The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) held a preparatory activity for a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with prospective graduate employers and alumni as part of the process of preparing for the establishment of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology (Ph.D.) at UNY. The activity was conducted on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, starting at 12:30 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) at the Faculty of Psychology UNY. The activity represented an important step in gathering perspectives from key stakeholders to ensure that the proposed doctoral programme is closely aligned with academic, professional, and societal needs as well as with the continuing development of the field of psychology.

The activity was conducted simultaneously in two separate rooms to accommodate two stakeholder groups involved in the preparation process. The Dean’s Meeting Room on the third floor of the Faculty of Psychology Building hosted an FGD involving leaders or representatives from several higher education institutions as prospective employers of doctoral graduates. Meanwhile, the Faculty Meeting Room hosted a discussion with alumni of the Master of Psychology Programme at UNY. This arrangement enabled each stakeholder group to provide perspectives based on their respective experiences, institutional contexts, and expectations regarding the development of doctoral-level psychology education. The FGD held in the Dean’s Meeting Room involved representatives from several higher education institutions, including Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta (UTY), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), and Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY). Their participation provided valuable external perspectives for the Faculty of Psychology UNY in identifying the competencies and qualifications required of doctoral-level psychology graduates. Through the discussion, the Faculty sought to gain a broader understanding of the academic capabilities, research competencies, and professional qualifications expected from graduates who may contribute to higher education institutions and other sectors requiring advanced expertise in psychology.

Input from prospective graduate employers is an important component in designing a doctoral programme because the needs of academia and professional practice continue to evolve. Graduates of a doctoral programme in psychology are expected not only to possess advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge but also to conduct meaningful research, generate new knowledge, contribute to the development of psychological science, and address complex issues within society. The perspectives of higher education institutions therefore provide an important reference for developing a doctoral programme that is responsive to current and future needs. At the same time, the discussion held in the Faculty Meeting Room involved alumni of the Master of Psychology Programme at UNY. Alumni represent an important source of insight because they have experienced psychology education at UNY firsthand while also engaging with academic and professional environments after completing their studies. Their perspectives can provide valuable information regarding the need for further academic development, competencies that should be strengthened at the doctoral level, and expectations concerning the establishment of a Doctoral Programme in Psychology at UNY.

The involvement of alumni in the preparation process also reflects a higher education development approach that recognises graduates as important stakeholders in continuous academic quality improvement. Alumni experiences can serve as a source of reflection and input to ensure continuity between master’s-level education and doctoral-level study. Furthermore, their perspectives can help the Faculty better understand the academic and professional development needs of graduates who may consider pursuing doctoral education in the future.

The two discussion forums provided complementary perspectives. Feedback from prospective graduate employers offered insights into external needs and the competencies expected from doctoral graduates, while alumni provided perspectives based on their experiences as graduates and their expectations regarding further academic development. Bringing these perspectives together allows the Faculty of Psychology UNY to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the expectations that should inform the planning and development of the proposed doctoral programme. The preparation of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology also forms part of the Faculty of Psychology UNY’s broader effort to strengthen the psychology education ecosystem across academic levels. The establishment of a doctoral programme is expected to strengthen the continuity of psychology education from bachelor’s and master’s education to doctoral study. Beyond providing an additional pathway for psychology graduates to pursue advanced education, the programme has the potential to strengthen research capacity, academic publication, knowledge development, and the contribution of higher education to addressing increasingly complex psychological and social issues.

From an academic perspective, the proposed doctoral programme is expected to provide a platform for advanced and innovative psychological research. Doctoral education is not merely focused on obtaining an academic qualification; it is fundamentally concerned with developing the capacity to generate original knowledge and make meaningful contributions to psychological science and society. Consequently, the preparation of the programme needs to take into account developments in contemporary psychology, emerging societal needs, higher education trends, and the competencies required of future doctoral graduates. The activity also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education. Preparing a doctoral programme through consultation with diverse stakeholders represents an effort to develop higher education that is relevant, high-quality, and responsive to societal needs. By involving prospective employers and alumni during the planning process, the Faculty of Psychology UNY seeks to ensure that the development of the programme is informed not only by internal academic considerations but also by perspectives from the wider educational and professional environment.

The initiative is also relevant to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, particularly through strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions to generate innovation and advance knowledge. Doctoral education plays a strategic role in strengthening research ecosystems because research and knowledge creation constitute core components of doctoral-level academic development. Feedback from prospective employers can help ensure that the research, analytical, and innovation competencies developed through the programme remain relevant to institutional and societal needs. Furthermore, the activity supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through meaningful stakeholder engagement in the development of higher education. The participation of representatives from UTY, UNS, and UMBY, together with alumni of the Master of Psychology Programme at UNY, demonstrates that the proposed doctoral programme is being developed through dialogue with stakeholders beyond the Faculty itself. Such engagement creates opportunities to build stronger academic networks and develop partnerships that can contribute to the long-term advancement of psychology education and research.

Through the FGD and alumni discussion, the Faculty of Psychology UNY gained an opportunity to identify key considerations for the development of the proposed Doctoral Programme in Psychology. The feedback gathered may inform various aspects of programme development, including the intended graduate profile, learning outcomes, areas of expertise, research orientation, academic competencies, and the programme’s relevance to the needs of prospective employers and the wider community. The preparation activity also demonstrated the Faculty of Psychology UNY’s commitment to developing higher education through a participatory and stakeholder-informed process. Establishing a new doctoral programme is a strategic undertaking that requires careful planning to ensure academic quality, relevance, sustainability, and institutional readiness. Dialogue with higher education institutions and alumni therefore represents an important component of the process to ensure that the proposed programme can respond effectively to the evolving needs of psychology education and the broader society.

Moving forward, the perspectives and recommendations gathered through these discussions are expected to serve as important inputs for the Faculty of Psychology UNY as it continues the preparation process for the establishment of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology at UNY. With the engagement and support of diverse stakeholders, the proposed programme is expected to contribute to the advancement of psychological science, strengthen research excellence, expand academic collaboration, and prepare doctoral graduates with the advanced expertise and capacity to generate meaningful contributions to higher education, professional practice, and society.