Students of the Public Relations Study Program of Fikom Unpad made another achievement at the 2023 Gadjah Mada University Ajisaka Festival in the Archipelago Public Relations Competition (Prahasta) in the Public Relations Campaign and Risk Management competition category. Public Relations students won first place and third place in the Public Relations Campaign category. As for the Risk Management category, the PR study program delegation also won first and second place.
The first winner of the Public Relations Campaign was won by the “Tap in Team” team with members Nazhifah Zalfa, Nadira Amartia and Janebethia Alice, and the third place was won by the “Barokah” team with members Farley Rafa Aurelia, Raissa Az Zahra and Nur Mizaniyah Putri. Whereas in the Risk Management category Prahasta, the first prize was won by the “President” team consisting of Ahmad Dzikri Falatehan, Alifia Rasyida and Muhammad Akmal Firdaus and the second place was won by the “Legacy” team consisting of Rayhan Azhar, Andrea Marcella and Hikmatiyar Hidayat.
The 2023 UGM Ajisaka Festival is a competition sponsored by Gadjah Mada University as a motivation for students to come up with innovative ideas. This year Ajisaka presented the big theme of gender equity with the title Agnia Abhipraya. By raising this theme, students are expected to become agents of change to educate the public about the importance of gender equality and gender-based violence.
One of the categories contested is Prahasta. This competition focuses on the field of public relations with two competition categories that focus on reputation management and risk communication related to online gender-based violence (KBGO). Prahasta challenged students to provide solutions related to cases of online gender based violence (KBGO). This case was raised against the background of the increasing number of violence since the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation is exacerbated because of gender inequality which is still a problem in Indonesian society.
As a public relations student, Prahasta is the right place for students to practice critical thinking as well as apply their knowledge practically. Quoting from Nazhifah Zalfa as the representative of the “Tap In” Team, Nazhifah said that participants are required to understand the brief in depth to be able to find the right solution. Starting from reviewing briefs many times, in-depth research, brainstorming to finally compiling a creative deck in the first round and in the end 4 teams of Public Relations Students of Fikom Unpad were able to advance to the top 5 final round which was held offline at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta.
The struggle that Unpad Fikom Unpad Public Relations students go through is not easy, therefore according to Nazhifah, support from the Unpad Fikom Public Relations study program is a major contribution to the success of the entire team. Since the opening of the 2023 UGM Ajisaka Festival and there was participation from Unpad Fikom Public Relations students in the competition, the study program as well as Hima Humas provided a mentoring platform for participants for coaching and consulting with the lecturers of the Public Relations Study Program. Participants can freely submit coaching requests as well as consultations starting from brief dissections, decking to pitching in the final round. Hima Humas also provided other support in the form of providing accommodation and transportation while in Yogyakarta.
After participating in the preparation process to become a winner, Unpad Fikom Public Relations students learned a lot. According to Janebethia, a member of the “Tap In” team, participating in the Ajisaka UGM 2023 competition was a valuable experience, not only honing skills academically but also practicing socialization, problem solving, as well as networking which is just as important as a Public Relations officer.
Finally, suggestions were also conveyed by Nazhifa for Unpad Fikom Public Relations students who are interested in participating in the competition not to be shy about asking questions, consulting or coaching other experienced lecturers and students of Unpad Fikom Public Relations. In addition, Nazhifah strongly recommends using the coaching clinic facilities provided by Hima Humas to maximize competition preparation. Janebethia also conveyed her enthusiasm for Public Relations students of Fikom Unpad not to be afraid to try new things.
