As digital platforms continue to expand and information flows more rapidly than ever, universities are no longer expected to function solely as centers of academic development. Higher education institutions are also challenged to foster transparent, responsible, and constructive public communication.
This message was highlighted during a staff development program on strengthening public information services held by UIN Sunan Kalijaga at the PAU Meeting Room on Friday (8/5/2026). The event featured Special Staff of the Minister of Religious Affairs for Public Communication, Media, and Public Relations, Ismail Cawidu; Director of Islamic Higher Education Sahiron; and Head of the Ministry’s Bureau of Public Relations and Public Communication, Thobib Al-Asyhar.
The program was attended by Rector Noorhaidi Hasan alongside university leaders and staff members.
In his remarks, Rector Noorhaidi Hasan emphasized that universities cannot remain detached from rapidly evolving social dynamics. He noted that higher education institutions are expected to provide constructive responses to various national and local issues emerging in public discourse.
“Universities must contribute meaningfully to the nation’s efforts to build a more just, prosperous, and inclusive Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director of Islamic Higher Education, Sahiron underlined the importance of strengthening academic capacity within universities. According to him, the quality of public information and institutional reputation is closely connected to academic excellence, research capability, and foreign language proficiency that enable universities to engage globally.
Special Staff Ismail Cawidu stressed that universities carry an important responsibility in delivering public information services, as mandated by Indonesia’s Public Information Disclosure Law.
“Every citizen has the right to access information, and that right is protected by law,” he stated.
During his presentation, Ismail also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping public perception. He explained that information published by universities in digital spaces is now not only consumed by people, but also processed and reproduced by AI technologies such as ChatGPT.
According to him, a university’s reputation today is increasingly formed through the accumulation of news articles, publications, and digital footprints available online. For that reason, public communication should no longer be viewed merely as an administrative activity, but as an essential part of building institutional trust and identity.
“When I asked ChatGPT about UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the response described the university as a pioneer in integrating religious and scientific knowledge, a contributor to moderate Islam, and an institution with a strong intellectual tradition,” Ismail remarked, illustrating how AI reflects public perception based on digital information available online.
At the same time, he warned about the risks of using AI without proper academic verification, including cases involving fabricated references and inaccurate data.
Echoing the same concern, Thobib Al-Asyhar emphasized that transparency is a fundamental element of modern institutional governance. He noted that several categories of public information, including budget planning documents, are accessible to the public under existing regulations.
For UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the program served not only as a capacity-building forum for staff, but also as a reflection on how universities can strengthen public trust and institutional credibility in the digital era. (humassk)