EduAsiaNews, Yogyakarta – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada has deployed 325 student inspectors to examine sacrificial animals and meat during the Eid al-Adha celebrations across five regencies/cities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). In addition to the students, approximately 200 lecturers and veterinarians are also involved in the program. The inspections will take place from Tuesday to Friday, 26–29 May 2026.
Several aspects of animal health, including food safety and the halal status of sacrificial meat, have become major concerns amid the increasing volume of animal slaughter during Eid al-Adha. This situation is particularly critical as Indonesia remains in the control phase of outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), while vigilance is also being heightened against Anthrax, Tuberculosis, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
The official send-off and training of the student inspectors were marked by the symbolic presentation of laboratory coats and dissection knives to student representatives, signifying their readiness to directly participate in field inspections of sacrificial animals and meat. The ceremony was led by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Arie Sujito, together with the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of FKH UGM, Prof. Dr. drh. Aris Haryanto, on Saturday (10/5) at the FKH UGM auditorium.
Arie Sujito expressed his appreciation for the initiative undertaken by FKH UGM in deploying student inspectors for sacrificial animals. According to him, such activities reflect UGM’s commitment to contributing to a theological event manifested in the form of a social event, namely the Eid al-Adha sacrifice. “Activities like this demonstrate UGM’s commitment to ensuring that theological (religious) events are also managed and supervised as social events,” he stated.
As an educational institution, Arie emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge with the wider community. Through direct engagement with society, he hopes students will learn to apply and dedicate their scientific knowledge while gaining valuable practical learning experiences that support the sustainability of veterinary education at FKH UGM. “I hope this moment becomes an arena for students to learn proper slaughtering techniques, not merely based on instinct, but grounded in scientific knowledge, and I believe FKH possesses that capacity,” he added.
At the end of his remarks, Arie highlighted that knowledge carries a deeper meaning beyond academic grades. He expressed hope that practical experience and direct interaction with the community, including responding to real and practical questions, would stimulate forms of intelligence and communication skills that students may not acquire solely within the university environment. “Knowledge that has not been fully utilized in classrooms, communities, faculties, or universities may become truly stimulated through practice in society. Meeting people and responding to their questions can sharpen your intelligence. That is what I want to emphasize,” he stressed.
Vice Dean Aris Haryanto encouraged students to make the most of this practical opportunity so that the knowledge they gain can later be implemented effectively in the field.
The training program was divided into two main sessions: seminars and workshops or hands-on practice in animal and meat inspection. During the seminar sessions, participants received materials concerning government policies related to sacrificial animal slaughter amid outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and heightened vigilance against Anthrax and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
Participants also studied the implementation of hygiene and sanitation measures in the slaughtering process during disease outbreak situations, particularly within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, as well as policies and management procedures for waste generated from sacrificial animal slaughter. During the workshop sessions, participants focused on learning antemortem and postmortem inspection techniques for sacrificial animals.
This training program for sacrificial animal inspectors was organized through collaboration between Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Dinas Pertanian dan Ketahanan Pangan DIY, the Perhimpunan Dokter Hewan Indonesia DIY, and the Department of Biological and Veterinary Technology of the Vocational School at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event was also attended by the Head of the DIY Agriculture and Food Security Agency, Ir. Aris Eko Nugroho, and the Chairperson of PDHI DIY, drh. Aniq Syihabuddin.
