The UNDIP Faculty of Psychology continues to advance toward the international stage. From September 15–19, 2025, Dean Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, Ph.D., made an official visit to four prestigious educational institutions in Singapore: Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and Republic Polytechnic (RP), funded by the UNDIP World Class University (WCU) International Collaboration Scheme.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a world-class research university (QS WUR 2026 = 12; Psychology 2026 = 27) focusing on innovation, sustainability, and interdisciplinary learning. The National Institute of Education (NIE) is Singapore’s premier teacher education center, playing an important role in educational research and innovation. The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) emphasizes applied and lifelong learning with the motto Transforming Society through Applied Learning. Republic Polytechnic (RP) is known for its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system, which equips students with practical skills, creativity, and readiness for the global workforce.
This visit opened up opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and community service. At NTU, Prof. Sawitri attended meetings with researchers and career practitioners and was a speaker at the CRADLE Connects forum. She presented research on the importance of adolescent–parent career congruence in collectivist cultures, which was then enriched by interactive discussions with international academics and practitioners. Another researcher, Dr. Melvin Chan from NIE, shared findings on youth readiness for the workforce and the forms of support needed for career development. A/P Chan Kim Yin from NBS examined how a growth mindset and readiness to learn predict career sustainability, emphasizing lifelong learning as the foundation for meaningful work. The seminar concluded with an interactive thematic dialogue led by A/P Ho Moon-Ho Ringo from the NTU School of Social Sciences, reflecting on the implications of the studies presented.
At SUSS, Prof. Sawitri shared insights with leaders in career development, including Sarah Neo, Head of the Career Development Office, and Jeremiah Wong, Career Life-Design Counsellor and Capability Developer at Workforce Singapore (WSG), and was welcomed by Dr. Yap Meen Sheng — Assistant Provost (Internationalisation and Student Development). Prof. Sawitri then attended the SUSS – UOB – SMF Global Leadership Symposium, a collaboration between the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), United Overseas Bank (UOB), and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), aimed at cultivating a new generation of leaders—students, professionals, and entrepreneurs—equipped with global perspectives, integrity, empathy, and a commitment to social benefit, not just economic growth.
Meanwhile, at Republic Polytechnic, discussions with the academic team paved the way for collaboration in industry-based learning. Additionally, Prof. Sawitri visited the NTU Career and Attachment Office and met with practitioners from the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) to discuss the role of career practitioners and potential collaborations ahead of the APCDA conferences in 2026 in Kuala Lumpur and 2027 in Singapore.
This strategic step is expected to spark innovative breakthroughs for the UNDIP Faculty of Psychology as part of its efforts to realize the UNDIP Faculty of Psychology Vision 2025–2029: to become an excellent, research-based psychology higher education institution that makes an impact on families, communities, and global society.
