The Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Poster Exhibition showcasing the outcomes of Problem Based Learning (PBL) integrating three courses through waste management case studies at the corridor of Lecture Building C, FMIPA UGM, from 4 to 19 December 2025. The exhibition was officially opened on Wednesday (10/11) at 3:30 p.m. by the Dean of FMIPA UGM, Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si.
The exhibition was part of a series of academic activities serving as an end-of-semester project, as well as a continuation of the Waste Management Sharing Session held on Saturday (27/9/2025). During the session, two speakers emphasized the importance of mathematical modeling in supporting data-driven waste management policies, namely Walyono, S.T., M.Eng., Head of the Subdirectorate for Facilities and Infrastructure Maintenance at UGM’s Directorate of Assets, and Dr. Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc., a member of the Organic Waste Management Task Force of the Faculty of Biology, UGM.
The activity involved students from three courses under the Applied Mathematics Laboratory: Linear Programming, taught by Dr. Indarsih, Dr. Dwi Ertiningsih, and Dr. Solikhatun; Introduction to Mathematical Modeling, taught by Prof. Fajar Adi Kusumo, Dr. Nanang Susyanto, Dr. Lina Aryati, and Dr. Noorma Yulia Megawati; and Selected Topics in Applied Mathematics A, taught by Dr. Irwan Endrayanto. At the beginning of the semester, the lecturers divided students into several groups to examine various waste management issues. In addition to receiving theoretical reinforcement in class, students regularly reported their research progress to the lecturers until producing posters ready for exhibition.
A total of 36 groups presented posters covering a wide range of research topics. At the campus level, these included optimization of waste management revenue at the GELEX 2025 event, optimization of waste transportation at the Faculty of Engineering UGM, the influence of waste bin availability on waste sorting behavior among FMIPA UGM students, and mathematical models for predicting residual waste at the Faculty of Engineering UGM, among others.
Several groups also examined issues on a broader scale, such as analysis of social influences on waste generation on the island of Java and optimization of processed waste quantities in the City of Yogyakarta. The diversity of topics demonstrated how applied mathematics can contribute meaningfully to addressing environmental challenges.
In addition to inaugurating the exhibition, Prof. Kuwat, along with other lecturers, visited each poster booth and listened directly to students’ explanations of their research findings.
According to the Head of the Applied Mathematics Laboratory, Dr. Dwi Ertiningsih, the Department of Mathematics is expected to become a pioneer in implementing PBL concepts based on real-world case studies at FMIPA UGM. She also expressed hope that students would be able to apply mathematical theories learned on campus to develop concrete solutions. The exhibition also served as a platform to appreciate students’ collaborative efforts in presenting waste management innovations relevant to both the campus and the surrounding community.
Keywords: Poster exhibition, waste management, Problem Based Learning (PBL)
Author: Iin Nauli Rahmawati
Photo: Riki Adityawan