Unhas Biology Undergraduate Program’s Orientation Week Welcomes 92 New Students
The Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University, proudly welcomed 92 new students of the Biology Undergraduate Program by hosting an Orientation Program for New Students (PKKMB) on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The event took place in the Biology Department Meeting Room. It was attended by faculty members, administrative staff, and current Biology students, who together created a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere to welcome the new generation of the academic community.
This PKKMB event served as an opportunity for new students to become more familiar with the academic environment, the learning system, and student life in the Biology Undergraduate Program. The series of activities was chaired by Dr. Andi Gita Maulidyah, M.Si., who, together with her team, prepared various programs to provide an initial understanding of the program and to foster closer ties between new students and the academic community of the Department of Biology.
The event began with a welcome address and an introduction to the Department of Biology delivered by Dr. Magdalena Litaay, M.Sc. In her remarks, she introduced the new students to the academic environment and governance of the Department of Biology, including an overview of the educational process and various activities designed to support the development of students’ competencies throughout their studies.
To create a more relaxed atmosphere and foster interaction among participants, the event included an icebreaker session led by Dr. Eddyman W. Ferial, M.Si. The session was interactive and was met with enthusiasm from both the new students and the other participants.
In addition to the department orientation, new students also received information about the Competency-Building Courses (MKPK), presented by Dr. Helmy Widyastuti, M.Si. This session provided students with an overview of the courses designed to strengthen their competencies and support the achievement of learning outcomes throughout their studies in the Biology Undergraduate Program. The next agenda item was a session on filling out the Study Plan Form (KRS), led by Dr. Mustika Tuwo, M.Sc., Secretary of the Department of Biology. During this session, students received guidance on the process of creating a study plan, selecting courses, and key considerations when completing the KRS at the start of the semester.
The event’s atmosphere grew even more lively with a recognition ceremony for senior students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements during their studies in the Biology Undergraduate Program. A total of eight high-achieving students were announced and honored as a form of recognition for their accomplishments, while also serving as motivation for new students to actively develop their academic and non-academic potential.
During the PKKMB series, the winners of the BioChallenge—a video-making competition involving new students—were also announced. This event served as a means to encourage student creativity while fostering a more friendly and enjoyable atmosphere to welcome the new class of students. The prizes were presented in person by Dr. Nur Haedar, M.Si., a lecturer in the Department of Biology who currently serves as Vice Dean II of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Hasanuddin University.
Through this PKKMB program, the Biology Undergraduate Program hopes that new students will become more familiar with their academic environment, understand various important aspects of the academic process, and build positive relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students. This event also serves as a first step toward fostering a sense of belonging to the Biology Undergraduate Program and encouraging students to be active, achieve academic success, and contribute to various activities throughout their studies.
The PKKMB concluded with a group photo session involving new students, faculty members, support staff, and current students to document the event and mark the beginning of the academic journey for 92 new students in the Biology Undergraduate Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University.
Author: Nenis Sardiani, S.Si., M.Si.