Being a student is not just about attending class and completing assignments, but also about creating meaningful work. This was proven by two students of the Communication Science Study Programme at Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) who made proud achievements. Both of them successfully published scientific articles in SINTA 2 accredited national journals – achievements that not only reflect intellectual acumen, but also show the real contribution of students in the development of communication science in Indonesia.
Publication in SINTA 2 journals is certainly not a trivial matter, it requires in-depth research, accurate data, and mature analysis. This success is proof that students are also able to penetrate the competitive academic realm, voice fresh ideas, and open wider discussion space in the scientific world.
One of these students is Damar Dhiyaan Hafidz Wibowo, a class of 2022 student who successfully published his article entitled “Sharing is Not Caring: Examining Intention of Sharing Misinformation Moderated by New Media Literacy” in The Journal of Society and Media. His research raises the important issue of one’s intention in spreading misinformation, by considering the influence of new media literacy. This article is an outcome of the Survey Methods course. Despite the challenges, especially because he was still unfamiliar with quantitative research methods, Hafidz is persistent in deepening his understanding in order to produce quality work.
Meanwhile, a similar achievement was also achieved by Iwan, a 2022 Communication Science student, through his article entitled “Optimizing Government Communication on Environmental Issues: Visual Strategies for Public Engagement”, published in the Journal of Communication Studies. Iwan’s research highlights visual strategies in government agencies’ Instagram posts that focus on environmental issues, and how these visual elements can increase public engagement. This article is the result of a course on Content Analysis Methods. The main challenge he faced was finding relevant and sharp references to build an analytical blade in the research.
Both Hafidz and Iwan conveyed a message to fellow students not to be afraid to start, and to remain enthusiastic in the writing and research process. Both emphasized that the key to success lies in choosing a topic that suits personal interests, because that is where curiosity and enthusiasm to explore will grow.
Cheers to all Ilkomers who want to work through scientific publications! Don’t hesitate to try, because every small step can pave the way to a greater contribution in the academic world. [Ed]