The Fragrant Leaf: How Lemongrass and 'Eco-Theology' Put UIN Bukittinggi on the Map
Driven by eco-theology—a vision connecting spiritual faith with environmental stewardship—UIN Bukittinggi students turned abundant local lemongrass into an eco-friendly mosquito repellent in Wantisari Village, earning two national awards at KKN Nusantara VI.
LEUWIDAMAR, BANTEN — The gentle, crisp aroma of lemongrass drifts through the lush groves of Wantisari Village in Leuwidamar, Lebak Regency. Beneath the canopy of green, a group of young university students is hard at work, carefully picking, sorting, and processing the sharp-scented leaves.
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| Delegates from UIN Bukittinggi alongside other participants at the KKN Nusantara 2026 programme. |
These students are not merely taking a break from their campus routine; they are weaving together a broader vision that connects spiritual values with environmental stewardship—a concept known as 'eco-theology'.
Participating in the 6th National Community Service Programme (KKN Nusantara VI), which ran from July 15 to August 22, 2026, Group 9 Nawantara—comprising a delegation from Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi alongside students from 15 State Islamic Higher Education institutions across Indonesia—set out to address pressing local challenges.
Listening to villagers complain about persistent mosquito problems while noticing an abundance of unharvested local lemongrass, the students saw an opportunity. Through close collaboration with the community, they developed 'Nahwangi', an all-natural, eco-friendly mosquito repellent spray derived from locally sourced lemongrass.
Their grassroots effort from the yards of Wantisari quickly gained national recognition. At the closing ceremony of KKN Nusantara VI held at the Leuwidamar District Meeting Hall on Thursday (Aug 20), the team’s eco-friendly innovation earned Group 9 Nawantara second place for Best Expo Stand as well as the Most Active Group award.
For the Rector of UIN Bukittinggi, Prof. Dr. Silfia Hanani, this achievement underscores the importance of grounded academic learning. "Students must not only excel academically, but also possess high social and ecological sensitivity. This community-based work is a tangible form of service," she remarked with pride.
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| Prof Dr Silfia Hanani, Rector of UIN Bukittinggi, plants a tree sapling on campus as part of the university's eco-theology drive. |
Beyond the trophies and certificates, the experience of navigating Wantisari’s rural tracks and distilling essential oils left a lasting impression on the participants. As Hadana Rosyada, a student representative from UIN Bukittinggi, reflected: "The friendships formed, the courage to try new things, and the memories shared with the people of Wantisari are the true rewards."
Long after the expo booths were dismantled, the fact that the scent of lemongrass and the spirit of eco-theology remain in Lebak proves that sincere community service paired with practical knowledge will always leave a meaningful mark. [IRWANDI]
Dr. Irwandi
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- International Office of UIN Bukittinggi
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