Semarang (25/8) – The Department of Communication Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first study program to establish an international double degree partnership with the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS), The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. This partner university is one of the world’s top universities, currently ranked 42nd in the QS World University Rankings.

The Communication Studies double degree program is scheduled to begin in 2026 for the undergraduate level, and will be followed by discussions on similar collaborations at the Master’s level. This achievement also paves the way for the development of double degrees in other study programs within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, including Government Studies.

An official visit to UQ in Brisbane was conducted on August 20–21, 2025, by Dr. Phil. Nuriyatul Lailiyah, S.Sos., M.I.Kom., a Communication Studies lecturer representing the Undip delegation. Over two days, the delegation held strategic discussions with UQ academics, including the Head of the School of Communication and Arts, the Bachelor of Communication Program Convenor, and the faculty’s international manager. These meetings addressed curriculum alignment, credit transfer mechanisms, and opportunities for joint academic research and development.

Beyond the academic aspect, this collaboration also holds symbolic significance. Queensland is a sister province of Central Java, while Brisbane is a sister city to Semarang. This regional proximity makes the Undip-UQ collaboration more meaningful, not only in the context of higher education but also in interregional cultural diplomacy.

During the visit, the Undip FISIP Communication Studies delegation was welcomed by Professor Heather Zwicker, Executive Dean of HASS UQ. The meeting was marked by the presentation of a gift set from the Dean of FISIP Undip, including the signature orange jacket worn by Professor Zwicker. In return, UQ also presented an official souvenir to the Dean of FISIP Undip as a symbol of academic friendship.

Going forward, the Department of Communication Studies will not only partner with UQ, but is also preparing double degree collaborations with PECS University (Hungary) and Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines). With the presence of diverse international partners, Communication Studies students will have more options to earn dual degrees while gaining experience studying at prestigious global universities.
This achievement emphasizes the role of the Department of Communication Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University (FISIP), as a driving force behind Undip’s internationalization and solidifies its position in supporting Undip’s path to becoming a World-Class University. (Rif’at)