MEDAN – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at University of North Sumatra (USU) brought a different experience to its New Student Campus Life Orientation Program (PKKMB) through a collaboration with Garuda TV.
Carrying the theme “Indonesia Punya Kamu, Connecting Generations,” the event was held at Smart Classroom A1.3, FISIP USU, on Friday (14/8/2026). One of the highlights was the Anchor Hunt program, which gave students the opportunity to explore the broadcasting industry and experience firsthand what it takes to become a professional news anchor.
The event brought together Garuda TV Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fahmi M. Anwari, B.Eng., MBA, Head of the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Communication Studies at FISIP USU Prof. Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain, M.Si., as well as communication academic and practitioner Yuliandre Darwis, S.I.Kom., M.Mass.Comm., Ph.D.
Fahmi M. Anwari said the collaboration with the university was aimed at introducing students to the media industry through direct experience.
“Students have enormous potential to become part of the media ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we want to give them an opportunity to experience the broadcasting world firsthand and understand how information is packaged and delivered to the public,” Fahmi said.
He emphasized that becoming a news anchor involves more than simply speaking in front of a camera.
“Being an anchor is not merely about speaking in front of a camera. It requires communication skills, strong knowledge of the information being delivered, confidence, and responsibility for every message conveyed to the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain viewed the collaboration between FISIP USU and Garuda TV as an opportunity to bridge academic knowledge and professional practice.
“Students need experiences that connect what they learn in the classroom with realities in the field. The involvement of media practitioners provides a different perspective and makes the learning process more contextual,” Iskandar said.
He added that the partnership could be expanded beyond the PKKMB program.
“We see this collaboration as the beginning of a broader synergy. In the future, it can be developed not only through student activities, but also through research, academic discussions, and other programs that connect the needs of universities with developments in the media industry,” he said.
Communication academic and practitioner Yuliandre Darwis said the hands-on experience provided through the Anchor Hunt program could help students understand the importance of effective communication when delivering information to the public.
“A news anchor must be able to understand the information, recognize the audience, and deliver messages in a way that is clear and easy to understand. These skills cannot be fully developed through theory alone. They require direct practice and experience,” Yuliandre said.
The former Chairman of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) Central for the 2016–2019 period also highlighted the growing opportunities for young people to participate in the media industry.
“Today’s young generation is not only a consumer of information but also has the opportunity to become an information producer. Therefore, journalism skills, communication abilities, and media literacy are increasingly important,” he said.
Through Anchor Hunt, students were also introduced to the opportunity to become part of Garuda TV’s Citizen Journalist program. The initiative provides students with opportunities to contribute information from their surrounding communities while developing practical journalism skills.
The collaboration also opens opportunities for Master’s and Doctoral students in Communication Studies at FISIP USU to participate in future academic and research collaborations with Garuda TV.
Iskandar said the involvement of postgraduate students could become part of a more substantive partnership between academia and the media industry.
“Master’s and Doctoral students have the capacity to develop deeper academic studies. Therefore, we are open to developing research collaborations and other activities that can provide value for both institutions,” he said.
Yuliandre added that bringing academics, students, and media practitioners together could create a valuable exchange of knowledge and experience.
“The media industry needs academic perspectives, while academics and students also need insights and experiences from the industry. Bringing these two sides together can create more relevant and sustainable collaborations,” he said.
The collaboration between FISIP USU and Garuda TV through the PKKMB program therefore went beyond a conventional campus orientation activity. It provided students with an opportunity to interact directly with media practitioners, experience the role of a news anchor, understand the media production process, and explore opportunities to contribute as citizen journalists.
Through the spirit of “Indonesia Punya Kamu, Connecting Generations,” the program emphasized that young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of communication and media, whether through professional careers, academic research, or producing meaningful information for society.
