UMS CALLS FOR MORE PSYCHE STUDIES ON POVERTY

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) calls psychologists in Southeast Asia to conduct more studies on poverty and the poor in the rural areas of the region.

UMS vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon believes an understanding of poverty from the psychology perspective would enable them to better assist the rural folks.

“In light of the current global economic crisis, it would be interesting to examine the psychological impacts towards population, especially among the low-income group.

“I am sure we can learn a lot about what psychology have to say about the situation,” he said when declaring open the Southeast Asia Psychology (SEAP) Conference 2009 at the UMS recital hall yesterday.

He also urged psychologists to continue more studies on issues of public interests such as peace and happiness.

While never before had there been such potential for violence, he said there were also equal prospects for peace and justice.

The professor said people needed solutions and suggestions to improve their daily living conditions that contribute to the creation of a peaceful and just world.

He noticed the conference had a number of papers deliberating on stress-related issues and suggested instead that they consider investigating the opposite such as what made people happy.

Another challenge for psychologists in the country is to consider how to further develop the area of study on psychology because current trends indicated it is one of the most sought-after degree programme in Malaysia.

Dr Kamaruzaman also called for more studies on the 1Malaysia concept, as it was a critical element in the Prime Minister’s effort to prepare the country to embrace diversity.

“Psychology can get involved by looking into multi-racial issues and suggest models that could foster unity,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, SEAP chairman Dr Murnizam Hj Halik proposed setting up a centre for psychology in Southeast Asia.

“This would encourage more interaction between psychologists and provide a platform for us to exchange ideas. Currently in Malaysia, the government provides us with a research grant, most notably, the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS),” he said.

Murnizam added that it was high time to start planning for a Southeast Asian-level psychology association to be of a similar influence as the American Psychology Association or the British Psychological Society.

He said it would enable them to monitor the quality of psychology courses offered by universities or colleges.

“We want to produce students with a strong foundation in psychology as well as protect the integrity of the programme and to increase the likelihood that our graduates are sought after by employers,” he said.

The July 9-11 event managed to attract 260 presenters (70 poster presenters and 190 oral presenters) and 200 participants from 14 countries in the region.