UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta received an award from the Komisi Nasional Disabilitas Republik Indonesia (KND RI) for its UNS Inclusion Metric initiative in promoting inclusive campuses in Indonesia. The appreciation was given as recognition of UNS’s commitment to creating a higher education environment that is friendly, equal, and fair for all members of the academic community, including persons with disabilities.
The award was presented directly by the Chairperson of KND RI, Dr. Dante Rigmalia, to UNS Rector Prof. Dr. Hartono during the KND RI Public Lecture titled “Impactful Campus, Inclusive Campus” at the Ki Hadjar Dewantara Building, UNS Tower, on Wednesday (21/1/2026).
Dr. Dante Rigmalia expressed her highest appreciation to UNS, which she considered consistent in becoming a pioneer in creating an inclusive campus. She revealed that KND has received many reports from various regions in Indonesia regarding the positive impact of the inclusivity policies implemented by UNS.
“I received reports from colleagues across Indonesia. They expressed gratitude to UNS because their children with disabilities were accepted through the affirmative admission pathway and received scholarships. Parents of persons with disabilities even shared their stories with tears, because the opportunity to continue higher education had long felt like something difficult to reach,” she said.
According to her, UNS’s step in providing scholarship support through the affirmative pathway, along with continuous assistance, is a real solution for persons with disabilities. This policy not only opens access to education, but also answers parents’ concerns about the future of their children.
“What UNS has done deserves appreciation and is truly worthy of recognition. We hope that the Inclusion Metric will not stop as only a document, but will truly become an instrument that encourages other universities to improve, recognize their own potential, and create inclusive campuses,” she added.
Prof. Hartono stated that this award serves as both appreciation and motivation for UNS to continue improving the quality of services, access, and an educational environment that is equal, friendly, and inclusive. “We feel very honored to receive this Certificate of Appreciation from the National Commission on Disabilities. This award is both recognition and encouragement for us to continue improving the quality of services, access, and an educational environment that is equal, friendly, and inclusive,” said Prof. Hartono.
In August 2022, UNS officially launched the UNS Inclusion Metric, a measurement instrument for assessing higher education inclusivity for students with disabilities. This instrument has been used internally in various activities, including inclusion competitions among faculties and schools during the last three years of UNS anniversary celebrations.
“Alhamdulillah, the UNS Inclusion Metric 2025 has been fully formulated and has received various inputs and reviews, especially from the National Commission on Disabilities. Today (Wednesday, 21/1/2026), UNS once again strengthens its commitment by launching a further development that we call the UNS Inclusion Metric (UNS IM). This metric originated from the UNS Leading Research Grant in 2019–2020 and was officially first launched on 17 August 2022,” he added.
Prof. Hartono hopes that the UNS Inclusion Metric can become a national reference instrument in mapping the quality of services for students with disabilities in Indonesian universities more accurately, objectively, and sustainably, ultimately improving the quality of higher education for all students without exception.
In 2015, UNS also received recognition as an inclusive campus from the Ministry of Education and Culture. Most recently, at the 2025 Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Awards, UNS received recognition as the best higher education institution in establishing and strengthening the Disability Service Unit.
“We hope this activity can strengthen synergy between universities and state institutions for the realization of impactful and inclusive higher education for all citizens,” he added.
Through the UNS Inclusion Metric, UNS hopes to actively contribute to the transformation of higher education in Indonesia toward campuses that are inclusive, adaptive, and socially just. In addition, the UNS Inclusion Metric also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in quality education and reduced inequalities.
HUMAS UNS
