The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a benchmarking visit from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) of Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Alauddin Makassar on Friday (August 28). The visit was conducted as part of UIN Alauddin Makassar’s preparations to propose the establishment of a Psychology Study Program under FKIK.
The delegation was welcomed by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources of the UGM Faculty of Psychology, Dr. Sumaryono, M.Si., Psikolog, and the Head of the UGM Undergraduate Psychology Study Program, Dr. Ridwan Saptoto, S.Psi., M.A., Psikolog. The UIN Alauddin Makassar delegation was led by Vice Dean I for Academic Affairs of FKIK, Dr. apt. Isriany Ismail, S.Si., M.Si., accompanied by Prof. Dr. Ulfiani Rahman, M.Si., Professor of Islamic Psychology; Dr. dr. Darmawansyih, M.Kes.; Dr. Arbianingsih, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes.; and Roby Aditiya, M.Acc., Secretary of the Internal Audit Unit (SPI).
In her remarks, Isriany said the visit was part of UIN Alauddin Makassar’s preparations to propose the establishment of a Psychology Study Program. She explained that the delegation sought to learn about curriculum preparation and the facilities needed to support graduate competencies.
“We want to learn about the preparations, particularly the curriculum, its strengths, and the facilities that support graduate competencies,” she said.
Sumaryono welcomed the visit and said that the UGM Faculty of Psychology would share its experience in managing Psychology education. He also emphasized that study program management needs to continuously adapt to changes in higher education policies.
“There are still many challenges, and sometimes the changes happen suddenly. As a university, we have to adapt,” he said.
The two institutions discussed various aspects of undergraduate Psychology education, including graduate profiles, graduate learning outcomes, course structures, learning methods, and learning facilities and infrastructure.
The discussion also covered the experience of developing the Psychology Study Program at Universitas Syiah Kuala (Unsyiah) in Banda Aceh following the 2004 tsunami. During the early stages of its development, the UGM Faculty of Psychology supported the learning process through faculty involvement and the use of its curriculum as one of the references.
The UGM Faculty of Psychology currently implements the 2020 Curriculum and is evaluating the development of a new curriculum targeted for implementation in 2027. The development takes into account developments in higher education regulations and the minimum subject-matter requirements established by the Association of Indonesian Psychology Higher Education Institutions (AP2TPI).
One distinctive feature of the curriculum discussed was the Psychology and Culture course, which is a compulsory course across all areas of specialization. The course covers Social Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Educational and Developmental Psychology, Neuroscience, and Psychometrics. The course is designed with consideration for the diversity of Indonesian society.
In addition to the curriculum, the discussion covered the mandatory internship program for students. Internships are conducted at institutions that have established cooperation agreements with the study program, including industries, hospitals, and other relevant institutions. Students’ practical learning is also supported by two laboratories: the Psychodiagnostics Laboratory and the Mental Processes and Behavior Laboratory.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Psychodiagnostics Laboratory and the Psychology Consultation Unit (UKP), where the delegation had the opportunity to observe firsthand the management and implementation of psychological services.
Writer: Erna Tri Nofiyana
Editor: Sussanti