The Biomedical Engineering Master Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) aims to support Indonesia’s independence in the medical device sector, making the equipment more accessible to the public. Through this program, human resources are trained to become competent graduates capable of innovating in the production of medical devices.
The lecturers come from various faculties, bringing together diverse experiences and expertise that enrich students during their academic journey. This aligns with the program’s position under UGM’s Graduate School, which is known for its multidisciplinary approach.
“My undergraduate degree was in Radiology, where the scope of study was limited to radiology,” said Syahara Listawa. However, during her master’s studies, she met many classmates from various academic backgrounds.
As a student in the Biomedical Engineering Master’s Program, she realized the essential multidisciplinary collaboration. Syahara Listawa, familiarly called Yoyok, is a student in the 2024 Fall Cohort sponsored by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (Tubel Kemenkes). During her Biomedical Imaging class, Yoyok explained that working with classmates from electrical engineering backgrounds helped him better understand new concepts, particularly signal acquisition in imaging processes.
“The same applies to Biomedical System Design for medical equipment—collaborating with peers from engineering backgrounds definitely made understanding the material easier,” he explained.
Profession as a Radiographer
In 2023, Yoyok won 1st place in the National Award for Outstanding Health Workers in the Biomedical Engineering category for vertical hospitals, and 3rd place in the Outstanding Civil Servant Award by the Ministry of Health in the Best Innovator category.
It’s no surprise that, despite her studies, she continues to work as a radiographer at the Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Unit at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta. A radiographer is a profession in radiology responsible for conducting examinations using CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging modalities, or providing X-ray radiation therapy to cancer patients.
“My work happens to be in the field of radiotherapy, where I focus on treating cancer patients by delivering radiation therapy with precision and accuracy,” he stated. A radiographer must also possess strong technical skills and effective communication abilities, as they interact directly with patients, explain procedures, and ensure both comfort and safety.
“Knowledge from Biomedical Engineering Design is useful in creating user- and patient-centered designs, while knowledge in Bioethics helps maintain the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and the wider community,” he explained.
He also noted that Applied Mathematics and Biomaterial Characterization courses helped her produce innovations to support medical services while prioritizing safety and accuracy.
This story was also published in Tribun Newspaper on Friday, March 14th 2025.