BSc (Hons) Psychology students present at the 2018 Malaysian Psychology Student Assembly (MAPSA) Conference

On the 10th of November 2018, a group of nine graduating students from the BSc (Hons) Psychology Programme under the Department of Psychology of Sunway University attended the 2018 Malaysian Psychology Student Assembly (MAPSA) Conference hosted by the University of Reading Malaysia, in Johor Bahru, to present their research findings. The theme for this year’s annual MAPSA Conference was ‘Psychology in the Digital Age’.

The students were accompanied by senior lecturers, Ms Woo Pei Jun and Dr Yong Min Hooi, who was also one of the keynote speakers for this year’s conference. Dr. Yong presented on “Social Cognition: Across Age and Species”, and her enriching talk was very well-received, generating much discussion among the participants. As for the students themselves, most presented their own research topics based on their final year research project, and one of them even received the Best Abstract Award. Our heartfelt congratulations to Reneesya Panicker! You have made us proud indeed with your achievement! (See previous news link: https://university.sunway.edu.my/blog/psychology-student-wins-best-abstr...)

Group photo of the attendees, from Sunway University’s Department of Psychology, at MAPSA 2018. From top-left, clockwise: Lim Sze Mei, Ms Woo Pei Jun, Reneesya Panicker, Teo Sulwen, Ng J-Wen, Fabian Cheong Wei Kit, Sandra Khoo Huiyong, Michael Ch’ng Eng Zhi, Tan Chooi Leng, Dr Yong Min Hooi, and Jeannice Khor Qi Jing

In terms of experience, all the students agreed that the conference was truly eye-opening as it gave them the opportunity to gain more insight in the various fields of psychology and research, as well as increased their understanding of the local Psychology scene. According to Teo Sulwen, attending this year’s MAPSA and being surrounded by such passionate people was exhilarating. In a reflective statement of her MAPSA experience she said: “While I was in a crowd full of people, it hit me that knowing and experiencing is so

surreal. I knew that there were lots of Psych students but being there with them made me think “Wow, we can really change the world”. Another student, Michael Ch’ng Eng Zhi, also said that attending this year’s MAPSA was an incredible way of concluding his degree life in Sunway University and he is deeply thankful to have been selected to present his research findings.

All in all, MAPSA 2018 was a remarkable experience for those who attended it as it allowed them to reflect on the current contributions in the field of psychology as well as the significant role of psychology in this new era of digital technology. The delegation is also grateful to the Department of Psychology for sponsoring the conference fees, travel, accommodation and dinner. A short video on this trip can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/EQ8gEay6MM8

The MAPSA Conference is an annual event that focuses on psychology students’ research from all over Malaysia, that is jointly organised by all heads of departments of psychology in the country. It is the main platform for psychology academics and students to mingle and share their scholarly investigations, and also to strengthen collegial relationships between the respective departments of psychology. Sunway University’s Department of Psychology has been participating in MAPSA since its inception in 2011, then known as the Malaysian Psychology Conference at the University of Nottingham. The conference subsequently became known as MAPSA in 2016 with the collaboration of the Malaysian Psychological Association (PSIMA), with its inaugural conference held at HELP University.