The Faculty of Law at Universitas Kanjuruhan Malang (UNIKAMA) collaborated with Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) and Indonesia’s Election Supervisory Board (BAWASLU RI) to successfully host a guest lecture on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Multicultural Auditorium of Kanjuruhan PGRI Malang. With the theme "The Role of Generation Z in Shaping Political Structures in the Digital Era," the event aimed to explore the contributions of Generation Z in navigating Indonesia’s increasingly tech-driven political landscape.

The lecture was attended by approximately 180 students from both universities’ law faculties, accompanied by lecturers from the two institutions. Two expert speakers enriched the discussion with insightful presentations:

• Totok, S.H., from BAWASLU RI’s Legal and Dispute Resolution Division, addressed the crucial role of election oversight and the challenges of conducting elections in the digital age.
• Nizam Zakka Arrizal, S.H., KN, a lecturer from UNIPMA’s Faculty of Law, discussed legal aspects of election management and how Generation Z can actively contribute to shaping political structures in the digital era.

Totok emphasized the influence of social media and digital technology on election processes, touching on voter engagement and the risks of misinformation. Meanwhile, Nizam elaborated on the role of legal frameworks in ensuring fair elections and the proactive involvement of young people in safeguarding democratic processes wisely in this era.

The interactive Q&A session sparked enthusiastic participation, with students asking diverse and thought-provoking questions related to the topics presented. The discussions helped deepen the participants’ understanding of digital politics and their potential roles as future leaders in navigating these challenges.

Dr. Sulistya Eviningrum, S.H., M.H., Head of the Law Program at UNIPMA, expressed her appreciation for the event’s success.
“We highly value the collaboration between UNIPMA and UNIKAMA’s law faculties. This guest lecture not only broadened students’ horizons but also strengthened ties between our institutions. We hope to continue such collaborations in the future, exploring initiatives that bring even greater benefits,” she said on Monday, November 25, 2024.

She also emphasized the importance of the event as an embodiment of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, encompassing education, research, and community service.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to expose students to the broader legal world, involving them in activities such as the Young Legal Opinion Competition (YLOC), which focuses on legal opinion development. We also invite external judges to ensure objective evaluations,” Dr. Sulistya added.

The event concluded with a group photo session and a networking opportunity among students and faculty from both universities. This guest lecture marks a promising starting point for fostering more collaborative efforts between UNIPMA and UNIKAMA’s law faculties, contributing to the advancement of legal education at both institutions.

By participating in this event, students are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by digital-era politics and their role as informed and active citizens in addressing these changes. The lecture also provided an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of election supervision, political participation, and legal implementation amidst technological advancements.