The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Anwar Makarim witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between four universities in Bandung and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) West Java on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
In addition to Nadiem Makarim, the signing of the agreement between PWI West Java and the deans of FISIP and FIKOM from Unpad, Widyatama, and Unisba, PWI Central Chairman Henry Ch Bangun, and Acting Governor of West Java Bey Mahmudin were also present.
The signing of the agreement is related to PWI’s program in an effort to further develop the understanding and application of journalism through higher education, especially in the era of digitalization that is booming in Indonesia.
The presence of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, in Bandung was not only to witness the signing of the agreement but also to open the first batch of the Indonesian Journalism School (SJI) for Young People.
On that occasion, Nadiem advised journalists to maintain the quality of journalism amid the disruption of information. When opening the PWI SJI, Nadiem said that the activities carried out by PWI are very important to provide additional knowledge and expertise in the field of journalism to young journalists, especially in today’s era of digital journalism.
He said that the world of journalism is currently competing with the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to him, the current technological developments in the world of journalism are not a reason to lower the quality of journalism in Indonesia.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology admitted that journalism has been a part of his life because his father was not only known as a prominent advocate but also a journalism practitioner. “My father was also one of the pioneers of the campus journal, which later became known as Harian KAMI,” he explained.
Being a professional journalist today requires mastery of technology, not only computer-based but also the presence of technology known as artificial intelligence (AI).
SJI PWI Pusat also serves as a forum for fostering professionalism among journalists, especially in facing various challenges in the future, as well as the ability to adapt to developments in communication technology.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of PWI Pusat, Henry CH Bangun, said at the opening of SJI in Bandung that advancing the press is a shared responsibility because the press is an information infrastructure needed by the community.
Meanwhile, SJI Director Ahmed Kurnia added that in the implementation of education, students are equipped with critical thinking, integrity, and multi-tasking coverage related to the use of the latest technology. In addition, material on national insight, which is a characteristic of PWI member journalists, is also provided.
On a separate occasion, the Dean of FISIP Widyatama University, Dr. Soni A. Nulhaqim, welcomed the cooperation agreement on journalism development in campuses with PWI.
“This cooperation is very important and beneficial, especially in the development of FTV and Psi study programs,” he added.
The signing ceremony between PWI West Java and a number of universities in the city of Bandung was also attended by the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Mahmudin. The Indonesian Journalism School organized by PWI West Java was attended by 33 participants from the press in various cities in West Java.
