UGM Pharmacy – The Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to showcase its excellence on the national stage through the outstanding achievements of one of its students. Muhammad Nino Irwana, a 2021 batch student, has earned two prestigious awards in national scientific competitions organized by the Ministry of Health’s Health Polytechnic (Poltekkes Kemenkes) in two different locations.
Nino secured 1st Place in the Essay and Presentation Competition Poltekkes Kemenkes Yogyakarta 2024, held on April 12, 2025. In this competition, Nino captivated the judges with his innovative concept of traditional breast cancer treatment using Java chili (Piper retrofractum). This breakthrough idea for alternative chemotherapy was highly praised by the judging panel. This innovation aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3: Good Health and Well-being, by exploring potential and affordable alternative cancer treatments.
Not stopping there, Nino further elevated UGM’s reputation by winning 3rd Place in the Scientific Competition Dies Natalis Poltekkes Kemenkes Kalimantan Timur 2025 on April 23, 2025. This time, Nino presented a novel breakthrough: a vancomycin antibiotic delivery system via a microarray patch as an alternative therapy for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection. This innovation offers a solution to the current “gold standard” method—syringe injections, which are considered invasive, uncomfortable, and costly. This approach received high commendation from the judges for its potential to enhance patient comfort and improve cost-efficiency in therapy. This innovation directly supports SDG No. 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the development of new pharmaceutical technology, and SDG No. 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by potentially reducing medical waste from syringe use.
Muhammad Nino Irwana’s achievements reflect the Faculty of Pharmacy’s commitment to fostering student innovation and active contribution to the advancement of health sciences. It is hoped that this success will not only enhance the national and international standing of Universitas Gadjah Mada and its Faculty of Pharmacy, but also inspire other students to continue their work and produce innovations beneficial to the wider community.
