Six students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) have successfully completed their international teaching practice (Program Pengalaman Lapangan or PK) at Sekolah Indonesia Bangkok (SIB), Thailand. The program, held from August 2 to September 2, 2025, aimed to provide students with real-world teaching experience in an international setting.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) collaborated with the University of Exeter, UK, to organize an international webinar themed Inclusive Education and Disability Support in Higher Education. This event served as an important forum for academics, practitioners, and students to exchange experiences regarding the strengthening of disability services and inclusive education in higher education institutions.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) held the Welcoming Ceremony and Orientation for International Students 2025 as an initial step to welcome 24 new students from various countries. The event was solemnly attended by university leaders, deans, directors of graduate programs, heads of units, and student buddies who are ready to assist international students during their studies at UNY.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at UNY carried out a painting-workshop activity using environmentally friendly dyes at SLB Bhakti Pertiwi, Yogyakarta. The event was designed to involve children with special needs — including those with hearing impairments, speech impairments and intellectual disabilities — and was supported by a team of UNY lecturers and students.

On Friday, 29 August 2025, a training session on the preparation of joyful-learning-based teaching was held for teachers of the Special Sports Class (KKO) at the Labschool UNY, located in Yogyakarta.

An inspiring story comes from Otto Wahyudi, a visually-impaired young man from Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, who successfully passed the 2025 National-Based Test Selection (SNBT) at UNY.

He was admitted to the Bachelor’s programme in Special Needs Education (PLB) at the Faculty of Education at UNY, scoring 606 on the test. Otto comes from a modest family. His father, Herison, works as a farm labourer and his mother, Reni Oktaviani, is a homemaker and the main supporter of his education. Despite economic constraints and his physical impairment, Otto’s strong spirit never diminished.

In an inspiring moment for Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), Rhoudhotun Fadhillah, a student of the Special Education (PLB) Program, confidently stepped into her thesis defense to present a groundbreaking study. The session, held at the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP) on Friday, December 27, 2024, marked a milestone—not just for Rhoudhotun but also for inclusive education.

There are still many schools in Indonesia that are not fully willing to accept children with special needs and implement inclusive education due to a lack of understanding of disability issues.