Palembang—The Psychology Study Program of Universitas Islam Indonesia’s (UII) Faculty of Psychology and Socio-Cultural Science (FPSB) has again been awarded Overall Champion at the 2023 Islamic University IV’s Psychology Student’s Scientific Competition (KIMPSI). Read more

Yogyakarta—The Directorate of Partnership/Office of International Affairs (DK/KUI) of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) hosted the 2023 Global Sustainable Program (GSP) on 8-11 August 2023.

Bringing the theme TALENT: Tales of Indonesian Coffee and Tea, the event invited international students from the international consortium of universities Passage to ASEAN (P2A).

The GSP aims to promote Indonesian culture to UII’s international partners through thematic activities. The previous iteration brought the theme Indonesia Heritage Story.

“For this second iteration, the GSP will focus on Tales of Indonesian Coffee and Tea,” said Nihlah Ilhami, S.Pd., DK/KUI Head of International Mobility and chair of the event’s organizing committee.

According to Nihlah, UII had experience organizing a similar event themed Indonesia Coffee Story but was packaged differently. This time, the topics participants learned about were not only around language and culture, but also on Indonesians’ tradition of drinking tea and coffee.

“So, they learn from the planting, production to how coffee and tea businesses are managed in Indonesia,” she said. “For that, we invited coffee and tea experts that also engage in the businesses.”

“We also invited students to visit some coffee and tea shops to directly see their execution on the ground,” she added.

Further, participants learned about the challenges relevant to coffee and tea businesses and did a final presentation on this topic. “So, it was a problem-based observation. Problems that interest them were chosen as the final project topic for them to present. And, since this overall program is competitive based, we chose the best final project and presenter,” she said.

Nihlah said the presentations by participants were aimed at training their critical thinking through problem-based learning.

“It hones their critical thinking by observing phenomena around them and linking them with knowledge. They see what’s currently trending and come up with thoughts,” Nihlah said. “So, the idea is to activate their sense of innovation that can facilitate them in developing a business.”

The GSP TALENT participants came from several countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen, Pakistan, Malaysia, Palestine, Egypt, Nigeria and Uganda. Other than these international participants, Nihlah said the program also facilitated the internationalization of local students.

“Not only do we teach Indonesian culture to foreign students, but we also teach our Indonesian students through the representative-buddies’ sub-program. We select the buddies to facilitate internationalization at home,” Nihlah said. (VIP Magazine Vol 10)

Yogyakarta—As part of expanding services to the community, Universitas Islam Indonesia’s Student Laboratory (LABMA) organized a Community Service activity outside of the Java Island. The activity serves as an alternative to the traditional compulsory community work (KKN) for students to apply their knowledge. Read more

Semarang—A team of five students from the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Study Program of Universitas Islam Indonesia’s (UII) Faculty of Industrial Engineering (FTI) took home a gold medal from the 4th ASEAN Innovative Science, Environment, and Entrepreneurship Fair (AISEEF). Read more

Yogyakarta—Universitas Islam Indonesia’s Directorate of Student Coaching (DPK UII) launched the Care for Mental Health (PEKA) program at the Prof. Dr. Sardjito Auditorium in the University’s Main Campus on Saturday, 8 July 2023.

The PEKA program is part of the university’s commitment at supporting students’ mental health.

Attending the PEKA program launch were the university’s leadership, Sleman Regional Government officials and UII students. The launch was followed by a seminar titled “Mental Health Awareness in University”, bringing in speakers Dr. Retno Kumolohadi, S.Psi., M.Si.Psikolog., lecturer at UII’s Psychology Study Program; dr. Cahya Pumama, M.Kes., Sleman Health Agency head; and dr. Ida Rochmawati, M.Sc., Sp.KJ (K), a psychiatrist at the PKU Wonosari and Wonosari Regional Public hospitals in Gunungkidul.

DPK UII Director Beni Suranto, S.T., M.Soft.Eng. said in his opening remarks that the PEKA program would not work optimally without the people’s awareness, especially that of the students. This is because most cases handled by the program will be based on student reports, he said. Therefore, it is critical to develop sensitivity and empathy, and encourage other students to be at the forefront of strengthening mental health.

“When students have strong mental health, they can develop optimally to become strong individuals that can play an active role and contribute positively to the community,” he said. “Their days would be productive both as a student or later as intellectual community leaders.”

UII Vice Rector for Student, Religious & Alumni Affairs Dr. Drs. Rohidin, S.H., M.Ag. said today mental health was influenced by multiple factors. These include pileup of assignments, association with bad crowds, family disharmony and hedonic lifestyle.

The Vice Rector hopes that the PEKA program will encourage all UII members to play an active role in conditioning and maintaining student mental health, therefore allowing for the best implementation of education at UII.

Meanwhile, Sleman Government Expert Staff for Social Welfare, dr. Mafilindati Nuraini, M.Kes., who was present on behalf of the Sleman Regent, said maintaining mental health was as crucial as maintaining physical health.

“Due to this urgency, I call on the public, including students here, to realign the stigma that mental health issues are taboo. In fact, everyone can experience it,” she said. “Therefore, I call on everyone to pay more attention to the mental health of themselves, their families and people around them.”

As an agreement to collaboratively support the PEKA UII program, the university and the Sleman Health Agency signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), followed by the agency’s handing to UII of a book titled “Mata Hati” (Eyes of the Heart). (VIP Magazine Vol 10)