Unesa.ac.id. SURABAYA—Master of Special Education (PLB) and Master of Counseling Guidance (BK) study programs at Surabaya State University (UNESA) conducted benchmarking and student internship activities at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University of Malaya (UM), and The Southeast Asian Ministry of Education Organization Regional Center for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN) on 4-8 November 2024.
This activity is a form of implementing foreign cooperation carried out by UNESA with a number of partners in neighboring countries. This event was attended by eleven PLB Master's students, PLB Master's Study Program Coordinator, BK Master's Study Program Coordinator, and teaching representatives from both study programs.
On the first day, the UNESA group visited Tadika School under the auspices of UKM. There they had the opportunity to discuss and conduct comparative observational studies of special education practices and inclusive education.
Apart from that, they were also invited to see how educational services are for children with autism. This UKM-assisted school uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approach with three main types of classes according to age and characteristics. AAC is believed to be a method that can help effective communication for individuals with autism.
Benchmarking lecturers and students of Masters in PLB and Masters in FIP Unesa to UKM Prof. Madya Dr. Hasnah Toran, Head of the Study Center UKM Community Education & Welfare.
The visit continued to Kebangsaan State University (UKM) which focuses on the faculties of education, special education and BK. The program presentation was given by the Head of the Center for Community Education and Welfare Studies, Prof. Madya Hasnah Toran, about collaborative programs that can be carried out together.
One of the students who participated in this activity, Agung, said that he felt proud because I could watch UKM lectures directly.
"I am very happy because I can learn firsthand how they teach and deal with children with special needs," said the PLB master's student who also works as a school principal in Surabaya.
On the second day, the visit took place in Melaka, specifically at the Southeast Asian Ministry of Education Organization Regional Center for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN).
Signing of the MoA as implementation of the MoU between the Director of SEAMEOSEN and the Coordinator of the Special Education Masters Study Program and the Coordinator of the UNESA FIP Counseling Guidance and Masters Study Program.
PLB S-2 Study Program, Asri Wijiastuti, said that this activity was an effort to improve knowledge in the field of special education and strengthen collaboration with universities and SEAMEOSEN in Malaysia.
"Students, they can gain insight from this activity either during visits to schools, training, or visits to universities in Malaysia so they are motivated to apply the knowledge they have well in society," he said.
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The visit continues to the University of Malaya (UM) Malaysia at the Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling. There, students are given the opportunity to take part in special workshops related to Social models of disability and advocacy.
Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Master's Program BK, Elisabeth Christiana, hopes that this collaboration can continue for joint research, training, lecturer and student exchanges and even programmed conferences next year.[*]
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Writer and photo: Khofidotur Rofiah/benchmarking and internship team
Curator: Fatimah Najmus Shofa (FBS)
Editor: @zam*
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