Having a passion for drawing and educational media, Nathania Tifara Sjarief is interested in contributing to the world of education with her love. Although at the age of 2, Nathania experienced a hearing disability, this did not hinder her enthusiasm to continue studying until she had a Double Master Degree. Nathania received a Cochlear Implant at the age of 4 years. Nathania’s parents taught her to draw so that she could be interested in the visual media world. She took a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Visual Communication Design at Pelita Harapan University (UPH).
Through WhatsApp interview, Nathania shared her experiences as a deaf person during her education. Even though many people around Nathania suggest that she attend seminars if you want to study management and business. Even those think that entering a public university is less inclusive and less friendly for disabilities and that entering a top public university is difficult.
However, Nathania assumes that if she goes to college, she will have more time to study, a better learning environment, mentoring lecturers, and explore with various friends. Having a strong desire and limited hearing does not reduce his enthusiasm to learn many things intensively and continuously. Nathania has completed her Master’s Degree in Creative Media Enterprise at the Jakarta Arts Institute in 2013. Currently, Nathania is pursuing a master’s degree at MM FEB UGM Yogyakarta and takes her thesis exam a few days ago. His thesis entitled Strategic Planning Hoshin Kanri on the CV. Bumi Edukasi Kreatif is based on his experience in founding a business and his interest in micro-enterprises.
Nathania desires to encourage micro-enterprises in Indonesia, especially the production of children’s educational toys such as storybooks, puzzles, activity books, and others. Many creators develop children’s educational media. One of the obstacles for these creators has to do with their management. One of Nathania’s goals is to study management and business at MM FEB UGM. The learning process at MM FEB UGM Yogyakarta is also not easy. Nathania tries to fulfill the academic requirements to graduate. She took a concentration in Strategic Management because she wanted to improve his decision-making skills in his business. This course material was new to her and very interesting.
The pandemic also had a considerable impact on the learning process. Online lectures started when the pandemic hit. Despite using a Cochlear Implant, her hearing only works in the right ear. For this reason, more concentration is needed when online lectures take place, and it is pretty energy-consuming. Various attempts were made by Nathania to continuously pursue material, such as borrowing notes and inviting her colleagues to discuss. The assistance from the UGM POKJA Care Difabel volunteers was also beneficial in understanding what was conveyed during the lecture. Nathania has new disabled friends and volunteers who support each other in this community.
“If you are curious, find out, and don’t stop learning”; Nathania’s motivation makes her overcome the various obstacles she encounters by trying and struggling with her limitations. According to Nathania, people with disabilities have become part of Indonesian society to contribute to educating the nation. “We recommend that on campus, there needs to be fulfilled such as a forum for a consultation so that each person with disabilities can be more optimal in learning, for example, the provision of a Sign Language Interpreter or Typist specifically for students with hearing disability. This is deemed necessary before implementing online lectures begins,” he wrote. In addition, the campus can facilitate lecturers with additional terms on how to teach students with disabilities. Nathania hopes that UGM can become a more inclusive and disabled-friendly campus. (Humas: Radiani/Photo: Nathania. T.F).
