Dr Djuara’s Dedication Immortalized Through a Book, IPB University Is Ready to Become a Role Model for Development Communication
The Department of Communication and Community Development (SKPM), Faculty of Human Ecology (Fema) IPB University in collaboration with the Professional Forum for Development Communication (Forkapi) held a National Scientific Meeting on Development Communication.
This activity presents an important moment through the launch of a book Development Communication, Voicing the Unheard Voices.
Chairperson of the committee, Dr Dwi Retno Hapsari, revealed that this book was presented as a form of academic legacy dedicated to Dr Djuara P Lubis, a senior academic at the Department of SKPM IPB University.
“Dr Djuara is known to have a big vision in the development of development communication science. He always dreamed of having a book that became a reference. This book is the realization of that dream,” she said.
The book is dedicated as a form of appreciation for the work of Dr Djuara P Lubis, a senior academic at the SKPM Department. During this time, he was known to have a great vision in the development of development communication science.
Dr Dwi hopes this work will be the beginning of IPB University establishing itself as a rola model of development communication.
“We agree that this book is not the end point but the beginning of IPB University becoming more successful. This book is the dream of all of us who want to give and contribute to the progress of the nation,” she said.
Dean of Fema IPB University, Prof Sofyan Sjaf, said the need to build a healthy academic ecosystem for the civilization of the nation. “The tradition of academic dialog must be continued. Dialogue that is written down, then dialogued again, will become the strength of the nation’s civilization,” he said.
Prof Sofyan added that Indonesia as an agrarian and maritime country that is strong in villages needs a narrative that comes from the grassroots.
According to him, many development issues in the village are not voiced because they are blocked by the hegemony of power.
“I want to voice voices from below, village voices that are often not heard because of bureaucracy and impartial data. Behind the statistical figures, there are politics that influence the direction of policy,” he said.
Prof Sofyan also encouraged the use of digital technology to raise field issues to the public sphere.
“If we are unable to build a narrative, the space for dialog will be blocked. Campus must be the center of the birth of enlightening public policies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Department of SKPM IPB University, Prof Anna Fatchiya, said the launch of this book was a form of appreciation for Dr Djuara’s dedication, as well as a major contribution to scientific development in the field of communication.
“Mr Djuara is a development alumni figure who has shown extraordinary dedication, especially in voicing knowledge and ideas for the progress of society,” she said.
Prof Anna explained that currently communication innovation has developed in a broader direction, such as sustainable communication, risk communication, and communication in line with sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“Don’t let the voice of the people be conveyed only by influencers. Academics must be present to communicate ideas and real social problems in Indonesia,” she said. (dr) (IAAS/NRA)
