FMIPA UI Holds 2025 Counseling Services Outreach and Evaluation to Strengthen Student Well-being

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), through the Student Counseling Body (BKM), held the 2025 Counseling Services Outreach and Evaluation on Friday (July 25) at the Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy Auditorium, UI Depok Campus. This event is part of FMIPA UI's commitment to strengthening students' psychological well-being and fostering a healthy and supportive academic environment.

This event not only aimed to promote the role and services of the Student Counseling Body (BKM) but also to evaluate performance achievements and the challenges faced in the psychological support process for students. Additionally, the event served as an important moment to introduce the 2025 BKM counseling team, which consists of lecturers, administrative staff, and students from various study programs.

Dean of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of counseling services in supporting students' academic journey. He stressed that a balance between academic aspects and mental well-being is key to creating a holistic educational ecosystem.

“We believe that a healthy educational ecosystem is built not only on academic excellence but also on attention to students’ psychological well-being. Through BKM, we aim to be closer and more responsive to their needs,” said Prof. Dede.

He added, “In today’s era, we need to be mentally equipped, both physically and spiritually, to navigate university life in the best possible way, as we all hope—including the students’ parents. With the various disruptions happening today, the presence of BKM, which collaborates across units, becomes increasingly important.”

Since its launch in 2022, BKM FMIPA UI has been at the forefront of providing psychological support services for students facing academic pressures or personal issues. This initiative emerged as a response to the growing need for psychological support in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Echoing the Dean’s remarks, the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan, also emphasized the importance of emotional support spaces within the academic ecosystem.

“In academic activities, we often focus solely on targets and achievements, without recognizing the psychological burdens that accompany the process. In the area of student affairs, we frequently encounter challenges such as increased stress due to academic pressure, anxiety before exams, difficulties in time management, and feelings of isolation within a competitive campus environment,” explained Prof. Budiawan.

He added, “If our left brain is used for analytical and logical thinking, then our right brain also needs space to balance the emotional and empathetic aspects.”

Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures, and General Administration, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, S.Si., M.Si., expressed his commitment to supporting the logistical and financial aspects of the BKM program.

“We ensure adequate support in terms of comfortable counseling facilities, efficient administrative systems, and proportional budget allocation. In addition, we are also promoting the integration of BKM services with the faculty’s digital information system to make access easier for students,” he stated.

The Student Affairs Manager of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, S.Si., M.Si., in her presentation emphasized that the existence of BKM is not merely a mentoring program, but rather an integral part of the institutional strategy to support the overall well-being of students.

“BKM is here to support, assist, and empower students in dealing with academic pressures as well as personal issues in a professional and structured manner. This represents the institution’s commitment to its students,” said Prof. Dewi.

She also outlined the limitations of the BKM counselors' roles, such as being restricted to mild psychological issues, having a set time duration, and not providing medical interventions or clinical diagnoses. BKM may also not be used as a reason to avoid academic evaluations.

"Students need to understand that BKM is not a place to seek leave recommendations or to avoid evaluations. We are here to support them in continuing their studies in a healthy and balanced way," she emphasized.

The event continued with a presentation by Nina Marliyani, M.Si., a counselor from FMIPA UI, who delivered a talk on “Effective Strategies for Facing Academic Challenges,” followed by an interactive Q&A session with students, moderated by Yazid Al Muntashir, S.Si. from the FMIPA UI Student Affairs Staff.

One of the key sessions featured presentations from faculty counselors across study programs, namely Dra. Siti Aminah, M.Kom (Mathematics); Dr. Akbar Azzi, M.Si. (Physics); Dr. Sri Handayani, M.Biomed. (Chemistry); Dr. Mazytha Kinanti Rachmania, M.Si. (Biology); Pranda Mulya Putra Garniwa, Ph.D. (Geography); and Ayunda Aulia Valenci, M.T. (Geoscience). They shared their experiences in supporting students and the dynamics they face as faculty counselors.

The event concluded with an internal evaluation discussion with the 2025 BKM Counselor Team, focusing on program effectiveness, service promotion, and follow-up actions based on student feedback.

The event was also attended by Department Heads, Heads of Study Programs, and other Unit Heads. Their presence served as tangible proof of institutional support for responsive and sustainable counseling services.