Two significant events took place at the School of Social Sciences, Business and Law of SDU University within the framework of the “Applied Psychology” educational program: the official opening of the “Applied Psychology” laboratory and the 2026 Advisory Board meeting.

The new laboratory is equipped with modern facilities designed to support various approaches in multimodal therapy. It provides opportunities for practical training in art therapy, existential therapy, body-oriented therapy, family and play therapy, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy.

The laboratory aims to develop students’ applied skills in neuropsychology, psychodiagnostics, developmental psychology, data analysis and interpretation, and cultural psychology.

However, the core value of the laboratory lies not only in its equipment, but also in the professional experts who bring it to life. The opening ceremony was attended by professors, lecturers, and practitioners working in both academic and applied psychology, who expressed their support for this new initiative. The laboratory will serve as a new space for the professional development of future psychologists and as an important educational and practical platform that effectively integrates theory and practice.

As part of the laboratory opening, Olga Bisenskyzy Tapalova, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Academic Supervisor of the PhD Program in Clinical and Social Psychology at Abai University, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal KazNPU Bulletin. Psychology, delivered a seminar for students entitled “The Psychological Laboratory of the 21st Century: From Wundt to the Psychotechnologies of the Future.” The seminar addressed the history, role, current state, and future prospects of psychological laboratories in global and Kazakhstani psychological science.

On the same day, SDU University also hosted the 2026 Advisory Board meeting of the “Applied Psychology” educational program. The participants discussed the current status of the program, its content, the structure of the curriculum, opportunities for laboratory development, enhancement of practical training, compliance with professional standards, and strategic directions for future development.

A distinctive feature of the meeting was the active involvement of students, who openly shared their suggestions for improving the curriculum and its practical components. The discussion took place in the format of a professional dialogue among representatives of academia and applied psychology, specialists from various psychotherapeutic approaches, and university faculty members.

The meeting became a clear demonstration of the culture of openness, equality, and partnership fostered at SDU University.

      Members of the 2026 Advisory Board:

1. Olga Bisenskyzy Tapalova — Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Academic Supervisor of the PhD Program in Clinical and Social Psychology (Abai University), Editor-in-Chief of the journal KazNPU Bulletin. Psychology.
2. Nadezhda Bisenskyzy Zhiyenbayeva — Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor (Abai University), Member of the Dissertation Council (Turan University).
3. Sergey Vladimirovich Sklyar — Director of the Sergey Sklyar Center, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Senior Consultant Physician, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Senior Lecturer at the Department of General and Applied Psychology (Al-Farabi University), Vice President of the Eurasian Association for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (EACBT), internationally certified Balint group leader (OPPL).
4. Valentina Kalbaevna Zhumadilova — Director of the Institute of Psychotherapy, internationally certified Balint group leader, Co-founder of the Sergey Sklyar Center, Psychologist.
5. Manzura Kenesbekkyzy Zholdassova — PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of General and Applied Psychology (Al-Farabi University), Research Fellow at the Institute of Brain Studies, Member of the Republican Educational and Methodological Council.
6. Zhanat Amantaykyzy Birzhanova — Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Practicing Psychologist, Existential Therapist.
7. Assel Mubarakkyzy Aitimbetova — Practicing Psychologist (Astana IT University, Center for Cultural and Existential Psychology).
8. Diana Ordagulova — PhD Candidate, Senior Lecturer at the Department of General and Applied Psychology (Turan University, Abai University).
9. Akgul Kussainkyzy — Specialist (Qalam School, Center for Cultural and Existential Psychology).

These two events were recognized as important steps toward the qualitative development of the “Applied Psychology” educational program at SDU University, aimed at strengthening the integration of theory and practice and preparing future specialists for effective engagement in the professional community.