UNESCO IITE And Limkokwing Collaborate On A Special Education Project For People With Disabilities

By | August 1, 2019

UNESCO IITE And Limkokwing Collaborate On A Special Education Project For People With Disabilities

The Limkokwing Foundation for People with Disabilities and UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) will collaborate on a new project to implement new ICT solutions for people with disabilities as announced during a press conference on 21 May 2019.

Both parties will work together on research as well as piloting advanced technologies including interactive tools, online tools, and assistive technologies to enhance teaching, learning and social inclusion.

Speaking at the press conference, the University’s Senior Vice President Dato’ Raja Aznil explained that the collaboration would help people with disabilities to pilot advanced technologies, particularly interactive and online tools to enhance teaching, learning and social inclusion.

“We’ll collaborate in research and test advanced technologies including interactive tools, online tools and assistive technologies to improve teaching and learning techniques in the education of the involved groups. In addition, the joint Limkokwing University and UNESCO IITE project ‘ICT for University Accessibility Network’ will focus on the social involvement of the disabilities community,” he said.

Meanwhile, UNESCO IITE Chief of the Unit of Teacher Professional Development and Networking Natalia Amelina said this collaboration is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Goal 4 for quality education.

“Equal access to all levels of education and vocational training should be provided to all, including people with disabilities. It is in line with SDG Goal 10 to reduce inequalities within and among countries and targets to achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population by 2030,” she said on a three-day working visit to Malaysia.

“This ICT project is important to encourage and assist disabled people living in remote areas to use the latest technology for their sustainable future.”

After the press conference, Natalia was accompanied by Limkokwing University’s Vice President of Brand Creativity and Talent Development Dato’ Tiffanee Marie Lim to chat and mingle with 15 disabled Limkokwing University students who are studying in animation, graphic design, multimedia, and photography.

According to Ahmad Baihaqy Muhammad Asmuei Mubin, he is grateful to the University for giving him the opportunity to pursue his studies at the highest level.

“Disabled students at this University study in the same class, hall and laboratory with other normal students. We are not excluded and given the opportunity to enjoy the same learning experience as other students but we need more attention from the lecturer as we use hand sign language,” said the graphic design technology student.”

Ng Kong Keong said he enjoys learning in Limkokwing University and thanked his helpful lecturer.

“There are also special students like me coming back to Limkokwing as a lecturer after graduation and they really help me and my friend,” he said.

The collaboration is a continuation of the signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Moscow International Education Fair – 2019 between Limkokwing University and UNESCO IITE.

The MoU was signed by Limkokwing University Senior Vice-President for Corporate Development Dato’ Gail Phung, and Director of UNESCO IITE Tao Zhan while witnessed by Limkokwing University Botswana Administrative Director Kgomotso Motlotle.

Limkokwing Academy for People with Disabilities offers vocational training to people with disabilities with an emphasis on technology, design and creativity through five short courses: Digital Design, Digital Content, Creative Multimedia, Digital Art & Illustration and Strategic Social Media.