Australia Awards’ Networks Building Inclusive Education: Elga Andriana’s Journey
For almost 23 years, Elga Andriana has worked to advance inclusive education in Indonesia. A lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and Head of School at Sekolah Tumbuh, Elga has dedicated her career to developing education systems that respond to the diverse needs of children. Elga’s interest in inclusive education began through international learning experiences in Canada and Australia, including a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education in Early Childhood at Monash University. In 2013, received an Australia Awards Scholarship to undertake a PhD in Inclusive Education in Primary School at the University of Sydney.
Networks Built Through Australia Awards
A major outcome of Elga’s doctoral experience was the professional relationship she developed with her supervisor, Professor David Evans of the Sydney School of Education and Social Work. Their connection has continued well beyond her studies through joint research, academic exchange and practical collaboration on inclusive education.
Beyond research, Elga’s relationship with Professor Evans also created opportunities for Indonesian educators and policymakers to learn directly from Australian practice. During her PhD, Elga and Professor Evans facilitated a study visit to Australia for approximately 20 participants from Yogyakarta, including Sekolah Tumbuh managers, representatives from the Yogyakarta Education Office and school principals. In 2016, Professor Evans subsequently brought around 16 Australian students to Sekolah Tumbuh for a field school focused on the implementation of inclusive education.
These connections have generated ongoing research and learning opportunities. Elga and Professor Evans have collaborated on studies examining inclusive education for Indigenous students in Indonesia, how Indonesian primary-school students understand and experience inclusion, and the transition experiences of students with intellectual disabilities. A further field school is planned for 2026 through the New Colombo Plan, demonstrating how Australia Awards relationships can continue to support professional exchange and improve understanding of inclusive education over time.
Most Recent Australia Awards Grant and Outcomes
In 2025, Elga received an Australian Alumni Grant (AAG) to study the University Co-Design approach at the University of Sydney. The project focused on encouraging people with intellectual disabilities to take more active roles in universities through co-teaching and co-researching. The work created opportunities to share experiences internationally, including at the IASIDD Asia-Pacific Congress 2025 in Singapore, and has laid the foundation for future publication in an academic journal.
The 2025 grant builds on Elga’s earlier Alumni Grant Scheme award in 2018, which supported capacity building and Universal Design for Learning training for teachers from 36 primary schools in Yogyakarta Province. The grants have enabled Elga to connect research, teacher development and lived experience, promoting more inclusive practices in schools and higher education.
“All the non-academic experiences I gained during my time in Australia gave me so much inspiration to improve the implementation of inclusive education at Sekolah Tumbuh,” Elga explained.
Lasting Impact
Elga’s Australia Awards connections have produced outcomes at several levels: teachers have gained practical skills in inclusive pedagogy; schools and education officials have been exposed to international models; researchers have collaborated across countries; and people with intellectual disabilities have been positioned as contributors to university teaching and research. Elga has built a network linking schools, universities, government agencies, students, teachers and people with disabilities. As a result, inclusive education is being strengthened not only through policy and research, but also through practical changes in classrooms, teacher training and institutional practice.
