Proceedings of the International Conference on

Electrical Engineering and Informatics

Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia June 17-19, 2007

IN-3

Recent Educational and Research Activities

in Biomedical Engineering
at Institut Teknologi Bandung
Soegijardjo Soegijoko
Biomedical Engineering Program, School of Electrical Engineering & Informatics,
Institut Teknologi Bandung
Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Tel/Fax : +62 22 2534117 ; email: soegi@ieee.org

AbstractThis paper describes various educational and

research activities in biomedical engineering, recently being
conducted by the Biomedical Engineering Program School of
Electrical Engineering & Informatics, Institut Teknologi
Bandung. The Biomedical Engineering Program at ITB was first
launched in 1995 with a masters program. It was then followed
with the undergraduate program in 1998, and the doctorate
program in 1999. After more than ten years of operations, there
are significant number of educational and research activities that
involved graduate and undergraduate students as well as staff
members.
Five main fields of interests in biomedical engineering are
currently covered, which include: biomedical instrumentation,
biomedical imaging and image processing, biomedical
informatics and telemedicine systems, biomechanics and
rehabilitation engineering, biomaterials and drug delivery
systems. Brief review on some typical examples of educational
and research activities are presented. In general, continuous and
consistent educational and research activities in selected areas of
biomedical engineering are most needed.
Keywords biomedical engineering, education, e-health,
imaging, image processing, instrumentation, telemedicine

I. INTRODUCTION

n ASEAN Australia Regional Conference on

Biomedical Electronics 1994 (BME-94) organized
in April 1994 at Institut Teknologi Bandung was an
important milestone of the development in Biomedical
Engineering education in Indonesia. The very first
regional conference in the biomedical engineering field
was attended by 16 ASEAN participants, 7 Australian
experts, and not less than 45 Indonesian participants [1].
The conference provided significant impetus for the first
launch of the masters program on Biomedical
Engineering in 1995, as an option within the masters
program of Electrical Engineering Institut Teknologi
Bandung (ITB). Three years later, in 1998, the
undergraduate program was then offered, as an option
within the study program of electrical engineering.
Similarly, the doctorate program on biomedical
engineering was also offered in 1999.
ISBN 978-979-16338-0-2

In general, we define biomedical engineering as: a

multidisciplinary field that implements science,
engineering and technological methods to help solving
problems in biology and medicine, to enhance the quality
of life through improving community healthcare and
education. Biomedical Engineering involves the
processing of different types of medical information, to
support medical procedure. We have tried to implement a
number of integrated activities that involved educational,
research and service to the community whenever
possible. In collaboration with various healthcare
institutions (health offices, community health centers,
clinics, or hospitals), students and staff members have
been actively involved in different educational and
research activities.
In this paper, some important background information
of the development of biomedical engineering at ITB has
been introduced. Sections on the Biomedical Engineering
Educational Activities at ITB, Current Research
Activities, Professional Societies and Scientific
Meetings, are then discussed. A number of examples are
also presented, and followed by the Concluding Remarks.

II. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL

ACTIVITIES AT ITB
Currently (2007), we offer three different programs on
biomedical engineering, namely: the undergraduate
program (about 20 students), masters program (16
students), and doctorate program (5 students). A number
of educational activities currently being conducted within
the BME program, which include: regular undergraduate
program (as an option within the study program of
Electrical Engineering), the integrated undergraduate &
masters program (fast track), the regular masters program
(conducted in bahasa Indonesia, as an option within the
study program of Electrical Engineering), the
International Double Degree Masters Program on
Biomedical Engineering (in collaboration with the RUG

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Proceedings of the International Conference on

Electrical Engineering and Informatics
Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia June 17-19, 2007

University of Groningen, Netherlands), the masters

program with additional e-learning facilities (under the
CASECUBE Asia Link project). The staff members and
students are actively involved in different types of
educational and research activities. Until recently, the
program has graduated 3 doctors, 48 masters, and 55
engineers majoring in biomedical engineering.
A. Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program on biomedical engineering
is currently offered as an option within the study program
of electrical engineering. In general, the students are
required to complete a total of 144 semester credits in 8
semesters. The courses include 35 semester credits of
specific biomedical engineering courses, such as:
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, Introduction to
Anatomy and Physiology, Biomedical Physics,
Biomaterials,
Transport
Phenomena,
Computer
Applications in BME, Selected Topics, and Final Year
Project. A number of choice subjects on biomedical
engineering are also offered, for example: Introduction to
Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Instrumentation, and
Biomedical Informatics. Although bahasa Indonesia is
used in the regular program, some courses may also use
English if necessary.
Undergraduate students are required to do practical
works and final year project on specific topics of
biomedical engineering.
B. Integrated Undergraduate & Masters Program
The fast track program is especially offered to excellent
students willing to work harder to complete both
undergraduate and masters program on Biomedical
Engineering in 5 years (less than the normal 11 to 12
semesters). Each student joining this fast track program is
required to complete a total of = 144 + 36 = 180 semester
credits (i.e. to obtain both Bachelor and Masters
Degrees). Faster time of study and less expensive tuition
fee are the attractive advantages for the fast track
students.
C. Masters Program
In general, this program requires 36 semester credits to
be completed in 3 or 4 semesters. Beside specific
biomedical engineering courses, students are also
required to do internship and to complete research
activities for her/his Thesis. There are three different
masters programs currently offered at the Biomedical
Engineering Program ITB that will be briefly described.
Regular Masters Program
This program is basically taught in bahasa Indonesia
and is to be completed in 3 or 4 semesters.
Double Degree Masters Program
Students entering this program are required to stay at
ITB for 2 to 3 semesters and to stay at RUG for at least
two semesters. Upon completion of the whole masters

ISBN 978-979-16338-0-2

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program, the students will obtain two master degrees:

M.Sc from RUG and M.T. (Magister Teknik) from ITB.
Masters Program with e-Learning Activities
This is a CASECUBE (Common Asian European
Curriculum on Biomedical Engineering), a collaboration
between biomedical engineering programs from three
European countries and three Asian countries, i.e.:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Netherlands), Ghent
University (Belgium), Leeds University (U.K.), Indian
Institute of Technology (India), University of Gadjah
Mada (Indonesia), and Institut Teknologi Bandung.
Twelve students from four different universities
constitute the first batch of registered pilot students that
are entitled to access the web-based course materials
presented in NESTOR (http://www.nestor.rug.nl). Five
of those pilot students are registered at BME ITB. A
summer course on Biomedical Engineering will be
organized at ITB on 23 27 July 2007 for those
CASECUBE students. During the summer course, it is
also planned to welcome new batch of students.
D. Doctorate Program
The Doctorate Program on Biomedical Engineering is
currently an option within the doctorate study program on
Electrical Engineering. It requires 54 semester credits that
have to be completed in 3 to 5 years. In general, most
credits are implemented in research activities and
publications, although a number of course works may be
required for the students. Besides regular program, a
sandwich program is also available.
Doctor students, masters students, as well as some
selected undergraduate students involved in various
research activities within specific research groups
according to their research topics/areas. Biomedical
Engineering students and staff members are continuously
encouraged to publish their research works in national,
regional, as well as international publications.

III. CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Until recently, there are five main research interests
(areas) that have been and/or being conducted within the
Biomedical Engineering Program and Research Division
(KK = Kelompok Keilmuan). The current research
interests include: biomedical instrumentation, biomedical
imaging & image processing, biomedical informatics &
telemedicine systems, biomechanics & rehabilitation
engineering, and biomaterials & drug delivery systems.
The number of research activities in each research are not
equal; some research interests have more research topics
than the others.
A number of examples will be presented in the
following paragraphs.
A. Biomedical Instrumentation

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Proceedings of the International Conference on

Electrical Engineering and Informatics
Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia June 17-19, 2007

Most of the research topics involved the use of

micro-processor/microcontroller or PC-based systems. In
general, they cover both hardware and software modules.
PC-Based & Microcontroller-based Instruments
A number of research activities have been/are being
conducted for the development of various biomedical
instrumentation prototypes. Different research groups are
in the development process of various prototypes which
include: Portable Electronic Stethoscopes, Pure Tone
Audiometers, Brainstem-Evoked Response Audiometers
(with Click stimulus and Chirp stimulus), Simple 3
Lead ECG, Portable ECG, and Blood Glucose Monitor
Prototypes. Continuous efforts are still required to come
up with improved laboratory prototypes and production
prototypes.
B. Biomedical Imaging & Image Processing [2, 5]
The imaging and image processing research topics
mostly involve the use of PC, image processing algorithm
and software developments. They may also involve some
clinical applications.
Early Detection of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
Different image processing-based methods have been
developed for early detection of both osteoporosis and
osteoarthritis from easily available X-ray radiographs of
proximal femur, clavicular cortex and knee joint.
Algorithms and software modules have been/are being
developed for the detection system.
Diagnosis System of Early Diabetic Retinopathy
A computer-aided diagnosis system of early diabetic
retinopathy based on micro aneurysms detection from
retinal system has been developed. The research works
have been conducted in collaboration with the medical
staff of the Cicendo Eye Hospital (Bandung).
More research activities in the area of medical imaging
and image processing are in progress. Encouraging
results have been obtained leading to the teleophthalmology, telediagnosis of cataract, teleradiology,
and teledermatology. Synergic collaboration with various
parties is necessary.
C. Biomedical Informatics & Telemedicine
Different types of telemedicine research activities have
been/are being conducted that involve various groups
focusing on different functions [3, 4, 6, 7].
Simple e-prescription system
A simple paperless prescription system consisting of
3 to 7 PCs in a simple network with a specially developed
e-prescription software module, has been designed,
implemented, and field tested in one of a community
health center in Bandung area. The system has been tested
to replace the patient registration card and prescription,
and thus almost a paperless prescription system has
been obtained. There is a fundamental problem that
should be solved before really implementing the system,
since the current formal regulation requires the hardcopy
prescriptions and patient cards. Thus this fundamental
hierarchical and formal regulation problem should be first
solved.

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Mobile Telemedicine System with Multi Communication

Links
The development of a mobile telemedicine system with
multi communication links for urban & rural areas is
currently in progress, located in Sukabumi (West Java)
[3]. The system uses VHF radio, mobile phone networks,
and the internet. A telemedicine arbiter is also necessary
to select the most appropriate telecommunication
infrastructure at a particular position of the vehicle and at
a given time. This mobile (ambulance) unit is expected to
transfer the necessary medical information from the
patient in the ambulance to the hospital (Syamsudin
Hospital in Sukabumi).
Disease surveillance & outbreak management
A relatively simple telemedicine system for disease
surveillance and outbreak management is currently under
development. The system consists of: a Receiver station
(a PC with centralized data base and special application
software, connected to a number of mobile phones
through an interface), Transmitter stations (each consists
of a PC connected to a mobile phone), and the existing
mobile phone networks. Typical information is edited at
every transmitter station to obtain encrypted standardized
information in 160 character SMS format (short
messaging system). Editing is conducted in PC using a
specially developed software module. The information is
then further processed, encrypted and sent as an SMS
message through the mobile phone. The information and
the integrated data base can also be selectively and
securely accessed through a special website.
The resulted data base is then further processed for the
disease surveillance & outbreak management.
D. Biomechanics & Rehabilitation Engineering
PC-based Continuous Passive Motion Machine and
Microcontroller-based Continuous Passive Motion
Machine are two consecutive works in the area [9].
Microcontroller-based Gait Analysis System is another
topic of interest.
E. Biomaterials & Drug Delivery Systems
Development of BME ITB Beads (antibiotic-loaded
beads) for the treatment of chronic bone infection. This
research work is also supported by the Rijksuniversiteit
Groningen (Netherlands).

IV. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND SCIENTIFIC

MEETINGS
The members of Biomedical Engineering Research
Divisions, Research Groups, as well as other members of
research divisions, lecturers and students have been
actively participated in international and national
professional societies. Different types of scientific
meetings have also been organized and/or participated
actively.
The Indonesian Biomedical Engineering Society
(IBES, Masyarakat Biomedika Indonesia = MBI) is a
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Proceedings of the International Conference on

Electrical Engineering and Informatics
Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia June 17-19, 2007

national society in Biomedical Engineering that was

established in Bandung on the 4th April 2001 by a group
of staff members, and currently has about 50 members.
IEEE EMBS chapter has been officially approved in
April 2006. IFMBE (the International Federation of
Medical and Biological Engineering) is another
international organization; the IBES is currently in
process of being a member of the society.
A number of Biomedical Engineering seminars and/or
conferences have been organized in the country,
sponsored by various organizations and/or professional
societies. For examples: BME Seminar 2007, and BME
Days 2006.
Staff members and students of the
Biomedical Engineering Program ITB have also
actively
participated
in
different
types
of
regional/international scientific meetings conducted in
various countries. For examples: APT Telemedicine
Workshop (2007, 2006, 2005, 2002), World Congress on
Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering (WC-2006
Seoul, WC-2003 Sydney), International Conference on
Biomedical Engineering Kuala Lumpur (BioMed
2006, 2004), Healthcom (2006, 2005, 2004), APCMBE
(Asia Pacific Conference on Medical & Biological
Engineering 2006 Tsukuba, Japan).

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[2]
[3]

[4]

[5]
[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

Tati L.R. Mengko, et al, Image Processing & Recognition

Research Group Activities An Overview, to be published
Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Suhartono Tjondronegoro, ICT-Based
Telemedicine System Development Activities Towards Improving
Community Healthcare in Indonesia, APT Telemedicine
Workshop, Chiangmai (Thailand), February 2007
Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Improving Marginalized Community
Healthcare Through the Development of ICT-Based Telemedicine
System: A Case Study in Indonesia, Korean ASEAN Academic
Conference, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), 25 27 January 2007
Tati L.R. Mengko, Andriyan B. Suksmono, Trio Adiono, Amy H.
Salman, Integrated Telediagnosis Instruments, CICC 2007
Ediana Sutjiredjeki, Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Development of A
Communication Arbiter for Mobile Telemedicine System with
Multi Communication Links, Proc. World Congress on Medical
Physics & Biomedical Engineering (WC-2006), Seoul (Korea), 28
Aug. 1 Sept. 2006
Ediana Sutjiredjeki, Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Tati Mengko,
Suhartono Tjondronegoro,
Development of A Mobile
Telemedicine System with Multi Communication Links for Urban
& Rural Areas in Indonesia, International Conference on
Biomedical Engineering BioMed 2006, Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia), 11 14 December 2006
Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Development of e-Health Kiosks and
Telemedicine System for Disaster Area, Healthcom-2005, Busan
(Korea), 23-25 June 2005
Hermawan N. Rasyid, Tati Mengko, Soegijardjo Soegijoko,
Tjandra P., Design & Realization of PC-Based Continuous
Passive Motion Device to Prevent Shoulder Joint Stiffness,
APCCAS 2004, Tainan, December 2004.

V. CONCLUDING REMARKS
With the increasing real demand of biomedical
engineers/experts in the country, the development of
more and more educational programs and activities
should be one of the important steps to be highly
recommended towards improving the community
healthcare in Indonesia. Further biomedical research
activities, involving biomedical engineering staff
members and students, in synergic collaborations with
various parties are highly recommended to solve existing
healthcare problems towards improving community
healthcare in Indonesia.
Continuous and consistent educational and research
activities in selected areas of biomedical engineering
should be conducted for obtaining more significant
impacts. Further development efforts are also needed to
continuously improve the educational curriculum and
activities, as well as specific but realistic research topics.

S. Soegijoko (M-1989) born in 1942 received his Engineers degree in

Telecommunication Engineering from the Department of Electrical
Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia in 1964. His
Doctorate degree was obtained from the USTL (Universite des Sciences
et Techniques du Languedoc), Montpellier, France, in 1980. His thesis
was on the Development of Microprocessor-based External Artificial
Pancreas.
He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, ITB since 1966,
as a teaching staff. He is currently professor in Biomedical Engineering
at the School of Electrical Engineering & Informatics ITB, and has
been developing the Biomedical Engineering Program since 1994. His
current research interests include: Biomedical Instrumentation,
Telemedicine System, and Biomedical Engineering education.
Prof. Dr. Soegijardjo Soegijoko is a member of IBES (Indonesian
Biomedical Engineering Society), IEEE-EMBS (Engineering in
Medicine & Biology Society), and IEEE-CAS (Circuits and Systems
Society).
--

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author thanks all the colleagues and students of the
biomedical engineering program ITB, and all partners
involved in the research and development works. Special
thanks go to the Department of Health, Bandung &
Sukabumi Health Offices and participating hospitals, as
well as all the medical doctors & staff members of the
participating institutions and community health centers.

REFERENCES
[1]

Proceedings of the ASEAN Australia Regional Conference on

Biomedical Electronics 1994 (BME-94), Bandung (Indonesia), 27
29 April 1994.

ISBN 978-979-16338-0-2

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