The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) welcomed a delegation from the Central Papua Provincial Government, particularly representatives working in the field of education, on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. Held at 10:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in the Dean’s Meeting Room of the Faculty of Psychology UNY, Karangmalang Campus, the meeting provided an important opportunity to initiate dialogue and explore potential cooperation in education, particularly regarding a planned scholarship programme for undergraduate students.

The meeting was attended by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Research, and Cooperation (AKRK) of the Faculty of Psychology UNY, the Head of the Faculty’s UUIK, the Secretary of the Faculty’s UUIK, the Head of Administration of the Faculty of Psychology UNY, and the Secretary to the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology UNY. The Central Papua Provincial Government was represented by two officials from the education sector. The participation of representatives from both institutions reflected a shared interest in exploring opportunities to strengthen access to higher education and support the development of young people from Central Papua.

The discussion focused on the potential development of educational cooperation that could provide meaningful support for students, particularly through a scholarship scheme. The discussion is relevant to the broader effort to expand access to higher education, as financial barriers can affect students’ opportunities to pursue and complete university education. Through well-planned educational support, students from diverse backgrounds may have greater opportunities to develop their academic competencies and prepare themselves to contribute to the development of their communities and regions.

For the Faculty of Psychology UNY, the proposed scholarship cooperation also represents an opportunity to contribute to human resource development in Central Papua through psychology education. Psychology education plays an important role in preparing graduates who possess not only academic knowledge and professional competencies but also an understanding of human behaviour within diverse social, cultural, and community contexts. Supporting students’ access to higher education can therefore become a long-term investment in both individual development and broader community development.

The meeting also reflected the Faculty of Psychology UNY’s commitment to expanding institutional partnerships with regional governments. Higher education institutions have responsibilities that extend beyond teaching and learning to include research, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders to address societal needs. Partnerships with regional governments can provide opportunities to connect educational resources and expertise with regional development priorities while creating pathways for young people to access quality higher education.

In the context of Central Papua’s development, strengthening access to higher education is particularly significant as education can serve as an important pathway for developing human capital and preparing future professionals and leaders. A scholarship programme should therefore not be viewed solely as financial assistance, but also as part of a broader investment in the capacity, knowledge, and potential of young people. Through greater educational opportunities, students can develop competencies that may eventually contribute to the advancement of their communities and regions.

From the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the proposed cooperation is closely aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Exploring a scholarship partnership between the Central Papua Provincial Government and the Faculty of Psychology UNY represents a potential contribution to widening access to higher education while supporting students in pursuing quality academic experiences.

The initiative is also relevant to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Scholarship support can help reduce financial barriers that may limit access to higher education and create more equitable opportunities for students from different socioeconomic and regional backgrounds. In this context, collaboration between a regional government and a higher education institution can become an important mechanism for expanding educational opportunities and promoting greater inclusion.

Furthermore, the meeting reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasises the importance of partnerships and collaboration in advancing sustainable development. The dialogue between the Faculty of Psychology UNY and the Central Papua Provincial Government demonstrates how higher education institutions and regional governments can work together to explore solutions that benefit students and communities. Although the discussion remains at the stage of exploring and planning potential cooperation, the meeting represents an important initial step towards developing more concrete forms of partnership in the future.

The discussion also provided an opportunity for both parties to consider potential mechanisms, areas of support, and implementation requirements for a future scholarship programme. Further communication and coordination will be necessary to ensure that any programme developed can be implemented effectively, transparently, and sustainably. Establishing a shared understanding from the early stages is important to ensure that future cooperation responds to students’ needs while remaining aligned with the development priorities of Central Papua.

For the Faculty of Psychology UNY, the visit represents an opportunity to strengthen institutional engagement that extends beyond conventional academic activities and contributes directly to widening educational opportunities. The presence of representatives from the Central Papua Provincial Government opened a constructive dialogue on how higher education can contribute more broadly to human resource development and educational access for young people in the region.

Through this meeting, the Faculty of Psychology UNY and the Central Papua Provincial Government are expected to continue communication regarding the proposed scholarship cooperation and other potential areas of educational collaboration. The meeting marked an initial step towards developing a partnership focused on strengthening human resources, widening access to higher education, and creating more inclusive learning opportunities for the younger generation of Central Papua.