When I talk about Enatom, I often highlight our exceptional team, the great experience of working in a startup and the innovative technology that sets us apart. But for me, there’s a deeper reason—a personal drive—behind my commitment to Enatom’s mission of increasing educational equality.
This story goes back to 1951 and is deeply intertwined with my family history and the values passed down by my Moluk grandfather. His words to my father, “You are now in the Netherlands. That makes you privileged because you have access to education. Benefit from it, learn, and follow your dreams,” resonate with me to this day. My grandfather, a former KNIL soldier, was transported to the Netherlands by the Dutch government along with his family. Although this migration wasn’t welcomed by all 12,500 individuals, my grandfather saw it as an opportunity for his children to build a better future.
The drive for equal opportunities
Like my grandfather, I’ve observed the unequal distribution of opportunities around the world. While talent is universal, access to resources and education is not. Knowing that technology can bridge this gap is what inspired me to join Enatom. My personal mission is to make anatomical knowledge accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals
Our vision at Enatom—to ensure that every student and healthcare professional has equal access to high-quality, realistic anatomical knowledge—aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
- SDG 4: Quality education
- SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
Educational equality means that everyone, regardless of their background, economic status, gender, or geography, has fair access to learning opportunities. At Enatom, we focus on achieving this by:
- Providing universal access: Our web-based platform ensures that users only need an internet connection and a browser to explore our 3D anatomical models. No specialized hardware or facilities are required.
- Diversity in content: Historically, medical education has been heavily centered on male anatomy. Enatom is dedicated to showcasing diverse anatomical perspectives to provide a more inclusive and representative learning experience.
- Fostering collaborative infrastructure: From our beginnings in Groningen, we’ve recognized the value of collaboration. By working with academic institutions globally, we’re building a shared infrastructure to improve anatomy education universally.
- Enhancing accessibility for skills development: Many regions lack access to dissection rooms and other essential facilities. Enatom enables healthcare students and professionals to develop crucial skills anytime, anywhere.
By addressing these areas, we contribute to a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape, reducing inequalities and creating resilient societies.
In 1951, there were no SDGs, but my grandfather’s belief in the transformative power of education laid the foundation for my own values. His message, passed to my father and then to me, remains a guiding principle. Without his foresight and resilience, I would not have the knowledge or perspective to drive Enatom’s growth and mission forward. Today, I am proud to carry on this legacy by striving to make educational equality a reality.
