Paramadina University Jakarta conducted a comparative study at the Widyatama Art Therapy Center (ATC) in Bandung on Friday (May 12th). The purpose of this comparative study was to learn and understand how universities handle students with special needs. The event began with an opening by the host, followed by speeches, a musical performance, a discussion session, a group photo, and a tour of the Widyatama Art Therapy Center.
The Widyatama Art Therapy Center (ATC) was founded in 2014 by Dr. Anne Nurfarina, S.Sn., M.Sn. with a focus on providing access to education for students with special needs who require further education after graduating from high school. The establishment of ATC Widyatama is a form of concern from the Widyatama Foundation, founded by the late Prof. Dr. Hj. Koesbandijah Abdoel Kadir, MS, Ak., for the education of the nation’s children, including those with disabilities in Indonesia.
The Chair of the Widyatama Foundation, Sri Juniati, S.E., MBA, explained that the reason for merging the Widyatama Art Therapy Center with Widyatama University was to make the learning environment at ATC more comprehensive and to give ATC students the opportunity to interact with their peers who attend regular classes, thereby creating an inclusive learning environment. Since the first day of campus orientation, Widyatama students and ATC students have been socializing and blending in with each other.
In 2018, one of the points in the Widyatama University Student Promise was added, namely that students are required to recognize diversity. The diversity referred to is not only in terms of religion, origin, or skin color, but also recognizing friends with special needs, with the aim of preventing cases of bullying.
Dr. Fatchiah E. Kertamuda, M.Sc., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs at Paramadina University, emphasized the importance of the right to education for all citizens based on the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Regulation No. 4 of 2017 concerning Special Protection for Children with Disabilities.
The long-term collaboration between Paramadina University and ATC Widyatama in the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi involves the Visual Communication Design (DKV) Study Program at Widyatama University and the Psychology Study Program at Paramadina University, to develop methods of providing services to students with special needs.
Dr. Anne Nurfarina, S.Sn., M.Sn, advisor to the Art Therapy Center (ATC) Widyatama, gave a presentation on handling students with special needs in higher education. The following are points of advice for SOPs for regular program instructors:
- Identification: Manual attendance at the beginning of the meeting, information from friends/class leaders, and student ability levels.
- Anticipation: Lecture introduction with the principle of inclusivity, seat rotation, individual task assistance, and group division.
- Handling:
- Mild to moderate tantrums: Condition the class, remain calm, talk to the subject, and make an Investigation Report (BAP) with student witnesses.
- Severe tantrums: Calm the class, remain calm, take the subject to a special room (counseling), and create an BAP report with student witnesses.
- Suicidal thoughts: Handle according to the source of the problem, communicate with parents, refer to a psychiatrist, and create an BAP report with student witnesses.
It is important to ensure that these SOPs comply with the rules and regulations applicable at Widyatama University and involve relevant teams such as health workers, counselors, and authorities for appropriate and professional handling in situations involving student welfare.
