Summer Course – Chemistry

Program Overview

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The International Summer Course on “Chemical Approach for Utilization of Indonesian Biodiversity as Herbal Medicine” is designed to introduce the rich biodiversity of Indonesia as a source of herbal medicine from a chemical perspective. As the second most biodiverse terrestrial country in the world after Brazil and the leading nation in marine biodiversity, Indonesia offers vast potential for medicinal plant research and development. This program aims to provide students and researchers with a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind herbal medicine, fostering skills and knowledge in the field of natural product chemistry.

Key Topics
• To understand about utilization of Indonesian biodiversity as herbal medicine.
• To learn about herbal medicine as part of Indonesian cultural and natural wealth
• To be able to explain the medicinal plants cultivation based on their active compounds
• To be able to distinguish raw materials and extract standardization based on chemical analysis
• To learn the efficacy assay of medicinal plants as herbal medicine by chemistry method (in vitro)
• To learn in vivo assay of medicinal plants extract as herbal medicine
• To understand the mechanism of extract formula as herbal medicine
• To be able to explain scientifically the necessary stages in making herbs and other traditional medicine systems to be used in evidence based medicine
• To be able to explain the necessity of herbal medicine industry.

Academic Recognition
This summer course is equivalent to the IPB University course 301 (3 SKS, 0-3 credits) and is open to advanced undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, as well as researchers specializing in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, herbal medicine, and other relevant fields.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain hands-on experience in:
• Identifying and cultivating medicinal plants
• Standardizing and analyzing herbal extracts
• Conducting in vitro and preclinical trials
• Isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds
• Understanding reaction mechanisms of herbal medicine

Eligibility & Language
• Participants must have completed chemistry and biology courses at their home institutions.
• The course will be conducted entirely in English.

With Indonesia’s growing market for herbal medicine, estimated to reach USD 5 trillion by 2050, this summer course serves as a strategic initiative to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to this rapidly expanding field. By leveraging IPB University’s expertise in natural product chemistry and its extensive research collaborations with top international institutions, this program provides a unique learning opportunity for future leaders in herbal medicine research.

Industry and University Partners

Gifu University (Japan); Bionyeri Australia (Australia); Universiti Malaya (Malaysia); Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia); Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia).