EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — The Association of Indonesian Communication Science Lecturers and Researchers (ADPIKI) has established a strategic partnership with Enviro News Asia to strengthen synergy between academia and the media industry in developing research-based public communication, particularly on issues related to the environment, sustainability, climate change, and digital transformation. The collaboration was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi) on Thursday (May 7).
ADPIKI Chairman Heri Budianto emphasized that academia can no longer focus solely on producing scientific publications, but must also ensure that research findings are translated into public knowledge that is accessible, understandable, and capable of generating tangible societal impact.
“Many communication research findings have remained confined to journals and seminar rooms. In fact, the challenges facing the nation today require more concrete academic contributions through strong, credible public communication that is capable of building public awareness,” said Heri.
According to him, the transformation of digital media has drastically changed the patterns of information production and distribution. Today, everyone can become a producer of information, while social media algorithms accelerate the spread of viral content faster than information grounded in verification and scientific knowledge. This situation, he added, presents a serious challenge for both higher education institutions and the media industry.
He stated that ADPIKI aims to encourage the repositioning of communication lecturers and researchers not only as educators and journal authors, but also as strategic actors capable of building public literacy, developing risk communication, strengthening public trust, and providing communication solutions for national issues such as climate change, disaster management, environmental concerns, and digital transformation.
“The collaboration with Enviro News is important because the media has the ability to bridge research outcomes with public needs. This is not merely a ceremonial partnership, but an effort to build a collaborative ecosystem between academics and the media so that communication science can truly be present within society,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Director of Enviro News, Syaifura Apsara Herlambang, stated that the media industry is currently facing major challenges in maintaining information quality amid the overwhelming flow of digital content, which often prioritizes sensation over substance.
“We see a significant need for journalism and public communication that are based on data, science, and academic research findings. Therefore, Enviro News seeks to become a collaborative platform for academics, researchers, and media practitioners to provide information that is not only timely, but also carries educational value and meaningful impact,” said Syaifura.
She added that issues related to the environment, climate change, forestry, and sustainability require stronger communication approaches, as the challenges involved are not merely technical matters, but also involve changing public behavior and fostering collective awareness.
“Environmental communication can no longer rely on conventional approaches. It requires strong narratives, adaptive digital strategies, and research support to ensure that the messages conveyed are capable of encouraging public participation and driving social change,” she stated.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties agreed to collaborate in the areas of education, research, and community service, including the development of media literacy programs, popular scientific publications, collaborative research, digital communication training, and public campaigns related to environmental and sustainability issues. The agreement will remain in effect for three years and may be extended upon mutual consent.
The collaboration between ADPIKI and Enviro News is expected to strengthen the role of communication science as a strategic instrument in supporting national development, particularly in addressing the challenges of climate change, digital information disruption, and the need to strengthen public literacy in Indonesia.
