The community service team from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University conducted an educational outreach and training program on producing hand sanitizer from natural ingredients at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Bantul. The event was lively and received a very positive response from all participants. Students of MAN 3 Bantul took part in the entire series of activities with great enthusiasm and a strong sense of curiosity.
During the presentation session, participants actively listened and asked questions about the production process, the chemical aspects of natural ingredients, and their health benefits. The team successfully sparked students’ interest in applied chemistry. Knowledge that was previously perceived as limited to classrooms and academic settings now felt more relevant to everyday life.
In the practical session, students were divided into several groups and directly guided in practicing the process of making hand sanitizer. The steps included extracting betel leaf, mixing the ingredients, and packaging the final product into spray bottles.
The principal of MAN 3 Bantul warmly welcomed the team and hoped that such collaborations would continue in the future. According to the principal, activities like this are highly beneficial in broadening students’ knowledge beyond the standard classroom curriculum.
Meanwhile, the students expressed their joy and appreciation for the valuable experience. They hope that more similar training programs will be held in the future to further enhance both their skills and knowledge. Some students even told the team about their intention to recreate the hand sanitizer at home and share what they have learned with their families and surrounding community.
MAN 3 Bantul itself is an Islamic senior high school with numerous achievements in various fields, ranging from sports and martial arts to Qur’an recitation. The school is also equipped with laboratories and a cooperative building to support student activities. Through this training, it is expected that students will not only gain new skills but also be encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by marketing their self-made hand sanitizer products through the school cooperative.
The community service program took place from February 1 to April 1, 2025. The Community Service Team from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University hopes that this collaboration with MAN 3 Bantul will continue and bring sustainable positive impacts to both students and the surrounding community.