UNAIR Holds Training For Airlangga Inclusive Learning Volunteer Candidates (2024)

AIL News-Surabaya, November 1, 2024 – Airlangga University (UNAIR) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting inclusive education through the 2024 Airlangga Inclusive Learning Volunteer Training. The event, which took place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, was attended by enthusiastic participants eager to learn about mentoring ethics and inclusivity in higher education.

The training was opened by the MC from the UNAIR Directorate of Education and continued with a speech by Dr. Fitri Mutia, A.KS., M.Si., as Chair of Airlangga Inclusive Learning 2024. In her presentation on “Ethics of Assistance,” she emphasized the importance of understanding moral principles in supporting students with special needs (MBK). The appropriate ethical approach includes fairness, empowerment, and awareness of disability issues. She also explained specific guidelines for assisting various types of disabilities, ranging from visual and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, to autism.

Photo: Dr. Fitri Mutia, A.KS., M.Si., Chair of Airlangga Inclusive Learning 2024, presenting the material.

Pramesti Pradna Paramita, M.Ed.Psych., Ph.D., continued with the topic “Knowledge and Philosophy of Inclusion.” She explained the importance of inclusive education as an effort to create an environment that supports the full participation of all individuals regardless of physical or non-physical differences. Based on Law No. 8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities, UNAIR continues to strive to improve equality and reduce discrimination in education. In the next session, Dr. Lilla Musyahda, Dra., M.Pd., discussed “Interaction between Volunteers and MBK Friends.” In this session, participants were invited to understand the importance of volunteering in supporting MBK. By building social capital through effective communication and empathy, volunteering can increase inclusivity in the educational environment.

After ISHOMA, the training continued with a speech from Syahrur Marta Dwi Susilo, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., representative of the UNAIR Directorate of Education. Next was a presentation by Indah Rachma Cahyani, S.IIP., M.A., on the topic of “Inclusive Learning Facilities” in the Narayana Room. This service provides assistive technologies such as Zoom Max and NVDA, as well as physically accessible facilities designed to be disability-friendly. These facilities represent a concrete step by UNAIR in supporting the needs of MBK.

A group discussion session was also held, with Abdul Majid, an MBK from the Master of Public Policy program, Nely Suwidyanti, an MBK from the Doctoral program in Social Sciences, and Kenzo, an MBK from the Bachelor of Law program at UNAIR, sharing their experiences as inclusive students. This discussion provided insight into the needs of MBKs and how to effectively assist them.

Photo: Sharing and discussion by Nely Suwidyanti MBK, a doctoral student in Social Sciences (above, in a wheelchair).

The training ended with material on inclusive website management and AIL social media by Rozi, S.Pi., M.Biotech. He explained the steps for creating articles for digital platforms, including the importance of research, topic selection, and editing to ensure that the information conveyed is relevant and inclusive. The activity concluded with participants completing a post-test and evaluation. In his closing remarks, the UNAIR representative expressed his hope that this training would bring tangible benefits to volunteers and students with disabilities. With the success of this activity, UNAIR continues to demonstrate its active role in creating an inclusive and disability-friendly campus.

Author: Rozi
Editor: Rozi