Following her sister, Wedayani officially holds a Doctoral Degree in Environmental Science

One more student of the Postgraduate Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program (PDIL) at Udayana University (Udayana University), namely Ni Made Wedayani, successfully earned a doctoral degree in the Phase II Final Examination (Open Examination), which was held in the Hall Room of the Udayana University Postgraduate Building, Denpasar, on January 29, 2024. Weda, who is a fresh graduate from bachelor to master level, continued her studies at PDIL Pasca Unud in 2020. In his doctoral promotion, Weda successfully defended his dissertation entitled "Banana Waste Biochar for the Control of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Soil and Corn Plant Organs" in front of a team of examiners consisting of nine referees and five academic invitees. The doctoral promotion exam was chaired by PDIL Post Unud Coordinator Prof. I Wayan Arthana, MS, PhD, whose members were Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Rai, M.S., Prof.Dr.Ir. I Gede Mahardika, M.S., Prof. Dr. Drs. I Made Sara Wijana, M.Si., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Sandi Adnyana, MS., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Nuarsa, M.Si., Dr. Ir. I Wayan Diara, M.S., Prof. Ir. Ida Ayu Astarini, M.Sc. Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Suarna, MS., as well as academic invitees namely, Dr. Ir. I Made Sudarma, MS., Dr. Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro, S.Si., M.Si., Abd. Rahman As-syakur, SP, MSi, PhD., Ni Made Utami Dwipayanti, ST., M.BEnv., PhD., and Dr. Ni Made Suartini, S.Si., M.Si.



Weda revealed in his presentation that soil pollution by heavy metals can cause contamination of agricultural land, resulting in unfavorable consequences for human health. The existence of indications of Pb, Cu, and Cd metal contamination in soil and agricultural products on rice fields in Subak Kerdung also worry consumers, he added. Soil improvers such as biochar are needed to minimize heavy metal levels in plants so that agricultural products are healthier for consumption. Weda added that this research aims to observe the ability of banana waste biochar to reduce heavy metals in soil taken from Subak Kerdung and in corn plants. Based on the dose, the mixed biochar dose of 15 t/ha effectively reduces Pb levels, the mixed biochar dose of 10 t/ha effectively reduces Cu levels, and the banana peel biochar dose of 10 t/ha effectively reduces Cd levels, concluded Weda in his presentation. After all the examiners finished the graduation determination meeting, it was decided that Weda passed with honors.



Meanwhile, at the end of the Examination, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Rai, M.S., as the promoter in his speech expressed his congratulations and pride to Wedayani because, despite his undergraduate background in Physics, he was able to complete his studies in the Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program (PDIL) at Postgraduate Udayana University (Unud). In addition, Prof. Rai also congratulated Wedayani's parents for having two doctoral graduates. Prof. Rai hopes that the knowledge that has been obtained will be able to make his future better and can be useful for the wider community, nation, and state. (DK)