“Our work in tissue engineering is to provide a place or ‘home’ for cells so that the body's regenerative capacity can be supported in patients who have suffered accidents or chronic wounds such as those caused by diabetes. This research requires an interdisciplinary approach involving science, engineering, and medicine.” — Prof. drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D.
A warm and proud atmosphere filled the OECF Building of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Monday (20 July 2026), as the FKG UGM Dean's Office welcomed representatives of the Jury of the 22nd Achmad Bakrie Award 2026. The delegation was led by Prof. Ir. Sofia W. Alisjahbana, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng, together with the Achmad Bakrie Award team, to extend an invitation and recognise the achievements of Prof. drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D., in the field of healthcare.
The award presentation at FKG UGM underscored the faculty's strong academic environment and research excellence. Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Suryono, SH., MM., Ph.D., offered particular praise for Prof. Ika's consistent scientific contributions. He recalled a historic moment when he and Prof. Ika were members of the same student research team in 1991.
That early collaboration led FKG UGM to win a scientific competition at Universitas Brawijaya through research on the use of Chiclia barbata as an alternative material for dental impression-making.
“Prof. Ika was on the same research team as me in 1991. At the time, we helped UGM win the competition at Brawijaya. Part of that work became my undergraduate thesis, which helped me graduate as a dentist in four years and nine months. From a quality-assurance perspective, I personally witnessed her quality from the very beginning,” Prof. Suryono recalled, to the warm response of those in attendance.
During the current dean's tenure, Prof. Ika has reportedly been supported in receiving prestigious national-level awards on three or four occasions, including the Habibie Award, recognition from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and awards from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
Continuing this impressive record of achievements, Chair of the Independent Jury, Prof. Sofia, explained that the 22nd Achmad Bakrie Award 2026 was being presented to honour Prof. Ika's pioneering contributions to advancing Indonesia's medical self-reliance.
“Prof. Ika Dewi Ana ranks among Indonesia's leading pioneers in tissue engineering and medical bioceramics. Her innovation, GAMACHA, is the first carbonate apatite-based bone graft product to receive a marketing authorisation from the Ministry of Health and to be mass-produced as a self-reliant solution for bone regeneration following grafting procedures,” Prof. Sofia explained.
In response, Prof. Ika Dewi Ana expressed her deep gratitude and emotion at receiving the recognition. She explained that her work in tissue engineering had been inspired by the principles of natural biological regeneration, such as the ability of lizards and geckos to regrow their tails.
“Our work in tissue engineering is to provide a place or ‘home’ for cells so that the body's regenerative capacity can be supported in patients who have suffered accidents or chronic wounds such as those caused by diabetes. This research requires an interdisciplinary approach involving science, engineering, and medicine,” Prof. Ika said.
Through this recognition, both the Dean of FKG UGM and Prof. Ika expressed strong hopes that this achievement would inspire other faculty members and young researchers at FKG UGM to continue producing research with a direct and meaningful impact on society.
The organisers confirmed that the 22nd Achmad Bakrie Award 2026 would also be presented to three other figures in the fields of Science and Technology, Social Thought, and Arts and Culture.
All award recipients are scheduled to attend a reception with members of the Bakrie family on 25 August 2026 in Jakarta, ahead of the main award ceremony on 26 August 2026 at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta. The event will also be broadcast nationally on TV One and ANTV.
Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Nanda | Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti