BANDUNG - Communication Studies Study Program reaffirms its commitment to expanding its global academic network. In collaboration with the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, the program successfully hosted two international scientific agendas on Thursday (July 23, 2026): a Guest Lecture and an International Communication Symposium.
The event was officially opened with welcoming remarks by the Dean of FPIPS UPI, Prof. Dr. Cecep Darmawan, S.H., S.I.P., S.A.P., S.Pd., M.Si., M.H., CPM. The initiative was enthusiastically received by the academic community, drawing over 100 participants, including lecturers, researchers, and students from both nations.
Addressing AI Ethics in Academia
The series of events commenced with a Guest Lecture titled "Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) in The Academic Realm," held at Room V.30, 5th Floor of the FPIPS UPI Building. This public lecture featured the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at UiTM, Prof. Dr. Abd Rasid bin Abd Rahman, alongside Prof. Dr. Cecep Darmawan as the main speakers. Moderated by Dr. Heni Nuraeni Zaenudin, M.I.Kom., the in-depth discussion highlighted the challenges to academic integrity and the critical need to establish ethical boundaries when utilizing artificial intelligence technologies in higher education.
This discourse aligns strongly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation while ensuring technological advancements, such as AI, are integrated responsibly and ethically within academic institutions.
Navigating Media Disruption in Higher Education
Following the lecture, the agenda continued with the International Communication Symposium themed "Navigating Higher Education Within The Media Disruption Era." Conducted in a hybrid format from Room 3.09 FPIPS UPI and via Zoom Meeting, the symposium featured four expert panelists: Dr. Bagja Waluya, M.Pd., and Vidi Sukmayadi, Ph.D., representing UPI, alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Elena binti Tengku Mahamad and Dr. Wan Norbani Wan Noordin from UiTM. Guided by Bagus Aditya Susanto, M.I.Kom. as the moderator, the speakers presented strategic perspectives on the future development and adaptation of higher education in response to global media disruption.
This symposium directly supports SDG 4: Quality Education, by facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education that is adaptable to the rapid changes in the global media landscape.
Solidifying Partnerships for the Future
Concluding the intellectual discourse, the event proceeded with a formal signing ceremony of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between UPI and UiTM regarding the execution of the International Seminar on Tourism (ISOT) 2026, which will be organized by FPIPS UPI. Through this agreement, UiTM officially joins as a co-host for the upcoming international conference scheduled for November 10th.
The successful implementation of these international activities is a concrete step for FPIPS UPI in accelerating the internationalization of its study programs and strengthening cross-border research and teaching synergies with UiTM Malaysia. This robust collaboration exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how international cooperation is vital for achieving sustainable development in education.
