FIKOM UG HOLDS ADVISORY FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION TO STRENGTHEN THE CURRICULUM AND ADVANCE COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Hello, Fikomers!
The Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Gunadarma, held an Advisory Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving its Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs in Communication Science. The event served as a strategic forum for gathering diverse perspectives and recommendations to support the development of high-quality communication education that remains adaptive and relevant amid the changing demands of the times.
The Advisory FGD brought together an Advisory Board comprising academics, practitioners, representatives of professional associations, and alumni. The involvement of these stakeholders was essential in connecting academic perspectives with current developments across industries, professions, and society.
BRINGING TOGETHER ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), media transformation, changes in audience behavior, and the emergence of new professional fields present both challenges and opportunities for communication education.
Higher education institutions must ensure that their educational processes are not only founded on strong academic principles but are also capable of responding to changes in the professional environment and the evolving needs of society.
Through the Advisory FGD, perspectives from academics, practitioners, professional associations, and alumni provided valuable insights into the competencies required today and in the future.
The dialogue also allowed the study programs to gain external perspectives on the relevance of their learning processes, graduate competencies, developments in communication professions, and strategic issues that must be anticipated in advancing communication education.
ALIGNING THE UNDERGRADUATE, MASTER’S, AND DOCTORAL CURRICULA
One of the main focuses of the event was the alignment and development of the curricula for the Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs in Communication Science at Universitas Gunadarma.
Each level of education has distinct characteristics, learning outcomes, and levels of academic depth. Curriculum development must therefore be carried out systematically to ensure continuity across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral education.
Feedback from the Advisory Board plays an important role in evaluating the relevance of the curricula to developments in science and technology, the needs of industries and professions, and emerging communication issues within society.
Accordingly, the curricula are designed not only to address current needs but also to prepare students for future changes and challenges.
STRENGTHENING THE ACADEMIC VISION OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES
In addition to discussing the curricula, the Advisory FGD provided a forum for reviewing the academic vision of Communication Studies. This vision plays an important role in guiding the development of education, research, and the study programs’ contributions to society.
Changes in the communication ecosystem require Communication Studies to continue evolving without losing its academic foundations. The emergence of new technologies, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and changing patterns of social interaction has opened up new areas of study and research that require critical examination.
Through discussions with the Advisory Board, FIKOM UG gained a range of insights that can enrich the direction of its academic development while strengthening its relevance to societal needs and global developments.
THE ADVISORY BOARD AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER IN ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
The involvement of the Advisory Board demonstrates the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and stakeholders in maintaining the relevance of education.
Academics contribute perspectives on developments in theories, methodologies, and research. Practitioners provide insights based on industry needs and dynamics. Professional associations offer perspectives on competency development and professional standards, while alumni share their experiences of entering and advancing within the professional world.
These diverse perspectives provide valuable input for FIKOM UG in formulating sustainable academic development initiatives.
FIKOM UG’S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
The Advisory Focus Group Discussion forms part of the Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Gunadarma’s commitment to continuous evaluation and academic quality enhancement.
Educational development is a dynamic process. Openness to feedback from various stakeholders is therefore essential to ensure that education remains relevant to developments in science, technology, industry, professional practice, and societal needs.
Through synergy between the study programs and the Advisory Board, FIKOM UG continues to build an educational ecosystem capable of producing graduates who are adaptive, competent, critical, principled, and globally competitive.
The Advisory FGD is expected not only to produce strategic recommendations but also to strengthen sustained collaboration between academia and the professional community in shaping the future of communication education.
FIKOM UG remains committed to enhancing quality, strengthening academic relevance, and preparing communication professionals to navigate the challenges of a changing world.
