Yogyakarta, October 16, 2025 – The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a Training on Laboratory Animal Management, Maintenance, and Breeding as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the competencies of researchers and laboratory technicians in maintaining research quality, ethics, and animal welfare in scientific studies. The two-day hybrid event consisted of an online webinar via Zoom Meeting on the first day (Wednesday, October 15, 2025) and a hands-on practical session at the Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM on the second day (Thursday, October 16, 2025).
The training was held in recognition of the importance of implementing proper standards for laboratory animal management and maintenance that adhere to scientific and ethical research principles. In pharmaceutical and biomedical research, the validity of preclinical data highly depends on the quality of animal housing facilities, biosecurity, and animal welfare. Stable microenvironmental conditions, optimal cage hygiene, and effective stress management are key factors that influence the outcomes of research.
The training materials covered an in-depth understanding of the 3Rs Principles (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) as the ethical foundation of animal research. Participants gained practical skills in cage management, temperature, humidity, and lighting control, safe food and water provision, infection control, as well as animal breeding and identification procedures. Through a combination of interactive lectures and hands-on practice, participants were expected to develop a strong grasp of animal welfare, biosecurity, and accountable research documentation.
The event was attended by lecturers, researchers, laboratory technicians, and students involved in animal research facilities. The first day focused on theoretical learning and interactive discussions via an online platform, while the second day provided participants with direct laboratory experience in ethical and efficient handling, maintenance, and breeding of laboratory animals. The training is expected to result in the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and animal welfare logs that can be adopted across various research units.
This initiative aligns with the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) through the implementation of ethical and safe research practices, Quality Education (SDG 4) by enhancing human resource capacity in biomedical research, and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) through the efficient, sustainable, and ethical utilization of laboratory animal resources.
