Scientific Oration and Fikom Award Ceremony Fikom Unpad Celebrates the 65th Anniversary

The Faculty of Communication Sciences at Padjadjaran University (Fikom Unpad) celebrated the peak of its 65th Anniversary and 13th Lustrum by holding a Scientific Oration and Fikom Awards on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Fikom Unpad Postgraduate Auditorium, Jatinangor. The event was attended by faculty members, staff, students, alumni, and invited guests. The series of activities for the 65th Anniversary of Fikom Unpad has been held from August to September 2025, including an Instagram Reels Video Competition, a friendly match between Fikom Unpad and Pernah Persib, a Sharing Session, a Bazaar and Alumni Gathering, a Book Discussion, Fikom Gratitude and Sharing, a Sports Competition, a Blood Donation Drive, and culminating in the Scientific Lecture, Fikom Awards, and concluding with a Family Gathering.

Figure 1. Speech at the 65th Anniversary of the Dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University

Prof. Dr. Dadang Rahmat Hidayat, S.Sos., S.H., M.Si.

Fikom Unpad Achievements

The Dean of Fikom Unpad, Prof. Dr. Dadang Rahmat Hidayat, S. Sos., SH., M. Si. expressed his gratitude for the achievements of Fikom Unpad over the past 65 years, during which it has played an integral role in Universitas Padjadjaran. In his report, the Dean highlighted the significant progress made by Fikom Unpad to date. One of the main highlights is the improvement in Fikom Unpad’s global reputation. Currently, its world ranking based on the subject of Communication and Media is 378, a significant increase from its previous ranking of 455. Meanwhile, for the subject of Library Management, Fikom Unpad is ranked 285th in the world. International recognition also came from Asia Education Review Media Asia, which named Fikom Unpad as one of the Top 10 Faculties of Communication Science in Asia in 2024.

Additionally, public enthusiasm for Fikom Unpad remains high. This is evident from the 16,094 prospective students competing for 935 seats across all programs and levels at Fikom Unpad, with an average competition ratio of 1:17.2. The high quality of student input must be balanced with efforts to enhance educational and learning services.

Figure 2. Remarks by the Vice Rector for Resources and Governance

Prof. Dr. R. Widya Setiabudi Sumadinata, S.Si., S.IP., M.T., M.Han.

Unpad’s Expectations for Fikom

Next, a speech was given by the Vice Rector for Resources and Governance at Padjadjaran University, Prof. Dr. R. Widya Setiabudi Sumadinata, S.Si., S.IP., MT., M.Han. He conveyed his congratulations on the 65th anniversary of Fikom Unpad. As the only Faculty of Communication Sciences in a state university in Indonesia, Fikom Unpad has become the most influential faculty and has produced communication figures who contribute to their fields. Fikom Unpad’s contributions have been recognized and appreciated at the national and international levels.

According to Prof. Widya, the theme of the 65th anniversary of Fikom Unpad, “Harmony Gives Meaning to the Country,” is very appropriate at this time. “At a time when this country is facing many challenges, amid the temptation of disintegration, Fikom Unpad wants to build harmony to give meaning,” he said. Harmony is interpreted as synergy between students, lecturers, alumni, and strategic partners to collaborate with one another. Meanwhile, giving meaning to the country means that Fikom Unpad wants to contribute to national development, democracy, media, social harmony, and strengthening national identity. At the end of his speech, Prof. Widya expressed his hope that the Fikom Unpad academic community would become more solid, that its alumni would be able to play an important role, and that Fikom Unpad would become stronger as a national and international reference in the field of communication science and in its shared commitment to the good of the Indonesian nation.

Scientific Speech

The highlight of the 65th Anniversary of Fikom Unpad, Lustrum XIII, was filled with a scientific speech by Dr. Iriana Bakti, M.Si, who presented the topic “Inclusive Environmental Communication in the Era of Climate Crisis: Literacy, Participation, and Collective Action Strategies for Sustainability.” At the beginning of her speech, she explained about climate change in Indonesia and the environmental damage it has caused. This climate damage is not just a theory, but a reality that has already occurred, with West Java being the province that most frequently experiences extreme weather in Indonesia. According to her, the current crisis is not only an environmental crisis but also a communication crisis, where scientific facts often fail to drive action because they are hindered by emotions, interests, and one-way communication approaches.

Dr. Iriana Bakti presented the concept of Inclusive Environmental Communication, which can serve as an important approach and foundation in addressing the climate crisis with the aim of opening up democratic dialogue that allows all parties, including marginalized groups, to be involved in defining problems and formulating joint solutions. There are three main interconnected strategies, namely a literacy strategy that ensures knowledge about climate change reaches the entire community, a participation strategy that places citizens as active actors in the formulation and decision-making of environmental policies, and finally an effective collective strategy at all levels, ranging from changes in individual lifestyles, innovation at the community level, regulation by the state, to solidarity at the global level. The hope is that inclusive environmental communication can become a bridge connecting literacy, participation, and collective action to build sustainable climate justice.

Figure 3. Recipients of the Fikom Anugerah Award

Fikom Anugerah

The next event, Fikom Anugerah, is an award given as a form of appreciation to outstanding and inspiring members of the Fikom Unpad academic community. This year, Fikom Anugerah presented awards in new categories that did not exist in previous years, such as environmental awareness, humanitarianism, and efforts to build the academic reputation of Fikom Unpad through various creative approaches. The following are the recipients of the 2025 Fikom Anugerah:

• Academic Productivity in International Journal Publications: Justito Adi Prasetio, M.A.
• Academic Productivity in National Journal Publications: Dr. Gema Nusantara Bakry, M.Si.
• Productivity in Writing Opinions in the Mass Media: Prof. Deddy Mulyana, M.A., Ph.D.
• Academic Productivity in Book Writing: Prof. Dr. Dian Wardiana Sjuchro, M.Si.
• Reputable Journal Developer: Dr. Hanny Hafiar, M.Si.
• Dedication to Supporting Program Study Accreditation: Dra. Kokom Komariah, M.Si.
• Concern for the Environment: Dr. Herlina Agustin, M.T.
• Concern for Humanitarian Missions: Dr. Maimon Herawati, M.Litt.
• Creativity in Building Academic Reputation Based on Social Media: Dr. Ira Mirawati, M.Si.
• Outstanding Educational Staff: Hepy Yanti, S.Si.
• Consistency in Promoting Fikom’s Reputation by Including It in Its Activities: Dr. Aqua Dwipayana, M.I.Kom.

The series of events was symbolically closed with a joint tumpeng cutting ceremony, which symbolized gratitude for Fikom Unpad’s 65-year journey. In line with the theme “Harmony, Giving Meaning to the Country,” the 65th anniversary celebration was a moment to reflect on the achievements that have been made, while reaffirming the commitment to continue innovating and making a real contribution to the nation and country. (TAH/DM)