Center for GEDSI UNU Jogja Explores Collaboration with The Nippon Foundation and Pijar Foundation to Strengthen Disability Support Services

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — The Center for Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Jogja welcomed a visit from The Nippon Foundation and Pijar Foundation as part of discussions to strengthen the Disability Support Unit (Unit Layanan Disabilitas/ULD) at UNU Jogja on Tuesday, December 16.

The visit was attended by Yoshiko Nakazawa, Program Officer of The Nippon Foundation; Ellya Rizki H., Program Associate of Pijar Foundation; and Yessi Fatika Sari, Policy Officer of Pijar Foundation. The meeting served as a follow-up forum to explore potential collaboration in developing inclusive education practices and policies for persons with disabilities.

Director of the Center for GEDSI UNU Jogja, Erin Gayatri, stated that the meeting was an important step in strengthening the foundation for the possible implementation of a strategic collaboration between UNU Jogja, Pijar Foundation, and The Nippon Foundation. The collaboration is expected to focus on developing inclusive education services and policies on campus, with implementation planned to begin in April 2026. During the meeting, Erin presented the ULD roadmap formulated by the Center for GEDSI, along with progress on the action plan outlined in the roadmap.

“This meeting strengthens opportunities for collaboration, particularly with The Nippon Foundation, which has supported numerous disability rights initiatives in various countries, including Somalia, Malaysia, and Thailand,” Erin said.

Vice Rector of UNU Jogja, Ian Agisti, added that the exploration of this collaboration aligns with UNU Jogja’s commitment to becoming an inclusive university that provides equal access and opportunities for students with disabilities as well as those from economically vulnerable backgrounds.

Previously, the Center for GEDSI UNU Jogja had also been involved as one of the informants in a research project conducted by Pijar Foundation and the Asian Human Development Center (AHDC), supported by The Nippon Foundation.

Wiwin Siti Aminah R., Senior Advisor of the Center for GEDSI, explained that the current meeting followed up on a previous discussion with Dr. Hisao, Chairman of the Asian Human Development Center (AHDC), held in September 2025. Both meetings serve as an important foundation for advancing discourse and practices of inclusive education at the higher education level. [Latifah]