By Farzana Baharuddin
GOMBAK, 9 January 2023: IIUM ends the year 2022 with a celebration of the Appreciation Ceremony and International Day Of Persons With Disabilities on 29 December 2022.
According to the Deputy Rector of Student Development and Community Engagement, Prof. Dr. Akmal Khuzairi Abd Rahman, Disability Services Unit (DSU) has proven that people with disabilities can perform as great as those without disabilities.
He noted some of the achievements of the DSU, which included the IIUM Kinabalu OKU Challenge and Wacana al-Quran.
œWe hope in the future, most student volunteers and most staff who are not disabled can become disability advocates to create an inclusive environment and ecosystem in the university and the society, in line with the best practice and Islamic teachings, Prof. Dr. Akmal urged the IIUM community.
The Deputy Rector also mentioned that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is usually celebrated on 3 December every year but postponed due to the general election.
The ceremony was also graced by a presentation on œReminiscing the 39-year Journey of Persons with Disabilities in IIUM from the Head of the Disability Services Unit, Prof. Dr. Ruzita Mohd Amin.
According to her, DSU IIUM was founded in 2012, 29 years after the universitys establishment.
Following the Disability Inclusion Policy constructed in 2018, DSU was put under the office of the Director of Student Development and Community Engagement.
Prof. Dr. Ruzita also announced that the IIUMs very own strategic plan on inclusivity has almost reached its completion.
In a video presentation, it emphasised how people with disabilities were given less attention in terms of job opportunities and facilities including a conducive ablution area in the mosque.
The event ended with a presentation of certificates and souvenirs as well as a photography session, lunch, and interactions.
The event took place at the Banquet Hall of Muhammad Abdur Rauf Building, IIUM, from 9.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. ***