KEHATI Foundation and OIC Invites UMN Students to Protect The Tapanuli Orangutan

Group photo of KEHATI Foundation, OIC, and UMN representatives (Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

TANGERANG – On March 15, 2023, at UMN’s Lecture Theater, KEHATI Foundation, together with OIC (Orangutan Information Center) and supported by The Body Shop Indonesia, conducted the Tapanuli Orangutan Care Roadshow. 

The Roadshow Peduli Orangutan Tapanuli was attended by UMN Chancellor Ninok Leksono, Vice-Chancellor Andrey Andoko, the Head of Study Program, and lecturers from the Faculty of Communication Sciences. This activity aims to raise awareness about the discovery of the newest species of the Orangutan, the Tapanuli Orangutan, which lives in Batang Toru, North Sumatra. The Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) has been named the newest giant ape species within the last century. 

“On behalf of UMN, we welcome the arrival of the KEHATI Foundation, OIC, and also The Body Shop Indonesia because it is very interesting for us as a multimedia-based university to learn about orangutans,” Ninok said during his speech.

UMN Chancellor, Dr. Ninok Leksono, with a volunteer using a Tapanuli Orangutan costume (Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

The KEHATI Foundation, represented by Riki Frindos as Executive Director, also responded to Ninok’s remarks and stated that currently, the role of the digital world in awareness campaigns is very important among the younger generation. So, the KEHATI Foundation hopes that the activeness of the younger generation in the digital world, combined with the awareness of biodiversity conservation, can produce significant campaign power and impact social and policy change.

“We are very pleased to be working with Universitas Multimedia Nusantara on this Tapanuli orangutan awareness campaign. All young people from various disciplines and majors must possess the knowledge and willingness to be involved in animal conservation in Indonesia. Of course, UMN students can do a lot through digital campaigns and sustainable entrepreneurship programs,” said KEHATI Foundation Executive Director Riki Frindos.

Riki also added that according to many scientists, Orangutans have the potential to experience the sixth mass extinction caused by human exploitation of nature. Therefore, Riki hopes that his visit to UMN, which is based on the field of communication and information technology, can prevent the extinction of orangutans. 

Irwan Fakhruddin, the Secretary of Communication Science, also expressed his opinion regarding this activity which provides students with experiences. It is hoped that with the knowledge students gain, students will be actively involved in the campaign to preserve the Tapanuli Orangutan and other endangered wildlife. 

“The real challenge is how to ground conservation messages, especially to the Gen Z target audience. This message must be packaged in simple language, down to earth, relates to Gen Z, and provide an ‘experiential’ sensation that will make them automatically take part in the campaign,” Irwan explained.

The Body Shop, which also supported and attended the Tapanuli Orangutan Care Roadshow, also expressed their opinion on businesses that can benefit everyone, not just personal satisfaction. The Body Shop continues to support the conservation of the Tapanuli Orangutan by inviting consumers to contribute together to protect this endangered species actively.

By Ghina Salsabila | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id