Wahidin Sudirohusodo Analysis

WAHIDIN SUDIROHUSODO AND THE HISTORY, VISION, AND MISSIONS OF FMUI

Hailed as one of the national heroes of Indonesia, dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo was a Javanese physician renowned for his prominent role in the founding of Budi Utomo and his dedication in educating the nation impoverished by Dutch colonization. He was born on 7 January 1852 in Desa Mlati, Yogyakarta, to parents of Bugis and Makassar descent. In his youth, Wahidin studied at the Dutch school Europeesche Lagere School, from where he obtained his primary education. Resulting from his passion in learning and desire to help others in need, he later resumed his path in education by studying medicine at STOVIA, now Universitas Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine, one of the first medical schools in Indonesia to allow the admittance of natives.1 Although he was born into an affluent family, he spent more of his time with lower-class citizens than with fame and money. His amiable and kind nature made him popular to local villagers. From his frequent interactions with them, he knew the struggles of the people just to come by and how the Dutch invasion had affected them significantly. Wahidin also knew that Indonesians had brilliant minds too, however, because of poor economy, a large amount of citizens could not get the education that they deserved. He believed that education was key to supply the people with the capacity to live better lives and fight for their freedom. In his dedication to improve the nation’s education,