HOMSEA
10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:
Health and Medicine in the Colonial, Post-Colonial, and Global Worlds
23rd – 27th June 2025
UGM-Yogyakarta. As part of the 10th International Conference on the History of Medicine in Southeast Asia (HOMSEA), a thematic session titled “Health and Medicine in the Colonial, Post-Colonial, and Global Worlds” was held on June 26, 2025, on the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). On this occasion, the History Team from PKMK FK-KMK UGM and the History Department of FIB UGM participated in the HOMSEA 2025 Plenary Symposium. This activity was part of the Closing Ceremony of the 10th HOMSEA, held on Thursday (June 26, 2025). In this Plenary Symposium, there were two main speakers, namely Prof. Dr. Menaldi Rasmin, Sp.P(K), FISR, FCCP, and Prof. Dr. dr. Hardyanto Soebono, Sp.D.V.E, Subsp.D.T. The discussion continued with Prof. Budi Mulyono, former Director General of Sardjito General Hospital (2009-2012), followed by Prof. Soenarto Sastro Wijoto, former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UGM (1991-1997), and Dr. Slamet Riyadi Yuwono, former Director of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital (2003-2011).
Prof. Dr. Menaldi Rasmin, Sp.P(K), FISR, FCCP spoke about the History of Medical Education in Indonesia. The history of medical education in Indonesia began with the establishment of the Doctor Java School (Sekolah Dokter Djawa) in 1851, initiated by Dr. Willem Bosch under a government decree. The initial intake consisted of 12 students from noble families, with instruction in Malay and a curriculum covering 17 subjects. Over time, the school expanded its curriculum and tightened admission requirements, eventually recognizing its graduates as “native doctors.” In 1901, the institution evolved into STOVIA (School tot Opleiding van Indische Artsen), extending the education period to nine years and awarding the title Indische Arts. By 1913, the NIAS (Nederlands Indische Artsen School) was established in Surabaya to address the need for doctors in eastern Indonesia, following a similar curriculum to STOVIA.
In 1927, the Geneeskundige Hoogeschool (GH) was founded in Batavia, marking the transition to university-level medical education with a curriculum aligned with Dutch standards. During the Japanese occupation in 1942, GH and NIAS were closed but later reopened as Ika Dai Gaku, with instruction in Indonesian and a shortened education period due to wartime needs. Following Indonesia’s independence, the “Pergoeroean Tinggi Kedokteran (PTK)” was established, eventually forming the basis for the medical faculties at the University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, and Airlangga University.
Post-independence, the education system shifted from a free study model to a guided study approach, emphasizing discipline and measurable outcomes. The curriculum continued to evolve, leading to the implementation of the Indonesia Medical Education Core Curriculum (KIPDI) in 1982 and the Competency-Based Curriculum (KBK) in 2004. Modern medical education in Indonesia now emphasizes integration across biomedical, clinical, and community medicine, active learning methods such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and alignment with global standards. Admission is highly selective, and graduates must complete both academic and professional stages, including an internship, to become licensed doctors.
Prof. Dr. dr. Hardyanto Soebono, Sp.D.V.E, Subsp.D.T, formerly served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). On this occasion, Prof. Hardyanto presented on the history of medical education, with a particular focus on the Faculty of Medicine at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The history of medical education at the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) reflects the broader development of medical schools in Indonesia. It began with the establishment of the Java Medical School in 1851, followed by STOVIA in 1901 and NIAS in 1913, which laid the foundation for formal medical training in the country. The Geneeskundige Hogeschool was established in 1927, and during the Japanese occupation, the school operated as Ika Dai Gaku. After Indonesia’s independence, the medical school was moved to Klaten in 1946 due to security issues in Jakarta, marking the birth of the Faculty of Medicine at UGM. The institution later moved to Yogyakarta and became part of the newly established Gadjah Mada University in 1949.
Over the decades, the faculty has undergone significant changes, including campus relocations, curriculum reforms, and academic program expansions. The implementation of a credit system and problem-based learning in the late 20th century marked the modernization of medical education at UGM. Today, the faculty offers various undergraduate and graduate programs and plays a central role in developing medical education and healthcare services in Indonesia.
The presentation continued by explaining the structure and roles of several hospitals affiliated with UGM, including Sardjito Hospital, Suradji Tirtonegoro Hospital, UGM Hospital, Hardjolukito Hospital, and Banyumas Hospital. Each institution was noted for its specialized services and contributions to education and public health. Prof. Budi Mulyono concluded by emphasizing the importance of ongoing integration and collaboration between educational, clinical, and research institutions to achieve excellence in medical education and healthcare services in Indonesia. Prof. Dr. dr. Soenarto Sastro Wijoto, SpTHT(K), a former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UGM (1991-1997), took this opportunity to revisit the history and development of the Faculty of Medicine at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), highlighting its origins during the struggle in Klaten (1940-1949), followed by its relocation to Mangkubumen and Sekip, and its growth into a leading institution in medical education and research in Indonesia. Prof. Soenarto emphasized the faculty’s strong tradition of collaboration, both nationally and internationally, through partnerships with other faculties, hospitals, and global medical schools, as well as its commitment to improving public health, medical education, and research. In this session, Prof. Soenarto concluded his discussion by stressing the importance of sustained international networks and collaboration to strengthen medical education and healthcare services in the future.
Dr. dr. Slamet Riyadi Yuwono, DTM&H, MARS, a former Director of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital (2003-2011), discussed the evolution and current state of medical education in Surabaya, particularly at Airlangga University, as well as the management and future direction of teaching hospitals. He outlined the historical milestones of medical education in Surabaya, from the establishment of NIAS in 1913 to the current Faculty of Medicine at Airlangga University, which now offers 25 specialty programs. Dr. Yuwono emphasized that teaching hospitals have three main roles: providing patient care, educating medical students and residents, and conducting research. He highlighted the importance of synchronization between hospital staff and faculty staff to ensure quality, safety, and satisfaction in patient care and education. The presentation also discussed the importance of accreditation and the integration of resources, infrastructure, and guidelines to support effective educational and healthcare services. Looking toward the future, Dr. Yuwono advocated for the implementation of the Academic Health System (AHS), aimed at synergizing the national education and healthcare systems, enhancing educational and research productivity, and ultimately improving public health outcomes such as life expectancy, disease incidence, and access to healthcare facilities.
Readmore :
https://sejarahkesehatan.net/history-of-medicine-in-southeast-asia-homsea-conference/
Reporter:
Aulia Putri Hijriyah, S.Sej.,
Galen Sousan Amory, S.Sej.,
