The Educational Development Institute of Universitas Brawijaya (LPP UB) through the Inclusive Education Development Center (P3I) on Friday (28/7/2023) at the Swiss – Belinn Hotel Malang held socialization and FGD activities as well as Mapping Accessibility of Potential Internship Partners for the Implementation of the Independent Learning Program for Disability Students.
The activity which took place in a hybrid manner was opened directly by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP., and also attended by the Head of LPP UB, Prof. Dr. dr. Loeki Enggar Fitri, M.Kes., Sp. ParK., Head of PLD UB Zubaidah Ningsih AS., S.Si and representatives from several Strategic Partners from UB.
In his remarks, the Head of the Committee, Ziadatul Hikmiah, S.Pd., S.Psi, M.Sc., said that UB is one of the pioneers of inclusive campuses in Indonesia which has quite a lot of students with disabilities who have their own diversity and uniqueness. Therefore, related to internship activities, especially MBKM activities, this activity is expected to provide solutions related to collaboration with UB’s potential partners regarding the availability and accessibility of students at the internship site.
“In an effort to encourage friends with disabilities to also be involved in apprenticeships. especially the MBKM program, at this event we gathered all ladies and gentlemen to be able to discuss, align the vision and mission to be able to achieve synchronization to be able to make MBKM successful, especially apprentices for students with disabilities,” said Hikmiah.
“Therefore ladies and gentlemen, we ask for your cooperation, input, suggestions and also directions regarding how we can provide facilities and accessibility for students with disabilities, especially in internships and potentially later in the job market when they graduate later,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP., to PRASETYA, said that the meeting between Strategic Partners from the Disability Service Center and the socialization of several matters related to mapping and fulfillment of accessibility for students with disabilities are very grateful.
“I see that at least there are things that are more substantial than just the normal learning process, but our desire to facilitate providing wider access, more for younger students who happen to have disabilities, I think is an extraordinary blessing,” said Iman .
“Let’s make it our intention that we want to provide greater access, not only in terms of education on campus but how students get learning experience from our partners. Because there are several courses or lecture programs that must be taken through collaboration with partners, both apprenticeship activities, or work practices or activities of whatever name which are curricular in nature and require the support of partners and one of them is how partners also have concern for improving accessibility, “added Imam.
At the end of the interview, Imam Santoso also acknowledged that it was not easy for Strategic Partners to accept, facilitate and open and provide access to students with disabilities considering that it requires extraordinary commitment.
“But because we really intend to provide services, the cost and investment will not be a problem. Because indeed we give appreciation, give awards and also provide equal opportunities for students, including those with disabilities,” he explained.
“Hopefully our activities this morning, which will be discussed and also friends from P3I will convey, socialize a number of matters related to apprenticeship programs with our potential partners. Hopefully later constructive things will be formulated which is not only in terms of our partnership, between UB and these Partners both find an understanding to jointly support this program, but furthermore hopefully this will become our charity, concluded Imam. (rn/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
