A four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Surabaya, Indonesia, has strengthened participants’ capacity to deliver disability-inclusive banking training. The programme combined experiential learning, accessible communication, behavioural exercises, disability rights principles and institutional action planning to achieve this outcome.
Titled “Breaking Attitudinal Barriers: Inclusive Banking for Persons with Disabilities”, the training was held from 12 to 15 October at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). The module was jointly developed by Prime Bank PLC, Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation and Monash University, Australia, said a press release on Wednesday.
First implemented in Bangladesh in May 2025, the research-based module integrates behavioural science, practical banking experience and the lived experiences of persons with disabilities. The international programme was organised through a collaboration among Prime Bank PLC as practice partner, Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation, the Opportunity Tech Lab at Monash Business School, ITS Surabaya and PERTUNI Surabaya.
Monash University has completed the programme’s evaluation and certification process. The evaluation indicated improvements in participants’ knowledge, facilitation confidence and readiness to conduct training independently.
Prime Bank Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Inclusion and School Banking M M Mahbub Hasan contributed as a trainer. Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation Founder and Executive Director Md Jahirul Islam served as Programme Designer and Lead Trainer, overseeing the adaptation to the Indonesian context.
Monash Business School Associate Professor Abu Zafar Shahriar provided academic and research leadership. ITS Surabaya Department of Business Management Head Berto Mulia Wibawa provided institutional leadership and coordination, supported by faculty members Mohamad Rijal Iskandar and Puti Sinansari.
The training also engaged disability rights practitioner Yustitia M Arief and trainers with visual and hearing disabilities. Participating institutions included PNM, Uprintis Indonesia, Kawan Ayu, Bank Indonesia and Bank Mega Syariah.
Following the Indonesia programme, the initiative is expected to expand through a proposed national ToT programme in Bangladesh under the Lead Bank Model, with engagement from Bangladesh Bank.
