The Faculty of Communication Sciences (Fikom) at Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula) Semarang hosted a visit from two lecturers from BINUS University as part of a Faculty Mobility program on Friday (November 13, 2026). The visiting lecturers were Dr. Mariko Rizkiansyah, S.Sos., M.Si., and Dr. Tri Adi Sumbogo, S.Sos., M.Si.
This initiative served as a platform for the exchange of academic knowledge and experience, while also exploring potential collaborations in the development of communication science education. The agenda included discussions on curriculum and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the sharing of best practices in communication pedagogy, guest lecturing, workshops for faculty members, and the exploration of collaborative research and publication opportunities.
Trimanah, S.Sos., M.Si., Dean of Fikom Unissula, welcomed the initiative. She expressed her hope that the Faculty Mobility program would mark the beginning of a broader and more sustainable academic partnership between Fikom Unissula and BINUS University.
According to Trimanah, there are three priority areas for collaboration between the two institutions. First, research collaboration among faculty members, including joint research projects and scholarly publications. Second, student-focused collaborations designed to tangibly enhance students' competencies and academic experience. Third, the exploration of joint degree programs, as well as cooperation in curriculum development and alignment.
She hopes that this partnership will materialize into concrete programs that benefit both faculty and students, while simultaneously improving the quality of communication science education.
During the academic discussion, BINUS University representative Dr. Tri Adi Sumbogo, S.Sos., M.Si., shared insights on developing a curriculum oriented toward preparing students for the professional world. He explained that, in their sixth and seventh semesters, BINUS students gain off-campus learning experience through internships in industries or government agencies, as well as through community development initiatives.
This framework provides students with the opportunity to apply their communication knowledge and skills within real-world professional environments. Furthermore, community service activities are integrated into the curriculum as an essential component of the learning process. Furthermore, BINUS offers students several alternatives for completing their final projects, including a traditional thesis, the publication of a scientific article, or industry- and community-based projects involving external partners. Students also have the opportunity to develop their scientific work for presentation at international conferences indexed by Scopus.
These exchanges of experience serve as a basis for discussions on developing a learning approach that is more contextual, collaborative, and relevant to the needs of society and the communications industry.
Through this Faculty Mobility program, the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Unissula and BINUS University aim to produce recommendations for developing a curriculum focused on "sustainability communication." Additionally, the initiative is expected to lead to a follow-up plan for academic cooperation between the two universities—specifically regarding curriculum development, faculty capacity building, student collaboration, and scientific research and publication.
This collaboration is part of an effort to strengthen the quality of higher education in communication sciences, ensuring it becomes increasingly responsive to the challenges of sustainable development and the evolving dynamics of communication in the digital era.
