UNU Jogja Students with Disabilities Win 1st Place in UGM Scientific Writing Competition 2025 with Inclusive Education Research

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Three students from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) won 1st Place in the “Scientific Writing Competition (LKTI) 2025: Transforming Ideas into Impact for Indonesia 2045” organized by the student organization Gama Cendekia of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This achievement was attained by Yuyun Apriani and Yunita Nurma Hidayati from the 2024 Management Program, along with Nur Eko Saputro from the 2024 Informatics Program, through their paper entitled “Analysis of the Implementation of Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities: A Case Study at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta.”

The paper stemmed from their concern about the implementation of inclusive education in private universities. Supervised by Dr. Hardjanto Subiyantoro and Megawanti, Ph.D., the team examined UNU Jogja’s progressive commitment as a university that accepts students with diverse disabilities, including hearing, visual, and physical impairments.

“Our research reveals that UNU Jogja has laid a strong foundation through its disability service unit, inclusive-based admission policies, and the provision of supporting facilities. The campus social environment is also highly supportive through the active role of peers and volunteers,” explained Yuyun.

The team, which named themselves EBI, hopes their research can inspire other students with disabilities to keep growing and dare to pursue achievements. “We also hope that inclusive campuses will not only remain as a label, but be genuinely realized in practice,” Yuyun added.

Their supervisor, Dr. Hardjanto, expressed deep appreciation for this achievement. “Congratulations to UNU Jogja students for this proud and moving accomplishment. Although it was their first experience in academic writing, they have shown extraordinary potential in the academic field. This achievement proves that physical limitations are not an obstacle to excelling and reaching one’s dreams,” he said.

The Director of the Center for GEDSI at UNU Jogja, Dr. Wiwin Rohmawati, expressed both pride and deep emotion at the achievement of the two students with disabilities and the Sahabat GEDSI volunteers she has guided and mentored. “Their achievement will certainly serve as an inspiration for other students with disabilities, particularly at UNU Jogja, to continue developing their best potential,” she emphasized.

In 2025, UNU Jogja also welcomed three new students with disabilities. This addition further strengthens UNU Jogja’s commitment as an inclusive university that seriously develops access to education for all. [Latifah]