Jakarta Student Develops Sustainable Wound Dressing from Kombucha SCOBY

Jakarta – An Indonesian high school student, Kayla, has gained international recognition after presenting her research at The NorthCap University in India, showcasing an innovative wound dressing made from SCOBY, a cellulose layer derived from kombucha fermentation. The material is considered a promising sustainable alternative for medical bandages.

Her paper, titled “Chitosan-Guar Gum Coated SCOBY Bacterial Cellulose As A Potential Material For Sustainable Wound Dressing,” was published in the International Journal of Environmental Sciences. The same research also earned her the Global Youth Action Fund Grant worth US$2,500, a competitive award typically given to young individuals with impactful and viable ideas.

Kayla is not only active in scientific research. During her time at school, she has held several leadership roles, including President of the Student Council, Deputy Secretary-General of Model United Nations, and Director of the Summit of Talented Young Leaders.

Beyond school activities, she has also built a strong track record in international competitions, securing gold and silver medals at the World Scholar’s Cup at both global and regional levels. Her achievements extend to mathematics competitions such as the World Mathematics Invitational, Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad, and the American Math Olympiad. She has also received recognition in biology essay competitions organized by Oxbright.

In addition, Kayla was named Top Scorer in Indonesia for ICAS English and achieved Distinction in ICAS Science, placing her among the top nine percent of participants nationwide. “I have mainly focused on academic competitions, but here at Binus School Simprug, I have also had the opportunity to explore other disciplines beyond academics, such as the Singing Club and traditional dance. Over the past 15 years—from kindergarten through high school—I have been encouraged to grow holistically,” Kayla said in a written statement on Sunday.

A notable aspect of Kayla’s journey is her consistency in pursuing her interests. She credits the role of teachers and the school environment, which actively support students in developing both academic and non-academic identities.

Kayla is among many students shaped by this ecosystem. Isaac Koh, Principal of Binus School Simprug, stated that 90 percent of the Class of 2026 graduates have been accepted into overseas universities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, and other countries.

Binus School Simprug implements the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum across all levels, from Early Years to the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The IBDP is recognized by more than 2,000 universities worldwide and is known not only for its academic rigor but also for requiring students to conduct independent research, think across disciplines, and understand academic ethics.

Isaac Koh emphasized that these achievements reflect the collective efforts of students, parents, and educators. “We believe that every child has extraordinary potential that must be nurtured within the right learning environment. Through the consistent implementation of the IB curriculum from Early Years to IBDP, along with the Journeys Programme that allows students to explore their passions in depth, we are not only preparing them for admission to top universities, but also for success once they get there,” he said.

Graduates from the school have been accepted into leading global institutions, including University College London (UCL), The University of Hong Kong, University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, King’s College London, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Sydney, and University of Warwick.

Several graduates have also secured scholarships from their destination universities, awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, and social contributions.

Indonesianpost.com | Republika