From Samarinda to the World: How UMKT Medical Students Innovated Native Plants and Won a Silver Medal at the China International Exhibition of Inventions

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda — Medical innovation based on local Kalimantan plants has once again brought Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT) to the international stage. A team from the Faculty of Medicine at UMKT recently won a silver medal at the 9th China (Shanghai) International Exhibition of Inventions. Their invention, KelakaiDerm, is a hydrogel patch made from extracts of the kelakai fern (Stenochlaena palustris)—a medicinal plant species native to Borneo—designed to aid in treating biofilm bacteria-infected diabetic ulcers.

The team was led by Salsabella Agis Suhana, alongside team members Fauzan Faqihuddin, Lutfi Risyalwy Novryanda, and Abdia Nur Haniffa. KelakaiDerm was developed by combining traditional knowledge of native Bornean plants with a modern scientific approach to offer an effective alternative treatment for diabetic ulcers.

Kelakai was chosen as the primary ingredient due to its significant potential in traditional medicine in Kalimantan. The plant contains various bioactive compounds—such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids—possessing antibacterial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This scientific potential was formulated into KelakaiDerm, demonstrating how local biodiversity can drive scientific innovation and contribute to medical advancements.

The path to international competition was not without challenges. As first-time participants in a global event, the students initially experienced doubt and anxiety. However, strong encouragement from their families and academic advisors proved essential, boosting their motivation to seize the opportunity and bring KelakaiDerm to Shanghai to compete alongside international teams.

During the development of KelakaiDerm, each team member had specific responsibilities aligned with their skills, including research and data analysis, presentation deck design, poster creation, video editing, and preparation for Q&A sessions with the judges. Despite having individual roles, the entire team collaborated closely and remained open to feedback. Competing on an international stage also offered them valuable opportunities to learn from other innovators while representing Indonesia effectively.

Winning the silver medal marks a significant milestone that has further energized the team to advance KelakaiDerm. They plan to continue their research, refine their formulation, publish their findings, and explore collaborative opportunities to enhance their innovation and benefit the broader community.

The team also encouraged fellow UMKT students not to fear starting new ventures, to continue studying hard, and to embrace every step of the journey toward success.

Author: Raisha Azzahro

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy