FISIP USU Participates in AICCON 2026
PADANG – The Head of Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of North Sumatra (FISIP USU), Prof. Dr. Iskandar Zulkarnain, M.Si., emphasized the importance of strengthening international academic networks as a strategic effort to enhance the quality of education, research, and the development of communication studies.
He delivered these remarks while attending The 6th Annual International Conference on Communication (AICCON) 2026, organized by the Indonesian Association of Communication Science Higher Education (ASPIKOM) in collaboration with the Department of Communication Science, Andalas University, at ZHM Hotel, Padang, West Sumatra, on Wednesday (July 22, 2026).
In his capacity as a member of the ASPIKOM National Executive Board’s Advisory Council, Prof. Iskandar participated in the series of AICCON 2026 activities, which were held alongside the ASPIKOM National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) and Extraordinary Congress. He was accompanied by a delegation of Doctoral Communication Science students and members of the Communication Science Master’s Student Association (IMAMIKOM) of FISIP USU, led by IMAMIKOM Chairman Mhd. May Fazri and fellow members.
According to Prof. Iskandar, AICCON serves as an international academic forum that strategically brings together scholars, researchers, and communication practitioners from various countries to foster research collaboration and advance the field of communication studies.
“ASPIKOM must continue to strengthen its international network, beginning with ASEAN countries, so that academic collaboration, scientific publications, and the development of communication studies can expand further and make a tangible contribution to the advancement of higher education in Indonesia,” said Prof. Iskandar.
He added that the participation of lecturers and students in international academic forums is part of universities’ internationalization efforts while also enhancing academic capacity and the global competitiveness of graduates.
The conference officially opened with welcoming remarks from the Head of the Department of Communication Science at Andalas University, Dr. Elva Ronaning Roem; ASPIKOM President Prof. Anang Sujoko, S.Sos., M.Si., D.Comm; and the Mayor of Padang, represented by Deputy Mayor H. Maigus Nasir, M.Pd. The opening ceremony was enlivened by a traditional Tari Piring (Plate Dance) performance, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of the Minangkabau people.
The conference then proceeded to the keynote session, featuring distinguished speakers Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Norma Hasan, Assoc. Prof. Elske van de Fliert, Prof. Merlyna Lim, and Prof. Anang Sujoko. The session explored a range of strategic issues, including developments in communication studies, digital media, and the challenges facing global society, followed by panel discussions and an interactive question-and-answer session with participants.
Following the keynote session, the conference continued with parallel sessions, where research papers were presented across five separate rooms. Participants showcased their studies in a wide range of fields, including journalism and digital media, strategic communication, marketing communication, social issues, intercultural communication, communication policy, environmental communication, social resilience, gender and communication, and media literacy.
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