The event, held in Room A-203 of the Faculty of Psychology, was attended by faculty members, non-teaching staff, and student representatives from undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, expressed deep appreciation for the Faculty of Psychology’s consistent contributions and innovations through education, research, and community service. 

This commitment has positioned Psychology UGM as a role model for other psychology faculties in Indonesia. 

“I hope Psychology UGM can also contribute to curriculum analysis for the next decade, considering the advancement of Artificial Intelligence,” she stated.

Dean of Psychology UGM, Dr. Rahmat Hidayat, reported on the faculty’s achievements over the past year, including student and faculty achievements, student welfare services, research projects, partnerships, innovations, and community service. 

“We aspire for Psychology UGM to become a national pioneer in psychology with international standards, advancing high science in line with the nation’s culture and Pancasila,” he remarked.

He also thanked all those who actively participated in the anniversary celebrations, noting that six decades of excellence symbolize the faculty’s commitment to making a real contribution to the nation. 

“May the spirit of unity and innovation continue to thrive, helping to improve our QS World University ranking,” he hoped.

Professor Koentjoro delivered a scientific oration titled “Leading the Future Leaders of the Nation to Indonesia Emas: The Role of Psychology in Nation-Building.” 

This lecture resulted from Professor Koentjoro’s long reflection on the challenges Indonesian youth face, who are expected to be agents of change. He warned that without proper management, Indonesia Emas (the Golden Generation of Indonesia) could become Indonesia Cemas (the Anxious Generation of Indonesia). 

“In many lectures, talks, and discussions, I often tell young people, ‘You are my future.’ This phrase is a recognition of their role as future leaders and a reminder of their responsibilities,” he explained.

Professor Koentjoro highlighted psychology’s crucial role in guiding youth towards Indonesia Emas through youth assessment, modern parenting systems, determining the quality of human resources needed, and providing mental, spiritual, and psychological empowerment. 

Additionally, he emphasized the need for intensive mentoring to ensure that youth do not become overly focused on the virtual world at the expense of reality. 

As a closing remark, Professor Koentjoro reminded students not to view knowledge, especially religious knowledge, merely as information but to live by it as values that positively impact their lives.

Following the meeting, a celebration was held in the Hall of Building D. Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) from Psychology UGM attended the event, which featured congratulatory remarks from Dr. Noor Siti Rahmani, a retired faculty member. 

She hoped Psychology UGM would foster a global research culture. Novita Dewi Anjarsari, representing the faculty’s non-teaching staff, also expressed pride and gratitude for contributing to the nation’s educational journey.

As part of the long history of Psychology UGM, the dean presented the Senate Chair, Professor Subandi, with a symbolic handover of an anthology containing the history of psychology disciplines and institutional history. 

During the celebration, the Deputy Chair of DWP, Ratna Syifa’a Rachmahana, made a symbolic presentation of Dharma Wanita Persatuan Psychology Unit (DWP UP) scholarships for the children of outsourced staff.

The faculty’s latest innovation, the Gadjah Mada Computer Adaptive Test (GamaCAT), was also introduced. The celebration concluded with door prize giveaways, traditional karawitan music, a performance by the winner of Psychology Got Talent, and a shared lunch.

Contributor: Psychology UGM/Relung Fajar Sukmawati

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel 60 Years of UGM Faculty of Psychology: Pioneer in Cultural Psychology and Pancasila Studies pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Upon graduating and applying to become a lecturer, Professor Subandi merged both disciplines to create a culture- and spirituality-based mental health therapy.

The professor from UGM’s Faculty of Psychology shared the long journey of his career as an academic. Since beginning his service in 1986, he has been actively involved in the tri-dharma of higher education, particularly research. 

Although he has a background in psychology, he has a deep interest in anthropology, which is supported by his passion for writing. 

After following his mentor’s advice to pursue Psychology at UGM and being accepted as a student, he continued to explore anthropology through research and international collaboration, which continues to this day.

His love for anthropology deepened when he collaborated with international anthropologists. In 1996, he became an assistant to Professor Byron Good, a Harvard University mental health anthropologist. 

“This collaboration has lasted for over 25 years, resulting in in-depth research on mental health from a cultural perspective,” he recalled on Saturday (Jan. 11).

Additionally, Professor Subandi worked with Dr. Julia Howell from Griffith University in Australia for five years. This collaboration integrated anthropology approaches into his mental health research, including developing culturally and spiritually based mental health service systems. 

“We didn’t just collect data, but we also conducted action research so that our studies had a direct, real impact on society,” he explained.

Professor Subandi’s success in combining psychology and anthropology has made him known as an academic who focuses on culture—and spirituality-based mental health. 

Professor Subandi is also an expert in psychological methodology, design and analysis, religious psychology, and health, as well as clinical and counseling psychology. 

“I always view mental health from the individual’s perspective and the societal, cultural, and spiritual contexts. Islamic psychology and cultural psychology are also part of my focus,” he said.

He innovated a referral model at mental hospitals from his international research efforts. This innovation ensures that after getting treatments in hospitals, patients with mental disorders receive follow-up therapy at community health centers (puskesmas).

The second innovation he developed was the “Gelimas Jiwa” program at Kasihan II Bantul Health Center. This program involves training mental health cadres in the community to assist patients. 

In fact, this program received recognition from the Ministry of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (Kemenpan-RB). His third innovation was a mental health policy in Kulon Progo Regency. 

Together with the Kulon Progo Health Office, he developed a Regional Action Plan (RAD) to enhance mental health services at the regency level. 

“These innovations don’t just stop at research but are directly implemented in the community. The results must be tangible, and this will continue,” Professor Subandi stated.

He was awarded the Silver Academic Leader Award 2024 from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for the innovations he has developed over the decades. 

This award was given for his extraordinary contributions to research, innovation, and the development of mental health systems in Indonesia.

According to him, the award he received could not be separated from proper documentation, which included certificates, research contracts, and photos of activities. 

“This is an important lesson for all of us, and good documentation makes it easier to recap what we’ve done. It helps others understand our track record and prevents us from easily forgetting what we’ve accomplished,” the professor added.

Professor Subandi’s award further motivates him to remain enthusiastic about continuing his research on culture—and spirituality-based mental health therapy. 

“I truly love writing and researching. For me, awards are a bonus. I will continue my research and write books even without awards because I never aimed for that,” he said.

To date, Professor Subandi has written more than 20 books and dozens of international journal articles. He is also actively sharing his experiences with students and junior lecturers. 

“My message is to have a strong passion, focus on one field, and develop it consistently. Successful researchers have a clear focus,” he said.

This award is a personal achievement and a source of pride for UGM. It is hoped that Professor Subandi’s dedication to developing Indonesia’s mental health system will inspire academics and students to continue creating and positively impacting society.

Author: Bolivia

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Professor Subandi: From Anthropology Enthusiast to Culture-Based Mental Health Innovator pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Therefore, recognizing the signs of toxic relationships is crucial.

“Toxic relationships have clear signs: feelings of guilt, unresolved conflicts, and a loss of independence,” said Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo, a clinical psychologist from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, during a seminar titled “Toxic No More: Building Relationships Without Scars” held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. 

According to Dr. Handoyo, healthy relationships significantly contribute to mental well-being, offering emotional support, promoting personal growth, and fostering happiness. 

“Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, support, and balance,” he emphasized.

Dr. Ratna Noviani, a lecturer and researcher in Cultural and Media Studies at UGM’s Graduate School, warned about the traps of toxic relationships often perpetuated through social media.

As she noted, the media frequently romanticizes toxic relationships, especially manipulation.

“We must recognize violence on social media, such as doxing and dominance practices. It’s essential to enhance digital literacy to avoid the traps of unhealthy relationships that often emerge in the virtual world,” she explained.

Livia Iskandar, Director of Pulih Foundation, shared alarming statistics: one in four Indonesian women has experienced sexual violence. 

Most victims do not report these incidents due to victim-blaming, perpetrators being close acquaintances, or threats from the perpetrators.

In response to this issue, Iskandar urged all parties to empower women who have experienced violence by providing psychological, medical, and legal support.

The seminar, organized by the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Task Force (Satgas PPKS) of Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) Yogyakarta and UGM’s Integrated Health Services Bureau (BPKT), aimed to raise awareness and offer support to victims of violence. 

Additionally, it encouraged the community to foster empathy, empowerment, and a violence-free society by reminding everyone that no one walks alone.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photo: Freepik

Post-editor: Lintang 

Artikel UGM Seminar Explains Signs of Toxic Relationships pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, presented the award for best health-tech innovation in HISA 2024 during the Health Innovation Festival (HAI Fest) at Jakarta Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, coinciding with the National Health Day celebration.  

In an interview with Inspirasien’s founder, Astriani Dwi Aryaningtyas, she shared her startup’s journey leading to its recognition as the best health-tech innovation in the Health Innovation Sprint Accelerator (HISA) 2024. 

Aryaningtyas recounted how their initial goal in joining HISA was more about learning and development, with no pressure to win.

She revealed that Inspirasien decided to participate in HISA because she felt it was the right time for the startup to enter a competition. 

“Our goal was to focus on developing patient advocacy services and social initiatives, not chasing a victory,” Aryaningtyas said in an interview on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. 

The selection process lasted nearly five months and provided many new experiences for Inspirasien. 

From the initial registration phase to activities such as pitching battles and other competitions, Aryaningtyas said her team approached everything with a relaxed and flowing mindset. 

“When we were informed that we had won, it felt like a significant validation of our services at Inspirasien. We were incredibly proud. It proved that what we’ve built is relevant and appreciated,” she added.

However, Aryaningtyas acknowledged that their journey was far from over. 

While this award provides initial validation, formal processes still need to be pursued, especially through the Ministry of Health’s regulatory sandbox.

“The regulatory sandbox is the first step for our services to receive oversight, guidance, and recognition during the demand test phase. It’s the main gateway for digital healthcare services to enter the Ministry of Health ecosystem,” she explained.

Aryaningtyas founded Inspirasien in 2020, inspired by her personal journey as a thyroid cancer survivor since 2011. 

She shared that the lack of patient advocacy services at the time prompted her to create a community called Pita Tosca as a platform for those fighting or concerned about thyroid health. Today, the community has over 7,000 members across Indonesia. 

“Pita Tosca was the initial step. However, I realized that patient advocacy couldn’t be limited to a community. That’s why Inspirasien was born,” she explained.

In its services, Inspirasien offers three main programs to support patient health. 

The first is the Patient Advocacy Service, which advocates for physical and mental health conditions, from pre-diagnosis to rehabilitation. 

The second is Health Education, where Inspirasien educates the general public about their rights and health through collaborative approaches.

The third is a Referral Program, which connects patients with various healthcare providers, such as hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies.

Aryaningtyas mentioned that one of the biggest challenges for Inspirasien is establishing clear regulations for patient advocacy in Indonesia. 

Additionally, the startup continually keeps up with technological advancements, including leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to support its innovations. 

Despite this, patient advocacy is often mistaken for social work or volunteering. 

“That’s why we want to break this stigma and establish patient advocacy as a professional service recognized by regulations,” Aryaningtyas said.

As a sociopreneurship-based startup, Aryaningtyas emphasized that Inspirasien relies heavily on collaborations with various parties, including the Ministry of Health, hospitals, and academic institutions such as UGM. 

She believes that collaboration is the key to creating a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.

Previously, Inspirasien also achieved recognition as a Top 10 Finalist in the Southeast Asia HK Tech 300 Competition. 

As a health-tech platform, Inspirasien provides comprehensive advocacy services for patients, caregivers, patient communities, health cadres, and health-focused individuals. 

With its slogan #TenangJadiPasien (Feel at Ease as A Patient), the service is designed to help patients understand their rights, access healthcare services, and feel supported throughout their treatment journey.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM Startup ‘Inspirasien’ Wins First Place in HISA Competition by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event, held at UGM from Oct. 24 to 27, was themed “Reflection on the Contribution of Islamic Psychology.”

Nineteen national and international figures, including scholars from Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Australia, the USA, the UK, Mauritius, and Russia, gathered to discuss the development of Islamic psychology comprehensively.

Dr. Bagus Riyono, President of the International Association of Muslim Psychologists (IAMP), stated that the Islamic Psychology Summit 2024 reflected on the achievements and progress of psychology, which has grown rapidly. 

According to him, the integration of Islamic psychology with modern psychology is necessary to improve global mental health. 

“One of the main objectives of this event is to consolidate the global development of Islamic psychology and use it as a foundation for scientific innovation that contributes to society at large,” said the UGM Psychology Faculty lecturer in a press release on Monday, Oct. 28.

During the meeting, Bagus explained that Islamic psychology experts agreed that Islamic psychology is essential in addressing various human issues involving emotions, cognition, behavior, and spirituality. 

He noted that neglecting spirituality in therapy and the development of human mental health could pose risks to human well-being.

Dr. Riyono emphasized that Islamic psychology, based on the Qur’an and focuses on evidence-based therapy and approaches, develops alongside general psychological advancements. 

“The grand vision of Islamic psychology, which was brought up in this conference, is a comprehensive approach that can meet human needs,” he added.

Dr. Indrayanti, a researcher at the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) at the Faculty of Psychology, echoed a similar sentiment. She noted that globalization and technological advances demand a deeper understanding of human behavior. 

According to her, Islamic psychology integrates spiritual and ethical dimensions, providing a holistic approach to strengthening mental well-being.

The conference series began with a pre-conference workshop featuring several practical topics, including Suicide Prevention, presented by Dr. Diana Setiyawati, Director of CPMH, and Dr. Hanan Dover from Charles Sturt University. Other sessions covered Maqasid Methodology and Tazkiya Therapy, delivered by Professor Jasser Auda and Dr. Bagus Riyono, President of IAMP. 

The Maqasid methodology is a systematic literature review of the Qur’an. Meanwhile, Professor G. Hussein Rassool from Charles Sturt University spoke on Islamic Psychotherapy and Counseling.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Dozens of International Psychologists Discuss Development of Islamic Psychology pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The World Health Organization (WHO) records more than 720,000 deaths by suicide annually, making it the leading cause of mortality among individuals aged 18-29. Contributing factors can stem from close relationships, the surrounding environment, or personal pressures.

Director of Mental Health at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Dr. Imran Pambudi, explained that there are at least five classifications of suicide triggers. 

“These include social, environmental factors, health, relationships with others, and personal factors. For example, mental health issues, substance abuse, financial difficulties, or chronic pain.”

“These can come from various sources,” Dr. Pambudi said during the webinar “Campus-Based Suicide Prevention”organized by the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), UGM Faculty of Psychology, on Tuesday (10 September).

The government has made efforts to formulate a framework for preventing the rise of suicide cases. These efforts are outlined in four main areas: prevention of risk factors, prevention of self-harm attempts, prevention of suicide attempts, and a suicide registry for reporting suicide cases.

UGM has committed to being one of the Health-Promoting Universities (HPU), including preserving mental health. The UGM campus environment and teaching methods are designed to consider intellectual aspects and safe learning conditions. 

Five core HPU frameworks have been implemented, focusing on creating a healthy and supportive work environment, developing mental health-focused curricula and research, actively promoting mental health in the community, establishing an HPU-based environment, and fostering students’ and individuals’ health and personal development. 

“A supportive environment is necessary, providing safety and mutual trust. Professionalism from the academic community is also required. All of this is realized through a shared commitment,” explained HPU UGM member and UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) lecturer Dr. Yunita Widyastuti.

Additionally, Dr. Widyastuti explained that UGM’s efforts to reduce suicide risk also involve screening stages. All academic community members are provided with an understanding of mental health for themselves and those around them. A healthy environment will produce individuals with a high awareness of their health. 

The Social-Ecological Suicide Prevention Program (SESPP) is specifically designed to create a preventive system for suicide attempts based on the social environment. This system raises mental health awareness from individuals to relationships, groups, and society.

Dr. Diana Setyawati, Head of CPMH UGM, emphasized the importance of mental health literacy and policies in creating a well-being campus. 

“We already have SOPs for counseling, and now there’s even assistance from bots. There are counseling services with lecturers and peers, and referrals to the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM) are also available,” Dr. Setyawati explained.

She noted that each faculty at UGM now provides a counseling unit to promote mental health and prevent suicide risks. UGM has also established a suicide prevention hotline called the Mental Health Emergency Response Line, available to anyone witnessing or attempting self-harm. 

This service is accessible to all UGM academic members and is supported by the Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC) and RSA UGM. Individuals will receive immediate support and continued care.

According to the Chairperson of the UGM Mental Health Task Force, Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo, suicide prevention efforts must be implemented as early as possible. 

“In addition to the hotline service, we also conduct screenings on students to identify any potential risks that may lead them to a crisis stage, which is the stage closest to a suicide attempt,” Dr. Handoyo explained.

A shared commitment to maintaining mental health can start with managing oneself and fostering a supportive environment. UGM’s efforts to create a safe and comfortable learning space are not only for students but also to promote mental health to the broader community. 

This commitment is hoped to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and result in a more inclusive, active, and supportive society.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Photo: Freepik

Artikel UGM Strengthens Commitment to Safe Learning on World Suicide Prevention Day pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Muhammad Najib (24) still remembers why he applied for the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program in 2023. Studying abroad has been Najib’s dream since graduating from vocational school. 

At that time, Najib participated in the selection process for the Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) offered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in South Korea. 

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side, and Najib had to withdraw after the interview stage to continue his studies in Indonesia.

In his second year as an Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology student at the UGM Vocational College (SV UGM), Najib continued his dream of studying abroad. 

Armed with a portfolio and experience he had gathered at UGM, Najib decided to apply for the IISMA program, one of the overseas study scholarships offered by the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative. 

Given his field of study, Najib chose the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Germany as his destination campus.

Najib is one of many ambitious Indonesian students who want to study abroad. It’s no wonder that many of the world’s leading universities are in developed countries. 

With enthusiasm for bringing change to Indonesia, these students are eager to gain as much knowledge as possible abroad and then return to apply what they’ve learned in Indonesia. 

However, studying abroad often comes with significant costs. 

The Ministry of Education, through the MBKM initiative, has established flagship programs to help Indonesian students achieve their dreams of studying abroad without financial barriers.

The Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA) program allows Indonesian students to participate in a semester-long exchange at prestigious universities worldwide. 

IISMA is one of the seven flagship MBKM programs launched by the Minister of Education, Nadiem Makarim. The target universities for IISMA are spread across the globe, including Singapore, France, Australia, and the United States. 

The IISMA program covers all aspects of the exchange, from preparation, transportation, and accommodation to a monthly stipend.

As of 2023, the number of IISMA scholarship recipients has reached 6,522 students from both undergraduate and diploma levels. 

IISMA offers five schemes: regular, affirmative (for KIP-K scholarship holders from 3T regions), co-funding, vocation (IISMAVO), and entrepreneurship (IISMA-E). These schemes ensure that all students have equal opportunities to study abroad.

Building a Bridge of Knowledge on Another Continent

Studying in a new, distant, unfamiliar place isn’t just about moving from one location to another. Students must adapt to the curriculum and learning culture of the host country. Additionally, they often explore fields of study outside their original disciplines.

As an Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology student, Najib has always been interested in computer science, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Unfortunately, these fields were underexplored in his department in Indonesia. 

Therefore, he took advantage of his study opportunity in Germany to delve into computer science.

Learning something new in a foreign country is not without its challenges.

“It might not be my basic expertise, so when I first studied it in Germany, I found it difficult to follow,” Najib admitted.

Moreover, Najib had to adapt to the academic system in Germany, which differs from that in Indonesia. In Germany, grades for each course are only assessed at the end of the semester. 

This can be advantageous since student attendance isn’t part of the assessment criteria. 

However, besides academics, Najib, the IISMA student representative (SR) in Germany, had to participate in various events outside his educational activities. Fortunately, he managed to handle everything well. 

“Thank God, my grades are safe!” Najib said.

Rachel Adeline Wiguna, a 2021 Psychology student at UGM who received the IISMA scholarship in 2023 at the University of Adelaide, Australia, had a similar experience.

Rachel noted that the learning system in Australia differs significantly from that in Indonesia. There, each course consists of three types of classes: lectures, workshops, and tutorials. Each class type has a different implementation mechanism. 

Workshops and tutorials have fewer students than general lectures, with a maximum of 20 students per class.

The flexible academic system allows students to have different schedules each week. 

“There’s a lecture on Tuesday, and there might be another one on Thursday. They repeat the material on Tuesday to accommodate all students, so everyone gets the material,” Rachel explained.

Lecturers also play a significant role in each student’s learning process. One of the advantages of studying in Australia is the openness of lecturers to personal discussion sessions and the ease of contacting them. 

“If I was confused about something, I asked the lecturer, and they were willing to help,” Rachel said.

The difference in academic culture is also felt in the context of social relationships, especially friendships among students. 

As exchange students, Najib and Rachel naturally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to expand their networks with students at the local campuses. However, the way of socializing in Indonesia cannot always be applied when interacting with students abroad.

The habit of small talk or “beating around the bush” with strangers is not well-suited in Australia. Rachel acknowledged that chatting after class is not a common practice in Adelaide. There, students return to their dorms or head to their next destination without stopping to chat with friends.

“It wasn’t just in class; when I joined the orchestra club there, after practice, they just left,” Rachel recounted.

For Rachel, making friends with local students requires extra effort. However, she doesn’t interpret this as exchange students being unable to socialize with local students. 

“Maybe their culture is more to the point. They only discuss what’s necessary,” Rachel said.

Najib had a different experience while studying in Germany. He admitted being shy and felt he hadn’t fully utilized the experience of meeting international students. 

He believes he could have expanded his network by befriending more students. Nevertheless, Najib still found peers who shared similar interests. 

“Regarding the friendship experience there, I liked the culture,” Najib recalled.

While studying in Germany, Najib took advantage of his time by joining the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Deggendorf, an international student association. 

He connected with fellow international students through this organization by participating in various activities. Najib also joined the Host Family program and gained foster parents.

Seeing the World Through IISMA

It’s been a year since Najib first set foot in Deggendorf, a city on the edge of Germany, far from the hustle and bustle of the capital. For him, Germany left such an impression that he wanted to return for his master’s studies. 

As a student enrolled in the Kartu Indonesia Pintar-Kuliah (KIP-K) scholarship program, participating in IISMA was a life-changing experience. 

“I’m confident I can manage my money well. My financial situation has improved,” Najib said.

His journey in Deggendorf made Najib realize he was just one small fragment in this vast world. While studying in Germany, Najib met remarkable Indonesians and shared inspiring stories with them. He also exchanged stories with friends who had already started working in Germany. 

“From there, I wanted to be meaningful and help others with the knowledge I’ve gained,” Najib said.

The international experience Rachel gained through IISMA also led her to exchange ideas with other international students. 

“One of the most significant benefits is the cultural exchange,” Rachel said. Through IISMA, Rachel discussed social issues in each country and explored potential solutions through classroom discussions.

The difference in dynamics between lecturers and students was also one of Rachel’s most memorable experiences while studying at the University of Adelaide. There, lecturers highly valued students’ efforts in completing assignments. 

Unlike her experience at UGM, Rachel received feedback from lecturers, allowing her to understand her strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in future assignments.

Every step of Najib and Rachel’s journey has shaped them into resilient and open-minded individuals. Through IISMA, they dared to step out of their comfort zones and discover their true selves, paving the way for their future paths.

Author: Tiefany Ruwaida Nasukha/BPPM Balairung UGM

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel Crossing Continents for Indonesia: Journey of IISMA Awardees in Pursuing Education Abroad pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This Surakarta athlete officially earned her psychology degree after participating in the undergraduate graduation ceremony on Wednesday (Aug. 28) at Grha Sabha Pramana.

With a broad smile, she couldn’t hide her relief and happiness. She was celebrating her academic degree and a long journey filled with hard work, discipline, and dedication. 

“I feel more relieved. I’m also happy because the hard work over the past seven years has finally paid off,” Laura said when interviewed by reporters on Friday (Aug. 30).

As a UGM student, Laura achieved international recognition by winning two gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championship in Berlin in 2018. 

She had previously won two gold medals at the ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia in 2017 and another medal at the Peparnas Papua in 2021. 

In 2024, she won three gold medals in the Sports Championship for People with Physical and Visual Disabilities in DKI Province in the 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter freestyle categories.

As an athlete, Laura’s accomplishments in swimming are undoubtedly impressive. Her interest in swimming began when she was still in elementary school. Interestingly, from a young age, Laura was more drawn to the competitive side of swimming. 

“I started liking swimming around 4th grade. But it wasn’t the swimming I enjoyed back then; it was the competitive aspect. I initially started swimming because of asthma, but I grew to love the competition over time,” Laura explained.

One of the most memorable moments in her athletic career was her first competition, where she won a medal made of plastic, despite its humble material, that plastic medal became her biggest motivation to continue competing until now. 

“The first time I won, I got a plastic medal from an intercity competition. Then it was announced at school, and it motivated me to want to compete in swimming again,” Laura shared.

As an only child, Laura’s parents have always supported her ambitions in both sports and academics. Her father also wanted her to pursue academic milestones. Although it wasn’t easy, Laura found the best solution to balance both.

She completed her studies through perseverance and time management without sacrificing her athletic career. 

“I’m the type who likes to plan. So, if there’s an assignment, I prefer to work on it on campus first. After that, I go for swimming practice, and then in the evening, I continue with what I need to work on,” Laura explained.

During her academic journey, Laura undoubtedly faced various challenges. One of the biggest challenges was balancing academic demands with intense swimming training. 

“The biggest challenge is that when you want to focus on one thing, something else must inevitably be sacrificed. I had to take a half-semester break during national training, so my GPA wasn’t that great,” she said.

Although she just celebrated her graduation, Laura is already preparing for her next challenge. She is still actively preparing for the upcoming Peparnas in Solo, which will take place in October. 

“Peparnas is on par with PON, and the competition will also be held in the area close to my hometown (Surakarta), in Karanganyar,” she explained.

After graduation, Laura also mentioned that she doesn’t intend to stop. She has clear plans for her future, including continuing her swimming career and pursuing a profession in psychology. 

“I will continue swimming because it’s my passion. But I also want to pursue a career as a psychologist,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of investing time and effort in a field that truly interests us. 

“Invest your time and money in the right field. Don’t be afraid to try something because even if you fail, at least you tried, and you won’t regret it later on,” advised Laura.

Laura has inspired fellow students, showing how perseverance, good time management, and the courage to venture into the right field can lead someone to reach the pinnacle of achievement in academia and sports. 

Laura has proven that with hard work and an unwavering spirit, any challenge can be overcome, and dreams can be realized.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel Internationally Accomplished Para Swimming Athlete, Laura, Earns Bachelor’s Degree at UGM pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

A team of UGM students, through the Student Creativity Program in Entrepreneurship (PKM-K), has innovated a new tool to assist parents in providing sex education to their children.

The team consists of five students from different study programs: Vicky Rian Saputra (Political Science and Government), Shahrin Nuri Ramadhani (Psychology), ‘Aisyah Khayyiratunnisa (Psychology), Muhammad Burhanudin Bachtiar (Industrial Engineering), and Devrangga Hazza Mahiswara (Software Engineering Technology). 

Their innovative creation, “Magic Box: Petualangan Ajaib” (The Magical Adventure), is a board game designed to provide sex education. It is intentionally designed and packaged in a fun way to remove the taboo stigma associated with early sex education.

According to Vicky Saputra, the team leader, the innovation’s background stems from concerns about the lack of public awareness regarding the importance of early sex education. 

“We created this board game and application because we were concerned about the lack of attention to sex education, and some people even consider it taboo,” Saputra told reporters on Thursday (Aug. 22).

Research conducted by Saputra and his team highlights the urgency of removing the stigma around sex education. 

A survey revealed that 85% of 5th-grade students at a certain school were exposed to pornographic content, and 57% of them had deliberately accessed pornography on YouTube. 

Additionally, there have been cases of violence and sexual abuse perpetrated by five-year-olds against their peers. 

“These incidents indicate a low understanding of sex education among Indonesian children,” Saputra explained.

Sex education helps children understand boundaries and prohibitions related to exposure to pornography in digital media. However, parents often worry that children will become “curious” about accessing such content rather than seeing it as a preventive measure. 

“We developed this board game under the guidance of experts from the Faculty of Psychology at UGM, using the Family Strength Framework method,” said Shahrin Ramadhani, a team member.

The board game includes a 40×40 cm game board, five tokens, a set of BEE cards, JOY cards, and two dice. The Magic Box also contains puzzles, a pop-up storybook, and cards to help parents educate their children interactively. 

The game is integrated with an educational content app and a consultation feature. The app is planned to connect users with child psychologists for consultation services. 

“We hope this project can change negative stigmatization and make it easier for parents to teach sex education to their children as early as possible,” Ramadhani concluded.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM Students Develop Educational Sex Game for Early Childhood pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Low literacy can result from external stimuli, such as inappropriate learning media and ineffective teaching strategies. Early childhood is marked by rapid development and high receptivity to external stimuli, making suitable games an effective tool for growth.

A team of UGM students has innovated the traditional dakon (Southeast Asian mancala) game by integrating it with Augmented Reality (AR) to create an educational game called Dakdokkonkan.

The team consists of Najla Ega Amalia (Psychology 21), Karita Dwi Oktavia (Vocational College 22), Aditya Ramadhan (Engineering 20), and Anindya Verawati (Psychology 22), under the guidance of Dina Natasari from UGM Vocational College’s DEB Program.

Najla Amalia explained that research has shown that dakon effectively enhances children’s cognitive development, character, and social interaction. The team chose dakon to improve focus through the game’s mechanics, which involve placing seeds into holes.

“There is something new in Dakdokkonkan compared to previous versions: the integration of AR technology. The AR feature provides interactive questions and scorekeeping when the correct answer is given,” Amalia explained.

The AR feature is also designed to capture children’s attention by displaying story characters that can be detected from the storybook. In addition, the application poses questions and records scores based on the correct answers related to the story. 

“With AR, we hope that children will keep pace with technological advancements through the appropriate and educational use of applications, thereby supporting their development,” she added.

In addition to enhancing literacy through story comprehension, the game aims to improve children’s focus by integrating the dakon game with a storyline. 

“By using traditional games, we hope to preserve them so that they remain familiar to today’s children,” Amalia said.

Dakdokkonkan includes fables set in three different backgrounds. The fables narrate the adventures of two characters on a mission, imparting moral lessons and problem-solving skills through interactive challenges. 

Each Dakdokkonkan game package includes a dakon board with seeds, a storybook, a guide, and stickers of story characters that children can place on the board creatively. These stickers also serve as a source of entertainment for children. 

The team is collaborating with children’s play communities and education institutions to expand the reach of this educational tool and promote literacy among children. 

“Dakdokkonkan is now available on Tokopedia,” Amalia concluded.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel UGM Students Enhance Literacy with Augmented Reality-Based Dakon Game pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.