AIL Accompanies Graduates with Disabilities: A Manifestation of UNAIR's Inclusive Campus

AIL News – Surabaya, 14 June 2025. Airlangga University (UNAIR) has once again demonstrated its commitment to inclusive education through Airlangga Inclusive Learning (AIL), which continues to play an active role in assisting students with special needs (MBK). One of the important moments involving AIL was the assistance provided to graduates with disabilities during the graduation ceremony held in March 2025. This activity underscores the role of AIL volunteers, who not only assist students in their academic lives but also ensure they have equal opportunities at every stage of their education, including during graduation celebrations.

UNAIR AIL Volunteers: Loyal Companions for Graduates with Disabilities

In its efforts to create an inclusive campus, AIL plays a major role in assisting graduates with disabilities, helping them to undergo a meaningful graduation process. AIL volunteers are there to provide the necessary support, from assisting with mobility to ensuring that every graduate with a disability can enjoy a graduation experience that is equal to that of other students.

In its efforts to create an inclusive campus, AIL plays a major role in assisting graduates with disabilities, helping them to undergo a meaningful graduation process. AIL volunteers are there to provide the necessary support, from assisting with mobility to ensuring that every graduate with a disability can enjoy a graduation experience that is equal to that of other students.

Collaboration and Synergy: Volunteers and Students with Special Needs Foster Inclusion

AIL volunteers not only assist students with special needs during graduation ceremonies, but also build closer relationships with students with disabilities. As a bridge, AIL volunteers establish close communication with students with special needs to better understand the challenges they face during their education.

“Every student with disabilities has different needs, so it is important for us as volunteers to be able to listen and provide support according to their needs,” said the AIL Coordinator. “This assistance is not only about helping them physically, but also providing moral support so that they feel more valued and motivated to keep moving forward.”

Inclusive Graduation Ceremonies: A Concrete Step Toward Equality

The graduation ceremony at Airlangga University, which involved AIL, also reflected the campus's concrete steps in creating an inclusive educational environment. Not only volunteers, but the campus also played a role in ensuring that existing facilities and infrastructure were accessible to students with disabilities. A representative from the UNAIR Student Affairs Directorate stated, “We are committed to continuously improving existing facilities to better accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. We are delighted to see many graduates with disabilities successfully completing their studies and celebrating their achievements alongside their peers.”

AIL volunteers also contributed to facilitating the smooth running of the graduation ceremony, such as providing access for graduates who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices. An AIL volunteer shared his experience, “On graduation day, I helped several friends with disabilities get on stage and receive their diplomas. Although the task seemed simple, I felt very proud to be able to help them feel more appreciated at this very important moment.”

SDGs and the Three Pillars of Higher Education: Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

This mentoring program for graduates with disabilities is in line with UNAIR's commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). AIL plays a crucial role in ensuring that education at UNAIR is accessible to all, including students with special needs. By providing equal access and support for persons with disabilities, UNAIR contributes to the achievement of the SDGs by creating inclusive, equitable, and quality education.

Goal 4: Quality Education
Through AIL, UNAIR focuses on improving accessibility for students with special needs, which supports the achievement of quality education for all. The assistance provided by AIL volunteers helps ensure that students with disabilities can complete their higher education without obstacles, from the learning process to graduation celebrations.

Goal 10: Reduce Inequality
By providing support through volunteers, UNAIR helps reduce the gap between students with disabilities and students without disabilities, ensuring that every individual, without exception, can enjoy equal educational opportunities.

In addition, this activity also supports UNAIR's Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), which includes Education and Teaching, Research, and Community Service.

• Education and Teaching: AIL supports the learning process of students with disabilities by providing academic assistance and creating an inclusive learning environment.
   
• Research: AIL is also involved in research on accessibility and inclusivity in higher education, contributing to the development of policies that better support the rights of students with disabilities.
   
• Community Service: Through mentoring activities, AIL contributes to building a more inclusive society by ensuring that higher education is accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
   

Reflections from Graduates with Disabilities: Hopes for a More Inclusive Campus

Several other graduates with disabilities also expressed their hopes regarding the role of AIL and campus facilities. “I really appreciate all the help provided by AIL volunteers. My hope is that in the future, AIL and the campus can continue to improve facilities to facilitate the mobility of students with disabilities, such as adding elevators in several buildings and improving accessibility in classrooms.”

Another graduate added, “I hope there will be more activities involving students with disabilities and more volunteers joining AIL. With volunteers, we feel more supported, and our enthusiasm to graduate becomes greater.”

Realizing an Inclusive Campus Through Collaboration

This achievement is inseparable from the close cooperation between AIL, students with special needs, and volunteers who have contributed to making UNAIR a more inclusive campus. In addition to assisting graduates, AIL also continues to develop more disability-friendly services and facilities for students with disabilities, such as providing transportation services on campus and easier access to learning materials.

AIL Public Relations Coordinator added, “We want to ensure that every student, including those with special needs, has the same opportunity to achieve their dreams. Through collaboration between the campus, volunteers, and students with disabilities, we can create a campus that is friendly and inclusive for everyone.”

Hope for the Future: An Inclusive Campus for All

Through the role of volunteers and the assistance provided, it is hoped that more students with disabilities will feel the benefits, both in the academic process and in campus life as a whole. By continuing to improve synergy between students, volunteers, and the campus, UNAIR is moving closer to its grand goal of becoming a truly inclusive and friendly campus for all, as well as playing an active role in achieving the SDGs and Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi.

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: Ridha Dinda Fadhilah
Editor: Rozi