The Journalism Study Program of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences (FDIKOM), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), successfully concluded the international workshop "International Economic and Financial Data Literacy and Reporting: Bridging Cultures with Technology." Held online from 20 March to 20 April 2026, with weekly sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Western Indonesian Time, UTC+7), the program brought together journalism students from Indonesia and Hong Kong to strengthen their competencies in economic and financial reporting while fostering intercultural collaboration.

Dean of FDIKOM UIN Jakarta, Prof. Gun Gun Heryanto, M.Si., said the workshop reflects the faculty's commitment to preparing future journalists with global perspectives and intercultural competence.

"International collaboration is an essential part of higher education today. Through initiatives like this, students gain not only academic knowledge but also the cross-cultural understanding and global mindset needed to produce responsible journalism in an increasingly interconnected world," he said.

Head of the Journalism Study Program, Bintan Humeira, explained that the workshop was designed to equip students with the ability to interpret economic and financial data accurately while encouraging collaboration across national and cultural boundaries.

"We hope students develop the confidence to produce evidence-based reporting with both local relevance and global perspectives. More importantly, they learn that journalism is strengthened through dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding," Bintan said.

Approximately 40 journalism students from UIN Jakarta and HKBU participated in the program through KEEP Moodle and Zoom. Guided by lecturers from both universities, including Professor Raymond Li, Professor Brian So Ming Hang, Bintan Humeira, and Achmad Maulana Sirojjudin, participants explored topics such as international economic data literacy, financial journalism, English news writing, and comparative economic issues in Indonesia and Hong Kong. Students also worked in mixed-nationality groups to discuss contemporary issues from diverse journalistic perspectives.

For Munifa, a sixth-semester Journalism student at UIN Jakarta, the workshop offered valuable academic and intercultural experiences.

"Collaborating with students from Hong Kong broadened my perspective on economic reporting and taught me how different cultural backgrounds can enrich journalistic discussions. It was an inspiring learning experience," she said.

The workshop concluded with student reflections, collaborative presentations, and the presentation of certificates of participation. More than a series of online discussions, the program demonstrated how technology can connect students across borders and create meaningful international learning experiences.

The collaboration between UIN Jakarta and Hong Kong Baptist University underscores both institutions' shared commitment to advancing journalism education through global partnerships, data literacy, and intercultural dialogue, preparing students to report complex global issues with accuracy, integrity, and cultural awareness.