Swift Response from the UNS SAR Team

In response to the emergency, the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Search and Rescue (SAR) Team swiftly deployed five trained personnel. The team brought a rubber boat to assist in the affected areas. Their primary assignment was in Sruni Village, Kadipiro, one of the worst-hit areas.

According to UNS SAR Team Coordinator Danang, the team focused on evacuating residents from Sruni Village. “Heavy flooding hit this area because it sits at the confluence of two small rivers. The water inundated approximately 30 houses, with depths ranging from 0,5 to 1,7 meters,” he told uns.ac.id.

The flooding affected at least 96 residents from RT 01 and 02 of RW 13. It also impacted residents from RT 02 of RW 16. Water levels began rising at around 4:00 PM local time and peaked at approximately 8:00 PM. Fortunately, the floodwaters gradually receded, starting at 9:00 PM.

The rescue team had safely evacuated all residents by the time the situation stabilized. After completing their mission, the UNS SAR team returned to base. The rapid response and coordination ensured minimal disruption and injuries.

Local Government Acknowledges SAR Efforts

Meanwhile, Surakarta Mayor Respati Ardi visited the flood-affected locations. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the UNS SAR team. He also thanked all SAR personnel who contributed to the emergency relief operation. This humanitarian initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It particularly supports efforts to tackle climate change and develop resilient, sustainable communities.

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In this project, UNS joins a consortium with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The collaboration also includes two leading European institutions: the European Union of Medical Specialists (Belgium) and Karolinska Institutet (Sweden). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) coordinates the consortium.

Advancing Digital Learning in Medical Education

DISCERN DSS focuses on scenario-based learning, an interactive approach that helps medical students develop essential digital competencies. This method not only improves knowledge transfer but also strengthens capacity building among lecturers and academic staff.

To kickstart the project, a Kick-off Meeting took place on February 11-13, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting allowed partner institutions to align their strategies and define objectives. They also planned the project’s implementation for the next three years (2025-2027).

Three delegates represented FK UNS. They are Prof. Ari Probandari, dr., MPH., Ph.D. and Vitri Widyaningsih, dr., M.S., Ph.D. It also includes Amandha Boy Timor Randita, dr., M. Med. Ed., Sp.K.F.R.

During the meeting, the consortium agreed on several digital soft skills development programs. The consortium will integrate these programs into the medical education curriculum. One key initiative is the Training of Trainers program, which will take place in Yogyakarta in 2025.

Shaping Future-Ready Medical Professionals

Prof. Ari Probandari highlighted the project’s significance. She emphasized that Indonesian medical students must master both clinical competencies and digital technology to thrive in modern healthcare.

“This project will create a more advanced learning environment. It will make medical education more interactive and relevant to real-world challenges,” she stated.

Furthermore, the digital skills acquired at the undergraduate level will continue to develop during professional education and lifelong learning. This initiative ensures that future healthcare professionals integrate digital expertise into their daily medical practice.

Commitment to Global Collaboration and SDGs

FK UNS’s participation in Erasmus projects reflects its commitment to global collaboration, education, and research. Through this initiative, FK UNS actively contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It enhances the quality of medical education worldwide.

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In his inaugural speech, Prof. Fahru discussed the role of organic solar cell materials. The speech was titled “Development of Natural Materials in Solar Cell Innovation as a Low-Carbon Energy Source.” He emphasized their importance in advancing sustainable energy. His appointment marks him as the 35th professor at FMIPA and the 336th at UNS.

Advancing Organic Solar Cell Technology

Prof. Fahru explained that photovoltaic technology converts solar energy into electricity through solar cells. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) represent the third generation of solar cells. These photoelectrochemical devices absorb sunlight using dyes and convert it into electrical energy.

One crucial component of DSSC is the dye sensitizer. It absorbs solar photon energy at the molecular level. Then, it excites the energy into excitons. Most DSSC applications use synthetic and natural dyes. While synthetic dyes offer high efficiency (around 11–12%), they are expensive to produce.

Exploring Natural Dyes for DSSC Efficiency

The high cost of synthetic dyes has led researchers to explore natural alternatives. They extract these dyes from plants, including leaves, fruits, and flowers. Several natural pigments, such as anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids, have proven effective for DSSC applications.

“Natural dyes have multiple advantages,” Prof. Fahru stated. “They are widely available in nature, offer various pigment colors, are cost-effective, and require simple processing techniques. Most importantly, they are environmentally friendly.”

His research team worked on modifying natural dyes by expanding their absorption wavelengths through dye combinations. This method significantly improved DSSC efficiency. A combination of chlorophyll from spinach and anthocyanin from rose petals improved DSSC efficiency. The efficiency increased from 0,117% and 0,11% (single dyes) to 0,58%. This result was nearly four times higher.

Enhancing DSSC Performance with Metal Integration

Further research combined anthocyanin from dragon fruit peel, betalain from bougainvillea flowers, and chlorophyll from cassava leaves. This technique tripled DSSC efficiency compared to using single dyes.

Additionally, incorporating silver (Ag) metal into the natural dye combination enhanced DSSC efficiency. The efficiency increased to 1,7%, which was five times higher than single-dye efficiency. “This modification proves that DSSCs can achieve high efficiency at low cost while supporting low-carbon energy development,” Prof. Fahru emphasized.

Supporting Sustainable Energy Goals

Prof. Fahru’s research aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy. In addition, it also supports SDG 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

His work contributes to innovations in material technology, particularly in organic solar cells. By utilizing natural resources, this research paves the way for clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

Through continuous advancements, organic solar cells hold great potential for revolutionizing renewable energy while reducing environmental impact.

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The grand launch featured a ceremonial gong strike by UNS Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni, Prof. Ir. Dody Ariawan, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. The Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs at UNS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Joko Sutrisno, M.P., joined him. The Secretary of the Directorate of Student Affairs, Danang Tomi Harjanto, S.Sos., was also present. The Head of the Sub-Directorate for Student Counseling Services, Berliana Widi Scarvanovi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist, attended as well.

“This initiative highlights UNS’s dedication to fostering a supportive academic environment that prioritizes mental health. Additionally, it contributes positively to our accreditation. Sasmita Jiwa provides counselors and academic mentors who are ready to help students address academic, social, and personal concerns. We hope UNS can deliver the best possible service and encourage faculty members to inform students about this facility,” Prof. Dody said during his speech.

Prof. Joko Sutrisno echoed this sentiment. He emphasized that Sasmita Jiwa is a safe space for students to seek support. They can confide in someone or consult with mental health professionals.

The Directorate of Student Affairs and Alumni manages Sasmita Jiwa. The service aims to help students feel comfortable and ease their concerns about academic, social, and personal challenges.

Layanan Sasmita Jiwa

Sasmita Jiwa Services

Berliana Widi Scarvanovi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist, and Head of the Sub-Directorate for Student Counseling Services, explained that Sasmita Jiwa offers three key programs. These programs are promotive, preventive, and curative.

The promotive program focuses on raising mental health awareness through educational activities and roadshows. It also involves the establishment of mental health ambassadors within UNS. Meanwhile, the preventive program aims to reduce mental health risks by conducting screenings and mapping students’ mental well-being. It also provides counseling skills training for counselors and academic mentors.

“Our primary focus is the curative program, which involves intervention activities aimed at restoring individual well-being. This program includes two categories: psychological counseling and academic counseling. Professional psychologists conduct psychological counseling to help students manage emotional and mental health challenges, while academic mentors provide academic counseling to support students in overcoming academic difficulties,” Berliana explained.

How to Access Sasmita Jiwa Services

Sasmita Jiwa’s services are free for all UNS students. To book a counseling session, students need to fill out a reservation form available on Instagram @sasmitajiwa.uns. After submission, the Sasmita Jiwa team will contact them to schedule a session. Counseling can be conducted online or in person at the Student Affairs and Medical Center Building, second floor.

The Importance of Mental Health Support

Promoting mental health is crucial for ensuring a healthy life and overall well-being for individuals of all ages. This initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 3: “Good Health and Well-Being.” By providing accessible mental health support, UNS demonstrates its commitment to fostering a holistic and supportive academic environment for its students.

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UNS delegation included Prof. Dr. Mujiyo, S.P., M.P., Vice Dean for Non-Academic Affairs and Chief Editor of Jurnal Caraka Tani. Also present were Dr. Gusti Fauza, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. The Jurnal Caraka Tani editorial team was also in attendance.

Sharing Knowledge to Improve Journal Quality

During the meeting, Widhi Dyah Sawitri, S.Si., M.Agr., Ph.D., explained UGM’s primary goal. The aim was to exchange knowledge on the management and publication processes of academic journals. Additionally, they focused on the indexing processes at FP UNS.

“We aim to discuss ways to enhance journal quality and improve the publication process. This benchmarking effort is vital for Jurnal Vegetalika as we prepare to compete nationally and internationally,” Widhi said.

She further highlighted that they chose FP UNS for the benchmarking visit because of Jurnal Caraka Tani. Like Jurnal Vegetalika, it covers various agricultural disciplines. Jurnal Caraka Tani has already earned Scopus Q2 and Sinta 1 indexing, making it a valuable reference.

“Jurnal Caraka Tani is widely regarded as a high-standard academic journal in scientific publishing. It serves as an excellent benchmark for understanding high-quality publication processes,” Widhi added.

Strengthening Collaboration and Improving Journal Management

Widhi expressed hope that this visit would foster strong collaboration between Jurnal Vegetalika UGM and Jurnal Caraka Tani UNS.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to improve journal management, including article quality, peer review processes, indexing, and overall journal reputation. These improvements will help our journals become more competitive, gain higher accreditation, and contribute significantly to agricultural science,” she explained.

Building Stronger Relationships for Global Competitiveness

Prof. Dr. Mujiyo, S.P., M.P., Vice Dean for Non-Academic Affairs FP UNS, welcomed the UGM delegation. He expressed appreciation for their benchmarking initiative. The event continued with a detailed presentation and Q&A session on managing Jurnal Caraka Tani, led by Prof. Mujiyo.

Contributing to Global Agricultural Development

The efforts to improve agricultural journal publications align with global initiatives to end hunger and achieve food security. They also aim to improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. These objectives are part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They specifically align with Goal 2: ‘Zero Hunger’ and Goal 4: ‘Quality Education.”

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Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni, Prof. Ir. Doddy Ariawan, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., reported that this period’s KKN includes four schemes. 260 students are participating in the Java Partnership Scheme, 231 in the Non-Java Partnership Scheme, 458 in the Faculty Partner Scheme, and 670 in the Thematic-Regular Scheme.

The KKN program will take place in various regions across Indonesia, covering seven provinces. In Java, Central Java and East Java serve as KKN locations, while areas outside Java include Bali, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Maluku, and Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra). This broad distribution reflects UNS’s commitment to serving diverse communities.

KKN activities will be conducted in 22 districts and cities. In Central Java, students will be stationed in 12 locations: Blora, Boyolali, Cilacap, Grobogan, Karanganyar, Klaten, Magelang, Sragen, Sukoharjo, Surakarta, Temanggung, and Wonogiri. In East Java, the program will take place in Madiun and Pacitan. In NTB, students will serve in Bima, North Lombok, and East Lombok. In Bali, the locations are Denpasar and Tabanan. Meanwhile, Lembata in NTT, Central Maluku in Maluku, and Wakatobi in Sultra are also designated KKN areas.

UNS has assigned 83 Field Supervisors (DPL) to guide students during the program. The supervisors are faculty members from 14 faculties and one school, including the Vocational School, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), the Faculty of Arts and Design (FSRD), the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), the Faculty of Agriculture (FP), the Faculty of Sports (FKOR), the Faculty of Medicine (FK), the Faculty of Law (FH), the Faculty of Engineering (FT), the Faculty of Animal Husbandry (Fapet), the Faculty of Psychology (Fapsi), the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB), and the Faculty of Information Technology and Data Science (Fatisda).

UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., conveyed a message to the students, highlighting that KKN is a vital implementation of the Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), specifically in community service. This program is expected to provide invaluable experiences in character development, leadership, and social skills.

“Through KKN, students are not only expected to apply the knowledge they have gained in class but also to learn from the social and cultural dynamics of the communities they serve,” Prof. Hartono said.

He emphasized the importance of carrying out responsibilities with creativity, innovation, and a sense of accountability. Students were encouraged to build good relationships with local communities, respect their traditions and cultures, and become agents of positive change in their respective areas.

“They will be deployed across seven provinces, from central to eastern Indonesia, carrying programs designed to address the specific needs of the communities,” he added.

KKN is one of the ways that UNS contributes to community service. The program activities can encompass various aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), depending on the types of initiatives carried out. KKN UNS program aims to address social, economic, and environmental challenges in the participating regions, making a tangible contribution to sustainable development.

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Dr. Ir. Murtanti Jani Rahayu, S.T., M.T., Head of the Green Campus and SDGs Subdirectorate at UNS, explained that the Emission-Free Day has been implemented at UNS since July 2020. This initiative is rooted in Rector’s Regulation Number 827A/UN27/KP/2013 concerning Guidelines for Environmentally Friendly Campus Management at Universitas Sebelas Maret. It also aligns with global challenges encouraging the UNS to participate in campaigns aimed at reducing fossil fuel usage.

“Emission-Free Day at UNS is a positive response to the Zero Emissions Day (Zeday) campaign, a global movement aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels,” Dr. Murtanti stated on Friday (3/1/2025).

Speaking to uns.ac.id, she elaborated that the goal of Emission-Free Day is to provide a “day of rest” as part of efforts to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. It also aims to raise awareness about the limited availability of non-renewable resources and to encourage changes in daily habits.

The UNS Green Campus initiative invites its academic community to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors across all aspects of campus life. Key principles include promoting eco-friendly transportation and addressing climate change.

“The implementation of Emission-Free Day supports the broader goals of the Green Campus initiative, particularly in promoting environmentally friendly transportation. It also aims to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change by fostering a healthier and greener microclimate,” she added.

According to Circular Letter Number 44/UN27/SE/2020 on the Implementation of Emission-Free Day at UNS, several regulations govern this activity. All campus mobility activities must utilize emission-free transportation, walking, or public transportation provided by the university.

The program runs from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Various transportation units provided by UNS will be available for use by the academic community within the campus. Exceptions are made for emergencies such as accidents, medical needs, fires, and other urgent situations.

For those who must use non-emission-free private vehicles, designated parking areas are available at specific locations, including the parking areas of LPPM/LPPMP, SPMB and BAPSI, the lake canteen, the stadium, the Graduate School, the front of Nurul Huda Mosque, the Faculty of Law (FH) Building I, the west side of the Campus Church, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), and Javanology.

Through Emission-Free Day, UNS reaffirms its commitment to contributing to various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. The initiative reflects the university’s vision of fostering a greener, cleaner, and healthier campus environment.

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The competition consisted of several stages, starting with registration and submission of papers, paper assessment, announcement of the Top 10, submission of presentation videos and posters, poster voting, and the final announcement of winners. The FT UNS team faced significant challenges, particularly as they received information about the competition close to the deadline.

“When we learned that 99 teams from various universities had registered, we felt a bit pessimistic. However, Alhamdulillah, we made it to the Top 10 and regained our enthusiasm, eventually winning the competition. The event was held virtually from October 28 to November 30, 2024,” Raihanah, one of the team members, said as quoted from ft.uns.ac.id on Friday (3/1/2025).

In their project, the team proposed an innovative solution addressing two major issues: the harmful effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in soaps on sensitive skin and the problem of biomass waste from palm kernel shells. They successfully developed a natural soap (non-SLS) enriched with activated charcoal derived from palm kernel shells. This solution was praised for being environmentally friendly and safe for long-term use.

“Our academic advisor provided invaluable assistance, particularly in administrative processes. After our victory, they congratulated us and offered constructive feedback for further improvement,” the team added.

Despite the time constraints, the FT UNS team proved their excellence. “We are incredibly grateful for this achievement. It feels like a remarkable way to close the year,” they expressed emotionally.

The team hopes their success will inspire other students to actively participate in future scientific competitions.

“We hope more students will join competitions next year, bringing pride to FT and UNS,” they concluded.

The accomplishment by the FT UNS Chemical Engineering students highlights the faculty’s commitment to innovation and finding solutions to real-world problems while prioritizing sustainability. Their innovation is expected to continue developing and providing tangible benefits to society.

Through this achievement, the FT UNS students contribute to advancing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to sustainability and environmental impact, reflecting a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.

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The gathering was attended by the leadership and members of the Board of Trustees (MWA), the Academic Senate, the Board of Professors, Vice-Rectors, UNS Secretary, former Rectors from the 2011–2019 and 2019–2024 periods, Deans, senior leadership across UNS, Dharma Wanita Persatuan UNS, partner bank representatives, and the broader UNS academic community.

Reflecting on the dynamic journey of 2024, Prof. Hartono highlighted the challenges and achievements that UNS faced over the past year. He emphasized the importance of learning from the past as a foundation for future progress.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were successfully met with impressive results. In 2024, UNS ranked 4th nationally and achieved higher positions in various global rankings, including being placed within the 1001–1200 range globally and 10th in Indonesia according to the QS World University Rankings (WUR) and within the 1201–1500 range globally and 2nd nationally according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Furthermore, UNS ranked 4th in ASEAN and 1st in Indonesia in the Applied-Higher Education (HE) Rankings.

UNS also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through a variety of eco-friendly campus initiatives throughout 2024. These efforts reflect the university’s support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Looking forward to 2025, Prof. Hartono shared his aspirations for UNS to continue evolving as an adaptive, innovative, and inclusive institution. He outlined targets for improvement in several key areas, including research and publication quality, digital transformation in education, graduate competencies, industry and government collaboration, and strengthening academic support systems.

“We aim for significant improvements in key performance indicators, higher international university rankings, an increase in patents, impactful innovations, publications, and enhanced quality and quantity of collaborations with strategic partners,” Prof. Hartono said.

The gathering also featured an academic presentation by Prof. Tri Mulyaningsih, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., titled “Policy Analysis and Design: Applications in Health and Education Sectors.” Her insights provided relevant perspectives aligned with national development needs. UNS reaffirmed its commitment to offering solutions through research-based community service, scholarships for underprivileged students, and partnerships with strategic collaborators to promote inclusivity.

“Ensure that every step we take prioritizes efforts to improve societal welfare, particularly for vulnerable groups,” Prof. Tri emphasized.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Hartono encouraged the UNS community to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and enhance social responsibility. He expressed hope for a year filled with success, happiness, and blessings for UNS. The 2025 New Year Gathering concluded with a communal prayer, marking the start of another promising chapter for the university.

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The visit strengthened collaboration between the two institutions through the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). Prof. Hartono was accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, S.E., M.Si.; the Head of the Sub-directorate for Cooperation, Dr. Dona Budi Kharisma; and the Head of the Cooperation Services Section, Eko Rosyid Nopiyanto, S.Pd.

In his remarks, Prof. Hartono emphasized the importance of this meeting as a platform to reinforce the partnership between UNS and UNIPI. The renewal of the MoU and MoA serves as a fundamental framework for their ongoing collaborations. He expressed hope that this partnership would foster a mutual commitment to advancing higher education in Indonesia.

He also addressed the increasingly complex challenges faced by the higher education sector, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in driving innovation, expanding networks, and enhancing institutional competitiveness both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, he assured that UNS remains open to sharing experiences and best practices in education, research, community engagement, and innovation. Strong synergy between the two universities is a valuable asset in navigating the era of globalization and digitalization.

“We are confident that we can broaden our cooperation in various fields, including research, community service, curriculum development, as well as faculty and student exchanges,” Prof. Hartono said.

Prof. Dr. Dra. Francisca Sestri Goestjahtjanti, M.M., expressed her gratitude for the longstanding collaboration between UNIPI and UNS. She stated that implementing Tridharma-based activities will continue to evolve following this renewed partnership. As a private higher education institution, UNIPI strives to enhance its institutional cluster and sees partnerships with institutions like UNS as a means to mutually strengthen institutional development.

“The signing of this agreement aims to enhance the execution of the Tridharma of higher education. With this renewed MoU and MoA, we hope that UNS can impart positive influences on our institution. This collaboration is intended to boost the quality of education and research, positively impacting society and aligning with the broader goals of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Prof. Sestri said.

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