On Monday (May 22nd), in commemoration of National Education and Awakening Month, students from the Faculty of Visual Communication Design (FDKV) at Universitas Widyatama held an event titled Arthentic with the theme “National Awakening through Inclusive Creative Education” at Gedung Indonesia Menggugat, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 5, Bandung. The event, with the hashtag #TEMANINKLUSI, treated visitors to an exhibition of works by FDKV Widyatama University students, workshops, and knowledge about visual communication design itself. In addition, free psychiatric counseling was provided for people with disabilities.
It is important to note that the theme of education and national awakening includes inclusive education, in line with Universitas Widyatama’s dedication and commitment to educational equality, as evidenced by the university’s pioneering role in inclusive education for people with disabilities through the establishment of the Art Therapy Center at Universitas Widyatama.
As the opening act, the traditional Minang dance, Tari Piring, performed by two students from the Art Therapy Center, drew enthusiastic applause from the invited guests and visitors. In addition to the beautiful, compact, and neat dance movements, what amazed the audience the most was the fact that despite their limitations, it did not discourage their enthusiasm in performing the dance movements so flexibly and harmoniously with the accompanying music. It was later revealed that the two students who performed the dance were deaf.
“In commemorating Education and National Awakening Day, the Gedung Indonesia Menggugat reminds us of Ir. Soekarno during the moments of Indonesia’s independence. This event carries the spirit of national awakening, which is expressed in the works of the nation’s children, who also carry the spirit of tolerance,” said Sri Lestari Roespinoedji, S.H., Chair of the Widyatama Foundation Management Board, in her welcoming speech. “Life must have meaning for oneself and others, at least in the form of work. Universitas Widyatama, God willing, is trustworthy in carrying out its educational duties, one of which is through the Faculty of Visual Communication Design. This event is a means of expression and is expected to ultimately benefit society.”
The Director of Education at the Creative Economy Agency, Poppy Savitri, represented by Maman, said in her speech that she was very honored to be able to participate in this event. “I am honored to be invited to this event. It is true that the participation of students in developing the creative economy is absolutely necessary, considering President Joko Widodo’s statement that the creative economy will help boost the nation’s economy. Bekraf will be ready to support similar events in order to bridge the gap between the community and the government so that there will no longer be a gap between the two.“
In the middle of the event, the invited guests and visitors were once again amazed by the acoustic performance of Ariel and Agif, two students from the Art Therapy Center, who performed their own songs titled ‘Asap’ and ”Buah dan Sayur”. Ariel and Agif’s musical talents, as vocalist and guitarist respectively, earned them thunderous applause from the audience for their stunning performance. Despite their limitations, their determination to continue creating and practicing has brought them to a place that even those who are physically perfect may not be able to achieve. “Bravo!” Ariel concluded at the end of the song. Loud applause from the audience accompanied them both back to their room.
The Faculty of Visual Communication Design at Universitas Widyatama can be proud of one of its students, Ramandhika Haikal Muhammad Ibrahim, or Ibe as he is more familiarly known, who has achieved international success. “Higher education institutions must be inclusive and willing to accept these children. Widyatama University is a pioneer of inclusive education, an initiative conceived by Mrs. Koesbandijah Abdul Kadir. If children with disabilities can achieve, then those who have been blessed with perfection by Allah SWT should be able to achieve even more,” said Anne Nurfarina, S.Sn., M.Sn., Dean of FDKV, who attended the award and scholarship presentation ceremony from the Widyatama Foundation to Ibe, as well as the talkshow that he will moderate. Talkshow with the topic “Visual Communication Design as a Creative Economy Sector from an Academic Perspective ” invited three speakers, Hastjarjo Boedi Wibowo, M.Ds. as the Chair of AIDIA, lecturer and practitioner, Poppy Savitri as the Director of Education at the Creative Economy Agency, represented by Maman, and finally Rudy Farid, M.Ds. as a lecturer, practitioner, and competency assessor.
It should be noted that visual communication design has been considered one of 16 creative economy sectors since 2016. The government, together with business actors and academics, will work together to boost Indonesia’s creative economy. “Bekraf has an IKON or National Creative Innovation program so that the community can be facilitated to expand their product exploration. Bekraf does not discriminate against people with disabilities. Proposals can be coordinated to identify the specific needs of people with disabilities. Bekraf’s programs can be viewed on the website www.bekraf.go.id,“ said Maman.
”FDKV Universitas Widyatama wants to organize bigger events in the future. Especially for our friends with disabilities, there is no reason why they cannot continue to learn and be taught by all of us, because they cannot be underestimated. By holding this event, we can prove our existence through our work. Now is the time for us to prove that we can do it,” concluded Hardi, Executive Chair of Arthentic 2017/2018.
