FISH UNJ and NIDA Thailand Strengthen International Collaboration through the Signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)

Jakarta, March 2, 2026 – The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law (FISH) at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) held an international cooperation Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Thailand, as a strategic step to strengthen academic collaboration in the areas of education, research, and community engagement. The event took place at the FISH UNJ Building K, 2nd Floor, Room 212, serving as a productive dialogue forum to formulate a sustainable partnership framework aimed at enhancing global competitiveness.

The discussion was attended by the Dean of FISH UNJ, Firdaus Wajdi, M.A., Ph.D., and Associate Professor Asawin Nedpogaeo, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School of Communication Arts Management and Innovation at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Thailand. Also present were the Vice Deans of FISH UNJ, the Chair and Secretary of the FISH Academic Senate, as well as the Coordinators of Study Programs. 

The event was officially opened by the FISH UNJ Ambassador, followed by welcoming remarks from Dean Firdaus Wajdi, M.A., Ph.D. In his speech, he expressed appreciation for the presence of the NIDA Thailand delegation and emphasized the importance of expanding international academic networks as part of strengthening the university’s tridharma—education, research, and community service. He further underscored the faculty’s commitment to establishing a long-term and sustainable partnership.

The event continued with an interactive discussion session involving the leadership and study program representatives from both institutions. The discussion focused on concrete opportunities for collaboration, including partnerships in education, joint research projects, and faculty and student exchange programs.

In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Asawin highlighted that NIDA offers opportunities for FISH UNJ graduates, particularly from the Communication Studies Program, to pursue master’s degrees in Thailand. He emphasized that NIDA provides international programs conducted in English, designed to attract students from various countries.

According to him, communication studies in Thailand have experienced significant growth over the past four decades, in line with the expansion of the media industry. Over the last 15 years, NIDA has transformed its curriculum by integrating innovation and digital technology into communication studies.

“Communication in Thailand has been popular for more than 40 years. But today, we move forward with innovation and digital integration, digital marketing, data analytics, big data, and AI. Communication is no longer only about traditional media, but also about virtual and digital transformation,he explained.

The discussion also addressed scholarship opportunities for international students and the possibility of thematic research collaboration in communication, digital media, and contemporary social issues. This was warmly welcomed by the Study Program Coordinators, who recognized the strong potential of cross-country collaboration in strengthening academic capacity and advancing curriculum internationalization.

As part of the series of activities, both institutions signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) as a legal framework for cooperation in the areas of education, research, and community service. The signing marked a concrete step in reinforcing a long-term collaborative commitment between Universitas Negeri Jakarta, through FISH UNJ, and NIDA Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Asawin Nedpogaeo, Ph.D., dalam sambutannya menyampaikan apresiasi atas sambutan hangat dari FISH UNJ serta menegaskan pentingnya kolaborasi lintas negara di kawasan Asia. “I am glad to be here. Collaboration is very significant for us. In Thailand, we believe that strong academic communication and international partnerships are essential, otherwise institutions will be left behind. That is why this year we emphasize special collaborations like this,” ujarnya.

He further explained that NIDA has a strong educational structure, with a clear emphasis on research and systematic academic stages, where students complete a number of core courses before entering the research phase. According to him, this model creates substantial opportunities for joint research initiatives and academic exchanges between institutions.

The series of activities concluded with a group photo session as a symbol of the established partnership, reaffirming the commitment of both parties to follow up on the discussion outcomes through concrete and sustainable collaborative programs.

As a strategic partner, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) is one of Thailand’s leading higher education institutions, focusing on public administration, policy, development, and social sciences. Based on the SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) 2025, NIDA consistently ranks among the top 10 institutions nationally in Thailand. The SCImago Institutions Rankings is a global ranking system based on scientific publication performance, citation impact, and research influence indexed in the Elsevier Scopus database. 

This achievement reflects NIDA’s strong academic reputation and significant contribution to global knowledge development. The collaboration also underscores FISH UNJ’s commitment to partnering with internationally reputable institutions in order to enhance global competitiveness and expand international exposure for its academic community.

Writers: MARL, HH, & JAH

Editor: TEAM FISH MEDIA CENTER 2026