UII Breaks MURI Record for Planting Thousands of Habbatussauda Seeds

Yogyakarta—The Pharmacy Study Program of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) received an award from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for planting 1,400 habbatussauda (black cumin) seeds.

The UII Center for Herbal Medicine Studies (PSOH) collaborated with Herba Group as part of an effort to preserve herbal medicinal ingredients. The planting of habbatussauda seeds took place in Wukirsari Village in Sleman Regency on Saturday, 27 May 2023, coinciding with National Herbal Medicine Day.

UII Head of Pharmacy Major, Prof. apt. Yandi Syukri, said during the awarding ceremony that the planting was a manifestation of the university’s contribution to the society and health industry.

“The planting is a positive step for us, showing how higher education institutions contribute to the society,” he said. “It shows how we contribute to develop the local communities around our campus and also how the industry can apply our research.”

Prof. apt. Yandi Syukri emphasized the importance of implementing research in collaboration with industry. “What is important is how research by universities must be aligned with what the industry needs. This is what we expect,” he added.

Prof. apt. Yandi Syukri also underscored the importance of usefulness. “Once habbatussauda grows here, the university will certainly provide coaching, including on post-harvest and material standardization. Why is this important? Because industries will only accept high-quality materials,” he said.

FMIPA Dean Prof. Riyanto, S.Pd., M.Si., Ph.D. explained that habbatussauda’s efficacy has long been proven.

“This planting of thousands of habbatussauda seeds is part of a social marketing activity by UII Pharmacy and Herba Group. It shows collaboration between practitioner and university to celebrate National Herbal Medicine Day,” he said.

“This program also preserves habbatussauda plant, which efficacy as long been proven and is recommended by Prophet Muhammad SAW in the hadith,” Prof. Riyanto said.

Meanwhile, Herba Group CEO Hanoko Setyawan hoped that the planting of thousands of habbatussauda seeds would provide sustainable benefits both parties as well as the local communities. “Going forward, we hope the cultivation of habbatussauda continues to increase. We can possibly collaborate on our key products as well, such as Herbangin plus habbatussauda,” he said. (VIP Magazine Vol 10)