In 2025, an innovative research initiative was carried out at Prambanan Temple, focusing on culinary depictions carved into its intricate reliefs. The study aims to identify and explore the potential of culinary tourism based on cultural heritage. The findings are expected to contribute significantly to sustainable cultural tourism, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food, education, and economy.

Yogyakarta, August 21, 2025 – The Applied Veterinary Technology Undergraduate Program, Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) held an Inauguration and Oath-Taking Ceremony for Veterinary Paramedics in the Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the TILC Building. This event marked the inauguration of 54 graduates as professional veterinary paramedics who are ready to take on responsibilities in the field of animal health and animal husbandry.

Jakarta, August 14, 2025 — Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) actively participated in the Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo (EDRR) Indonesia 2025, a national-scale exhibition held at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, from August 13–15, 2025.

Gunungkidul, 18 July 2025 – Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) participated in the Nglanggeran Chocolate Festival 2025, held from 18 to 20 July 2025 at the Agricultural Technology Park (Taman Teknologi Pertanian or TTP) Embung Nglanggeran, Gunungkidul. This annual festival carried the theme “Local Chocolate with Global Competitiveness” and served as a vital platform for local chocolate industry players to expand their networks and introduce their products to a wider audience.

On this occasion, Sekolah Vokasi UGM’s participation was coordinated by the Center of Excellence (CoE) Cocoa in collaboration with the Agroindustrial Product Development Study Program, Department of Biological and Veterinary Technology. SV UGM took part in the Chocolate Farmers and MSME Bazaar of the Yogyakarta Special Region by showcasing innovative chocolate-based products developed through collaboration between students and lecturers. These products represent the downstream results of research and technological development in the agroindustry sector that has been consistently carried out by SV UGM.

In addition to the product exhibition, SV UGM through CoE Cocoa also conducted direct market research with festival visitors. The research aimed to explore consumer preferences for new chocolate product variants currently under development. The results will serve as valuable input for refining product formulations and designing more targeted marketing strategies.

SV UGM’s participation in this festival also serves as a concrete contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through support for food security based on local commodities
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the application of research and innovation in the development of the local chocolate industry
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through education and the provision of sustainable processed food products

The Nglanggeran Chocolate Festival 2025 is expected to serve as a collaborative space for academia, communities, and business actors in building an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable local chocolate ecosystem.

Writer: Budi Ariyani Hermawati

Documentation: CoE Cocoa Team

Yogyakarta, July 14, 2025 — Students from Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) have officially launched SWARA (Smart Wukirsari Agrofarming), a strategic initiative to promote community-based food security through an adaptive and applicable integrated technology approach.

This program is part of the Program Penguatan Kapasitas Organisasi Kemahasiswaan (Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program, or PPK Ormawa), funded by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs under the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Republic of Indonesia (KEMDIKTISAINTEK). Through SWARA, SV UGM students implement a modern integrated farming model based on aquaponics, combining fish farming and crop cultivation in a single, sustainable ecosystem.

The key innovations in this program include the application of sensor technology for automatic water quality monitoring, technical training in aquaponics farming and post-harvest processing, and community mentoring to develop economically viable agricultural enterprises. The program focuses on empowering women from the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) group in Wukirsari Village, Imogiri Subdistrict, Bantul Regency who play a central role in household food security and serve as agents of social transformation at the village level.

Running from July to November 2025, the program integrates not only food production but also education, environmental sustainability, and local economic empowerment. The aquaponics learning center established during the program serves as an open community hub. In parallel, hands-on training in harvesting, post-harvest processing, and organic waste composting encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

In addition, the student team initiated the development of an aquaponics starter pack, produced and marketed by local residents. This innovation aims to create new entrepreneurship opportunities based on modern agriculture and foster an entrepreneurial spirit within the village community. The establishment of this community-based agribusiness marks the first step toward building an independent and sustainable agricultural value chain.

SWARA is implemented by a team of 15 students from various majors at SV UGM, all of whom were selected through a competitive process from university to national level. With strong support from faculty advisors and student organizations, the team successfully secured official funding from the Ministry, in recognition of the relevance and impact of their innovative proposal.

By combining appropriate technology with active community participation, SWARA is expected to become a real-life model of how collaboration between students and local residents can bring about sustainable positive change. This program is not merely a short-term initiative but serves as a prototype for a replicable village innovation model that can be applied in other regions with similar potential.

“We believe that change begins with small steps, taken with sincerity by people who care. From the village we move, with the community we grow, and for Indonesia we take our stride,” said a representative from the SWARA SV UGM team.

Writer: Febriana Trisnawati

Yogyakarta, June 26, 2025 – The Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) hosted the External Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) of the 2025 Berdikari Partnership Catalyst Grant, a program supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) through the Science and Technology Cluster (Saintek), in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). The event took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Room 201 of the TILC Building, SV UGM, bringing together key stakeholders engaged in this partnership-based research initiative.

On May 5, 2025, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in a significant collaboration meeting with the Kulon Progo Government, held at the Menoreh Meeting Room in Kulon Progo Government Complex. The meeting was attended by the Regent of Kulon Progo, the Assistant Secretary of the Region, the Regent’s Expert Staff, the Economic and Natural Resources Division, the Agriculture and Food Office, and the Bapperida team. Also present at the event were Dr. Wiryanta, S.T., M.T., Vice Dean of Research and Community Service of Sekolah Vokasi UGM, Eko Prasetyo, S.Hut., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of Research and Community Service Unit of Sekolah Vokasi UGM, and Dr. Nurulia Hidayah, S.Pt., M.P. as the FRC coordinator. This gathering aimed to discuss potential partnerships that could enhance agricultural productivity and food production in the region.