Semarang, September 17th, 2025 – The Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), has once again marked a remarkable achievement by securing three downstream research grants from the Directorate General of Research and Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Indonesia. This accomplishment highlights the department’s strong commitment to bridging academic research with real-world applications that benefit society.
One of the grants awarded is the Priority Research Downstream Program – SINERGI (Integrated Technology Transfer-Based Research Downstreaming Scheme), focusing on “Scaling Up Freeze-dried Baby Instant Porridge Based on Soy Protein Hydrolysate Fortified by Vitamin D as Immune Enhancer.” The project, led by Gemala Anjani, S.P., M.Si., Ph.D., together with a team of lecturers and researchers from the Department of Nutrition (Dr. Fitriyono Ayustaningwarno, S.TP., M.Si. and Ahmad Syauqy, S.Gz., M.P.H., Ph.D, Dietisien), aims to develop an innovative instant baby porridge product. Enriched with soy protein hydrolysate and vitamin D, the product is designed as a crucial solution to prevent stunting and improve children’s immunity, addressing two of the most pressing health challenges in Indonesia. Through a downstreaming approach, research outcomes do not stop in the laboratory but are directed toward mass production and creating a real impact on society. In this regard, the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, has partnered with PT Inasentra Unisatya.
In addition, the department successfully secured two other grants under the Priority Research Downstream Program – Technology Push. These projects are entitled “Sports Food Based on Local Ingredients to Enhance Athlete Performance”and “Herbal-based Gummy Candy to Boost Children’s Immunity.” Both initiatives are led by Gemala Anjani, S.P., M.Si., Ph.D., with team members including Dr. Fitriyono Ayustaningwarno, S.TP., M.Si., and are carried out in collaboration with PT Inasentra Unisatya as the strategic industrial partner. During the first year, the grants will fund feasibility studies to identify products or technologies with strong potential for development. If proven feasible, the projects will proceed to commercialization or direct industry partnership in the second year.
Securing three downstream research grants at once underscores the Department of Nutrition’s strong dedication, along with that of the faculty and university, to advancing research commercialization. This effort ensures that innovations not only remain within academic publications but also reach the market and provide tangible benefits to the community.
“Collaboration with industry partners such as PT Inasentra is a vital step to ensure that research outcomes from universities can be directly felt by society. With the support of these grants, we are optimistic about bringing forward impactful downstream innovations for both child health and athlete performance,” said Dr. Gemala Anjani.
Through these functional food innovations focusing on child nutrition and athlete performance, the Department of Nutrition Faculty of Medicine, UNDIP reinforces its role as a driving force of research, innovation, and downstream commercialization in the field of food, nutrition, and health in Indonesia.