The Faculty of Psychology of Yogyakarta State University (FP UNY) once again implemented the Outbound Visiting Professor program as part of its efforts to strengthen academic internationalization. In this activity, Prof. Yulia Ayriza, Ph.D., a faculty member of the Faculty of Psychology of UNY, served as a guest lecturer and resource person for the course Research Methods at the Department of Counselor Education and Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The teaching and learning activities were conducted over two days, on October 28–29, 2025, and were attended by approximately 30 students from the Department of Counselor Education and Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, UPM. The program aimed to strengthen international academic collaboration while broadening students’ methodological perspectives in designing and conducting scientific research in the fields of psychology and education.

During the lectures, Prof. Yulia Ayriza delivered core material on an introduction to research methodology, with a focus on ensuring consistency among research problems, research objectives, research questions, and hypotheses. Students were provided with an understanding that the research problem constitutes the central element of the entire research process and therefore must be formulated clearly, specifically, significantly, and in a manner that is scientifically researchable. Through case examples and structured exercises, students were trained to distinguish between a research problem and a problem statement, as well as to ensure coherence among the components of research design.

The learning process was conducted interactively through class discussions, case studies, and student activities that encouraged critical and reflective thinking. This approach helped students understand that high-quality research does not depend solely on analytical techniques, but also on the clarity of problem formulation and a coherent scientific logic established from the earliest stages of research planning.

The Outbound Visiting Professor program served as a strategic platform for the Faculty of Psychology of UNY to expand its international academic network, share best practices in teaching research methodology, and strengthen the institution’s global reputation. Through this collaboration, it is expected that further opportunities for cooperation will emerge in education, joint research, and the development of curricula aligned with international standards.