UNAS Hosted Inaugural International Conference on Natural Products and Chronic Diseases
Universitas Nasional (UNAS) convened its first international conference titled the International Conference on Natural Products and Chronic Diseases 2022 on July 6, 2022. This hybrid event was held online via Zoom and in-person at the Cyber Library Auditorium of UNAS. The conference was a collaborative effort between UNAS, Universitas Pancasila, and the Center for Botanicals and Chronic Diseases (CBCD) at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, USA.
The conference aimed to bring together academics and researchers to exchange ideas and share experiences related to natural products and chronic diseases. Under the theme “Natural Products for Quality of Life, Good Health, and Well-being,” the event featured presentations and discussions on innovations, trends, challenges, and solutions.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Drs. Eko Sugiyanto, M.Si., Vice Rector for General Administration, Finance, and Human Resources at UNAS, expressed hope that the collaboration between UNAS, Universitas Pancasila, and CBCD Rutgers University would continue in the coming years. He underscored the significance of the conference in exploring medicinal plants, natural product-based medicines, chronic diseases, and the conservation of natural resources.
Dr. Ir. Nonon Saribanon, M.Si., Organizing Committee, emphasized the importance of the conference in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. She highlighted that the event provided a platform for academics and researchers to present and discuss their findings on natural products and chronic diseases. The conference concluded with parallel sessions featuring presentations from various researchers.
Prof. Dr. Ilya Raskin delivered the keynote address from Rutgers University, which discussed “The Future of Research in Botanical Medicines.” He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with UNAS and its potential benefits to botanical medicine research.
Other notable speakers included Prof. Dr. Ernawati Sinaga, M.S., Apt. (UNAS), who presented on “The Potential of Indonesian Underutilized Fruits as Functional Beverages,” and Prof. Dr. Syamsudin, M.Biomed., Apt. (Universitas Pancasila), who discussed “Antidiabetic Potential of Polyherbal Formulation, Preclinical Development, Safety, and Efficacy Studies.” Additionally, Prof. Saidbeg Satorov from Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Tajikistan, presented on “Correlation Between Content of Polyphenols and Fungicidal Activity Endemic Onions Tajikistan.” Prof. Dr. Endang Sukara (UNAS) shared his research on “Fermentation of Ziziphus Mauritiana’s Fruits and Its Potential as Raw Material for Functional Drink Formulation” and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Khamsah Suryati Mohd., Ph.D. from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia, discussed “Natural Products As Anti-Uterine Fibroids Potential.”
The discussion sessions were moderated by UNAS lecturer Fadlan Muzzaki, S.IP., M.Phil., LL.M. During the event, certificates were awarded to UNAS trainees who completed the Capacity Building Program for researchers, a collaborative initiative between UNAS and Rutgers University. Recipients included Alvira Noer Effendi, Rina Trifani, and Bunga Anggreani Sari. The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research and the NIH-Fogarty International Center supported and funded the conference.
This inaugural conference marked a significant step in international collaboration, aiming to advance research and development in natural products and chronic diseases, focusing on improving quality of life and promoting well-being.
