(UNY) has once again reaffirmed its commitment as a global pioneer of inclusive education and gender equality. A lecturer from the Special Education Study Program, Faculty of Education, Nur Azizah, Ph.D, served as a resource person at the Workshop on Lifelong Learning and Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, part of The 5th Asia Pacific Pre-Congress IASSIDD 2025 held in Singapore.
Organized by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD), the event brought together leading experts in inclusive education from various countries. Fellow speakers included Prof. Dr. Mary-Ann O’Donovan and Prof. Vivienne Riches from The University of Sydney (Australia), Dr. Vimallan Manokara and Ms. Loh Huey Ching from MINDS Singapore, Dr. Hasrul Hossan from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Malaysia), and Elga Andriana from Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia).
The international workshop highlighted the importance of lifelong learning as a fundamental right for every individual—including people with intellectual disabilities—to develop their potential, enhance independence, and actively participate in social life. Participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia engaged in discussions on policies, pedagogical approaches, and collaborative strategies to build truly inclusive education systems.
“Lifelong education must be viewed as an instrument of equality, not only for persons with disabilities but also for women who often face multiple barriers in education. The principles of co-design and lived experience are key to ensuring that programs are genuinely inclusive and responsive to real needs,” said Nur Azizah during her presentation.
Throughout the workshop, participants took part in interactive sessions, including cross-country discussions, reflections on best practices, and the development of strategic action plans to expand inclusive learning initiatives. Several compelling case studies were examined, such as Australia’s Uni 2 Beyond program, Malaysia’s CIRCLE, and Singapore’s MINDS Adult Centres. Indonesia showcased best practices in inclusive curriculum development and community-based training that actively involve women with disabilities.
UNY’s participation in the IASSIDD forum not only underscored the university’s role in special education, but also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) on inclusive and equitable education, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) on gender equality and the empowerment of women including those with disabilities, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), which emphasizes narrowing social and educational access gaps.
“UNY’s involvement in this global forum is tangible proof that inclusive education research and practice in Indonesia are internationally recognized. We want to ensure that no one—especially women and persons with disabilities—is left behind in the learning process,” Nur Azizah emphasized.
Through this active participation, UNY continues to strengthen its vision as a learning university that advances the values of inclusivity, equality, and sustainability, in line with global efforts to build a fair and empowered society for all.
