Design of an open knowledge repository and communication Forum for biomedical engineering education and research in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper described the design of an open knowledge repository and communication forum for biomedical engineering (BME) education and research in Indonesia. The knowledge repository aims to develop national capacity in biomedical engineering, which is part of an answer to the challenge provided by the Indonesian healthcare problems.

Background In Indonesia, the field of healthcare is characterized by its sheer size and geographical distribution in more than 13000 islands. Prominent health statistics in Indonesia include the high maternal & child health/mortality and communicable diseases (HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis, dengue, etc). This condition presents both a huge challenge and opportunity for the field of biomedical engineering, which aims to solve problems in the medical and healthcare fields by utilizing engineering and technological methods. In fact, biomedical engineering should have a higher potential to improve healthcare in developing countries, as there are a larger margin for improvement as compared to developed countries. However, this potential is still largely unfulfilled, as biomedical engineering is still in its infancy stage in Indonesia.