Jakarta – The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FT USU), participated in the 12th International Symposium on Applied Chemistry (ISAC) organized in conjunction with the 7th International Conference on Chemical and Material Engineering (ICCME). The international scientific forum took place on October 14–15, 2026, at the Headquarters of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Jakarta.
The FT USU research delegation comprised Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosdanelli Hasibuan, M.T.; Ir. Risma Fazillah, S.T., M.T.; Fatimah Fahira Siregar; Viqry Pramananda; Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliza Hidayati, M.T.; and Buchari, S.T., M.Kes. Fatimah Fahira Siregar and Viqry Pramananda are doctoral students in the Chemical Engineering Doctoral Program at FT USU.
The team presented research titled "Liquid Hand Soap with Active Ingredients from Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (Cinnamomum burmannii)." The study focuses on formulating natural liquid soap and evaluating the antimicrobial efficacy of cinnamon bark extract for personal hygiene applications. The research findings were compiled in a scientific paper titled "Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Liquid Hand Soap from Virgin Coconut Oil and Palm Oil with Cinnamon Bark Extract."
This research participation is funded through the Priority Research Commercialization–Technology Push Program (Program Hilirisasi Riset Prioritas-Dorongan Teknologi) by the Directorate of Commercialization and Partnership, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for the 2026 Fiscal Year. The study execution also involves PT Pembangunan Almamater Sejahtera as an industrial partner.
Presenting at an international symposium provided the team an opportunity to share research progress and gather constructive insights from the global chemical and materials engineering community. Furthermore, the active participation of faculty members alongside doctoral students successfully integrates high-level research activities with postgraduate academic development.
This research initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the development and commercialization pipeline of research-backed products, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by investigating antimicrobial health products, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through student involvement in international academic forums.