Mapúa MCL and Universitas Esa Unggul Strengthen Academic Ties through Psychology Faculty Mobility Program

By: Ivana Ruth Vidal

As part of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) commitment to fostering global citizenship and academic innovation, the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL), in partnership with the College of Health Sciences (CHS), welcomed Dr. Maharsi Anindyajati, a member of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Esa Unggul (UEU) Jakarta, Indonesia. Dr. Anindyajati’s two-week engagement, held from June 30 to July 12, 2025, was a dynamic blend of virtual and in-person activities that further strengthened Mapúa MCL’s internationalization efforts centered on academic collaboration, mental health advocacy, and cross-cultural learning.

The engagement kicked off virtually during the first week, where Dr. Anindyajati conducted a series of online lectures for B.S. Psychology students under the classes of Ms. Zyra Napolis and Ms. Samantha Latorre. Students explored topics on Cognitive Behavior and Theories of Personality and participated in the Global Signature Course (GSC) entitled “Behind the Mask: How Cognitive Distortions Shape Personality Disorders (Part 1),” launching the academic series on June 30, 2025. Despite being online, the sessions were marked by active interaction and valuable insights from both students and faculty.

Dr. Anindyajati arrived in the Philippines for the onsite leg of the engagement from July 7 to 12, where a week full of academic and cultural engagements unfolded at Mapúa MCL and beyond.

On July 7, Dr. Anindyajati served as a guest speaker at Mapúa University for a student seminar titled “The Mindful Hustle: Staying Mentally Healthy While Chasing Goals,” sharing practical strategies on balancing mental wellness and ambition. Dr. Anindyajati also visited the Embassy of Indonesia, where she met with the Education and Culture Attaché, Prof. Nina Yulianti, Ph.D., to further discuss academic cooperation and future bilateral initiatives.

Dr. Anindyajati’s immersion continued July 8 through a visit to DENSO Philippines Corporation and STMicroelectronics, allowing her to gain firsthand insight into the Philippine industrial sector and the relevance of psychology in corporate contexts. This day also marked Dr. Anindyajati’s first in-person lectures with Mapúa MCL Psychology students, transforming virtual rapport into face-to-face interaction and deeper academic engagement.

The succeeding days, July 9 and 10, were filled with more classes and the much-anticipated second part of the GSC, this time titled “From Mask to Pattern: When Defense Becomes Identity (Part 2).” On July 10, Dr. Anindyajati also joined a tree-growing activity, a symbolic gesture of growth shared with visiting guests from partner institutions. This has become a new tradition Mapúa MCL hopes to continue with future guest lecturers. Collaboration meetings with the faculty members and officers of Mapúa MCL were also held, further cementing professional ties and opening discussions on future projects.

Dr. Anindyajati’s engagement reached beyond the campus on July 11, as she took part in a meaningful community engagement activity with the Special Needs Education (SNED) students of Pulo National High School. Facilitated by B.S. Psychology students, the service-learning initiative included interactive and developmentally appropriate activities, along with the distribution of simple yet thoughtful gifts to support the students’ continued growth and learning.

Later that day, Dr. Anindyajati led a student leaders’ forum titled “Talk It Out, Don’t Overthink: Building Mental Resilience in the Digital Era,” which brought together Mapúa MCL student leaders in an open dialogue on mental health challenges and digital-age stressors.

To cap off the experience, Dr. Anindyajati joined a cultural exposure trip on July 12 with select students. The group visited historical landmarks and museums to explore the rich cultural tapestries of the Philippines, bringing the academic exchange full circle through shared stories, history, and identity.

Dr. Maharsi Anindyajati’s hybrid engagement stands as a testament to Mapúa MCL’s commitment to meaningful international collaboration. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the program fostered academic exchange, wellness advocacy, and global partnership in action.