A hands-on learning experience connecting medicinal plant biodiversity, research, and downstream processing.
On Thursday morning, July 16, 2026, eight internship students from the TropBRC Laboratory (LabTropBRC) visited the Biofarmaca Conservation and Cultivation Unit (UKBB), TropBRC, IPB University. The visit was designed to provide participants with direct exposure to the conservation, cultivation, and utilization of medicinal plants as an integral part of biofarmaceutical research and innovation.
The students were welcomed by the UKBB Manager, Taopik Ridwan, S.T.P., M.Si., together with the UKBB team. During the visit, participants were introduced to various medicinal plant species cultivated at UKBB and learned about their scientific potential, cultivation practices, and roles in supporting research activities. The session also highlighted the importance of conserving Indonesia’s rich medicinal plant biodiversity for future scientific development.
In addition to the field introduction, the interns observed several downstream processing activities, including medicinal plant research, essential oil distillation, and simplisia production. These practical demonstrations allowed participants to better understand how raw botanical materials are processed into standardized research materials while maintaining their quality and authenticity.
The visit provided valuable experiential learning by bridging classroom knowledge with real-world applications. Through this activity, the interns gained a broader perspective on the entire value chain of medicinal plants—from conservation and cultivation to research and product development—strengthening their understanding of sustainable biofarmaceutical innovation.
✍️ Author & Editor: Titis Arifiana
📸 Documentation: UKBB Team