Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL) Holds Another Training Session for Volunteers Assisting Students with Special Needs in 2023

AIL NEWS, On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL) held the 2023 Training for Volunteers Assisting Students with Special Needs at the ASEEC Tower, Airlangga University Campus B. This volunteer training was held as part of the development of inclusive education facilitated by the Directorate of Education at Airlangga University. 

In practicing inclusive education, Airlangga University is open to accepting students from various backgrounds, including students with special needs. The implementation of inclusive education is supported by the formation of the Airlangga Inclusive Learning Team by the Directorate of Education at Airlangga University to facilitate and assist students with special needs in carrying out their academic activities and learning processes as members of the Airlangga University academic community. 

Since June 2023, the AIL Team has begun the volunteer recruitment process for all students in each faculty who are interested in becoming part of AIL and supporting the concept of inclusive education. This year, the AIL Team has innovated by collaborating with the University Student Council (BEM) and the Faculty of UNAIR to support the success of inclusive education at UNAIR. A total of 19 student volunteers and 3 BEM representatives attended the 2023 AIL Volunteer Mentoring event. Finally, in September 2023, volunteer training was successfully held, which will serve as preparation for the students when they later serve as mentors for students with special needs. 

Not only that, this volunteer training also involved lecturers, students, and alumni with special needs to deliver material and share information about inclusion. There were seven materials, including “Knowledge and Philosophy of MBK and Inclusion” by Pramesti Pradna Paramita, S.Psi., M.Ed. Psych., Ph.D., who is a lecturer in psychology at UNAIR. There is also a presentation on “Development of Library Facilities and Services for MBK” by Indah Rachma Cahyani, S.IIP., M.A., who is a librarian at UNAIR. Additionally, a presentation on “Inclusive Learning Facilities & MBK Interaction” was delivered by Dr. Lilla Musyahda, Dra., M.Pd., who is the coordinator of the AIL volunteer service. 

Dr. Fitri Mutia, A.KS., M.Si., as the Chair of the 2023 AIL Team Coordinator, also presented material on “Ethics in Mentoring.” In her presentation, she discussed the implementation of ethics in MBK mentoring as a form of guidance to treat MBK with respect, uphold their rights, and provide support in facing obstacles and achieving their full potential. “This mentoring is not only beneficial for our MBK friends, but also for ourselves as volunteers. Attitudes of empathy, social awareness, and the ability to be of service to those in need will certainly develop and grow within us,” she said in her presentation.

This training was not only filled with material presentations, but also with focus group discussions and sharing sessions from MBK, as well as hands-on sign language lessons from BISINDO Surabaya, so that volunteers could interact directly and gain insight into what it is like to provide assistance in the field. Another interesting aspect of this training is that volunteers are also invited to collaborate in promoting inclusive education efforts by the AIL Team through the creation of the Airlangga Inclusive Learning website and social media team, which was established and initiated by Rozi S.Pi., M.Biotech. and Adi Priyanto.

This volunteer training was successfully carried out, with all parties actively and participatively attending and sharing their thoughts on inclusive education. It is hoped that this volunteer training will serve as a foundation and platform for all parties to successfully implement inclusive education at Airlangga University. As Ms. Pramesti stated in her presentation, “everyone is different, but those differences do not affect a person's abilities.” The hope is that inclusive education will continue to be promoted so that everyone, including students with special needs, will be aware and understand that they have equal rights to access facilities, infrastructure, and opportunities to achieve their goals as students. 

Author: Mega Putri Mahadewi
Editor: Rozi