YOGYAKARTA – A research team from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has expanded its international research network through a collaboration with Trabzon University, Türkiye. The partnership was realized through an international research Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held at Trabzon University on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

This cross-national collaborative research addresses the critical issue of children's psychological resilience from an early age under the title "How Early Childhood Education Systems Shape Children's Resilience: A Cross-National Comparative Study." The FGD featured three distinguished experts as keynote speakers: Prof. Dr. Siti Irene Astuti D, M.Si., a lecturer and expert in the Sociology of Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta; Prof. Dr. Antuni Wiyarsi, M.Sc., a professor at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta; and Merve Gangal, Ph.D., a lecturer and expert in Early Childhood Education at Trabzon University, Türkiye.

The academic forum focused on examining the role of Early Childhood Education (ECE) systems in Indonesia and Türkiye in fostering children's resilience. This essential characteristic enables children to adapt to changing circumstances, recover from adversity, and navigate the increasingly complex challenges of the digital era.

The event featured interactive discussions involving dozens of local early childhood education teachers and practitioners. Their participation enriched the discussions by bridging academic theories with the practical realities and challenges educators encounter in their classrooms.

For UNY, conducting international research and academic discussions abroad represents a strategic initiative to achieve the university's Key Performance Indicators (IKU), particularly IKU 3 (Lecturers Engaging in Activities Outside the University) and IKU 5 (Faculty Research and Innovation Benefiting Society and Receiving International Recognition).

Through this comparative study, the research team aims to develop public policy recommendations and adaptive, character-based early childhood education curriculum models that can be implemented in both countries. This collaboration further reinforces UNY's commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education.