Depok-Universitas Indonesia (UI) Vocational Education Program through the UI Vocational Institute (Lemkasi) held public relations training for the Indonesian Army leaders. A total of 70 Military District Command Commanders (Dandim) and Military Resort Command Commanders (Danrem), and the Head of Information for Kodam Jaya from all over Indonesia were very enthusiastic about participating in this training even though it was held virtually (September 2-28, 2021).
It aims to improve the strategic communication skills of top leadership in each Indonesian Army work unit. The activity was officially closed on September 28, 2021 by Major General of Indonesian Army, Wawan Ruswandi, S.I.P., M.Si, Assistant for Personnel to the Army Chief of Staff, and Prof. Sigit P. Hadiwardoyo, DEA, Director of the UI Vocational Education Program.
Dr. Diaz Pranita, Chief of Lemkasi, said that this year was the second time that the training for elements of the Indonesian Army leadership was held. “This collaboration has been established since 2020 and is currently the second activity. Public relations training provided to leadership elements, namely strategic public relations, digital public relations, branding, media relations, and communication in crisis. The lecturers presented are practitioners in the field of public relations, so they can provide concepts and various examples of cases that are relevant to be applied in the Indonesian Army,” said Diaz.
Major General of Indonesian Army, Wawan Ruswandi, said that the 21st century has changed almost all aspects and areas of life, including the defense sector. The army faces attacks that threaten the country and territory of the Republic of Indonesia, not only the threat of physical warfare, but also information warfare that has a very wide destructive impact. “Soldiers are no longer only able to face physical combat, but mastery of information and communication is the front line in the national security landscape, so good communication skills by utilizing digital devices are very necessary,” said Major General Wawan.
He argues that public relations training for leadership elements has a strategic meaning, namely how the Indonesian Army, especially the Army Chief of Staff wants to prepare future leaders who have strategic communication skills through various communication media, especially in utilizing digital technology. “I hope that after attending this training, the public relations strategy will be better and on target,” said Wawan.
Prof. Sigit P. Hadiwardoyo expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Army for the trust given to Lemkasi UI and the UI Vocational Education Program. He hopes that the existence of UI Vocational as an applied higher education provider is expected to be able to contribute to various government institutions through its professional teachers and graduates. “We thank you for trusting the UI Vocational Institute and the UI Vocational Education Program. I hope that the cooperation with the Indonesian Army will be even closer in carrying out training and teaching activities, research, and community service in the future,” said Sigit.[:]
