A delegation from Indonesia’s Presidential Staff Office, led by Special Staff to the Chief of the Presidential Staff Office, Major General (Ret.) Professor Budi Pramono, visited the Disability Services Unit (ULD) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday (Jul. 30). The visit discussed supporting services for students with disabilities while observing firsthand the various assistance programs and facilities developed by UGM’s Disability Services Unit (ULD UGM) to foster an inclusive campus.
Budi praised UGM’s commitment to inclusive services for students with disabilities. ULD UGM demonstrates the university’s tangible commitment to ensuring that every student has equal opportunities to grow and succeed. He also encouraged the university to expand the unit’s capacity to support more students.
“Services like these must continue to grow so that more students can benefit from the support provided,” he emphasized.
Speaking before the students, Budi encouraged them to be committed to learning and never become complacent with their achievements. Feelings of boredom and loss of motivation are natural for university students.
However, they can overcome these by practicing gratitude and remembering that many people face greater challenges.
“If you lose motivation, the formula is simple. Don’t always look upward. Many people are less fortunate than we are. Be grateful, and your blessings will increase,” he said.
Chair of the Disability Services Unit, Professor Wuri Handayani, explained that the unit not only provides direct assistance but also advocates for reasonable accommodations for every faculty member based on need.
One example is recommending additional time for examinations and assignment submissions. The unit also advises faculty to relocate classes when buildings are inaccessible.
“If a building does not have an elevator, we recommend moving classes to the ground floor so they are more accessible,” she explained.
In addition to academic support, ULD UGM provides various supporting facilities, including a prayer room, a kitchen, and a quiet room for students experiencing physical exhaustion or emotional distress.
“If students experience panic, stress, or if students with physical disabilities become fatigued, they can rest here,” she said.
After visiting ULD UGM, Budi Pramono and the Presidential Staff Office delegation continued their visit to the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM). During the visit, the GIK UGM management team explained that the hub serves as a multidisciplinary collaboration space connecting higher education institutions, industry, government, and international partners.
GIK UGM has established collaborations with global institutions, including the European Union, Australia, and several leading universities, to develop innovation and strengthen students’ competencies. Last year, GIK UGM-organized programs attracted approximately 120,000 participants.
Budi commended GIK UGM’s development concept, which combines technological advancement with cultural and humanitarian values. Innovation must be built upon strong research to create meaningful benefits for society. He described GIK as a strategic platform for nurturing young people and an innovation center capable of addressing national challenges.
“UGM is not only a center of management but also a center of culture. Therefore, the innovations created here must bring tangible benefits to Indonesia,” he remarked.
Budi also emphasized that innovation development at universities should go beyond following trends. Instead, universities should understand societal needs and the characteristics of younger generations to produce relevant solutions.
“Major universities will always produce innovations. However, what matters more is the ability to create something genuinely new. We must identify market needs and respond to them through innovation,” he concluded.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Donnie