LSPR’s PRDC International Class Batch 26: International Mentorship and Workshop Programme (IMWP) 2025 heads to Perth, Australia “A Journey of Knowledge, Industry Insights, and Cultural Exploration”

Perth, April 8th-14th, 2025 – This year LSPR brings a total of 26 students from PRDC International Class Batch 26 to Perth, Western Australia, for an immersive International Mentorship & Workshop Programme (IMWP) happening from 8 to 14 April 2025. It is an experiential programme exclusively for LSPR International Class students, giving them the chance to gain first-hand field experience that supports and complements their studies. The activities include visits to the University of Western Australia, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Channel 9 Headquarters in Perth, a courtesy visit to the Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth, and cultural tour around Perth. Under the guidance of lecturers Mrs. Sylva A. Ronnfeld, M.Si.; Mrs. Bertha Yunita Permatasari, B.A., M.Si.; and Mrs. Sophia Bernadette, S.E., M.I.Kom., the journey in Perth was full of excitement and knowledge.

On the first day in Perth, students presented the Bulora exhibition at the University of Western Australia. The exhibition showcases “Batik Cibuluh”, is a traditional Indonesian batik motif originating from Bogor, West Java. Inspired by the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage, Batik Cibuluh reflects the distinctive identity of Bogor through its unique patterns and local symbolism, making it one of the region’s representative cultural textiles. Students were able to share awareness about how traditional forms of art, like Batik Cibuluh, are preserved and displayed in modern environments, especially in Perth. They also developed an understanding of the intersection of cultural heritage and modern branding and the global importance of the promotion of cultural craftsmanship through fashion and design. The exhibition focused on how heritage craft and modern branding converge, showing how Batik Cibuluh, as an ambassador of Indonesian heritage, brings Indonesian art to the world and advances global appreciation through fashion and design.

On the second day, the students visited the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Western Australia and Edith Cowan University. During their visit to CCIWA, they learned about the organization’s role in supporting local businesses across Western Australia. The session concluded with an interactive discussion, where students actively engaged with the CCIWA representatives by asking insightful questions related to their project and Australia’s business ecosystem. At Edith Cowan University, the students engaged in a discussion with researchers on raising awareness of local communities and identity-related issues in both Australia and Indonesia. Each student contributed to the discussion by presenting their ideas and perspectives. The students also attended a lecture on communication campaigns, where they learned how to develop effective campaign strategies and prepare public relations campaign outputs. These visits gave the students a deeper understanding of the role of public relations in business, community engagement, and campaign development, all of which are highly relevant to their future careers.

On the third day, the students visited the Channel 9 headquarters in Perth and KJRI Perth. In Channel 9 headquarters, they acquire information about media operations and television production, discovering how the principles of public relations are applied in the world of media to sway individuals’ minds and present good messages. In KJRI, the students discussed the viability of Indonesian MSMEs in Australia and promoting Indonesia’s heritage. This was important as it made the students understand the importance of foreign affairs and diplomacy in opening up domestic businesses and cultural exchange and the importance of promoting Indonesian culture on a global level. These visits were necessary to familiarize the students with how PR works in media and diplomatic environments, with a focus on its component of making business opportunities and cultural diplomacy successful.

On the final days of the IMWP, the students explored several of Perth’s iconic destinations, including Fremantle, Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, and the Western Australian Museum. Throughout these visits, they completed a series of practical assignments, including the production of vlogs documenting their experiences. These activities provided valuable opportunities for students to apply their public relations knowledge in real-world settings by integrating creativity, digital storytelling, and media production. Through this hands-on experience, they strengthened their communication skills while showcasing their ability to create engaging content for diverse audiences.

Students gained experiential knowledge that supplemented their education in public relations, media, business, and cultural diplomacy. Through attendance at well-visited sites such as the Bulora exhibition at the University of Western Australia, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Channel 9, and KJRI Perth, the students gained information about how the concept of PR is applied to various sectors of practice, from celebrating cultural identity to marketing home businesses and opinion-forming within media. Practical work, including the creation of vlogs, provided them with space to nurture their digital communication proficiency and proficiency at communicating information. It also trained students on how PR is engaged at an international level and enlightened them to the extent that they understood its reach into business prospects, cultural interchange, and community relations.