Excelling in Academics and Organization: Nurul Hidayah Named Best Female Graduate of FIKES UIN Jakarta
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online – Completing undergraduate studies in the Pharmacy Study Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.92 was no instantaneous achievement. For Nurul Hidayah, named the best graduate at UIN Jakarta's 141st Graduation Ceremony on Sunday (06/09/2026) at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, the title represents the culmination of a long commitment to balancing classroom demands, organizational dynamics, and the courage to push the boundaries of scientific research.
Behind her stellar academic record, Nurul's college years were defined by a rigorous schedule. As a recipient of the Karya Salemba Empat (KSE) Scholarship, a non-governmental scholarship program focusing on soft skills development, leadership, and entrepreneurship, she was active for nearly three years in the KSE UIN Jakarta Student Association.
Going further, she broadened her professional network and experience by interning with the Indonesian Young Pharmacists Group (IYPG) DKI Jakarta.
“During college, I wasn't just studying; I also joined several organizations. For about three years, I was active in the KSE UIN Jakarta Student Association, followed by an internship at IYPG DKI Jakarta. After that whole 'class-meeting-class-meeting' dynamic, I was ultimately able to emerge as the best graduate,” Nurul recalled when reflecting on her time management struggles.
The toughest obstacle in Nurul's academic journey arrived when she reached her thesis phase. She decided to pursue a relatively new research path in Indonesia: testing embryotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) extracts from bangle rhizomes (Zingiber purpureum Roscoe) in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model.
Her thesis, titled “Embryotoxicity and Anti-inflammatory Testing of Choline Chloride-Glycerol NADES Extract of Bangle Rhizome (Zingiber purpureum Roscoe) on Zebrafish (Danio rerio),” required meticulous precision. Working with animal models and methodologies that were not yet commonplace in national pharmaceutical laboratories meant Nurul had to build much of her work from scratch.
Adopting a new method meant facing the risk of repeated failures. Nurul admitted to reaching a low point when her scientific experiments did not yield immediate results.
“In my opinion, the hardest experience during college was conducting the research. Because I used a new research method with an animal model new to pharmacy, it became the biggest challenge. We had to dig into a new methodology that wasn't easy. The trial and error was extensive and repeated multiple times,” she shared.
However, those setbacks failed to discourage her. Driven by personal perseverance and intensive guidance from her advisors, the innovative research was successfully completed, making a tangible contribution to the advancement of pharmaceutical science.
Earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy (S.Farm.) degree as the top graduate did not make Nurul complacent. Recognizing the importance of full legal qualification and competence in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, she chose to pursue her education immediately.
Since September 1, 2026, Nurul has been officially enrolled as a student in the Pharmacist Professional Program at UIN Jakarta.
“Coincidentally, I have already started my Pharmacist Professional studies, having enrolled back on September 1. So, I will finish the Pharmacist Profession first before stepping into my professional career,” she concluded.
Nurul Hidayah's journey illustrates that academic excellence and active organizational involvement can go hand in hand. Her courage to step outside her research comfort zone, combined with a steadfast commitment to learning, serves as a valuable asset for her future steps in the healthcare field.
Watch the complete 141st Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Graduation Ceremony from Sunday (06/09/2026) on the official YouTube channel of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta below: