Tag: Indonesia

Students of Communication Science at Universitas Sumatera Utara organized a series of activities consisting of a Focus Group Discussion and Leadership Out Loud on 29th November 2025, highlighting gastrodiplomacy as a medium of cross cultural communication while strengthening student leadership capacity.

The activities explored gastrodiplomacy as a form of international communication that conveys national identity, values, and cultural narratives through food. This theme was considered relevant for Communication students as it demonstrates that messages are not only delivered through spoken or written language, but also through symbols, culture, and shared experiences.

The discussion session, which involved the Consulate General of India in Medan, provided students with direct insights into cross cultural communication from a diplomatic perspective. Through this forum, participants gained a broader understanding of how communication functions as a bridge between nations and cultures, fostering mutual understanding and long term relations.

Complementing the discussion, Leadership Out Loud served as a practical space for students to apply communication and leadership values. The activity encouraged participants to make decisions, collaborate in teams, manage group dynamics, and respond to challenges collectively. It emphasized leadership as a skill developed through experience rather than theory alone.

The head of the organizing committee, M Khalish, explained that the program was designed to connect theoretical understanding with real world practice, enabling students to grasp global communication concepts while strengthening leadership and teamwork skills.

The initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on quality education through competency based learning, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals by promoting cross institutional and cross cultural collaboration.

Through this program, Communication Science students at Universitas Sumatera Utara are expected to further develop their awareness that communication extends beyond speaking and listening, encompassing understanding, collaboration, and leadership in a global context.

Publishing in a Scopus-indexed journal is widely regarded as one of the highest academic milestones, often achieved only after years of postgraduate study, extensive research experience, and deep immersion in scientific inquiry. For Helen, a graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), this achievement came much earlier than expected. Before completing her bachelor’s degree, she had already authored and co-authored four scientific articles published in reputable Scopus-indexed journals, an accomplishment that sets her apart as a young scholar who entered the global research arena far ahead of her academic stage.

Helen’s journey into the world of international publication began not from an established research background, but from a simple spark of curiosity. In the middle of her undergraduate program, she joined a research project led by her faculty lecturers. The project focused on the exploration of Indonesia’s natural resources and the development of herbal-based pharmaceutical products, an area rich in scientific potential but demanding rigorous methodological precision. What started as a small contribution gradually transformed into a deeper involvement as she proved her dedication and reliability.

Entering a laboratory environment filled with complex procedures and advanced instruments was initially intimidating. Helen had to learn techniques that were entirely new to her, adapt to structured data collection routines, and develop a sharp eye for scientific detail. However, each challenge strengthened her confidence. As her skills grew, so did the responsibilities entrusted to her. She became involved in literature reviews, data processing, and eventually in drafting sections of manuscripts destined for international journals. Her supervisors recognized her commitment and began to place her in more significant roles within ongoing research projects.

The process behind each of her Scopus publications involved intensive collaboration. Academic publishing rarely follows a straight line, and Helen experienced firsthand the non-linear path that every research paper must navigate. Manuscripts underwent multiple cycles of revision, and reviewer comments often required extensive reanalysis or additional experiments. For many young researchers, these critiques may feel discouraging, but Helen approached them as opportunities for growth. Every revision deepened her understanding of academic writing, methodological rigor, and the expectations of international journals.

Throughout her journey, she repeatedly highlighted the importance of strong academic relationships. For Helen, mentorship and professional networks were not supplementary elements of research—they were central. Good communication with lecturers and peers opened doors to opportunities she might otherwise never have encountered. When faculty members trusted her work ethic, they involved her in more advanced studies, expanding both her technical expertise and her exposure to scientific publication. This trust did not develop overnight; it was built through consistency, initiative, and a willingness to contribute whenever needed.

Despite the intensity of her research commitments, Helen did not isolate herself from campus life. She continued to take part in student activities and community initiatives, a balance she believes is vital for maintaining well-being and perspective. Engaging in activities beyond the laboratory kept her grounded and enriched her university experience. Her ability to balance demanding schedules demonstrated that excellence in research does not require sacrificing personal growth, but rather managing time with purpose and intention.

Helen’s four Scopus-indexed publications reflect more than academic competence. They embody her resilience, her willingness to learn from critique, and her belief in collaborative scholarship. Each article draws from Indonesia’s vast natural potential, showcasing how local biodiversity can contribute to global pharmaceutical research. Her achievements also highlight the value of involving undergraduate students in scientific work. Early exposure to research not only strengthens academic skills, but also encourages young scholars to see themselves as contributors to the wider scientific community.

To students who aspire to follow a similar path, Helen offers straightforward advice: start early, seek opportunities, and do not wait for the perfect moment. Progress, she believes, begins with taking the first step, however small. Her journey serves as a reminder that international publication is not an unattainable peak reserved for senior academics. With initiative, mentorship, and consistent effort, undergraduate students can also play a meaningful role in advancing knowledge.

Helen’s accomplishments demonstrate that academic excellence is defined less by age or academic degree and more by determination, curiosity, and openness to learning. Her story illustrates how impactful research begins not with expertise, but with the courage to participate. Through her four Scopus-indexed publications, Helen has shown that young researchers can shape scientific discourse—and that the path to global recognition often begins with a simple willingness to try.

The presence of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gauri Kopardekar, ICCR Chair Professor from Savitribai Phule Pune University, at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FISIP USU), demonstrates how academic activities can function as effective forms of cultural diplomacy. Her involvement in academic and cultural initiatives has positions the faculty not only as a learning environment, but also as a space for the exchange of meanings, values and perspectives across cultures, strengthening the university’s role in non-state diplomacy grounded in education and culture.

Within Communication Studies, particularly film studies, the activities facilitated by Dr. Kopardekar highlight audiovisual media as a tool for intercultural communication. Film is understood as a social text that represents culture, social relations and universal values; therefore, it can be analyzed critically in line with communication scholarship that views film not merely as entertainment, but as a medium that shapes perception, identity, and social understanding.

Through programs such as the Indian Movie Club, students interpret films through a cultural-communication lens, explore their social contexts, and reflect on parallels with Indonesian society. Post-screening discussions create space for equal intercultural dialogue while supporting the development of media literacy and cross-cultural sensitivity. In this process, cultural diplomacy emerges organically through narrative and visual storytelling, rather than through prescriptive, one-way initiatives. The programme also contributes to broader cultural understanding by preparing students to engage responsibly with global media and cross-cultural dialogue beyond the campus environment.

Reflecting on this approach, Farida Hanim, S.Sos., M.I.Kom., a lecturer in Communication Studies, explains:

“In communication studies, film holds a strategic position as a medium of cultural communication that not only conveys messages, but also shapes how audiences view social reality. Analytical engagement with film is therefore essential for opening dialogue across perspectives and cultivating critical sensitivity to representation, identity and power relations, especially in the context of Indian cinema, which once dominated Indonesian television.”

As ICCR Chair Professor, Dr. Kopardekar brings a cultural mandate that is closely integrated with academic practice. Her dialogic approach positions students as active participants in cultural communication, making the campus a dynamic meeting point of ideas and meanings rather than merely a venue for displaying foreign culture.

These engagements support the internationalisation of FISIP USU by providing contextual and globally oriented learning experiences. Students gain insight into other cultures while also reflecting on their own through the lens of communication and media. Collectively, these initiatives illustrate how cultural diplomacy on campus can be substantive, relevant, and sustainable.

The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Sumatera Utara (FISIP USU) held its Academic Rally to mark the faculty’s 45th anniversary, under the theme “Critical, Creative, Collaborative: Young Leaders for the Nation.” The program brought together students, alumni, and professionals from diverse sectors, encouraging participants to reflect on leadership, resilience, and the role of young people in shaping social change.

The event featured a motivational session with Meutia Yulanda, Mobile Marketing Communications Officer for the Sumatra Area at Telkomsel. She encouraged students to remain persistent and purposeful in their academic journey, stating:

“I hope this event fuels your spirit… never give up and always stay true to your goals and dreams. Study earnestly and meaningfully so you can achieve what you aspire to after graduating from USU.”

Andi Renreng, Marketing Director of Xiaomi Indonesia, shared five professional principles he considers essential for students entering the workforce: aligned communication, purposeful over-communication, sharing information with full context, avoiding assumptions, and acknowledging the contributions of others. He framed these principles as foundations for success in fast-paced, collaborative professional environments.

The programme also welcomed Usman Kansong, Special Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), and Mhd. Fadli, Founder of Satu Atap Communication, who attended on site. Alumni contributors joined virtually, including Doley Tobing, Fashion Stylist, and Iqbal Damanik, Climate & Energy Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Southeast Asia, enabling a dynamic exchange covering marketing, creative media, environmental communication, and public policy.

Throughout the event, students demonstrated strong engagement, actively asking questions and sharing perspectives on how critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration can be applied in real-world contexts. The discussions highlighted the synergy between universities, alumni networks, and professional communities in shaping young leaders who are adaptive, innovative, and socially responsible. This programme also had a tangible impact beyond the classroom, equipping students with skills, perspectives, and professional connections that they can apply in their future careers and wider societal contributions.

Through the Academic Rally, FISIP USU reaffirmed its commitment not only to academic excellence but also to fostering character development, creative capacity, and cross-sector collaboration. The program underscored that Indonesia’s young generation is ready to contribute actively to socio-political development and national transformation.