Port Vila, Vanuatu – Friday 15 May 2026: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV), through its School of Education and the Department of Inclusive Education, hosted the Inclusive Education Community Service Day 2026 on Friday, 15 May 2026 at the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD) in Port Vila.
The event brought together over 100 participants, including NUV Inclusive Education students, lecturers, university administrators, senior management representatives, VSPD staff, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and invited stakeholders.
The initiative strengthened partnerships between NUV, organisations of persons with disabilities, NGOs, and the wider community while promoting awareness and advocacy for inclusive education practices in Vanuatu.
Professor Lincoln Hlatywayo, one of the NUV Inclusive experts, who is leading the organisation of the event, highlighted the importance of community engagement in higher education.
“Universities exist to serve five key purposes: Teaching, Research, Community Service, Innovation, and Industrialisation. This event falls under the Community Service pillar. Universities exist within communities and must therefore make a meaningful impact within those communities. Engaging with communities and industry is the only way universities can identify real challenges and contribute practical solutions”, Professor Hlatywayo said.
The programme for the day included presentations and awareness sessions; sharing of lived experiences by parents, caregivers, and adults with disabilities; inclusive sports competitions, including seated volleyball; student reflections and engagement activities; donation presentations to VSPD; and community clean-up activities.
The programme also provided student teachers with valuable hands-on experience in inclusive education settings, helping them develop practical skills, empathy, communication competencies, and a deeper understanding of disability inclusion. Officer in Charge of the School of Education, Mr Ben Boulekouran, said the event reflects NUV’s commitment to social responsibility and inclusive learning.
“This Community Service Day demonstrates NUV’s commitment to developing graduates who are academically capable and socially responsible. Through direct engagement with persons with disabilities and community organisations, our students gain valuable real-life experience that strengthens their professional skills, empathy, and understanding of inclusive education practices”, Mr Boulekouran said.
The initiative is aligned with national priorities and policies, including the National Disability Inclusive Development Policy, the Vanuatu Inclusive Education and Training Policy (2025–2030), and Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan, particularly the focus on social inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The event was also informed by educational philosophies such as progressivism, humanism, and pragmatism, which promote learning through participation, practical engagement, respect for human dignity, and problem-solving in real-life contexts.
In preparation for the event, NUV students and staff mobilised donations including clothing, food items, toiletries, stationery, and financial contributions to support persons with disabilities through VSPD.
