An International Webinar on Psychology: Benefitting society and improving lives

Psychology Faculty of UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau held an International Webinar on October 19th, 2021 virtually and was attended by 268 participants. The theme of this webinar is Benefitting Society and Improving lives. The webinar was officially remarked by Professor Dr. Khairunnas Rajab, M.Ag as a Rector. In his welcoming remarks, he introduced the university profile in brief including its vision, mission, and strategic plans that have specific distinctions compared to other universities in Indonesia. The rector highlighted that carrying out this webinar could lead to achieving a long-term vision to be an internationally recognized university in 2035.

To guide this webinar, M. Fauzan Ansyari, S.Pd.I., M.Sc who is the PhD Candidate at Maastricht University led the panels and a series of discussions. Professor Dr. Henry Otgaar from Maastricht University, The Netherlands as the keynote speaker addressed an important topic about Research on the evolution of memory and its impacts on society. He elaborated more on how human memory can impact society such as false memory. “False memory is different with lying, it comes from our experience or society stereotype and it is not really occurring and will be impacted the witness injustice” he stressed.

The next outstanding presenter was Nathanael E.J. Sumampouw, M.Psi.,M.Sc from the University of Indonesia addressed a theme on Forensic Psychology: A scientist-practitioner approach to social improvement. He focused more on how forensic psychology creates a safer community and assists people to find pathways away from criminal behavior.

The last speaker is Dr. Diana Elfida, M. Psi., Psikolog from UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau, Indonesia. She explained about Flourishing virtues to improve well-being. In her presentation, she gave much attention to virtues containing wisdom, courage, love and humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. She also discussed a theory that suggests that to enhance our strength, we have to apply it in daily life, encourage strength-promoting programs and provide a positive environment as well.

At the end of the webinar, Dr. Kusnadi, M.Pd as a Dean of Psychology Faculty gave his warm remarks and high appreciation to all speakers, participants, and committee for their involvement as well as contribution to this International Webinar. He, then, was really excited about Prof. Dr. Henry Otgaar’s hospitality and openness to academicians in Indonesian universities. Last but not the least, the Dean hoped that this faculty could build a further academic collaboration in various areas with some recognized and reputable universities in The Netherland especially Maastricht University.