Muhammad Erwin Althaf completed his studies from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Indonesia (UI), and attended the UI graduation ceremony on Friday (25/2). Althaf’s limited hearing from birth did not stop him from achieving his goal of building an integrated business system that is independent in planning, managing and using financial resources. Althaf successfully earned a master’s degree with the thesis title “The Effect of CSR on the Financial Performance of Companies Listed on the Kompas 100 Index 2018 -2020”.
As an inclusive campus, UI provides opportunities for all students to participate in education. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, inclusive education is an education delivery system that provides opportunities for all students who have limitations and have the potential for special intelligence or talent to attend education or learning in one educational environment together with students in general. The program is regulated in Minister of National Education Regulation No. 70/2009 on Inclusive Education, Law No. 8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities, and Government Regulation No. 13/2020 on Reasonable Accommodation for Learners with Disabilities.
UI implements and supports inclusive education by opening as many opportunities as possible for people with disabilities to study at UI. This support can be seen in the facilities provided during entrance exams, the development of disability-friendly infrastructure (classrooms, special pathways, and toilets). The aim is to improve access and quality of education services for students with special needs and to guarantee that they have the same educational rights as other students.
“Later, I realized that Althaf is a student with special needs. It took time for us to adjust to each other’s communication styles. Fortunately, Althaf is a tough student so the tutoring process can run smoothly. I myself still apply the standard for a research. Alhamdulillah, Althaf responded positively. I praise Althaf for the good things and I believe Althaf can achieve what he aspires to,” said Dr. Zuliani Dalimunthe, S.E., MSM as the supervisor.
Althaf’s communication style is slightly different from other students. During the lecture process, Althaf utilized the chat feature to communicate. He created the presentation materials and answered the lecturer’s questions via text message, while his friends were presenting the materials. This was also the case when he underwent his thesis defense. Althaf answered the examiners’ questions through the chat feature and Zuliani helped explain the research methods used.
According to Dr. Dwi Nastiti Danarsari, one of the examiners in the thesis trial, “Althaf showed a genuine effort in explaining and answering every question that was asked so that he could pass well. Congratulations Althaf on his graduation, good luck always and keep inspiring.”
In inclusive education, teachers have full responsibility for those with special needs, but inclusive education will not succeed without the support and participation of parents and the community. Edi Sumarwanto, Althaf’s parent, expressed his full support for his son’s education. “I see that FEB UI has become a place of learning for everyone. There is no discrimination even though our child has special needs,” said Edi.
For Althaf, it took a long struggle to complete his studies, especially since his previous education was non-economics. Thanks to the support of friends and lecturers, Althaf managed to complete his education in three semesters. “Alhamdulillah, I passed the thesis trial. January 2022, I have completed the revision of the thesis manuscript on time and received the signature of the attestation sheet, so that it meets the requirements for the graduation list,” said Althaf.
Writer: Sapuroh