
The Disability Services Unit (ULD) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has partnered with Bank Sinarmas to launch the Capable Internship Program.
Through this initiative, Bank Sinarmas aims to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience in an inclusive professional environment.
Dr. Wuri Handayani, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) and Head of ULD UGM, explained that the collaboration began with a partnership between FEB UGM and Bank Sinarmas. Following several joint initiatives and training programs, Bank Sinarmas expressed its intention to establish an internship program specifically for students with disabilities.
“During one of our meetings, I was introduced to the program, and from there, we began more intensive discussions about what kind of collaboration would be ideal. In essence, we at ULD truly appreciate this opportunity,” Dr. Handayani said in a statement to reporters on Monday (Apr. 24).
According to Dr. Handayani, people with disabilities often face barriers to accessing employment in the formal sector due to lingering negative perceptions. Many still believe that individuals with disabilities are incapable, lack professional capacity, or can only work in informal sectors.
With this opportunity, she hopes to prove that when given equal access and opportunity, individuals with disabilities can demonstrate exceptional abilities.
In 2023, a student with a disability from the Aquatic Resource Management program at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture had the opportunity to intern at BBC News. Recalling that experience, Dr. Handayani expressed her enthusiasm for encouraging more students with disabilities to pursue internship opportunities.
“There’s also a UGM alum who is deaf and currently working at BRI in Yogyakarta. This shows that with internship opportunities like this, we can broaden the perspective that students with disabilities—when given a chance—are more than capable of demonstrating their skills,” she added.
Dr. Handayani also hopes that the program will serve as a stepping stone toward sustainable career pathways for students with disabilities. Once companies recognize their capabilities, more opportunities may arise—especially in line with Law No. 8 of 2016, which requires private companies with over 100 employees to allocate at least 1% of their positions to persons with disabilities.
During a sharing session held on Wednesday (Apr. 23), one of the participants, Fadliah Sarita Rustam, a student from the Master of Chemistry program at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), expressed her gratitude upon learning about the internship program offered by Bank Sinarmas.
“I hope my fellow students with disabilities can make the most of this opportunity to prepare themselves before entering the professional world. This is a valuable opportunity that doesn’t come around often. Let’s make the most of it,” Rustam told reporters.
The sharing session was followed by a walk-in interview for UGM students with disabilities interested in applying for the program. Through this initiative, Bank Sinarmas aims to provide an inclusive workplace environment and ensure equal access to professional development opportunities.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya