UNU Jogja Welcomes Harian Jogja Delegation, University Ready to Deliver Research-Based Solutions in the Era of Constructive Journalism

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) welcomed the executive leadership of the news media outlet Harian Jogja at its Integrated Campus on Monday (3/8). The meeting explored various potential collaborations, particularly in delivering constructive solutions for the public amidst the evolving media ecosystem.

Attending from Harian Jogja were Chief Innovation & Creative Officer Budi Cahyana, Head of Research & Strategic Affairs Nugroho Nurcahyo, Head of Platform Maya Herawati, and Manager Solution Strategist Bernadheta Dian Saraswati.

Warmly receiving the delegation was the Acting Rector of UNU Jogja, Dr. Fahmy Akbar Idries. He was accompanied by Executive Secretary Suharti, Director of Communication Intan Agisti, as well as Saeroni from the Directorate of Community Service and Social Laboratory, and Tri Yuliani from the Directorate of Cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Fahmy highlighted the immense potential for collaboration between universities and mass media, particularly in disseminating research findings, innovative works, and campus programs. Through this synergy, higher education institutions are expected to generate a broader public impact.

“Higher education, science, and technology must not remain confined to academic circles; they must actively deliver solutions to real-world challenges in society. A wealth of research findings, scientific products, and innovations developed by UNU Jogja’s faculty and students can be transformed into accessible, popular narratives that the broader public can easily understand and utilize,” he stated.

Fahmy specifically introduced the Social Laboratory (Labsos) program to the Harian Jogja leadership. This community and social engagement initiative, which deploys hundreds of students directly to the field, has been a signature hallmark of UNU Jogja since its inception.

“This program is designed to yield impactful outcomes. The deliverables from the Labsos program can be further acted upon by various stakeholders,” he noted.

At this intersection, according to Fahmy, mass media such as Harian Jogja plays a critical role. Media outlets backed by professional journalists possess the power to disseminate campus outputs accurately and reliably.

“Universities need mainstream media to disseminate research findings and initiatives that bring tangible benefits and public good,” he added.

Chief Innovation & Creative Officer of Harian Jogja, Budi Cahyana, echoed the view that broader avenues for collaboration can be opened between press media and universities. This aligns with Harian Jogja’s recent organizational restructuring to adapt to changing media dynamics. According to him, media institutions must now be managed through new, innovative approaches.

“In news coverage, for example, while the old adage was 'bad news is good news,' today we offer constructive journalism—where journalism does not merely deliver criticism, but also provides solutions. And many of the solutions to national and societal challenges originate from higher education institutions,” he explained.

UNU Jogja’s Director of Communication, Intan Agisti, noted that this meeting was a direct follow-up to UNU Jogja’s previous media visit agenda. She emphasized that the collaboration between higher education institutions and mass media is strategically positioned to amplify the campus’s intellectual capital into the public sphere.

“Alhamdulillah, today’s meeting between UNU Jogja and Harian Jogja was highly productive as we explored several potential areas of cooperation. Moving forward, we hope that combining UNU Jogja’s academic expertise and social initiatives with Harian Jogja’s dissemination channels will yield solution-oriented narratives relevant to current public needs, bringing mutual benefit to both parties and the broader community,” she concluded. [Arif]