Strengthening Global Collaboration, UNU Jogja Holds International Seminar on Inclusive Education with UWE Bristol, UNU Sidoarjo, and UIM

Makassar, Indonesia - Center for GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) at UNU Jogja, in collaboration with the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol, UK, successfully held an international seminar titled “Developing Inclusive Policies and Practices for Greater Accessibility in Higher Education”. 

Supported by the British Council, the agenda took place at two locations: UNU Sidoarjo on Tuesday, June 17, and Universitas Islam Makassar (UIM) Al-Gazali on Thursday, June 19. 

This program continues the strategic partnership between UNU Jogja and UWE Bristol that has been in place since March 2024, with a shared mission to promote inclusive and accessible higher education practices. 

“Through this collaboration, we want to encourage universities within Nahdlatul Ulama to begin establishing Disability Service Units (ULD),” said Suhadi, Acting Rector of UNU Jogja. 

Wiwin Rohmawati, Director of the Center for GEDSI at UNU Jogja, added that involving UNU Sidoarjo and UIM Al-Gazali in this agenda aims to broaden the audience reach, particularly within NU higher education institutions. 

“The selection of these two locations was based on data showing a significant number of persons with disabilities, including the number of special schools (SLB), as well as considerations for equitable regional dissemination,” Wiwin explained. 

Mummer Xia, Director of the British Council Indonesia, expressed appreciation for UNU Jogja’s initiative. He noted that through the Going Global Partnerships grant scheme, this program is part of a collective effort to advance higher education that is more inclusive and accessible to all. 

Fatkhul Anam, Rector of UNU Sidoarjo, welcomed this collaboration. He stated that the university has provided dedicated scholarships for students with disabilities, covering all tuition fees through graduation, as a form of commitment to inclusive education. 

“This is part of our commitment to ensure that no one is left behind in exercising their right to education,” he emphasized.  

In the same vein, Badruddin Kaddas, Vice Rector II of UIM Al-Gazali, emphasized that the university upholds openness and diversity. He said that UIM Al-Gazali is open to all students regardless of ethnic or religious background, or physical condition. 

“If today we are talking about an inclusive campus—about how to provide the same services for all students—then I affirm that UIM Al-Gazali has, since its founding, been open to everyone,” he said. 

In addition to the seminar, the activities at UNU Sidoarjo also included the launch of the official website inclusivehighereducation.com and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). 

The session featured the following speakers: 

• Suhadi (Acting Rector of UNU Jogja)
• Ana Christanti (Vice Rector II of UNU Sidoarjo)
• Soelistiyowati (Chair of the Indonesian Women with Disabilities Association, East Java)
• Kikin P. Tarigan (Commissioner, National Commission on Disabilities of the Republic of Indonesia) 

Meanwhile, the seminar at UIM Al-Gazali presented the following speakers: 

• Eka Prastama Widiyanta (Commissioner, National Commission on Disabilities of Indonesia)
• Badruddin Kaddas (Vice Rector II of UIM Al-Gazali)
• Muhammad Luthfi (Chair, Association of Social Workers with Disabilities of Indonesia)
• Megawanti (Deputy Vice Rector of UNU Jogja for Business, Collaboration, and Global Recognition)  

In the discussion session, Tariq Umar from the University of the West of England, Bristol, emphasized that inclusion is not merely about adjusting individuals to the system, but about transforming the system itself to be fairer and more impactful for everyone. 

As the initiator and principal partner of this program, UNU Jogja reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a driving center for inclusive higher education within Nahdlatul Ulama and more broadly across Indonesia. Through international collaboration, research, and institutional capacity building, UNU Jogja continues to develop a welcoming, open campus ecosystem that upholds equality for all segments of society. [Latifah]