UGM plans to propose the late Prof. Sardjito to become a national hero. The plan for the first Rector of UGM is due to his great services in the field of education and Indonesian’s history. According to the UGM historian, Prof. Sutaryo, Prof. Sardjito is not only instrumental in the field of education and health, but also in the effort to win the independence of Indonesia.
During the independence war, Prof. Sardjito also struggled through medical field by looking for the availability of medicines and vitamins for the soldiers as well as constructing a health post for soldiers. "Prof. Sardjito is very worthy of being a national hero because he had contributed in the effort to win the independence war of Indonesia. At that time, when other people went to war, Prof. Sardjito thought about the health aspect of the soldiers that was not less important," he said to reporter on Wednesday (10/8) in UGM Stana Parahita Room.
Sutaryo mentions, Prof. Sardjito also established the foundation for Pancasila education in Indonesia. "Keep in mind, he also established Pancasila education in Indonesia," he said.
Up until now, there are at least eight UGM senior figures that have been awarded the national hero title. They are Prof. Dr. Abdurrachman Saleh, Dr. (HC) Ir. Sukarno, Dr. (HC) Ki Hajar Dewantara, Dr. (HC) Moh. Hatta, Prof. Ir. Herman Johanes, Prof. Dr. Suharso, Prof. Supomo, and Sri Sultan HB IX. "There have been several UGM senior figures being awarded the title of national hero. Some of them are Prof. Dr. Abdurrachman Saleh, Dr. (HC) Ir. Sukarno, Dr. (HC) Ki Hajar Dewantara, Dr. (HC) Moh. Hatta, Prof. Ir. Herman Johanes. It seems that Prof. Sardjito is still missing from the list. Therefore, we felt obliged to nominate him to become a national hero," Sutaryo explained.
The proposal plan will be discussed in 122th Commemoration of Prof. Sardjito: Build the Central Building and Character of UGM. The activity will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at the Senate Hall of UGM. Sutaryo added Prof. Sardjito also played a role in the development of the first people’s university in Yogyakarta. The existence of UGM Central Building is inseparable from the role of Prof. Sardjito in its construction. The UGM Central Building with the spatial and architecture philosophy of beauty and charisma was built between 1951-1959 by the architect KPH Hadinegoro. This building was inaugurated by the first President of Indonesia, Ir. Sukarno, on December 19, 1959.
Introducing History and Philosophy of UGM Central Building
Ir. T. Yoyok Wahyu Subroto, M. Eng., a member of the UGM architecture team conveys that the 122th commemoration of Prof. Sardjito was held as a form of respect in the field of education.
In the commemoration event, the UGM Central Building will be described in greater depth. "On the occasion, the ins and outs of the philosophy and architecture of UGM Central Building will be discussed, because, so far, only a few who know and understand this building. The lack of understanding resulted in the lack of appreciation of the Building which serves as a monument of national struggle," he explained.
Another member of UGM architecture team, Ir. Ismudianto, M.S, said the construction of UGM Central Building already used a modern system. It was established in accordance with Javanese cosmology, with the axis of Kridosono- Boulevard - Pancasila Field- UGM Central Building-Merapi, it is parallel with the major axis of the South Sea- Krapyak Stage-Palace-Malioboro- Tugu monument- Merapi. "UGM Central Building also has an imaginary axis parallel to the main imaginary axis of the Sultan Palace Yogyakarta," he said.
Layout of the Central Building is facing north to the direction of Merapi, based on the philosophy of Tri Hitta Karana. In order not to give an impression to ignore the Kraton of Yogyakarta, the main clan to the Central Building was made in the south which is the UGM Boulevard. The UGM campus construction is equipped with a square that is currently become the Field of Pancasila. "But unfortunately, this concept cannot be seen again by the establishment of the Library Building and Grha Sabha Pramana. In the future a more orderly arrangement of space is required in order not to eliminate the concept of philosophy in presence," said Ismundianto.