PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY IN BUILDING THE IMAGE OF UIN SUMATERA UTARA AS AN APPLIED ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Keywords:
Public Relations Strategy, Institutional Image, Applied Islamic University, Digital CommunicationAbstract
This study aims to describe and analyze the public relations strategies in building the image of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra (UIN-SU) as a campus based on applied Islamic sciences, as well as to identify its challenges and obstacles. This research employs a qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, presentation, and verification, while data validity was tested using triangulation. The findings reveal that UIN-SU’s public relations strategies include: optimizing website management; promoting campus events; implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities through direct community involvement; collaborating with local mass media; strengthening corporate identity; publishing content via social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and newspapers; persuasive communication with prospective students; and branding efforts targeted at Islamic Senior High Schools, general Senior High Schools, and Vocational High Schools. The internal obstacles involve limited public relations personnel, while external challenges include low student awareness in disseminating campus information and the need to tailor content for Generation Z. This study contributes by offering strategic guidance for Islamic higher education institutions in effectively developing their institutional image through the strengthening of strategic communication and collaboration, particularly in the digital era.
Downloads
References
Adha, S. T. N., & Rohimakumullah, M. A. A. (2022). The Role of Public Relations in Handling the Image Crisis of the OSS System at the Indonesian Ministry of Investment. Kaganga: Journal of History Education and Social Humanities Research, 5(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.31539/kaganga.v5i1.3765
Amalia, V. (2020). Public Relations Communication Strategy in Increasing Public Trust in Higher Education (Case Study at Nurul Jadid University, Paiton, Probolinggo). AL-TANZIM: Journal of Islamic Education Management, 4(1), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v4i1.812
Amin, M. S., Arifudin, D., Ikhsan, I., & Indriyani, R. (2024). Optimization of Digital Media in Improving the Campus Attraction Image through Creative Content Training by Public Relations at Amikom University Purwokerto. Journal of Community Service Nusantara (JPkMN), 6(1), 1293–1298. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.55338/jpkmn.v6i1.4437
Syafitri, A. S., & Wulandari, S. S. (2024). Public Relations Strategy through Digital Literacy to Enhance the Positive Image of SMK PGRI 2 Sidoarjo. Sinar Dunia: Journal of Social Humanities and Education Research, 3(3), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.58192/sidu.v3i3.2392
Buchori, A. (2019). The Role and Strategy of Public Relations in Shaping the Image of Tourism Higher Education (Case Study at Ambarrukmo Tourism College Yogyakarta). Tourism Journal, 13(1), 57–68. http://ejournal.stipram.ac.id/index.php/kepariwisataan/article/view/76
Damayanti, P. (2021). Development of Effective Public Relations in Higher Education. JOPPAS: Journal of Public Policy and Administration Silampari, 3(1), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.31539/joppas.v3i1.3113
Dipa, A. K., Hafiar, H., & Rahmat, A. (2023). Understanding of Higher Education Public Relations Regarding Reputation in the Era of Digital Public Relations. Audience Journal, 5(2), 209–225. https://doi.org/10.33633/ja.v5i2.6190
Hafidhah, H., Herli, M., & Arifin, M. (2020). The Role of Social Media in Supporting the Performance and Popularity of Higher Education Institutions. Serambi Ilmu Journal, 21(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.32672/si.v21i1.1786
Harwinda, A., Pinariya, J. M., Putri, D. W., & Yunia, A. (2024). Public Relations Capabilities of Higher Education Institutions in Jakarta in Managing MBKM Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Lugas Journal, 7(1), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.31334/lugas.v8i1.3753
Iqbal, M. (2023). Public Relations Management in Efforts to Improve the Quality of Higher Education. Journal of Humanities and Education Sciences, 2(2), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.35912/jahidik.v2i2.1565
Mallappiang, N., Agustang, A., & Idkhan, A. M. (2021). The Role of Public Relations in Supporting the Tri Dharma of Higher Education at East Indonesia University Makassar. Journal Governance and Politics (JGP), 1(2), 134–148.
Mardiyah, M., Fauzi, M. I. F., F, H., Humaira, N., & Kisman, A. (2023). The Role of Public Relations Management in Shaping the Image of Educational Institutions. An-Nadzir: Journal of Islamic Education Management, 1(2), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.55799/annadzir.v1i02.318
Matheos, M. (2018). The Role of Public Relations in Fulfilling the Information Needs of the Academic Portal for Students at Sam Ratulangi University. Unsrat Journal.
Mukhsinuddin, M., Tarmizi, T., Putra, R. S., & Furqan, M. (2021). Public Relations Strategy in Building Competitiveness and Quality of Education in Higher Education in Aceh. MUDARRISUNA Journal: Media for the Study of Islamic Religious Education, 11(4), 609. https://doi.org/10.22373/jm.v11i4.11098
Munir, A. (2023). Effectiveness of Public Relations Management in Building the Educational Image of Ar-Raniry State Islamic University Banda Aceh. Intelektualita, 12(1), 145–159. https://doi.org/10.22373/ji.v12i1.18110
Kadir, M. A. (2003). Applied Islamic Science: Initiating a Practical Paradigm in Islam. Pustaka Pelajar.
Nento, K., & Masruri, A. (2020). Optimization of Website Use as a School Information Publication Media at SMK Koperasi Yogyakarta. JTII, 5(2), 87–98.
Pratiwi, H. A. (2011). The Role of Public Relations in Forming a Positive Image of Higher Education. Deiksis, 3(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/deiksis.v3i01.414
Primadini, I., Heriyanto, A., Tehillah, N., S. C. P, K. T. A., & Angelia, C. R. (2022). The Role of Public Relations in Higher Education: Technical or Managerial? Journal of Professional Communication, 6(2 SE-Articles), 139–157. https://ejournal.unitomo.ac.id/index.php/jkp/article/view/4495
Purwo, R. H. S., & Puspasari, D. (2020). The Role of Public Relations in Enhancing Positive Image at the Human Resource Development Agency (BPSDM) of East Java Province. Journal of Office Administration Education (JPAP), 8(3), 458–467. https://doi.org/10.26740/jpap.v8n3.p458-467
Ratnasari, E., Rahmat, A., & Prastowo, F. A. A. (2018). The Role of Public Relations in Legal Entity State Universities in Implementing Information Disclosure Policies. PRofesi Humas: Scientific Journal of Public Relations, 3(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.24198/prh.v3i1.14034
Salamah, N., Nugroho, M. A., & Nugroho, P. (2020). Efforts to Cultivate Religious Moderation Among IAIN Kudus Students through the Applied Islamic Science Paradigm. Quality, 8(2), 269. https://doi.org/10.21043/quality.v8i2.7517
Syukri, & Sumarni. (2020). Public Relations Strategy in Increasing the Interest of Prospective New Students at Muhammadiyah University of Makassar. Journal of Communication and Organization (JKO), 2(1), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.26644/jko.v2i1.6064
Rachmad, T. H. (2015). Public Relations Strategy in Enhancing the Image of Private Universities in East Java. Communication, 9, 21–40. https://doi.org/10.21107/ilkom.v9i1.1149
Wulansari, N. L. T., Fitriana, K. N., Khotimah, N., Agustinova, D. E., & Satlita, L. (2023). Transformation of University Public Relations in the Disruptive 4.0 and Society 5.0 Era: Challenges and Strategies. SOCIA: Journal of Social Sciences, 20(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.21831/socia.v20i1.61641
Yuarko, N. V., Wulandari, M. P., & Zulkarnain, Z. (2024). Implementation of Excellence Theory of Public Relations in Building Effective Communication at State Universities with Public Service Agency (PTN-BLU) and Legal Entity (PTN-BH) Status. Syntax Literate: Indonesian Scientific Journal, 7(11), 18326–18341. https://doi.org/10.36418/syntax-literate.v7i11.15383
Arifa, N. A., Karman, A., & Ulfain, U. (2023). Internalisasi Nilai-Nilai Sosio-Kultural Berbasis Etno Religi Di Masyarakat Wannas Kampung Koya Koso Papua. Communicative: Jurnal Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam, 4(2), 118-127.
Fauzi, R., & Islamiah, M. N. (2023). Pola asuh orang tua dalam kajian komunikasi: Implikasi terhadap hubungan keluarga. Jurnal Bimbingan Penyuluhan Islam, 5(1), 64-88.
Fauzi, R., Nurislamiah, M., & Somantri, N. T. (2024, February). The role of artificial intelligence in digital communications media dependence theory perspective. In International Conference of Bunga Bangsa (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 266-274).
Marliani, L., Nurislamiah, M., & Zulkarnaen, M. R. (2024). PENDEKATAN KONSELING ISLAM DALAM MENANGANI KECANDUAN MEDIA SOSIAL. Misykah: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Studi Islam, 9(1), 28-37.
Nurislamiah, M., & Fauzi, R. (2023). Peran Public Relations di Era Artificial Intelligence. Communicative: Jurnal Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam, 4(2), 1-10.
Nurislamiah, M., & Firdaus, M. Y. (2025). PERAN INFLUENCER MUSLIM DALAM PENYEBARAN NILAI-NILAI ISLAM. Misykah: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Studi Islam, 10(2), 24-31.
Nurislamiah, M., Fauzi, R., & Muzayyanah, H. F. (2023). KOMUNIKASI INTERPERSONAL KIAYI DALAM MENINGKATKAN SIKAP RELIGIUSITAS SANTRI MELALUI TRADISI SOWAN DI PONDOK PESANTREN KHAS KEMPEK PUTRI ASRAMA AL-NASHIR AL-MANSHUR.
Ulfah, E. S. M., & Nurislamiah, M. (2023). Komunikasi Edukatif Guru Dalam Menanamkan Nilai-Nilai Moral Pada Anak Usia Dini Di Ra Al-Hidayah Kota Cirebon. Hadlonah: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengasuhan Anak, 4(2).
Widodo, A., Anantama, A., Kurniawa, S., & Nurislamiah, M. (2025). PENDAMPINGAN KONTEN KREATIF DAKWAH DIGITAL DI PONDOK PESANTREN RIYADLATUL ULUM LAMPUNG TIMUR. Communicative: Jurnal Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam, 6(2), 1-8.
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nur Hanifah, Nursamsiah Pasya Hasibuan, Amelia Lestari Butar-butar, Defi Nurfajaria, Zulfan Affandi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
1.png)

