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The School of Psychology (SoP) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) hosted an international academic visit from Universitas Ciputra in conjunction with Universitas Ciputra X APU International Competition 2025 (Digital Minds for Sustainable futures: Integrating Psychology & Technology), from 8th October to 9th October 2025.

The two-day programme, coordinated by Ms Raihan Munira Moh Sani (Lecturer, SoP at APU) highlighted how the fields of psychology and technology can unite to inspire global understanding, empathy, and innovation.

Advancing Psychology Education

This fruitful collaboration between APU and Universitas Ciputra through this programme was a direct outcome of the partnership established through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in March 2025. (This article can also be read on our website HERE). 

This exemplifies how strategic partnerships can evolve into long-term sustained academic and cultural engagement. 

Building Connections through Cultural and Academic Exchange

The visit brought together 12 psychology students and two lecturers from Universitas Ciputra for an engaging cultural and academic experience at APU.

The programme began with an icebreaking session, facilitated by APU Psychology Society, under the guidance of Ms Subashini Ganesan (Lecturer, SoP at APU), where students from both universities bonded through interactive games and shared experiences. 

The students then embarked on a guided campus tour, which included an insightful visit to APU’s psychology laboratories, led by Ms Amirah Husna Mohamad Hata Abdullah (Lecturer and Lab Technician, SoP at APU). 

This was followed by a student-led workshop on emotions, under the guidance of Ms Subashini, which encouraged students to engage in thoughtful reflection, share personal insights, and explore how emotional understanding fosters empathy and meaningful cross-cultural dialogue. 

Spotlight on Universitas Ciputra X APU International Competition 2025

As for the next part of the programme, both universities jointly organised a competition featuring three categories:

1. Poster designing
2. Video making and editing
3. Essay writing
    

The categories within the competition encouraged students to creatively examine how psychology and technology can be harnessed to advance sustainable human development.

The competition was collaboratively evaluated by a panel comprising lecturers and students from both universities, reflecting a shared commitment to academic exchange and mutual learning.

Through this process, students gained meaningful exposure to peer assessment, critical evaluation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a cross-cultural academic context.

APU students also earned top placements in the competition, showcasing their creativity, analytical depth, and innovative thinking across all categories:

Empowering future-proof Psychology Professionals

Reflecting on the programmes’ impact, Ms Raihan shared that the initiative offered a meaningful space for students to witness how psychological principles can be applied in real-world contexts.

Adding to that, Ms Vinorra Shaker (Head, SoP at APU) reflected on the success of the programme, commending the meaningful collaboration between students, lecturers, and partner institutions that made the initiative possible.

She emphasised that the programme captured the evolving nature of psychology; one that is digital, dynamic, and deeply collaborative, while empowering students to apply psychological insight and technological skills in creating sustainable and human-centred solutions.

As for the point of view from Universitas Ciputra, Dr Livia Yuliawati (Dean, SoP at Universitas Ciputra) expressed her appreciation for the collaboration, noting that the programme provided a meaningful platform for students to explore the intersection of psychology and technology.

She shared that the experience allowed students to discover how digital tools, when applied thoughtfully, can enhance understanding of human behaviour while fostering empathy and connection in impactful ways.

Also, she highlighted that such collaborations not only broaden students’ academic perspectives, but also inspire them to apply psychological knowledge in creating positive change within their communities and beyond.