Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika

The journey of postgraduate study is often spoken of in bright terms—academic achievements, inspiring intellectual discussions, and promising futures. Yet beneath that surface, the lived reality can be far tougher. Endless assignments, the pull of family responsibilities, financial pressures, and the loneliness of being away from home can leave students quietly overwhelmed.

However, here at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), we care about you, your mental health, and your overall wellbeing. Closing this year’s Orientation Week (O-Week) on Friday, September 19, 2025, two faculty members from the Faculty of Education—Dr. Lukman Nul Hakim and Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti—addressed new students on an often-unspoken yet critical issue: mental health and counseling.

The session specifically introduced UIII’s Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS), a division under the university that provides psychological services. This unit is designed as a safe and inclusive space that respects diversity in culture, gender, and individual backgrounds. The service is open to all members of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff.

“Our approach is promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative,” said Dr. Lukman, the Chair of CMHS. “We run mental health campaigns, psychoeducation sessions, and screenings; provide individual and group counseling; and connect students to external services when needed.”

The counseling services are located at the Faculty of Education in the Faculty A compound (first and third floors). They are available during working hours, and students, staff, and faculty members can access them by booking an appointment through the CMHS application. “Seeking help is an act of courage, not a sign of weakness. So never hesitate to reach out to us—we are here to support you,” Dr. Lukman said.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Charyna emphasized what these services mean in the day-to-day reality of student life. “We know that postgraduate study is hard, but it is not meant to break you,” she said. “The pressure of assignments, the personal struggles, even the loneliness—they can feel overwhelming. But these challenges are also opportunities to discover your strength and resilience. What matters most is that you don’t go through them alone, because here at UIII, we care about your wellbeing.”

She added that that well-being is not about avoiding challenges, but about how we respond to them. “When you can maintain your well-being, all those challenges can be accepted and understood as part of your life. You may feel sad, but you don’t stay in sadness; you may feel despair, but you still keep moving forward. If you are in that state, it means you are flourishing. You don’t only survive, but you thrive—growing, enjoying the process, and living with meaning.”

At UIII, we believe that academic success and personal well-being go hand in hand. By providing accessible counseling services, supportive programs, and a community that truly listens, we strive to ensure that no student walks this journey alone. Because here, your mental health matters just as much as your academic achievement.

Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti

Bratislava, Slovakia — Two representatives from UIII brought fresh insights on empathy, wellbeing, and diversity in early childhood education (ECE) to the global stage at the 33rd Annual Conference of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA), held from August 25–28, 2025, at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University, Bratislava.

Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti, lecturer at the Faculty of Education, and Syifa Mufiedatussalam, a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Education, joined hundreds of international scholars at this year’s event, themed “Early Education for All: Celebrating Diversity and Seeking Inclusion.”

Assoc. Prof. Charyna presented two of her recent studies across different symposium sessions, namely Symposium Set A themed ‘Children’s Behaviour and Teacher Empathy’. Held on August 26, 2025, she delivered a presentation titled “Striking the Right Balance: How Empathy Shapes Gen Z Early Childhood Teachers.”

The next day on August 27, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Charyna presented at the Symposium Set E themed ‘Teacher Empathy, Emotions, and Expectations’. In this session, she delivered a compelling topic of “Valuing Diversity in ECE through Teacher Empathy: A Mixed-Method Study”, a collaborative project she conducted with Popi Rosepti, an UIII alumna from the first-batch MA student at the Faculty of Education.

Meanwhile, Syifa Mufiedatussalam presented her doctoral research under Symposium Set F themed ‘Teacher’s Wellbeing’ on August 27, 2025. Her presentation was titled “How well are you, dear early childhood teacher?” Her presentation highlighted the pressing importance of supporting teacher wellbeing as a foundation for inclusive and high-quality early childhood education.

Both presenters received strong appreciation from participants and opened doors for international collaboration, including book projects, joint research, and academic partnerships with institutions across Europe and beyond.

Beyond paper presentations, Assoc. Prof. Charyna and Syifa engaged in active networking with global experts. They had the opportunity to meet directly with Prof. Dr. Christine Pascal, OBE, President of EECERA, and Prof. Dr. Tony Bertram, Editor-in-Chief of the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECRJ). Discussions also explored the possibility of Assoc. Prof. Charyna serving as an EECERA country coordinator for Indonesia and contributing as a reviewer for EECRJ, a leading SSCI-rated journal.

Reflecting on their participation, the UIII delegation expressed hope that their contributions will strengthen Indonesia’s voice in international academic conversations on early childhood education. “We believe our work can support broader efforts to advance inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable practices in ECE,” said Assoc. Prof. Charyna.

The EECERA Annual Conference, recognized as one of the largest gatherings of early childhood education researchers worldwide, continues to serve as a vital arena for dialogue, critical inquiry, and collaboration. This year’s theme underscored the urgency of building educational systems that embrace diversity, support teacher wellbeing, and uphold the rights of every child.

source: https://uiii.ac.id/uiii-scholars-share-groundbreaking-research-at-the-33rd-eecera-annual-conference-in-slovakia/