JEC’s Prof. DR. Dr. Tjahjono D. Gondhowiardjo, SpM(K), PhD Inaugurated as Permanent Professor at Universitas Indonesia

Jakarta, December 22, 2018 – Universitas Indonesia (UI) officially inaugurated two permanent professors of the Faculty of Medicine at the Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI) in Salemba, Central Jakarta. Among them was Prof. DR. Dr. Tjahjono D. Gondhowiardjo, SpM(K), PhD, lecturer at UI’s Department of Ophthalmology and practicing ophthalmologist at JEC Eye Hospitals & Clinics.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Tjahjono delivered a speech titled:

“Penta-Helix Collaboration for the Future of Ophthalmology Education in Indonesia in the Disruption Era.”

Vision: The Foundation of Human Thought and Productivity

Prof. Tjahjono highlighted the essential role of vision in daily life, noting that 83% of information humans receive comes through the eyes, which the brain then processes. He emphasized that vision is not merely a sensory experience but also a mental process that forms the basis of thought.

However, he also presented a sobering reality: data from the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) 2014–2016 revealed that blindness prevalence among Indonesians aged 50 and above remains high at 3%. This poses serious challenges, as blindness diminishes quality of life and creates an economic burden for families, often perpetuating a vicious cycle of blindness and poverty.

Restoring Sight, Restoring Productivity

According to Prof. Tjahjono, many blindness cases can be addressed through vision rehabilitation, enabling patients to regain independence and productivity. He emphasized that the cost of vision-restoring procedures is significantly lower than the long-term economic burden of untreated blindness.

He proposed that eye surgeries restoring vision should be recognized as an investment in workforce productivity, directly contributing to poverty alleviation and family welfare.

Advances in Ophthalmology in Indonesia

With the rapid advancement of ophthalmic science and technology, Indonesia has transformed its approach to eye health—from simply preventing blindness to optimizing visual function. Today, Indonesian ophthalmologists are capable of performing advanced vision-restoring procedures, including corneal transplantation, without requiring patients to travel abroad.

This progress underscores Indonesia’s growing self-sufficiency in delivering world-class eye care.

Penta-Helix Collaboration: Building “Root and Wing” Education

Prof. Tjahjono emphasized the need to equip human resources with knowledge and skills aligned with technological developments and future societal needs.

He called for Penta-Helix collaboration—involving academia, industry, civil society, government, and media—as the foundation for advancing ophthalmology education. In his vision, education must have strong “roots” grounded in local realities while also possessing “wings” to soar globally, enabling Indonesia to remain competitive in the disruptive era.

Closing Vision

In conclusion, Prof. Tjahjono reiterated the importance of recognizing eye surgery and vision restoration as key factors in workforce productivity, urging policymakers to integrate this perspective into national healthcare financing priorities.

Through innovation, collaboration, and education, Prof. Tjahjono envisions an Indonesia where optimal vision health strengthens not only individual well-being but also national productivity and economic resilience.