21 June 2021

Introducing the AUN Thematic Network Series #11 – AUN-DPPnet

By
Noppanun Sookping
AUN Programme Officer;

ASEAN University Network Disability and Public Policy, also known as AUN-DPPnet, serves as a platform to build a key group of disability policy leaders with a vision to build a cadre of disability experts and leaders who will contribute to the vision of an ASEAN region that is inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based; and who will give impact to the policies that directly make a mark on persons with disabilities throughout ASEAN and around the world.

AUN-DDPNet is the twelfth AUN Thematic Networks. It is financially supported by The Nippon Foundation of Japan. The University of Malaya serves as the Secretariat of AUN-DPPnet.

AUN-DDPNet was based upon the intention to create a trained cadre of disability policy leaders who shall inherently push for a more equitable society for persons with disabilities, and contribute to the promotion of the inclusive and barrier-free vision of ASEAN, essentially and positively steering ASEAN societies towards the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the Incheon-Strategy. AUN-DDPNet’s objectives are:

  • To facilitate the development and the conduct of postgraduate, internship and fellowship programs
  • To facilitate the sharing of evidence-based practices, experiences and address accessibility and disability issues
  • To conduct and promote continuing education and capacity building programs
  • To encourage collaborative research and build network of experts within AUN and ASEAN countries
  • To serve as a resource body for the policy-making to the governments and related agencies

Several programs and activities centered around capacity building and public policy learning have been set up by AUN-DPPnet to bolster its mission. With the financial support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, AUN-DPPnet provides Postgraduate Scholarships to students with disability to purse their master degrees in wide range of programmes in ASEAN’s universities

Another cornerstone of the thematic network’s operation is the running of capacity building programs. The Accessibility & Universal Design Training/Program is a capacity building program with the aim to provide a fundamental course to acquire the skills of understanding accessibility and universal design through mediums such as workshops, fieldwork, simulation, etc., which shall deliver both knowledge and first-hand experience/training to the participants.

AUN-DPPnet also provides academic opportunities for access to higher education as well as for contribution to collaborative research and social development projects in regards to the betterment of the community of persons with disabilities. Programs such as AUN-DPPnet Scholarship, Alumni Projects for Community, several AUN-DPPnet collaborative research projects, for example, serve as prime examples of such operations.

In substance, AUN-DPPnet intends to establish a bright ASEAN future wherein persons with disabilities can participate in inclusive and equitable ASEAN societies. Through capacity building programs and contribution to academic and collaborative research opportunities, AUN-DPPnet moves forward to create a key group of disability policy leaders and provide aid to persons of disabilities as part of the efforts to achieve such a beautiful ASEAN vision in the near future.

AUN-DPPnet University of Malaya (UM) in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation of Japan (TNF) and ASEAN University Network (AUN) are committed to support the agenda of Inclusive ASEAN.

Contact Information

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://aun-dpp.um.edu.my/
  • Tel: +603 7967 7618
  • Office Address: Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet) Secretariat Office, Level 6, Faculty of Built Environment, Mercu Alam Bina, Universiti Malaya,  Kuala Lumpur 50603 MALAYSIA

In the next article, we will take a look at AUN-CA, established as a network of cultural offices among AUN Member Universities with the aim to promote creativity, culture and arts among the students in the ASEAN region.