Mengenal Lebih Dekat Sosok Sardjito dalam Pameran Foto
Mengenal Lebih Dekat Sosok Sardjito dalam Pameran Foto
Tens of photographs of Prof. Sardjito are exhibited in Balairung UGM from Monday (22/1) to Thursday (25/1). The exhibition is one way to promote the figure of Sardjito who in his life had fought hard for the Independence and sustained the country, including establishing Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) as the first national Indonesian university.
“The struggle made by Sardjito in the early period of Independence is an extraordinary matter. Hence, we need to know him more through this exhibition,” said Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., when opening the event.
As many as 34 photographs are on display, in addition to research documents and awards for Prof. Sardjito, and biography video which tells the journey of Sardjito as a freedom fighter, scientist, and cultural expert.
Panut said the doctor born in Magetan, East Java, on 13 August 1891 had shown his big roles in the physical and education revolution in Indonesia. Historical documents and certificates for him proved these struggles.
“These pictures display how big his contributions were so it deems appropriate if we propose him as a national hero,” he said.
The doctor graduating from STOVIA Jakarta school and Faculty of Medicine from Amsterdam University had played a great role in the state independence. During the revolution, Sardjito supplied medication to Indonesian guerrilas even through war incidents. He also produced anti-infection vaccines for the Indonesian troops and guerrilas. Due to his work, many Indonesians had been saved.
As a doctor, he did research into various diseases. He produced Calcusol as a medication for kidney stones. In education, his role was seen in the establishment of UGM that later generated scientists and scholars who made contributions to national interests.
“His struggle in education was immense which later generated figures in science, technology, arts, and other disciplines at UGM that had a big role in sustaining the struggle and achieving Indonesia’s prosperity,” the Rector said.
For his contributions, Sardjito had received awards such as Bintang Gerilya, Bintang Mahaputra level III, Satya Lancana Pejuang Kemerdekaan, and Bintang Kehormatan level II. This year will see Sardjito be proposed as a national hero.
“Actually, in 2012 we also proposed him as a national hero. Next Thursday we will hold a regional seminar to do this again,” said professor in UGM Medical Faculty, Prof. Dr. dr. Sutaryo, Sp.A(K).
Sutaryo said Sardjito was a scientist as well as a fighter. Through the photo exhibition, seminar, and proposal for the national hero status, more people are expected to know better about him and his dedication in order that they can sustain the state.