UNESA delegation together with the leadership of SEAMEO SEN.
Unesa.ac.id. SURABAYA—Surabaya State University (UNESA) through the Center for Excellence in Science and Technology Disability Innovation Center (PUI-DIC) exhibited innovative products at the international forum SEAMEO SEN (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization for Special Educational Needs) which was held in Melaka, Malaysia, on 9– 12 December 2024.
Vice Chancellor III for Research, Innovation, Ranking, Publications and Science Center, Bambang Sigit Widodo, said that UNESA's involvement entitled 'Benchmarking and Downstreaming PUI DIC UNESA Products to SEAMEO SEN' was aimed at introducing innovation in supporting inclusive education in Southeast Asia.
He added that UNESA's agenda in this international forum was a realization from a collaboration program with SEAMEO SEN that has been in place since 2015. It peaked in 2019 when UNESA hosted a special education conference and SEAMEO SEN as co-host.
"This collaboration includes research, internships, joint conferences, publications, and advocacy for special education teachers and lecturers regarding disabilities," said the lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol).
Director of the UNESA Sciences Center, Abdul Rachman Syam Tuasikal added, SEAMEO SEN is a regional organization under SEAMEO which focuses on education for individuals with special needs.
"SEAMEO's existence as a regional NGO in Southeast Asia provides extensive opportunities for disseminating UNESA educational innovations on an international scale. "UNESA's participation not only introduces, but also disseminates the impact of UNESA innovation," he said.
Head of Sub-Directorate for the Center for Excellence in Science and Technology for Disabilities, Wagino, explained that the superior products displayed by the 'House of Champions' campus in the forum include Fun Big Book Signalong Indonesia. This storybook uses manual gestures (Signalong) to highlight key words in spoken sentences, supporting inclusive learning.
SEAMEO SEN is exploring Quran Recitation VR (QVR), one of UNESA's superior innovation products .
“Fun Big Book consists of two main themes, namely "Myself" (with the title Family Identity, Characteristics, and Five Senses) and Disaster Risk Reduction Education (DRRE) with the theme of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes the earth, and mountains erupting," he said.
Head of Technology Product Development and Disability Innovation, Budiyanto continued, another product on display was Quran Recitation VR (QVR).
A virtual reality-based application This is to facilitate the teaching of reading the Koran, prayer procedures and ablution for people with hearing disabilities. QVR is equipped with visual animations to help users understand movements better.
The third product is VR Bina Motion. This virtual reality program is designed to train the motor skills of children with cerebral palsy, especially spastic diplegia. "This program can be accessed with simple tools and is equipped with control features to make it easier for parents or teachers," explained the professor of disabilities.
UNESA Disability Innovation Center (DIC) Team, Wulan Patria Saroinsong said, Indonesian Signalong Dictionary also introduced in SEAMEO SEN. This product is in the form of a communication system based on key word signals adapted from Signalong United Kingdom.
This dictionary supports the development of inclusive schools in Indonesia by making it easier for individuals to learn language and communication skills.
“Dissemination "These products demonstrate UNESA's commitment to strengthening inclusive education while supporting the development of the disability community at regional and global levels," he said.[*]
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Reporter: Sindy Riska ( Fisipol)
Editor: @zam*
Photo: UNESA Delegation to SEAMEO SEN
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