Two researchers from the Environmental Studies Center of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) have successfully secured funding under the RisetMu Research Grant Program Batch VIII 2024. This grant program is one of the strategic initiatives of the Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (Majelis Diktilitbang) of the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah, aimed at promoting high-quality research with tangible societal impact. The two grant recipients are Jumadi, Ph.D. and Aditya Saputra, Ph.D., each presenting different research themes while sharing a common focus on environmental solutions and applied technology.
Jumadi, Ph.D. proposed a research project entitled “Assistance in Improving the Governance of the Muhammadiyah Clean Water Program (PAMMU) at PCM Sambirejo, Sragen.” This study aims to enhance the governance of clean water provision programs through intensive assistance at PCM Sambirejo, Sragen Regency. The research not only addresses the technical aspects of clean water supply but also focuses on strengthening program management capacity to ensure sustainability and positive impacts for the local community.
Meanwhile, Aditya Saputra, Ph.D. received funding for his research entitled “Early Identification of Rice Crop Health Using Multispectral Imaging from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Klaten Regency, Central Java.” This study aims to analyze the health condition of rice crops at an early stage by utilizing multispectral imaging technology obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The technology is expected to assist farmers in detecting potential plant health issues, enabling faster and more accurate preventive actions.
This achievement reflects the strong commitment of UMS researchers to developing research that is responsive to community needs and leverages advanced technology. The RisetMu Grant Program Batch VIII provides significant opportunities for academics to contribute to addressing environmental and agricultural challenges through innovative and collaborative approaches.
The Head of the Environmental Studies Center of UMS expressed appreciation for this accomplishment and hoped that the outcomes of both studies would deliver tangible benefits to communities in the Sragen and Klaten regions, while also serving as inspiration for other researchers within UMS. With the support of grant programs such as RisetMu, UMS continues to encourage the development of leading research initiatives with broad and meaningful impacts on society and the environment.