Communication Science Students Crowned Unimal Public Relations Ambassadors 2026

The selection process for the 2026–2027 Malikussaleh University Public Relations Ambassadors, which spanned nearly a week, concluded with a lively event at the Bukit Indah Campus in Lhokseumawe on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Two students from the Communication Science Study Program, Teuku Muhammad Haikal Rusli and Nabila Mawaddah, were crowned as the 2026 Public Relations Ambassador pair.

In addition to the selection made by a panel of judges from diverse backgrounds, students and the audience also voted online for their favorite pair. The pair receiving the most votes consisted of Siti Khailillah Annisa from the Business Administration Study Program and Muhammad Yasir from the Agrotechnology Study Program; their vote counts far surpassed those of the other candidates.

Riuandhi Praza, Head of the Language, Public Relations, and Publishing Academic Service Unit at Malikussaleh University, noted that the 2026 Public Relations Ambassador selection differed significantly from previous years.

Beyond the festive nature of the event, "We also invited audience participation to vote for their favorite ambassador pair," said Riyandhi during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Unimal Public Relations Ambassador selection at the Bukit Indah Campus, Lhokseumawe, on Thursday afternoon.

The eight student finalists included Ahmad Jailani (Communication Science), Teuku Muhammad Haikal Rusli, Muhammad Yasir, and Teuku Pasha Al-Patih Maulana (Electrical Engineering). The female finalists were Nabila Mawaddah, Najwa Syahira (Law), Nazwa Shaqi (Entrepreneurship), and Siti Khailillah Annisa.

One of the judges, Ayi Jufridar, addressed the finalists and the audience, stating that every finalist possessed unique strengths and weaknesses, which made the task challenging for the panel of judges—who represented various academic disciplines. “We had to select the best candidates—those who demonstrated excellence across various areas—to carry out public relations duties over the coming year,” he stated following the Q&A session.

In addition to Ayi, who focused on the finalists' knowledge of public relations programs, the panel included Ella Suzanna (psychology), Dewi Kumalasari (public speaking and singing), and Raisa Agustiana (Acehnese customs and culture). On the day of the selection, the committee also invited an additional judge, Sanidia—a former North Aceh Tourism Ambassador finalist and an alumna of the Malikussaleh University Faculty of Law.

The day prior, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, all finalists showcased their talents on a grandly decorated stage. Participants presented a variety of performances, including monologues, poetry combined with rapai drumming, storytelling, and singing.

Nabila Mawaddah expressed her gratitude after being selected as the 2026 Unimal Public Relations Ambassador. She pledged to perform her duties to the best of her ability. “I will honor this trust with a deep sense of responsibility,” Nabila said after being crowned the 2026 Unimal Public Relations Ambassador.

Meanwhile, Teuku Haikal promised to make a tangible contribution to the implementation of Unimal’s public relations work program over the next year. “Moving forward, I want to actively promote Unimal through creative and positive communication that resonates with the younger generation,” said Haikal, who is also a former North Aceh Tourism Ambassador finalist.[]