DEPOK,
The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Indonesia (FISIP UI) has added another row of female academics in the field of communication. Mega Mardita officially holds the title of Doctor of Communication Science as well as being the 78th female doctorate graduated by the Postgraduate Program of Communication Science FISIP UI. The doctoral promotion session was held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 10:00-12:00 WIB at the Juwono Sudarsono Auditorium (AJS), FISIP UI Depok Campus. The session was led by Prof. Dr. Iwan Gardono Sudjatmiko as the Chair of the Session. The promoter team consisted of Dr. Hendriyani and Endah Triastuti, Ph.D., and the board of examiners included Dr. Robertus Heru Triharjanto, Dr. Radhiatmoko, Dr. Ummi Salamah, and Dr. Niken Febrina Ernungtyas.
Satellite Data Sovereignty
Mega’s dissertation entitled “Indonesian Data Sovereignty: A Case Study of Actors in Remote Sensing Satellite Data Policy” examines how relations between state actors and challenges to strategic data sovereignty emerge amid the dominance of foreign technology and unsolid domestic institutions. Through a case study of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), he traces the dynamics of policy communication in remote sensing data management.
Technology Dependency and Institutional Challenges
“Indonesia’s remote sensing satellite data sovereignty is still partial, mainly due to institutional problems and dependence on foreign parties. Although BRIN plays an important role in managing and providing data, Indonesia is not fully sovereign at the infrastructure level because ownership and access to satellite technology is still held by foreigners, causing structural dependence,” Mega said in his academic session.
Proposed Strategy: Data Resilience
In his presentation, Mega emphasized that technological challenges should not make the state neglect the protection of national data. She proposed a data resilience approach as an alternative sovereignty strategy. “In the context of technological limitations, data sovereignty is realized through a data resilience approach by building a system of policies, institutions, and protection of data that is holistic and in favor of the state and society,” she added.
Academic Contributions and Women’s Representation
This research marks an important contribution to the study of strategic policy communication in the era of data and digital geopolitics. Mega presents a new conceptual framework analysis that repositions data as an issue of sovereignty and public rights and not just a technocratic matter. With this achievement, Mega Mardita adds an important representation of female academics in the national discourse on technology, state, and information justice. She graduated with satisfactory results. (MAP)
