The Biopharmaca Conservation and Cultivation Unit (UKBB), operating under the Tropical Biopharmaca Research Center (TropBRC), LRI-PGK IPB University, welcomed a visit from 22 intern students of the TropBRC Laboratory (Lab TropBRC) on Thursday afternoon, 19 January 2026. The visit was conducted following a similar activity at the Experimental Animal Facility Unit (UKHP) of TropBRC.
The participating students came from the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) IPB University; Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Jakarta; Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) Semarang; and SMK AK Nusa Bangsa Bogor. The group was welcomed by the UKBB Manager, Taopik Ridwan, S.P., M.Si., along with the UKBB staff team.
The visit aimed to introduce the functions, facilities, and activities of UKBB directly to the intern students. During the visit, students received a comprehensive overview of UKBB, which manages a 2.8-hectare garden with a collection of approximately 500 biopharmaca plant species. UKBB is also equipped with various supporting facilities, including drying ovens, distillation equipment, and services for essential oil production, provision of simplicia samples, and plant seedlings.
In addition, students were introduced to UKBB’s core activities, which include biopharmaca cultivation research, plant maintenance and collection enrichment, and garden visit services. As part of the learning activities, students were invited to observe medicinal plant collections firsthand, study identification processes, and understand their benefits and potential applications.
The visit was complemented by interactive activities, such as a “Guess the Medicinal Plant” quiz, aimed at increasing student engagement and interest. Through this activity, students are expected to gain broader insights into the importance of conserving and utilizing biopharmaca plants as a foundation for research and innovation based on Indonesia’s rich biodiversity.
✍️ Author & Editor: Titis Arifiana, S.Si.
📸 Documentation: UKHP Team TropBRC