Depok-The Occupational Therapy study program, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), held an inbound lecture entitled “Three Decades of Occupational Therapy in Indonesia: Developments and Future Hopes in Clinical and Academic Fields” on February 3, 2026 at the UI Vocational Auditorium. This academic activity presented three leading experts in the field of rehabilitation and occupational therapy, namely Prof. Sharon Brintnell, MSc, OT (C), FCAOT, FWFOT, Professor Emerita from the University of Alberta; Prof. Shaniff Esmail, PhD., MSc, Chair and Professor of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; and Cahya Buwana, MSOT, Ph.D. OT, Occupational Scientist & Therapist.
The Vice Director of Education, Research, and Student Affairs of the UI Vocational Education Program, Badrul Munir, Ph.D., in his remarks, stated that this activity reflects the UI Vocational’s commitment to strengthening international networks and improving the quality of education based on national needs. Munir emphasized that the inbound lecture is not just a forum for sharing knowledge, but also a strategic reflection vehicle for the academic community to position Occupational Therapy as a key profession in supporting the development of Indonesian human resources. Currently, the Occupational Therapy study program has received accreditation from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), thus strengthening occupational therapy education in Indonesia and providing impact and benefits to the production of quality graduates.
“The Occupational Therapy study program is strategically important for the development of Indonesia’s health and education systems, but it is still relatively rare nationally. Currently, only two higher education institutions in Indonesia offer Occupational Therapy education, one of which is the UI Vocational. Graduates are expected to be able to meet the growing labor market demand in the country,” said Munir.
(Photo: Prof. Sharon describes the occupational therapy profession in today’s era)
In her presentation, Prof. Sharon Brintnell reviewed the long history of Occupational Therapy in Indonesia, from its early stages to the present. She highlighted that Indonesia developed the profession through early educational capacity building, rather than simply waiting for demand to increase, and through policy negotiations, cultural adaptation, and educational infrastructure development.
Prof. Sharon also explained how the international collaboration between the University of Alberta and the Indonesian Ministry of Health in the late 1980s became a significant turning point in the formation of Occupational Therapy education in Indonesia, including the development of a culturally sensitive curriculum, fieldwork models, and strengthening the profession’s identity. Prof. Sharon said, “The Universitas Indonesia has become one of the main drivers in the development of national Occupational Therapy human resources. WFOT’s approval of the Applied Bachelor’s curriculum demonstrates that Indonesia is capable of delivering international-standard education with a strong local character.”
(Photo: Prof. Shaniff giving a presentation at the inbound lecture)
Meanwhile, Prof. Shaniff Esmail explained the strategic role of Occupational Therapy in supporting the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045, particularly in the fields of health, education, and national productivity. Prof. Shaniff emphasized that Occupational Therapy does not only focus on clinical services, but also contributes to national development by improving community function and participation in daily life. “In the health sector, Occupational Therapists have a vital role in primary care, eliminating infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, preventing stunting, managing non-communicable diseases, healthy aging, and ensuring service resilience in island regions through community- and home-based approaches,” said Prof. Shaniff.
He also outlined future trends in Occupational Therapy in Indonesia, such as the increasing need for services, expansion into the industrial sector, strengthening mental health, focusing on evidence-based research and education, and the role of policy advocacy at the national level and global collaboration.
Cahya Buwana rounded off the discussion by explaining the dynamics of human resource growth in Occupational Therapy in Indonesia. He noted that by 2026, there will be more than 2,500 registered Occupational Therapists, while the projected national need is 35,000–40,000, making strengthening education an urgent agenda. “Our biggest challenge today is the gap between the number of Occupational Therapists and national needs. The solution is not simply to increase graduates, but to build a sustainable education system through strengthening lecturers and research. The future of Indonesian Occupational Therapy lies in a curriculum that meets global standards and is rooted in local culture. In this way, we will not only meet domestic needs but also be ready to compete at the regional level,” he explained.
(Photo: Cahya Buwana attending an inbound lecture virtually)
Through this inbound lecture, the Occupational Therapy study program hopes to strengthen academic collaborations with international partners, including the University of Alberta, and to accelerate the development of Occupational Therapy education and research in Indonesia. This activity also forms part of UI Vocational’s efforts to prepare superior graduates who are adaptive to national and global challenges, while contributing to the development of an inclusive and sustainable health and education system.
