Semarang – Undip’s Bachelor of Communication Studies program held an online public lecture with the theme of Science and Research in the communication Industry. This virtual face-to-face forum which took place on Wednesday (18/11) discussed three important sub-topics related to science and research in the communication industries with three different sources.

Moderated by the Head of the Diponegoro University (Undip) Communication Science Study Program, Rouli Manalu Ph.D., the forum which was attended by approximately 300 Communication Science students through the Zoom platform began with a presentation about the vital roles of science and research in the media industry from the point of view of science journalism by Dewi Safitri, alumni of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University who works as a science journalist at CNN. According to her statement, journalists as Communication practitioners have a role as a mouthpiece to be able to communicate science issues to the public.

“Science Journalism is a challenge regarding how the media brings complex issues into something simple to the public so that the public can find out the information easily,” said Dewi.

She added that media and science have an important relationship in promoting access to information to the public.

“The role of media in science is very important in promoting and maintaining public access to information,” she added.

The presentation of the material from the perspective of the media industry was then followed by a discussion of the dynamic research by Dr. Sherly Haristya, an NTU graduate woman who is now exploring a career as a researcher in the internet field. Sherly invites students to start studying research which will immediately bring critical and logical thinking patterns even in small things.

“When you have learned about research, critical thinking, logical thinking will be embedded in you,” said Sherly.

Furthermore, Sherly also appealed to students that learning research is not only with books but can also in daily practice to test critical thinking. She also added that in research, especially The Study of Communication with the use of the internet, is something that can be used as a reference for today’s students.

“Learning research methods is not just in books. But it is something that needs to be put into practice to test critical thinking. Communication Studies with the internet are very relevant nowadays,” she concluded.

The final material in this public lecture was presented by the Head of Consumer Insights, Kraft Heinz ABC, Dwi Wahyu, MM who discussed the role of research in the profit Communication industry. Wahyu explained that in his work, he always deals with research, even when viewed from the rules of the game consumer insights itself.

“Consumer insight needs to research consumers so that we know what is happening in society, whether our products sell better than other products. In consumer insight itself has rules, such as identifying and analyzing problems, looking for alternative solutions then implementing solutions, and then there will be problems that need to be identified again,” he explained.

One of the students who took the public lecture, Naura Iftika, gave positive feedback on the event. According to her, the public lecture was more varied and had calmed her about the long-term prospects of the science she was studying.

“I am very happy to get new insights. In my opinion, this year’s public lecture is more varied than before, so it opens my mind that Communication Science is not all that-it-all, it can be applied in many things. The impact is, more confidence to explore the next plan what to do after bachelor. Be more enthusiastic and reduce anxiety about the future of Communication Science career,” said Naura.

Writer : Luthfi Maulana Adhari