[unsoed.ac.id, Thu, 05/22/25] In order to support efforts to improve university performance, Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) held Basic Counseling Techniques Training for Academic Advisors on Thursday (05/22/25). This activity aims to improve the competence of academic advisors in providing effective guidance so that students can complete their studies on time and reduce dropout rates.
The chair of the training committee, Prof. Dr. Sri Lestari SE., M.Si, revealed that one of the indicators of successful university performance is the ideal study period for graduates, which is less than four years. However, reality shows that many students face obstacles in completing their final assignments, caused by both academic and non-academic factors.
“Academic Advisors play a crucial role in helping students overcome the challenges they face. Not only do they function as approvers of study plans, but academic advisors are also expected to be friends, confidants, or even second parents who can provide emotional and psychological support to students. Therefore, skills in providing advice and guidance, as well as in helping students overcome problems, are very much needed,” explained Prof. Sri Lestari.
The training, which was opened by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni / WR III Prof. Dr. Norman Arie Prayogo, S.Pi, M.Si, was attended by 30 young lecturers from 12 faculties at Unsoed who had never participated in basic counseling training.
During the event, participants were given material by resource persons, namely Rahmawati Wulansari, M.Si., Psychologist, who presented a topic on the role of academic advisors in handling student problems through a psychological approach, and Ernasiwi Astri Oktavilia, S.Psi., M.Psi, who taught basic counseling techniques.
With this training, it is hoped that academic advisors can enhance their role as effective counselors, support students in completing their studies on time, and reduce student dropout rates.