Recognizing the role of media in higher education, Universitas Gadjah Mada engaged with its alumni working as media practitioners or in social media at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta on Thursday (November 9).
Several media and social media representatives from Jakarta attended the event, including representatives from Kompas, suara.com, Republika, Urbanasia, IJTI, Reuters, CNN, Narasi, Bloomberg, Kontan, CNBC, Detik.com, Titiktemu.co, SCTV, Bisnis Indonesia, and Katadata.
The Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, MD, acknowledged that media and social media have become primary channels for observing events. Media, in turn, plays a crucial role in shaping how UGM is perceived, and some areas can be improved in the future.
“We gather here because of our alumni. Thank you for this gathering. All alumni working in the media are specific alumni who highlight the importance of media in building public communication for UGM and hope to provide input and suggestions for UGM—how we take steps and act. I believe this is something we need to pay attention to together,” she said.
University Secretary Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu stated that one of Professor Emilia’s initial programs upon appointment as rector is to increase coverage about UGM. Making UGM more open and attentive to feedback is crucial; thus, the public relations role becomes vital.
The media gathering of university leaders and faculty with alumni engaged in media or social media serves as a platform for UGM to learn from its alumni. UGM boasts exceptional alumni who work in the media.
“We at the university hope that our relationship is not only tied because of alumni but also a professional relationship with friends in the media. We want to remain a part of it. This is just the beginning, and we will come together again to build UGM’s name positively in the media,” he said.
Budiman Tanuredjo from Kompas expressed a strong hope for the emergence of intellectual schools of thought from UGM, a university rooted in rural values but offering a more precise and consistent roadmap. He emphasized a longing for UGM to present a narrative that could become a national narrative.
Tanuredjo acknowledged that academics or lecturers are indeed busy with administrative issues. Nevertheless, he hoped that academics would still find time to write.
“All media hope that thoughts will emerge from the academic community at UGM. It’s a bit quiet; perhaps this is a good moment for campuses to start thinking about the roadmap for Indonesia in 2045,” he said.
According to him, it would be beneficial for journalists to share about journalistic practices on campus, whether as guest lecturers or to discuss theories on campus with real-world practices.
“What is studied at UGM can be very different from what is practiced in the field. Things can be very different, especially in an era like today. Therefore, it would be good for UGM to invite its alumni back to campus to share their experiences,” he added.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Firsto