Hello, Ilkomers! Many of you might already know that since the 2024/2025 academic year, the Communication Science Program at Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) has officially opened its International Undergraduate Program (IUP). With the launch of this program, Communication Science becomes the only study program within the Faculty of Communication (Fikom Unpad) to offer an international class. But what exactly is the background behind the establishment of this IUP program? Let’s find out from Dr. Nindi Aristi, M.Comm., a lecturer and former Head of the Communication Science Program at Unpad.
The IUP program was actually initiated back in 2023 by the Communication Science Program team. Throughout the process, the team carried out a series of strategic steps to advance the program’s internationalization, which eventually led to Unpad’s Communication Science Program earning international accreditation. This achievement gained strong support from the university leadership, paving the way for the official launch of the IUP program in 2024. Additionally, the decision to open the IUP was also driven by high external demand, particularly from high school students. Research indicated that many students wanted an international or bilingual program to continue their bilingual learning experience from high school.
In its implementation, the IUP program in Communication Science has established partnerships with seven prestigious universities in South Korea. One of them is Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), well-known for its highly selective admission process, especially for international students. Through this collaboration, IUP students will have the opportunity to participate in a student exchange program for one or two semesters at one of Unpad’s partner universities. However, before embarking on this opportunity, students must first undergo academic evaluations starting from their very first semester. This ensures that those who go on exchange meet the host university’s academic standards while also maintaining Unpad’s reputation on the international stage.
According to Dr. Nindi, the journey of establishing the IUP program came with its own challenges. Lecturers had to adapt to teaching entirely in English, while students were encouraged to shift their academic mindset toward more research-based and journal-oriented learning. Moreover, differences in facilities between the IUP and regular programs sometimes led to social perceptions among students. However, the Communication Science Program emphasized that the only distinctions lie in the facilities and the language of instruction, there are no differences in the course materials or academic content delivered to IUP and regular students.
The establishment of the IUP in Communication Science marks an important milestone in the advancement of higher education in Indonesia, particularly in the field of communication studies. Beyond meeting external demands, the program also contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. Through this initiative, Ilkom Unpad strives to provide inclusive, high-quality, and globally competitive education, strengthening Indonesia’s position in the international academic landscape of communication studies.
Yellow Whispers Vol #4