Students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) have developed an environmentally friendly sensor to detect the heavy metal lead (Pb²⁺) in water, using waste banana peels as a key natural material. This innovation was created through the Student Creativity Program – Exact Research (PKM-RE) as part of efforts to address water pollution and promote sustainable science-based solutions. They are Bonita Arum Ningtyas, Devita Amalia Zuhrida, Martin Imanuel Panjaitan, Kunnasywa Sani, and Melda Novita Rahmadani.

The Faculty of Vocational Studies at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), through the Sustainable Development Education (Pendidikan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan/PPB) course, continues to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). One of these contributions is realized through MSME digitalization assistance provided to small business owners in the Kulon Progo region.

A community service team from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has established an international collaboration with the University of Poitiers, France, in the implementation of the 2025 Nusantara Arts Innovation Program (PISN), a newly launched initiative by the Directorate of Higher Education through BIMA. The program runs from October to December 2025 and focuses on developing artistic innovations rooted in the traditions of the Indonesian archipelago.

In an effort to strengthen governance and ensure the quality of student internship programs in Japan, a total of 12 higher education institutions and two sending organizations participated in a Workshop on the Development of Joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidelines for Internship Programs in Japan. The workshop was held on Monday, 1 December 2025, at UNY Hotel, with participants from Japan joining online.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) officially closed the series of Kompetisi Jembatan Indonesia (KJI) XX and Kompetisi Bangunan Gedung Indonesia (KBGI) XVI on Sunday (16/11/25) at the Performance Hall of the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture (FBSB), UNY. The closing ceremony was lively, attended by hundreds of participants, committee members, and university delegations from across Indonesia.

Three students from UNY have created an eco-friendly innovation to help farmers control pests effectively without relying on chemical pesticides.

Through the 2025 Student Entrepreneurship Development Program (P2MW) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, the team—consisting of Ihsan Muchlis Amirudin, Afwa Naela Fauzia, and Rose Pita Nur Afifah—developed a device called the Light Trap Insect (LTI). The LTI is a solar-powered automatic pest trap that supports sustainable agriculture.

A delegation from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) participated in the Asian Academic Society for Vocational Education and Training (AASVET) 2025 and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, held at Korea University in Korea from 2–8 November 2025.

The forum carried the theme “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific” and served as an international collaboration platform for higher education leaders and academics from around the world.

University of Yogyakarta (UNY) has once again shown its international presence. Five doctoral (PhD) students from the Vocational Technology and Education (PTK) program at UNY together with one professor took active participation in the international conference GeNeMe 2025 – Communities in New Media, recently held at Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Germany.

The prestigious conference served as a scientific forum for global researchers to share ideas and innovations in the fields of education, technology, and new media.

A team of students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has once again made a mark in the creative industry with their product Herbascent, a natural incense made from coconut shell fibre and gemor wood that not only delivers a soothing aroma but also functions as a natural insecticide for local-cultural ceremonial use.

The UNY Garuda Team once again recorded a proud achievement on the national stage. In the Kontes Mobil Hemat Energi KMHE 2025 held at Universitas Jember from 23–26 October 2025, the Garuda UNY Team won 1st place in the “Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine (MPD) – Gasoline” category, and 2nd place in the “Urban Concept MPD – Ethanol” category.

This achievement further confirms UNY’s consistent innovation in energy-efficient vehicle technology that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.