UNJ Sees Rise in Disability Pathway Applicants, Culinary Arts Most Popular
The number of participants in the independent admission pathway for students with disabilities at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) has continued to rise in recent years. In 2026, the total reached 138 candidates, an increase of approximately 9.6 per cent compared to 125 participants in 2025.
The selection process was held offline at the Dewi Sartika Building at UNJ on Saturday (18/7/2026). Head of the UNJ Admissions Office, I Wayan Sugita, stated that the increase reflects a growing interest among persons with disabilities in pursuing higher education, as well as rising public confidence in the inclusive education services provided by UNJ.
“The number of participants this year reached 138. This increase shows that more persons with disabilities are interested in continuing their higher education and see UNJ as a choice for their studies,” Wayan said.
He explained that the three faculties most in demand among disability pathway participants this year were the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Language and Arts. The study programme with the highest number of applicants was the Applied Bachelor’s Programme in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management.
To support the selection process, UNJ provided various assistance services tailored to participants’ needs. Participants with visual impairments, autism, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were accompanied by UNJ Disability Volunteers (REDIS) from the moment they arrived on campus until the entire selection process was completed. The committee also placed sign language interpreters in the examination rooms to assist participants with hearing impairments.
REDIS Coordinator for the disability pathway admissions, Prila Ahdanila, said that the participants’ needs had been mapped prior to the examination. “We received the participant data and their assistance needs from the Admissions Office. We then divided the tasks among volunteers so that each participant received appropriate support,” Prila said.
Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Ifan Iskandar, stated that the disability pathway is part of the university’s effort to ensure that every citizen has equal opportunity to access higher education. “UNJ strives to ensure that every prospective student has an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic potential. Therefore, we continue to prepare support services so that the selection process is fair and accessible,” Prof. Ifan said.
UNJ Rector Komarudin, who observed the selection process, appreciated the support services provided to participants with disabilities. However, he noted that adjustments to the examination materials and assessment criteria are still needed to make the selection process fairer. “If the questions are still the same as the regular pathway, then there needs to be an adjustment in the assessment criteria so that the selection process is fairer,” Komarudin said.