Strengthening Communication Skills, Tutor Asrama ITB Holds Public Speaking Training

JATINANGOR, kemahasiswaan.itb.ac.id - Tutor Asrama ITB held a Training for Tutor on Sunday (11/5/2025) at the GKU 2 Auditorium, ITB Jatinangor Campus. Under the theme "STECU: Start Talking, Elevate Confidence, Unleash", this activity was attended by 143 participants, consisting of Tutor Asrama members for the 2024/2025 period and prospective tutors for the 2025/2026 period. This activity is an important moment to equip tutors with strong leadership skills through effective communication.

Tutor Training is one of the programs of Pengembangan dan Manajemen Sumber Daya Anggota Development and Management of Internal Human Resources (PMSDA) division, that focuses on developing the capacity of Tutor Asrama members. Packaged in the form of an interactive seminar session, STECU provides participants with provisions so that they can become leaders who have good communication and confidence.

Suharyo Haryono, S.T., M.M., CPLM, LCPC, a communication practitioner, was invited as the speaker and presented material entitled "Public Speaking: An Essential Skill for Leaders to Communicate Ideas". Suharyo began the presentation session by sharing his personal experience. Regarding the experience of joining the English Forum unit during college, Suharyo did not hesitate to share the feeling of inferiority that he once felt. 

"I once felt small among those who were already good at speaking," he recalled. 

But that was where the turning point began. Suharyo made that feeling of inferiority the motivation for him to improve his communication skills.

Furthermore, Suharyo emphasized the importance of public speaking skills as the main skill for a leader. "Becoming a leader requires you to believe in yourself first in order to build the confidence of others," he said. 

Not only that, Suharyo also shared tips for developing self-confidence, conveying ideas, and how to develop strategies to overcome nervousness when speaking in public.

According to him public speaking is a skill, thus it can be learned. The ability to communicate is very crucial for a leader. Successful public speaking is one that successfully convinces its audience. "Try to know (how to deliver messages to) the listener with 3P, which is plan, prepare, and present. Continuous practice will improve our communication skills," he added.

Yoni Dyah Lupiati, S.Si., a representative of the ITB Student Parents Association (IOM ITB), also attended the event. IOM ITB is one of the parties that supports the implementation of this training. In her remarks, Yoni expressed her concern about the stereotype of ITB alumni who have poor communication skills. She hopes that this training can be a starting point to prove the stereotype wrong. Yoni also invited the participants to read more diligently as a provision for a deeper understanding in public speaking.

The activity was closed with a sharing session on Tutor Asrama by 3 speakers, namely Putri Nur Azizah (Coordinator of Kanayakan Dormitory), Rangga Mahendra (Coordinator of Jatinangor Dormitory), and Putri Septianingrum (Vice Coordinator of Jatinangor Dormitory). In the sharing session, they introduced the role of tutors in the dormitory, the concept of living and learning community as the basis for holding activities in the dormitory, and the benefits of being a Tutor Asrama.

Through this training, it is hoped that the members of Tutor Asrama will not only become companions for dormitory residents, but also inspiring figures who are able to foster a spirit of learning, empathy, and leadership in their living environment.