Indonesia
MALANG (JatimSatuNews.com) Universities cannot rely on academic quality alone to attract public interest. As people increasingly depend on digital information, a website’s presence and management have become central to building public trust.
Prof. Dr. H. M. Mas’ud Said, M.Si., Director of Universitas Islam Malang’s (Unisma) Postgraduate Program, made the remarks in an interview on Wednesday (October 7, 2026).
According to Prof. Mas’ud, an institution’s website should now be seen as its public face. People who want to learn about educational programs, activities, or an institution’s profile often start by searching online.
“A website is the same as a dissertation. Ours is a university with just one doctoral program, yet it draws the most applicants,” Prof. Mas’ud said.
He stressed that stronger digital communication is part of a strategy to boost student interest. Digital promotion must therefore be consistent and go beyond image building.
“Branding is long term. Now it’s more about promotion,” he said.
Website as First Point of Contact with an Institution
Prof. Mas’ud sees websites as strategically placed because they are among the first sources people check when getting to know an institution.
Educational institutions and organizations serious about building reputation, he said, must ensure website information is accessible and gives a clear picture of who they are.
“Website comes first. It’s simply the best,” he stressed.
That view shows digital transformation is no longer optional for universities. Digital presence is now part of institutional communication strategy, including reaching prospective students.
For Unisma’s Postgraduate Program, it forms part of efforts to broaden information reach while introducing its programs to the public.
Good Governance as Foundation
Beyond digitalization, Prof. Mas’ud also stressed good governance as essential to building institutions.
Good governance principles, he said, apply not only in government but also in running universities and other organizations.
“When we come with good governance, good corporate governance, that’s called a good university,” he explained.
He sees experience across many organizations as a key asset for understanding how institutions are run. Prof. Mas’ud said he has been involved in several organizations, including youth groups, NU, PMII, and various social organizations.
That experience, he said, enriches his perspective on building organizations with both strong governance and strong networks.
“Good organization, social organization, competition, and the fundamentals of governance, all of that,” he said.
Beyond Academics, Building an Ecosystem
In his view, an institution’s progress depends on building an ecosystem in which its parts support one another.
Prof. Mas’ud pointed to several institutions tied to education, social work, religion, and community service.
He also cited Sabilillah Mosque in Malang as an example of an institution that built its services while earning strong satisfaction among congregants.
“Sabilillah congregant satisfaction is 4.8,” he said.
Institutional success, he added, is measured not only by organizational structure but also by how people experience benefits and service.
Unisma Postgraduate Program Pushes Stronger Promotion
Prof. Mas’ud affirmed that Unisma’s Postgraduate Program will keep strengthening promotion to raise student numbers, through conventional activities as well as digital channels.
He called the strategy vital as competition among universities grows more open. People have many options and can compare institutions online before choosing.
Websites, digital media, promotion, and institutional governance must therefore move together.
“What matters is that this institution keeps growing,” he said.
With this approach, Unisma’s Postgraduate Program is expected to broaden its reach and strengthen public trust.
In an era when information is a phone screen away, a website is no longer just for show. It is among the first doors through which people get to know, assess, and choose an educational institution.
This article was originally published on JatimSatuNews.com
