16 April 2025
Ikuti Kuliah Kami tentang 'Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) dan Teknologi Imersif Inovatif dalam Pendidikan'
How can the integration of AI and immersive technologies transform education to be more accessible,... Baca selengkapnya
.JPG)
11 April 2025
Sesi Informasi Australia Awards di Makassar: Mendorong Kesetaraan Akses Pendidikan bagi Perempuan dan Penyandang Disabilitas
Australia Awards in Indonesia has held an information session in Makassar, South Sulawesi, to highlight its support for people with disability and women who face barriers to pursuing higher education and encourage them to apply for scholarships.
The event on 20 February, held in collaboration with Formasi Disabilitas—the Community Monitoring Forum for an Inclusive Indonesia with Disabilities—provided comprehensive insights into scholarship details, eligibility criteria, and application processes for Masters and PhD programs. The session also highlighted the accessibility supports available for scholarship recipients with disability.
Participants from South Sulawesi and other cities in Eastern Indonesia attended the event, which also featured AAI alumni with disability sharing their experiences of studying and living in Australia. Representatives from the Australian Consulate-General in Makassar, Mr Todd Dias and Mr Alex Stephens, were present, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to inclusive education.
Lia Marpaung, AAI’s Adviser for Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), explained that since 2022, AAI has expanded its scholarship outreach to include 15 more provinces in Indonesia where access to education remains limited. This has tripled the number of included provinces.
‘This initiative is part of AAI’s commitment to providing equal access to education,’ Lia said. ‘By holding this session in South Sulawesi, we aim to reach a broader audience in Eastern Indonesia including individuals with disabilities and women who face barriers to access higher education. ’
Strategic Partnerships to Reach Target Groups
To maximise outreach, AAI partnered with Formasi Disabilitas and INKLUSI, implemented by Yayasan BaKTI, an Australia-Indonesia partnership program promoting social inclusion.
‘With its extensive network, Formasi Disabilitas has valuable insights into which groups of persons with disabilities and vulnerable women in South Sulawesi and eastern Indonesia would benefit most from the scholarships,’ Lia explained. ‘By involving local organisations, we can reach the right target groups more accurately.’
Lusia Palulungan, Program Manager for INKLUSI at Yayasan BaKTI, said that the foundation assisted in promoting the event through social media, messaging platforms, and email networks. It also moderated a session in which AAI alumni with disability shared their study experiences in Australia.
Tailored Support for Applicants with Disability and Women
The session highlighted the specific support available for applicants with disability. Lia explained that AAI offered a lower IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requirement and allowed them to bring a learning support assistant to Australia, subject to AAI’s approval.
‘These affirmative action policies help level the playing field and give applicants with disability the confidence and equal access to applyfor the scholarships,’ Lia said.
Women also benefit from greater flexibility, such as the option to bring their families to Australia and the removal of the age limit. This ensures they have the opportunity to pursue their education at any stage of life. The scholarship prioritises women facing social, cultural, and economic barriers, such as primary caregivers or those from underprivileged backgrounds in eastern Indonesia.
‘We want to make sure women have equal opportunities to pursue higher education,’ Lia said.
Muhammad Luthfi, an AAI alumnus who is visually impaired, shared his experiences of managing daily life while studying in Australia. He spoke about learning to cook without access to ride-hailing services and navigating public infrastructure designed to support people with disabilities. Another alumnus, Hilman Wirawan, recounted his experiences during his four years of PhD study in Australia.
‘We hope these alumni stories inspire more individuals with disability to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships,’ Lia said.
Ni Nyoman Anna Marthanti, the South Sulawesi representative of Formasi Disabilitas, said the session helped ease doubts among potential applicants.
‘Many worry about accessibility or the lack of support. Additionally, a violence survivor might hesitate to apply, fearing she would have to disclose her experience. This session helps them see that they have the same opportunities,’ she said.
Nur Syarif Ramadhan, the national chairman of Formasi Disabilitas, shared his experience of studying in Australia during an Australia Awards Short Course in 2023. The course on the ‘Role of the Government and Organisations for People with Disabilities (OPDs) in the Implementation of Policy Reform for Inclusive Development’ was delivered by the University of Sydney.
‘Australia Awards supported us throughout the process, from the visa application to settling in Australia. They truly understand and accommodate the needs of students with disabilities,’ said Syarif, who is visually impaired.
Strengthening Local Commitments
The 2-hour forum drew around 70 to 80 participants, both online and offline, from Makassar and other cities in South Sulawesi and other provinces in eastern Indonesia. Despite heavy rain and flooding the day before, the room was packed.
Participants asked questions until the event ended at 7 pm, with some staying afterwards to speak with Mr Dias and Mr Stephens.
To further promote AAI’s inclusive scholarships program, representatives of AAI and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) visited Maros Regency in South Sulawesi. They met with Maros Regent Andi Syafril Chaidir Syam, joined by representatives from the Maros Regency Forum Disabilitas (FORDISMA) and Local Disability Commission (KDD).
‘The visit reinforces support for inclusive education and strengthens cooperation between AAI and the Maros government,’ Lia said.
Ni Nyoman Anna expressed hope that the Australia Awards Scholarships could help narrow the education gap in South Sulawesi. According to data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registry, as cited by Databoks, only 14% of Makassar’s residents have pursued higher education.
‘Most persons with disabilities in Makassar only finish high school. We hope this session encourages them to aim higher and apply for the scholarships,’ Anna said.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
%20b.jpg)
Bagikan artikel ini di:
Artikel Terkait
Kembali ke atas