East Lombok - The INOVASI team involving the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and the Independent Strategic Adviser (ISAT) team visited Hamzanwadi University on Tuesday (18/02/2025).

This visit was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of Hamzanwadi University, Dr. Abdullah Muzakar, M.Sc., along with the Disability Service Center team and a number of local campus officials.

During the activity, the INOVASI team and stakeholders discussed the challenges and strategies in realizing more inclusive education for elementary school/Islamic elementary school students, especially for children with disabilities.

Dr. Abdullah Muzakar, M.Sc. said that this visit was a strategic step in strengthening a joint commitment to realizing inclusive education in East Lombok Regency.

This activity is an important momentum to discuss various challenges and solutions in providing access to more inclusive education, especially for children with disabilities in regular schools and in Special Schools (SLB).

According to him, inclusive education is not only about accepting students with disabilities in regular schools, but ensuring that they receive quality education services according to their needs.

Therefore, synergy is needed between various stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, community organizations, and the private sector. Moreover, currently Hamzanwadi University has opened a Special Education Study Program.

"Currently, we have opened a Special Education Study Program which is prepared to create teacher resources in Special Schools or special assistant teachers in regular schools," he explained.

He hopes that this collaboration can continue and have a real impact on increasing access for all children without exception, so that it can create a more inclusive and equitable education system.

The visit, which was combined with the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activity, invited the Inclusion Working Group of the East Lombok Education Office and several organizations for people with disabilities.

This discussion activity discussed the awareness of the parties regarding the importance of education for children with disabilities, adequate access not only in SLB but also in regular schools/madrasas.