USU PR - The Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in collaboration with the Central Information Commission of the Republic of Indonesia held a public lecture entitled “Public Information Disclosure and the Right to Know for Students” at the Prof. Dr. Suhadji Hadibroto Hall, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) USU. On Monday (02/12/2024).

The event was attended by the Commissioner of the Central Information Commission of the Republic of Indonesia, Rospita Vici Paulyn, who was also the main speaker. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked(OG), Sp.OG(K)-Fer., Secretary of USU, expressed his appreciation for this activity as an educational effort for students about the importance of the right of access to public information.

“Information is a strategic asset in this digital era. When people have easy and accurate access to public information, they can make better decisions, both for personal and socio-economic interests,” said Prof. Fidel.

The USU Secretary emphasized that public information is a strategic asset that allows people, especially students, to make better decisions in various aspects of life. He also encouraged students to not only be recipients of information, but also play an active role as agents of change through constructive criticism and useful solutions.

In addition, Rospita Vici Paulyn added that students have an important role as an extension of the Information Commission to raise public awareness of their rights to public information. According to her, information disclosure in the digital era should be used to criticize public policies that have a broad impact, such as the increase in tuition fees, while still providing constructive suggestions.

“Students are agents of change who are expected to be an extension of the Information Commission to convey to the public that they have the right to know,” he said.

Head of USU's Office of Public Relations, Promotion and Protocol, Amalia Meutia, M.Psi, Psychologist emphasized that the event aimed to raise awareness of the academic community on the importance of public information disclosure. She also explained that official channels such as PPID (Information Management and Documentation Officer) have been provided to facilitate access to information needed by students.

“Through this seminar, students are expected to become agents of information disclosure at USU, using official channels such as PPID (Information and Documentation Management Officer), to obtain the information needed,” he added.

The event also underlined the importance of responsibility in utilizing information disclosure. Students are expected not only to act as recipients of information, but also to speak out in the public sphere and provide solutions to existing problems.