AIL Holds Meet and Greet: Volunteers and Students with Special Needs Work Together to Create an Inclusive Campus at Airlangga University

AIL News – Surabaya, February 21, 2025 - Airlangga University's (UNAIR) commitment to creating an inclusive campus was further reinforced through a Meet and Greet event organized by Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL). The event brought together the AIL team, volunteers, and students with special needs (MBK) to strengthen relationships and build synergy in creating an inclusive campus environment. The event took place in the Wiyata Room, 1st Floor of the UNAIR Campus B Library, on Friday (02/21) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time.

Building Closeness and Understanding Challenges

This Meet and Greet event aims to build closeness between students with special needs and volunteers who act as mentors in the academic process and campus life. With a friendly and interactive atmosphere, discussions at this event cover various challenges faced by students with disabilities and how volunteers can help create a more inclusive environment.

One of the students with special needs, Kenzo, expressed his excitement about participating in this event. "Basically, I'm happy to be able to participate in this event and get to know the volunteers and my friends with disabilities. He hopes that the volunteers can be more helpful to people with disabilities, especially in terms of getting to class, the cafeteria, or the library. Usually, I'm almost always with friends, but when I'm alone, I need help from the volunteers," he said.

Photo: Students with special needs from Airlangga University who attended the Meet and Greet included Kenzo, Bachelor of Law (front; wearing a striped shirt, glasses, sitting in a wheelchair), Abdul Majid, Master of Social and Political Sciences (center; wearing a black patterned shirt, wearing black glasses), and Gema Fikriansyah, Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (back; wearing a blue and white checkered shirt and beige pants). (personal document).

Mas Gema, a student with special needs from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), also expressed his happiness. "I am very happy and excited to be part of MBK 2025 and AIL and to participate in this Meet and Greet event. I was able to meet other people with disabilities at UNAIR and learn about the inclusive environment here. I hope that in the future, there will be more AIL activities involving people with disabilities and more accessible facilities and infrastructure," he said.

Mas Majid, a student from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), also expressed his hopes. "I am happy to be able to share and get updates related to AIL, especially with the basecamp and new services. I hope AIL can be more proactive, especially in helping friends with disabilities while on campus, both in the lecture process and other academic activities. Additionally, I hope AIL can become an advocacy organization to realize more accessible facilities and infrastructure, such as guiding blocks, elevators, and others," he said.

Volunteers: Bridging the Aspirations of Students with Special Needs

Not only did it leave a deep impression on students with special needs, but the event also provided a valuable experience for the volunteers. One volunteer shared that this event is not just an ordinary gathering, but a moment to strengthen unity and understand the challenges faced by friends with special needs. “This activity is a moment to strengthen unity and understand the challenges faced by friends with special needs. I hope events and communities like this can continue to grow so that more people become aware of the importance of an inclusive campus environment,” he said.

Other volunteers also said that Meet and Greet serves as a bridge between the aspirations of students with special needs and the roles of volunteers and UNAIR. “Airlangga Inclusive Learning Meet and Greet is like a bridge between the aspirations of students with special needs and the roles of volunteers and Airlangga University in creating an inclusive and equal atmosphere. As a volunteer, I have gained insight, experience, and positive relationships,” he said.

Discussion on Concrete Solutions for Inclusive Campuses

In addition to sharing experiences, this event also served as a forum for discussing concrete solutions to improve facilities and services for students with special needs. Volunteers shared stories about their experiences in assisting students with disabilities, ranging from helping with mobility and access to learning materials to providing moral support.

AIL Coordinator, Fitri Mutia said that this event was part of a major step towards making UNAIR more inclusive. “We want to build awareness that inclusion is not only about providing access, but also creating a friendly and supportive environment for all students,” said Ms. Mutia.

Ms. Lila, one of the coordinators of the AIL volunteer service, added that this activity is a strategic step in building a more inclusive education ecosystem at UNAIR. "We want to ensure that every student, including those with special needs, has equal access to learning. Direct interaction with students with special needs and volunteers has opened our eyes to the importance of synergy in supporting inclusive education. We hope this collaboration will continue and grow," she said.

Rozi, AIL Information and Communication Coordinator, added, “The Airlangga University campus is home to everyone, including students, educational staff, lecturers, and the entire academic community. Let's make UNAIR an inclusive campus by building close connections, raising awareness of inclusivity, and strengthening collaboration for equal education. Together, we can create a friendly and supportive environment for every individual, without exception." This quote emphasizes UNAIR's commitment to creating an inclusive campus ecosystem, where every individual feels accepted and supported to achieve their full potential.

Indah Rachma Cahyani, AIL Public Relations Coordinator, added, "Currently, AIL has a new room in the Narayana Room, 1st Floor of the UNAIR Campus B Library. We invite all volunteers to actively participate by attending regularly from Monday to Friday in turns at the Narayana Room. The presence and contributions of volunteers are crucial in supporting AIL’s activities and services to create a more inclusive campus." With this new office, AIL hopes to enhance the quality of its services and provide more optimal support for students with special needs at UNAIR.

Hopes for the Future

Through this activity, it is hoped that more students will be interested in joining as volunteers and helping to create a more inclusive campus. With the synergy between students with special needs, volunteers, and the campus, the dream of a more just and equal educational environment is not impossible.

Photo: AIL coordinator delivering his speech at the Meet and Greet event

About Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL)
Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL) is a community at Airlangga University that focuses on improving accessibility and inclusivity for students with special needs. AIL plays a role in providing academic assistance, advocacy, and policy development that supports the rights of students with disabilities.

Author: Yokebeth Patria
Editor: Rozi