On February 26, 2025, the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, proudly hosted a General Lecture featuring three distinguished scholars from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan. The event was held at the RMJT Soehakso Auditorium, FMIPA UGM, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM WIB, attracting faculty members, researchers, and students eager to gain insights into cutting-edge developments in material science.

The lecture featured presentations by Prof. Hiroyuki Katsuki, Prof. Mikiya Fujii, and Associate Prof. Yaxiaer Yalikun, each bringing their unique expertise and research focus. Prof. Katsuki discussed the modification of material properties through the formation of polaritonic states, shedding light on innovative ways to manipulate materials at the quantum level. Prof. Fujii presented on data-driven materials science, emphasizing how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming research methodologies and accelerating discoveries in materials science. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Yalikun explored advancements in micro and nano-scale material processing using ultra-short pulse lasers, highlighting the potential applications of these technologies in various scientific and industrial fields.

This General Lecture provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and fostered international collaboration between UGM and NAIST. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers during a Q&A session, deepening their understanding of these advanced topics. The event also underscored UGM’s commitment to promoting high-quality education and research by connecting its academic community with global experts.

Overall, the lecture was a resounding success, inspiring participants to explore new frontiers in material science and encouraging further academic partnerships. The Department of Physics looks forward to hosting similar events in the future to continue enriching the learning environment and research capabilities of its members.

From April 21 to 24, 2025, doctoral students from the Department of Physics at Universitas Gadjah Mada, namely Kurnia and Sudarmono, actively participated in the International Conference of Asian Union of Magnetics Societies (IcAUMS) 2025, held at the Okinawa Convention Center in Okinawa, Japan. This prestigious conference serves as a major platform for researchers, scientists, and engineers from across Asia and beyond to share the latest advancements and breakthroughs in the field of magnetism and magnetic materials.

The IcAUMS 2025 conference featured a wide range of topics including spintronics, magnetic nanomaterials, magnetic sensors, and biomedical applications of magnetics. It provided an excellent opportunity for participants to present their research findings, engage in scientific discussions, and establish valuable collaborations with international experts.

In addition to the doctoral students, the conference was also attended by master’s students Siti Fatimah Azzahro and Husna Ajrina, who are part of the same research group known as ES-Club. Their joint participation highlights the strong collaborative spirit within the group, fostering knowledge exchange and mentorship between different academic levels.

The delegation from UGM was accompanied and guided by Prof. Dr. Eng. Edi Suharyadi, whose expertise and support were instrumental in maximizing the benefits of this international exposure for the students.

Overall, the participation of UGM students in IcAUMS 2025 not only enhanced their academic and research capabilities but also strengthened the university’s presence in the global scientific community. This experience is expected to inspire further innovation and collaboration in the field of magnetics research.

During the conference, the students were accompanied by Prof. Dr. Eng. Edi Suharyadi, S.Si., M.Eng., who provided academic guidance and support. The presence of their supervisor was crucial to ensure the smooth participation of the students and to help them maximize the benefits of this international conference.

IcAUMS 2025 is organized by the Asian Union of Magnetics Societies (AUMS) and serves as a premier platform for scientific discussions related to magnetism, magnetic materials, and their applications. The conference gathers researchers, engineers, and experts from across Asia and beyond to share the latest advancements, foster collaborations, and promote innovation in the field.

The participation of UGM students in this event not only enhances their academic experience but also strengthens the university’s presence in the global scientific community.

The Motivation and Academic-Research Resilience Workshop was held with the primary aim of providing mental support and strengthening the resilience of doctoral students at the Department of Physics, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This initiative responded to the various challenges often faced by PhD students throughout their demanding and dynamic academic and research journeys. In the context of higher education—especially at the doctoral level—strong motivation and the ability to persevere through academic and research-related obstacles are critical factors for academic success and scientific productivity (Department of Physics UGM).

Lasting approximately one and a half hours, the workshop was attended by around 30 doctoral students who participated enthusiastically. They actively engaged with the speaker, learning practical strategies such as mindfulness, time management, and the importance of social support networks in managing psychological stress during the doctoral research process. Mandatory attendance emphasized the institution’s strong commitment to enhancing both academic quality and students’ psychological well-being. The workshop also fostered solidarity and peer support among students, helping to build a healthier and more productive academic environment.

In conclusion, the workshop successfully met its objectives by equipping physics PhD students with the knowledge and skills needed to face the challenges of their studies with confidence and mental resilience. Its positive impact is expected to be long-lasting, enhancing intrinsic motivation, stress management skills, and research productivity. Furthermore, this event reinforced a culture of collaboration and support within the Department of Physics, preparing a new generation of doctoral researchers who are not only intellectually capable but also mentally and emotionally resilient—ready to face future challenges with determination and optimism.

Held on February 27, 2025, in Meeting Room 1 of the Department of Physics, the workshop featured Dr. Ajeng Kusumaningtyas Pramono, an experienced young biomedical researcher. The event not only focused on motivational aspects but also emphasized the importance of academic and research resilience as essential mental assets in coping with pressure, setbacks, and challenges throughout the doctoral journey. Delivered through an interactive format—combining presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions—the workshop created an engaging and participatory atmosphere. Participants were guided to understand stress management techniques, maintain a balance between academic and personal life, and build a positive mindset to recover from failures.

International Conference of Asian Union of Magnetics Societies (IcAUMS) is a routine conference every 2 years held by Asian Union of Magnetics Societies (AUMS) together with Indonesian Magnetics Society (IMS). The year 2023 was the 6th IcAUMS which was held in Bali on August 14-16, 2023. IcAUMS2023 was held with several activities, namely oral presentations, and posters, invited discussions and symposia, tutorial sessions, and exhibitions featuring the latest advances in the field of magnetism, magnetic materials, and their applications. This event successfully gathered 7 countries from various countries in Asia with more than 100 abstracts in the field of magnetism and magnetic materials.

On this occasion, one of the UGM Physics Doctoral Program students, Deska Lismawenning Puspitarum, participated through an oral presentation to present her research results entitled “Construction and Mechanisms of a Recyclable Green-Synthesized CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ Nanocomposites Photocatalyst for Degradation of Organic Pollutant“. Recycling efficiency, rapid separation, and excellent catalytic ability of photocatalyst materials after photocatalytic process are considered as the main requirements. Green synthesis of CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposites using Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed excellent photocatalytic and reuse performance under UV irradiation. Synthesis of nanocomposites based on green synthesis approach is considered as an eco-friendly and cost-effective method to fabricate nanocomposites compared to other conventional methods. Various techniques were used to characterize the properties of CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposites before and after the photocatalytic process, such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence, scanning electron microscope – energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibration sample magnetometer. The hysteresis curve shows that the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposite has soft ferromagnetic properties. From the results of this study, it is concluded that the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposite synthesized using the green synthesis approach shows excellent catalytic performance and is expected to provide a new platform for efficient photocatalytic applications.

Kombo Othman Kombo, currently enrolled as a doctoral student in the Physics program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, is energetically engaged in both research activities and the production of academic publications. One example of research conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing is an experiment to collect data from stool samples of newborn babies using an electronic nose device. The aim is to apply a metal oxide semiconductor-based device in sepsis detection in newborns.

Kombo Othman Kombo is also diligent in writing publications based on his research. While awaiting the outcome of the manuscript submitted titled “Enhancing Classification Rate of Electronic Nose System and Piecewise Feature Extraction Method to Classify Black Tea with Superior Quality” to the Scientific African Journal, he is also preparing and submitting another manuscript titled “Electronic Nose-Based Monitoring of Chicken Freshness in Room and Refrigerated Storage.” This manuscript has already been submitted to the Journal of Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X.