Universitas Gadjah Mada plans to develop UGM Museum which was installed in 2013. Government reportedly will disburse trillion rupiah in funds to accommodate more visitors to the Museum.
The UGM Museum situated on Block D6 and D7 in Bulaksumur compound had been used by former US President Barack Obama during his school holidays between years 1967 to 1971 when he lived in Indonesia.
During a press conference at the Museum on Friday (23/2), Manager of the Museum, Dr. Mahirta, MA., explained his office would develop the building to add to the facilities and revitalise the building.
Currently, UGM Museum has 327 collections. They will further take inventories for better management of the collection.
Some collections are being cleaned for conservation. In January, three UGM logos have been conserved. Furthermore, a restoration of an oil painting of Prof. Sardjito will follow, involving painting restoration experts. Other collections on display are properties belonging to leading figures of UGM, such as Sardjito, Ki Sarmidi Mangunsarkoro, Herman Johannes, Hardjoso Prodjopangarso, Teuku Jacob, Notonagoro, Mubyarto, Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri, etc.
"We are currently unable to display all collections of UGM, but during a certain event we will exhibit them thematically,” said Mahirta.
Proposal for Title of Hero for Prof. Sardjito
Prof. Dr. dr. Sutaryo, Sp.A(K), UGM professor, said Universitas Gadjah Mada was currently submitting to the government a proposal to grant the status of National Hero to Prof. Sardjito. UGM is devising an academic paper and holding regional (23 and 24 January 2018) and national (27 February) seminars to make this happen.
Sutaryo said the contribution of Prof. Sardjito. Prof. Sardjito, was not to be doubted due to his knowledge and fight for the national independence.
According to Sutaryo, the figure of Prof. Sardjito was one of the founders of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and a leading figure in pharmaceutical areas. He had devised and brought vaccines from Bandung to Klaten and later Yogyakarta during the wars. Prof. Sardjito also established the PMI Emergency Hospital through which he smuggled weapons to the freedom fighters.