SEMARANG – The Guidance and Counseling Masters Study Program, Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP), Semarang State University (UNNES) is exploring international academic collaboration with a number of career counseling experts who are members of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA).
The strategic meeting, which took place on Thursday (3/9/2026) in Meeting Room 2 of the FIPP UNNES Dean’s Office, aimed to map potential collaborations in the fields of research, education, and professional development.
The discussion was attended by the Head of the UNNES BK Masters Study Program, Sunawan, Ph.D., along with lecturers, as well as four international experts from various universities in Malaysia, namely Assoc. Prof. Dr. Poh Li Lau (University of Malaya), Dr. Chan Siaw Leng (University Putra Sarawak), Dr. Voon Siok Ping (University Malaysia Sarawak), and Dr. Baktiar Hasnan (Multimedia University).
Focus on Research and Education
The main agenda of this meeting includes the identification of collaborative research topics and research schemes in the field of guidance and counseling, particularly in the area of career development.
Both parties emphasized the importance of enriching the learning experience for master’s students through joint academic activities.
The discussion also touched on opportunities for academic mobility programs, both outbound and inbound, for lecturers and students. Implementation of these programs is planned based on institutional partnerships, funding availability, and applicable regulations at each university.
Scientific Publications and Professional Networking
UNNES and international experts also agreed to increase joint scientific publications in reputable national and international journals. The presence of international practitioners and academics is expected to provide global exposure and strengthen academic exchanges for the UNNES academic community.
In addition to the educational aspect, the meeting underscored the importance of strengthening professional networks at the Asia-Pacific level through the APCDA community.
Sustainability Commitment
The meeting concluded with an expression of interest from both parties to establish sustainable collaborations in research, education, and mobility programs. Sunawan, Ph.D., and the international experts stated that technical implementation details would be further discussed based on mutual agreement and respective institutional policies.
