General Lecture "Potential of Endemic Specific Biodiversity in Supporting Food Security and Its Conservation"

On Friday, November 3, 2023, the Biology Study Program, FMIPA, University of Bengkulu held a public lecture with the theme “Potential of Endemic Specific Biodiversity in Supporting Food Security and Its Conservation”. This activity was held at the UNIB Integrated Service Building and was attended by lecturers and students from the Biology Department and D3 Science Laboratory. The total number of participants who attended was around 48 people.

This public lecture presents a prominent resource person, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., who is the Chair of the Indonesian Biology Consortium (KOBI) and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The purpose of this activity is to increase the participants’ insight and understanding of the latest developments in the field of biodiversity conservation, especially those related to the potential of Indonesia’s endemic biodiversity in supporting food security.

This public lecture began with a welcoming speech from the Dean of FMIPA, University of Bengkulu, Dr. Jarulis, S.Si., M.Si., and was guided by Dr. Sipriyadi, M.Si., Head of the Biology Department, FMIPA, University of Bengkulu, who acted as the moderator. In the public lecture, Prof. Budi conveyed the importance of understanding, documenting, collecting and conserving the diversity and richness of biological resources and utilizing them sustainably through breeding, biotechnology, bioprospecting and bio-tourism. He also presented several studies on the conservation of agricultural genetic diversity in Indonesia, including cucumbers, bananas, melons, local chickens and several other superior varieties. These biodiversity conservation steps can also be duplicated in Bengkulu province.

In addition to being a place for learning and exchanging academic ideas, this event also shows a strong commitment to establishing and strengthening academic and research cooperation at the national level. The closing of the activity was carried out with a group photo and the awarding of certificates to speakers and participants.