Public Lecture “Contemporary Communication: Opportunities, Technology, and Career Challenges in the Digital and Global Geopolitical Era”
The Fikom Unpad Alumni Association and the Fikom Unpad Student Executive Board are hosting a public lecture on the theme “Contemporary Communication: Opportunities, Technology, and Career Challenges in the Digital and Global Geopolitical Era” on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. WIB in the Oemi Abdurachman Room, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University. The lecture featured speakers Dr. Hendri Satrio, Ishfihana Hafny Noer, M.M., M.Kom., Henny Hariani, M.Si., and Yudy Nugraha, moderated by FX. Ari Prastowo, M.I.Kom., a lecturer in the Public Relations Program, and attended by students from the Public Relations Program and the Communication Management Program.
The event began with a speech by the Dean of Fikom Unpad, Dr. Dadang Rahmat Hidayat, S.Sos., S.H., M.Si., who said that it is very important for alumni to share their experiences with students in order to give them confidence and prepare them for the digital age. “We want to assure everyone that communication can exist anywhere or in multiple areas, but it also requires knowledge and enthusiasm so that we can continue to exist as a field of study and a promising career in the field of communication,” he said.
The first speaker, Dr. Hendri Satrio, often referred to as Kang Hensa, explained that “As time progresses, more and more new media outlets are emerging, opening up opportunities for communication students.” In addition, Kang Hensa also said that “as ‘communication students’, we must have one skill or focus or be specialists rather than generalists in order to survive.”
Next, the second speaker, Ishfihana Hafny Noer, M.M., M.Kom., explained the main focus of Artificial Intelligence in communication. She said that “AI can greatly help us in doing our work, but as users we must also be critical and responsible in using it.” In addition, she also said that “In fact, the validity of AI is only 70%.”
The third speaker, Henny Hariani, M.Si., provided tips on how to survive and build a career in the communications industry, given the 80% potential for AI disruption, industry convergence, and the need for adaptation. She also discussed the pillars of communication, which consist of the communicator, message, media, audience, and the effects and impacts on one’s career or profession. Henny Hariani, M.Si., also emphasized that “In communication, we need logical, systematic skills and a mindset that is smart at collaborating and capable of working across multiple platforms to be ready and capable in our work. Additionally, we must have a strong character.” She also explained how Gen-Z learns. As Gen-Z, the learning methods used include mentoring, collaborative learning, reading and curation, and building a good digital footprint.
In the final session, the fourth speaker, Yudi Nugraha, explained that there are three stages in managing a crisis or problem: the pre-crisis phase, which involves preparing and identifying potential risks. The event phase, which involves responding to and addressing existing problems. Finally, the post-event phase, which involves the team’s integrity to respond quickly in recovery and learn from mistakes, concluded the event. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session and a group photo. (DM/HS)
