Semarang – The Department of Communication Studies at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University (FISIP UNDIP), hosted an official visit from the Department of Communication Studies, Faculty of Communication and Information Technology, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (UMS), as part of an academic benchmarking initiative. This activity is part of efforts to enhance the quality of education, particularly in curriculum management and academic governance within the Department of Communication Studies.
The UMS delegation was led by the Head of the Communication Studies Program, Sidiq Setyawan, M.I.Kom., and included dozens of undergraduate students from the UMS Communication Studies Program. The delegation’s visit reflects the institutions’ commitment to fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices among universities.
The benchmarking activity took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the FISIP UNDIP Senate Meeting Room. Through this forum, both institutions are expected to share experiences, academic development strategies, and innovations in the learning process that are relevant to the dynamics of communication studies in the contemporary era.
The main agenda of the UMS Communication Studies Program’s visit to FISIP UNDIP was to conduct a benchmarking activity. The benchmarking activities included sharing curricula, learning materials, the Communication Studies Double Degree program, multimedia laboratory management, student tracer studies, and information regarding the Student Executive Board (PRESMA) and the Communication Studies Student Association (HMPS).
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UNDIP’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), S. Rouli Manalu, S.Sos., MCommSt., Ph.D., warmly welcomed the delegation from the UMS Communication Studies Program to FISIP UNDIP and expressed his hope that the cooperative relationship with the UMS Communication Studies Program would grow even stronger in the future.
The Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at FISIP UNDIP, Dr. Agus Naryoso, S.Sos., M.Si., also extended a warm welcome to the UMS Communication Studies Program during their benchmarking visit to FISIP UNDIP. Following that, he presented on the program’s international policies and resource management.
As part of the benchmarking activities, the Chair of the Master’s Program in Communication Studies at FISIP, University of Diponegoro, Dr. Yanuar Luqman, S.Sos., M.Si., also presented on the profile of the Master’s Program in Communication Studies. The presentation covered an overview of the academic vision, curriculum structure, and academic capacity building at the master’s level, which is expected to serve as a reference for the development of the Communication Studies Program at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (UMS).
In addition, the event also featured presentations on various strategic topics by stakeholders within the Department of Communication Studies at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), UNDIP. The presentation on the curriculum and policies regarding the preparation of theses and final projects for students in the Bachelor’s Program in Communication Studies was delivered by the Secretary of the Bachelor’s Program, Nurist Surayya Ulfa, S.Sos., M.Si., Ph.D. Next, a presentation on the implementation of the Double Degree program at the Master’s level in Communication Science was delivered by the Secretary of the Master’s Program, Dr. Lintang Ratri Rahmiaji, S.Sos., M.Si.
The management of learning facilities and the optimization of the Multimedia Laboratory as a resource to support student practical training were presented by the Quality Assurance Team (GPM) of the Bachelor’s Program in Communication Studies and the Multimedia Laboratory Manager, Muhammad Bayu Widagdo, S.Sos., M.I.Kom. Meanwhile, the development of the Double Degree program at the undergraduate level was explained by the Coordinator of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) for the Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science, Dr. Phil. Nurriyatul Lailiyah, S.Sos., M.I.Kom.
In the context of student development, a presentation on student achievements and the role of the Communication Studies Student Association (HMPS) was delivered by HMPS advisor Citra Safira. Meanwhile, material related to public information and communication strategies within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UNDIP was presented by the Public Information and Communication Team, represented by Muhammad Rif’at Al-Razi, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom.
This benchmarking visit is expected to serve as a strategic first step toward strengthening collaboration between the two institutions in various academic and institutional fields, as well as providing sustainable benefits for both parties.***