The Widyatama Art Therapy Center (ATC) was established as a concrete platform for scientific contributions and the role of handling people with disabilities. The existence of ATC for the community, including parents, educators, and therapists of people with disabilities, proves that it is very necessary for the development of people with disabilities themselves. The activities that take place at the Art Therapy Center Widyatama are activities to develop the abilities of children with special needs, including behavior and life skills based on art & design.
On Thursday, January 26th, 2023, the Artherapy Center Widyatama held a graduation ceremony for the sixth period of the 2022/2023 academic year at 8:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time at the Widyatama University Multipurpose Building. The event was attended by Sri Juniati, S.E., MBA., Chair of the Widyatama Foundation and her staff, Dr. Anne Nurfarina, S.Sn., M.Sn., Founder of ATC Widyatama, Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum. Rector of Widyatama University, Maliki, Ph.D., Director of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment (BAPPENAS RI), who also had the opportunity to present a scientific speech on “Disability-Friendly Employment and Strategies for Reaching Creativepreneurs Sustainably” as well as other invited guests.
The event was opened by Dadi Firmansyah, A.Md., Chairman of ATC Widyatama, who proudly announced the achievements of the Widyatama Artherapy Center, which has been named the second best Job Training Institution (LPK) in West Java out of 1530 LPKs spread across the province.
Dadi Firmansyah, A.Md. Chairman of ATC Widyatama
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the West Java Provincial Government, the West Java Provincial Manpower Office and the City of Bandung, the industries that have always helped us cooperate and collaborate, as well as the Widyatama Foundation, which has always supported all educational programs at ATC to run smoothly,” added Dadi.
At this graduation ceremony, the Widyatama Artherapy Center graduated 26 students from the LPK and Special Treatment programs, including 8 graduates from the Graphic Design Department, 5 graduates from the Music Department, 5 graduates from the Craft Department, and 8 graduates from the Special Treatment Program.
The works of Artherapy Center Widyatama students from the Special Treatment Program have been exhibited at major events such as International Disability Day in 2021 and 2022 by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs and Gedung Sate West Java, The Trans Luxury Hotel, the 50th Anniversary of PT. Indosat TBK, and charity events held by Adara Relief International.
Sri Juniati said that Widyatama is a campus that is friendly to people with disabilities and that the vision initiated by the founder of Widyatama, Prof. Dr. Hj. Koesbandijah, AK. M.S., Ak (Ibu Koes), which is to educate the nation, is very relevant amid the limited concern for people with disabilities.
Sri Juniati, S.E., MBA., Chairperson of the Widyatama Foundation
Congratulations to the ATC Widyatama students who have successfully completed their studies today, and we salute the parents who have worked hard to support and entrust their children to develop their talents and hone their skills at ATC Widyatama. May all the hard work of the students, parents, instructors, and staff of ATC Widyatama bear sweet fruit in the future, and I believe that someday, some of those who have completed their studies will emerge as shining stars in society,” said Sri Juniati in her speech.
Graduation Ceremony
The event continued with the inauguration of graduates by the Head of ATC and the reading of the graduate pledge by the graduates (Davin, Betara, and Triana). Then, representatives of the graduates and their parents were given the opportunity to give speeches and express their gratitude to ATC Widyatama. The event closed with a presentation of works by the graduates.
