UNS — Association of Indonesian Special Education Professionals (APPKhI) worked together with the Disability Study Center (PSD) Institute of Research, and Community Service (LPPM)Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a National Seminar and Annual Scientific Meeting 2021 under the theme of “Fulfilling the Right for Quality Education for People with Special Needs through Merdeka Belajar”. The seminar was held offline in Hotel Grand HAP Surakarta and online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting application.
Prof. Dr. Munawir Yusuf, M.Psi., as the Chief of APPKhI Central Management and Chief of PSD LPPM UNS. In his opening remark, Prof. Munawir hoped that the event could run continuously and bring benefits for many people.
“Hopefully inclusiveness for people with special needs could attain more attention after this (seminar),” Prof. Munawir stated/
The seminar that was held on Saturday (23/10/2021) invited Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, M. Hum. as the key speaker and Mukhlis, S.T., Dr. Yaswardi, M.Si., Dr. Praptono, M.Ed., Dr. Ir. Katmoko Ari Sambodo, M.Eng., Angkie Yudistia, Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab, M.Pd., M.A., Prof. Dr. Endang Rohyadi, M.Pd., Prof. Dr. Ibnu Samsi, M.Pd., and Drs. Agus Mulyawan, M.Si., as additional speakers.
Through his presentation titled “UNS Towards a Disability-Friendly Inclusive Campus” he mentioned that UNS policies in achieving inclusive campus are a must. For Prof. Jamal, an inclusive campus is comfortable, safe, and calm for all people to study, including students with special needs. “Inclusive campus is also an effort to develop collaboration, cooperative, openness, and no discrimination towards people with special needs,” Prof. Jamal stated.
The first session was moderated by Dr. Subagya, M.Si. Dr. Ir. Katmoko Ari Sambodo, M.Eng. as the Acting Assistant for Planning and Procurement of Human Resources (HR) Apparatus delivered the first material on “The Existence of Special Education Teachers (GPK) in Inclusive Schools: Opportunity and Challenges,” followed by Mukhlis, S.T., as Expert Planner for the Directorate of Public Education and Special Education (PMPK) Kemendikbudristek RI. His material discussed the “Policies and Programs from Directorate PMPK in Meeting the Rights for Quality Education for Individuals with Special Needs through Merdeka Belajar”. The first session was concluded by the material from Dr. Yaswardi, M.Si., the Director of GTK Dikmensus Kemendikbudristek RI on “Policies and Programs from Directorate GTK Dikmensus in Providing Teachers and Academic Staff for Special Education in Indonesia”.
Dr. Joko Yuwono, M.Pd., acted as the moderator for the second session that had three speakers. Dr. Praptono, M.Ed., the Director of P3GTK Kemendikbudristek RI shared a program on “Policies and Programs Directorate P3GTK in providing professional teachers for special education in Indonesia”. Followed by the second material from Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab, M.Pd., M.A., the Board of Experts APPKhI on “Expansion of Access and Education Quality for Individuals with Special Needs through Strengthening of Central and Regional Institutions”.
The last session was moderated by Grahita Kusumastuti, M.Pd., with three speakers. Prof. Dr. Endang Rohyadi, M.Pd., presentation on “Strengthening Science and Professionalism of LPTK PLB Graduates in Indonesia through Merdeka Belajar”, Prof. Dr. Ibnu Samsi, M.Pd., on “Strengthening Entrepreneurship Program for Individual with Special Needs”, and Drs. Agus Mulyawan, M.Pd., on “Achieving Special Needs Schools and Inclusive Schools and Driving Force”. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti