Audience on Strengthening Inclusive Education: WFIEd, Education Center RICE UM, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia

On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Jakarta, the World Forum for Inclusive Education (WFIEd) held an audience with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, represented directly by Prof. Ir. Togar M. Simatupang, Ph.D, as Secretary General of the Ministry. The purpose of the audience was to explore opportunities for strategic collaboration in advancing inclusive education rooted in science, technology, and human values.

In his opening remarks, the President of WFIEd and Education Center, Research Institute and Community Engagement, Universitas Negeri Malang (Ediyanto, M.Pd., Ph.D) explained that WFIEd is an international forum established in 2022 and officially registered with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10 on reducing inequalities through inclusive education collaboration, and Goal 16 on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions by strengthening cross-border educational partnerships.

WFIEd supports UNESCO’s vision of inclusive and equitable quality education without discrimination. Currently, WFIEd has a network spanning 17 countries and aims to expand to 50 countries by 2035. The organization is preparing to host its First Annual Members Meeting on November 11, 2025, as a starting point for drafting the roadmap for inclusive education, and is initiating global funding and partnerships to implement its five flagship programs.

Responding to the presentation, Prof. Togar expressed appreciation for WFIEd’s initiative and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach that is concrete and impactful. He highlighted the importance of developing cooperation models that can be adopted by the Ministry and implemented within higher education institutions.

During the discussion session, Mr. Fajar from the Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa) stated that inclusion policies have begun to be applied in universities, especially for students with disabilities. However, he noted that real-time data availability and gaps in implementation remain key challenges. Similarly, Mr. Agus, the Coordinator for Inclusive Learning Technology, underscored the need for capacity building and the development of a robust data system to realize science and technology-based inclusion.

Furthermore, it was reiterated that based on the Ministry’s latest regulations—particularly the Ministerial Regulation on Disability Services—every university is required to establish a Disability Services Unit (ULD). The Ministry is actively promoting the establishment and strengthening of ULDs through outreach and technical support. WFIEd is expected to assist in identifying priority needs for inclusion, and in conducting workshops and training tailored to the local context in Indonesia.

The audience concluded with a set of strategic recommendations for long-term, data-driven collaboration. Additionally, the Bureau of Cooperation and Planning stressed the importance of addressing international sensitivities such as gender equality and cultural diversity in every form of partnership to safeguard Indonesia’s diplomatic legitimacy and position. With strong commitment, WFIEd expressed its readiness to follow up on each recommendation through concrete collaboration with the Ministry. This synergy is hoped to become a historic momentum in realizing inclusive, equitable, and adaptive higher education that supports the advancement of sustainable science and technology in Indonesia.

Jakarta, June 17, 2025

World Forum for Inclusive Education (WFIEd) at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia