PPAVI Strengthens Student Affairs Capacity Through Workshop on Effective Communication and Mental Resilience

Jakarta – The PPAVI Commission for Student Affairs and Alumni organized a Lecturer of Student Affairs Mentorship Workshop under the theme "Effective Communication and Mental Resilience for Catholic Students." The workshop featured distinguished speakers: Mr. Frans Budi Santika (Heartspeaks Indonesia), Dr. Ferdinandus Hindiarto, S.Psi., M.Si.** (Soegijapranata Catholic University), and RD. Dr. Antonius Ary Setyawan, S.S., M.A., M.M., Chairman of PPAVI. The program reflected PPAVI's commitment to strengthening the capacity of student affairs lecturers and mentors across Catholic vocational higher education institutions. It served as a platform for learning, reflection, and professional development in addressing the evolving challenges of student mentoring.

The workshop brought together student affairs lecturers and mentors from various PPAVI member institutions. Through interactive discussions, participants exchanged best practices on building healthy relationships with students, developing active listening skills, and providing professional, student-centered mentoring tailored to students' needs.

The speakers emphasized that successful mentoring is determined not by age, position, or seniority, but by a mentor's ability to be authentically present, foster a sense of psychological safety, and listen with empathy and without judgment. Mentors must also be capable of managing perceptions and communication effectively so that their attention remains focused on students' needs and the objectives of the mentoring process.

Participants were also encouraged to understand that effective mentors are not expected to remember every detail of a student's story. Rather, what matters most is the ability to be fully present during each encounter, cultivate relationships built on trust, and provide undivided attention to the students they accompany.

Another key topic addressed during the workshop was the importance of early identification of potential student challenges through systematic student profiling from the beginning of their academic journey. By recognizing students' characteristics, strengths, and risk factors early on, higher education institutions can design mentoring strategies that are more targeted, preventive, and sustainable.

Through discussions and question-and-answer sessions, participants gained a deeper understanding that the professionalism of student mentors is built upon the quality of their presence, their ability to listen deeply, their attitude of positive regard, and their commitment to continuous learning in supporting students. The workshop also reaffirmed that mentoring is an essential component in creating an inclusive, supportive campus environment that fosters students' holistic growth and success.

Mrs. apt. Verawaty, S.Si., M.Farm., Coordinator of the PPAVI Commission for Student Affairs and Alumni, expressed hope that the workshop would serve as a concrete step toward strengthening collaboration among PPAVI member institutions and enhancing the quality of student services through more professional, compassionate, and student-centered mentoring practices.

The workshop was made possible through the support of the Education Commission of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KOMDIK KWI), which is committed to advancing the quality of Catholic higher education in Indonesia by strengthening the capacity of lecturers and educational personnel. This support reflects a strong institutional partnership in building a student mentoring ecosystem that is increasingly professional, humane, and responsive to the challenges of contemporary higher education.

PPAVI expressed its sincere appreciation and gratitude to KOMDIK KWI for its trust and generous support, which enabled the workshop's successful implementation. PPAVI hopes that this collaboration will continue through future capacity-building initiatives that provide meaningful benefits to PPAVI member institutions and contribute to improving the quality of student services throughout Indonesia.

Through this workshop, PPAVI once again reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the continuous professional development of student affairs practitioners within vocational higher education institutions, enabling them to provide services that are responsive to the demands of a changing world while making a positive contribution to students' character formation, well-being, and academic success.