On Saturday (October 6), the Art Therapy Center at Widyatama University once again graduated students with disabilities, including deafness, autism, and ADHD, the second cohort of the 2018/2019 academic year, which included 7 students from the Graphic Design Work Training Program and 6 students from the Visual and Audio-Based Special Treatment Program. The ceremony was held in the Seminar Room on the 4th floor of Building A at Widyatama University.
Attending the graduation ceremony were Widyatama Art Therapy Center Advisor Mrs. Judiesty Ontowiryo, Widyatama University Rector Dr. H. Islahuzzaman, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Planning and Cooperation: Prof. Mohd. Haizam Bin Mohd. Saudi, as well as several representatives from the Deans of Faculties and Offices within Widyatama University. Also present were the Head of the West Java Provincial Social Service, Drs. H. Arifin Harun Kertasaputra, and the Head of the Bandung City Manpower Office, Dr. Asep C. Cahyadi, M.Si.
Graduation Ceremony of the Widyatama Art Therapy Center Vocational Training Institute for the 2017/2018 Academic Year.
Director of Art Therapy Center Widyatama Dr. Anne Nurfarina, M.Sn revealed in her speech that Art Therapy Center Widyatama was founded with the spirit and enthusiasm to educate the nation’s children, including those with disabilities, which was initiated by the late Prof. Dr.Hj. Koesbandijah Abdoelkadir S.E, M.Si, Ak.,CA and her son, the late T. Ontowiryo Abdoelkadir, S.E., M.BA. Through shared spirit and struggle, the Widyatama Art Therapy Center was established on March 15, 2014.
Through curriculum updates and the involvement of the graphic design, music, and craft industries, LPK Art Therapy Center Widyatama has implemented a strategic, methodical, and focused education system. With a project-based education spirit, our children have proven themselves capable of creating works and meeting market needs, especially in the fields of graphic design, music, and crafts. This has been realized thanks to the concrete support of industry partners and associations, including HU. Pikiran Rakyat, BONBIN Grafis Studio, Rumah Kemasan Bandung, Andien Management, Unity in Diversity (UID) Jakarta, CMYK Design and Printing, USAID, the Indonesian Women with Disabilities Association (HWDI), and colleagues at the Indonesian Visual Communication Design Professionals Association (AIDIA). Added Anne.
Graduation Ceremony of the Widyatama Art Therapy Center Vocational Training Institute for the 2017/2018 Academic Year.
Meanwhile, Dr. Asep stated that people with disabilities deserve to be treated equally with the general public and should not be underestimated, as proven by world figures whose intelligence exceeds that of normal people, such as Albert Einstein.
Until now, as parents of children with disabilities, it has been quite difficult to guide our children after they graduate from high school, especially in terms of where they should work. However, the presence of the Art Therapy Center is like a shooting star, as it can help children with disabilities become more accepted in society, said one of the parents representing the student parents in their speech. (Ed)
