The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), celebrated its 65th Dies Natalis under the theme “Science Reborn: Excellence & Impactful for Indonesia.” The theme reflects FMIPA UI’s commitment to positioning fundamental research as a key driver of national solutions through cross-faculty and interdisciplinary collaboration at Universitas Indonesia. The celebration was held on Friday, 19 December 2025, at the Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro Hall, Depok, ahead of FMIPA UI’s official anniversary on 21 December 2025.
This year’s celebration was marked by a public lecture titled “An Overview of Disasters in Sumatra,” aimed at providing scientific insights while encouraging the development of concrete solutions. The event also served to strengthen FMIPA UI’s position as a leading science faculty that delivers solutions through science in disaster mitigation and management.
The Dean of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, M.Si., stated that the 65th Dies Natalis serves as an important momentum to strengthen FMIPA UI’s contributions to society. “FMIPA UI is committed to playing a more active role in delivering tangible contributions through the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community service. These efforts are directed toward ensuring that the knowledge developed at FMIPA UI can be increasingly felt by the public, particularly in addressing disaster-related challenges and post-disaster recovery,” he said.
Prof. Tito added, “I hope today’s discussion can become a productive intellectual space that enriches all of our perspectives, strengthens the synergy between scientific knowledge and disaster-related practice, and reaffirms FMIPA UI’s commitment to taking part in addressing the socio-ecological challenges faced by the nation.”
The public lecture featured several experts, including Prof. Dr. Ir. Jan Sopaheluwakan, M.Sc., from the Institute for Sustainable Earth and Resources (ISER) UI; Aldo Febriansyah Putra, Ph.D., from the Geology and Geophysics Study Program, FMIPA UI; and Widhyasmaramurti, S.S., M.A., MPP., from the Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Innovation, Universitas Indonesia.
The discussion highlighted disasters in Sumatra from a scientific perspective, including geomorphological factors and human activities that trigger flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, as well as Universitas Indonesia’s contributions through the UI Peduli program as a form of humanitarian action. The public lecture was moderated by Idwan Suhardi, Ph.D., an expert in Coastal Geomorphology at FMIPA UI.
In the keynote speech session, Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhammad Dirhamsyah, M.T., IPU— a member of the Steering Committee of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UIN Ar-Raniry, Banda Aceh—emphasized the importance of learning from the perspectives of science and technology, as well as human resource development.
He explained that the focus of achievements for 2025–2029, as outlined in the National Disaster Management Master Plan (RIPB) 2020–2044 (Presidential Regulation No. 87 of 2020), is to realize Indonesia as a self-reliant, advanced, and strong archipelagic nation based on national interests. “Reducing the impacts of coastal disasters and marine pollution is pursued through the development of disaster mitigation systems, the enhancement of early warning systems, and the development of a national emergency response plan for oil spills at sea,” said Prof. Dirhamsyah.
He added, “Managing disasters in Indonesia is a major task, full of challenges and complexity, given that Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with a population of more than 280 million people.”
As an expression of gratitude for FMIPA UI’s 65-year journey of service, achievement, and contribution to science and the nation—and as a symbol of togetherness and hope that FMIPA UI will continue to grow, excel, and have greater impact in the future—a traditional tumpeng cutting ceremony was held by the Dean of FMIPA UI along with the faculty leadership.
The event was also attended by the Chair of the FMIPA UI Academic Senate, Adi Wibowo, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.; the Secretary of the FMIPA UI Council of Professors, Prof. Dr. Eng. Yunus Daud, Dipl.Geotherm.Tech., M.Sc.; the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FMIPA UI, Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D.; Professor of Biological Sciences, Prof. Dr. Jatna Supriatna, M.Sc.; Head of the FMIPA UI Special Work Unit, Eko Waludi, S.T., M.Si.; managers, the Head of the Academic Quality Assurance Unit, the Head of the Secretariat, heads of departments and study programs within FMIPA UI, as well as Prof. Jeff Sayer from the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia.
Through academic activities, applied research, and community engagement oriented toward real needs on the ground, FMIPA UI hopes to contribute to recovery efforts and the strengthening of community resilience. This spirit aligns with FMIPA UI’s aspiration to advance science in Indonesia while delivering tangible benefits for the nation and the state.
