Dr. Drg. Muh. Arief Rosyid, M.KM (Independent Commissioner of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia), and Faldo Maldini, S.Si., M.Res., M.I.P. (Special Staff to the Minister of State Secretary for Communication and Media in a talk show entitled “A Picture of Campus Life”.

Both spoke about the need for students to develop logical, critical, and systematic thinking skills, regardless of their major. These thinking skills will help them analyze various problems.

Both Dr. Arief and Faldo advised students to approach campus life with sincerity and responsibility to prepare them for their post-college lives. Campus life encompasses more than just teaching and learning activities, but also encompasses social and cultural life.

“Bring your big dreams, realize your achievements, and bring the campus to life with your extraordinary energy,” Faldo advised the new students.

After watching a talk show depicting campus life, students were then given an overview of the next “phase of life” namely “Post-Campus Life”. Present as speakers in the talk show “Post-Campus Life: Government and Companies” were Mr. Awang Lazuardi (Director of Development & Production of PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi), and Dr. Rasio Ridho Sani, M.Com., MPM (Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia).

In keeping with its theme, the discussion in this talk show focused on the challenges of post-college life. These challenges are said to be diverse. They often even introduce new aspects not taught in class. Today’s workplace, for example, emphasizes more than just academic aspects. hardskill saja melainkan softskill also very necessary.

Furthermore, as capital to face the challenges of post-campus life, digital era students are required to be creative and adaptive as thorough preparation to be able to compete in the business and industrial world.

However, post-college life should be faced with optimism, as this is a time to prove what has been learned through formal education. This is the time to prove that the future is in our hands.

The new students are increasingly enthusiastic about participating in activities with the game of guessing the picture of the Student Activity Unit (UKM) owned by FMIPA UI, as well as guessing the FMIPA UI Mars song.

Those present at the opening ceremony of the PSAF MIPA UI included Prof. Dr. Sumi Hudiyono PWS (Chair of the Council of Professors), Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs within the FMIPA UI environment.

Another interesting activity was held on the second day of PSAF MIPA UI. Academics from FMIPA UI, namely Prof. Drs. Jatna Supriatna, Ph.D., Professor of Biology Conservation and (Head of the UI Research Center for Climate Change unit), and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Dimyati, M.Sc., Professor of the Department of Geography, FMIPA UI, were present to fill a talk show with the theme “Scientist Role on Global Climate Issues”.

Through this talk show, it is hoped that students will be motivated to understand climate change in more detail and contribute to addressing this issue.

Also present was Mr. Petrus Tjandra, a successful businessman in the palm oil industry, to share his inspiring story through a talk show with the theme “The Role and Contribution of FMIPA UI to the Development of Research and Added Value of Indonesian Palm Oil.”

He spoke about Indonesia’s food, clothing, and shelter, which constitute national security, but which are not yet fully sovereign. However, he believes that sovereignty can be realized through the hands of researchers, supported by available natural resources.

He believes that palm oil can produce two energy potentials: biodiesel and palm-based gasoline. He further argued that palm oil is the pioneer of national agribusiness, and palm oil farmers are the heroes of carbon absorption.

Therefore, he also invited students and researchers to play a role in realizing the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia through research in science and palm oil. He was optimistic that this could be realized.

“I am confident that young researchers from the University of Indonesia can support the achievement of the production target of 100 million tons of palm oil in Indonesia’s Golden Year of 2045, without deforestation and additional greenhouse gas emissions,” said the President Director of PT Agro Investama Group to the new students of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia.

Another inspiring resource person was Prof. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D. (President Commissioner of PT. Telkom Indonesia and Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia/Head of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency for the 2019-2021 period), in a talk show themed “Scientist and Natural Resources Needs in Our Future” he shared his view that researchers should be able to collaborate with industry and government.

In addition to productively conducting research, according to him, researchers also need to be proactive in publishing and presenting their research results to industry and government, so that the research results can be applied and felt to be of benefit to the wider community.

“Researchers must be familiar with the private sector, like Mr. Petrus Tjandra mentioned earlier, with (industry) players, because if you are busy in the lab, but the results never reach the industry, then no one will feel the benefits of your research results (researchers),” said the son of Prof. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Dean of FMIPA UI for the 1964-1968 period.

As part of the UI Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) academic community, new students are encouraged to adopt environmentally conscious behavior. In addition to bringing their own tumblers to reduce the use of disposable drinking bottles, students are also encouraged to sort waste according to type.

Furthermore, new students were involved in the creation of biopore holes and the planting of tree seedlings within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UI. A total of 45 tree seedlings were planted by students, accompanied by their leaders. It is hoped that this activity will foster students’ awareness and responsibility for environmental sustainability. This activity also supports the UI GreenMetric program, which in 2022, FMIPA UI won second place in this prestigious environmental ranking.

The event was officially closed by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., on Friday afternoon (August 18, 2023) in the plaza area of Building B and the Makara Park. The Dean stated, “FMIPA UI is not only an educational institution but also a platform that can make your dreams and aspirations come true. We are committed to always guiding students in developing their competencies, leadership, and social spirit.”

However, he emphasized to his students to always prioritize manners and ethics in all activities, as well as uphold the good name of their alma mater. The Dean also reminded them that throughout their education, students will face challenges. Nevertheless, he assured them that all members of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at UI, including the leadership, lecturers, and staff, will continue to guide them until they graduate.

“This struggle will be full of challenges, but don’t worry, you are not alone. We, the entire leadership of FMIPA UI and all existing components, will guide you in every step. You have great potential, and we believe that you will be the most important part of the next generation who are able to make a real contribution to the advancement of science,” said the Dean.

“Let’s live a campus life together that is full of meaning and achievement,” he said.

The closing ceremony by the Dean of FMIPA UI marked the beginning of the next departmental activity, the Introduction to the Departmental Academic System (PSAD). In their respective departments, the new students engaged in various activities to better understand their departments under the guidance of the Department Head and Study Program Head.The closing ceremony by the Dean of FMIPA UI marked the beginning of the next departmental activity, the Introduction to the Departmental Academic System (PSAD). In their respective departments, the new students engaged in various activities to better understand their departments under the guidance of the Department Head and Study Program Head.

Some of these activities include exchanging insights with lecturers and seniors, getting to know fellow students, getting to know the department environment in more detail, such as getting to know the work units along with their staff and rooms, as well as student associations and their work programs.

This closing activity also marked the culmination of the 2023 PSAF MIPA UI event. As a token of appreciation for the new students’ enthusiastic participation, the PSAF team provided a stage for them to showcase their best performances through an arts performance. In front of their leaders, they confidently performed songs, theatrical plays, and a fashion show as a group.