Digitalizing Flora Inventory: Biology Study Program FMIPA Unud Hosts Guest Lecture on INVENTUM Application

• By Admin
• Kamis, 5 Juni 2025

BUKIT JIMBARAN – The Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Udayana University, successfully hosted a virtual guest lecture titled "Introduction to the INVENTUM Application: Digital-Based Plant Data Recording" on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Held via Zoom Video Conference, this event marks a strategic step for the department in embracing digital transformation within the fields of ecology and natural resource conservation.

The event was officially inaugurated by the Coordinator of the Biology Study Program, Prof. Dr. I Ketut Ginantra, S.Pd., M.Si. In his opening remarks, Prof. Ginantra—who is also the lead lecturer for the Plant Ecology course—emphasized the necessity for aspiring biologists to adapt to technological advancements.

"Field biology is no longer just about physical notebooks, which are often susceptible to damage and data loss. We must migrate toward digital systems that offer higher precision, efficiency, and integration. Applications like INVENTUM are the answer to the challenges of flora data management in the Industry 4.0 era," stated Prof. Ginantra to the virtual audience.

The session was moderated by I Made Saka Wijaya, S.Si., M.Sc., a fellow lecturer in the Plant Ecology course. He facilitated an interactive dialogue that bridged academic theories with practical field implementation.

The keynote speaker for the lecture was Rahmia Nugraha, S.Hut., M.Sc., the founder and lead developer of the INVENTUM application under the tech start-up Rasylva.id. During her presentation, Rahmia explained that INVENTUM was specifically designed to assist researchers, foresters, and students in conducting real-time inventories of plant species and stands.

The application allows users to record GPS coordinates, tree morphometric parameters, and photographic documentation, all of which are instantly synchronized into a digital database. Rahmia demonstrated how field efficiency could be increased by up to 50% compared to conventional methods, as it eliminates the need for manual data re-entry from paper to computer.

A total of 56 participants attended the session with great enthusiasm. The audience consisted of faculty members specializing in ecological research and students currently enrolled in the Plant Ecology course. The presence of students was particularly vital, as they are expected to soon conduct field practicums requiring high data accuracy.

The Q&A session was dynamic, focusing on data security, the application’s functionality in remote areas with limited connectivity (offline mode), and the integration of INVENTUM data into statistical analysis for undergraduate theses and scientific journals.

Benefits of the Guest Lecture

The hosting of this guest lecture provides significant advantages for the academic community of Biology FMIPA Unud, including:

• Enhancement of Digital Competence: Students and lecturers gained practical insights into the latest tools used in the modern forestry industry and ecological research.
• Data Management Efficiency: Providing an understanding of how to minimize human error in field recording through digital systems.
• Industry Collaboration Access: Establishing a professional network between the academic sector (Udayana University) and environmental technology practitioners (Rasylva.id).
• Curriculum Support: Strengthening the Plant Ecology course curriculum with data collection methods that are relevant to current industry needs.

Future Expectations

Moving forward, the Biology Study Program FMIPA Udayana University hopes to achieve the following:

1. Implementation in Student Research: Students are expected to apply INVENTUM or similar technologies in their final projects (theses), ensuring that the quality of biological research data at Unud remains valid and accurate.
2. Modernization of Field Practicums: The department plans to continue integrating GIS-based applications and digital inventories into all field-based practical activities.
3. Sustainable Collaboration: There is a strong hope for continued cooperation with Rasylva.id, potentially in the form of advanced technical training or internship opportunities for students.
4. 4High-Quality Publications: With better-organized data management through digital systems, the quantity and quality of scientific publications by Unud lecturers and students are expected to increase significantly at both national and international levels.