Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is deeply saddened by the passing of one of its professors and leading experts in neurology, Professor Harsono, who passed away on Friday (Dec. 5) at 03:15 a.m. WIB at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. The late Professor Harsono from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), was laid to rest at the Sawitsari Cemetery on Friday (Dec. 5) after receiving final respects from the UGM academic community.
The Chair of the UGM Professorial Board, Professor Muhammad Baiquni, on behalf of the UGM community, conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The late Professor Harsono was a specialist in Neurology (Neuroscience) at FK-KMK UGM. He delivered his inaugural professorial address on December 4, 2004, entitled “Characteristics of Epilepsy in Women”.
During his lifetime, Professor Baiquni noted, the late Professor Harsono was once assigned by the government to provide healthcare services in Irian Jaya. In addition to gaining extensive lessons and experience, he also had the opportunity to contribute significantly to medical education.
“In many instances, besides providing healthcare services, he also guided nurses in neurological education. With his vast experience and dedication as an academic staff member, the late Professor Harsono was bestowed a great honor and inaugurated as a permanent professor at the Faculty of Medicine in 2004,” Professor Baiquni said at the Balairung, Friday (Dec. 5).
In his view, beyond being known as a diligent scholar deeply devoted to his field, Professor Harsono was also passionate about Javanese dance, particularly wayang orang, which he had pursued since childhood.
He even participated in various festival performances in several cities and served as the Chair of the Wayang Bocah Association for children from kindergarten through junior high school.
“Finally, let us escort the late Professor Harsono to his final resting place with prayers, asking that God Almighty forgive his sins, multiply his good deeds, and grant him the most peaceful and noble place by His side. May the family left behind be granted strength and fortitude. Ameen,” he said.
The Dean of FK-KMK UGM, Professor Yodi Mahendradhata, added that the late Professor Harsono was one of FK-KMK UGM’s finest sons, born in Sawit, Boyolali, on December 12, 1945, who devoted almost his entire life to the advancement of medical education in Indonesia.
He completed his medical degree at the UGM Faculty of Medicine from 1964 to 1971 and his specialization in Neurology from 1980 to 1982.
“Professor Harsono began his career as a healthcare professional in Jayapura before returning to devote himself to UGM in 1987 as an educator, innovator, and academic leader,” the dean said.
Professor Harsono’s career progressed steadily and consistently from lecturer to senior academic ranks, culminating in his inauguration as Professor of Neurology on February 1, 2004.
He held various strategic positions, including Chair of the Educational Development Unit, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Head of the UGM Center for Educational Development (P3) for several terms, and Special Staff to the Rector for the development of learning methods.
“At the national level, Professor Harsono also served as Chair of the Indonesian Neurology Collegium from 2007 to 2015,” Professor Mahendradhata noted.
As a colleague, Professor Mahendradhata regarded Professor Harsono as a true teacher who embodied the patrap triloka philosophy throughout his life: ing ngarso sung tulodho, ing madya mangun karso, lan tut wuri andayani (a leadership philosophy that he consistently practiced in every sphere of his service).
His dedication to education at FK-KMK UGM was considered extraordinary, and Professor Harsono successfully brought educational innovation to the international stage.
He led the transformation of the curriculum toward problem-based learning (PBL), which later became a national standard, and played a major role in instilling the spirit of student-centered learning during his tenure as Head of P3.
“In the professional sphere, Professor Harsono advanced neurological education in Indonesia through improvements in the role of clinical educators, residency curricula, and the quality of national examinations,” Professor Mahendradhata explained.
Professor Mahendradhata further shared that, behind all his academic achievements, Professor Harsono was a person deeply devoted to culture. With his profound appreciation for wayang orang and gamelan, his leadership reflected a gentle harmony akin to a beautiful gamelan orchestration.
“His nurturing presence across generations led colleagues, students, and friends to respectfully call him Romo. Sugeng kondur, Romo Harsono. May you be granted a beautiful and peaceful place, a good end, and eternal serenity in heaven,” the dean concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian