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Jakarta — The Creative Digital Communication (CDC) program of BINUS University International successfully held the Data Storytelling Bootcamp 2025 from 17–21 November 2025 at BINUS @Senayan, fX Campus.
This year marks the third consecutive year of collaboration between BINUS and tirto.id, solidifying a sustained partnership committed to strengthening data literacy and storytelling skills among Communication students.
The bootcamp serves as an intensive extension of the Communication Data and Technology course. Responding to the fast-growing demand for data-driven communication professionals, the program trains students to transform data into compelling, accurate, and socially relevant stories.
Through expert-led sessions and hands-on guidance, students learned how to work with datasets, analyze information, and visualize insights using industry-supported digital tools.
This year’s bootcamp was fully supported by journalists, fact-checkers, and researchers from tirto.id, who brought their newsroom experience and data-reporting expertise directly into the classroom. These mentors guided students through each stage of their project development, from generating ideas to processing data and crafting clear, impactful visual stories.
The line-up of mentors are:
Rina Nurjanah – Program Development Manager
Aunurrahman Wibisono – Managing Editor, Mild Reporting Desk
Alfitra Akbar – Fact-checker & Data Visualization Expert
Fina Nailur Rohma – Fact-checker
Faridah Susanty – Head of Research
Alfons Yoshio Hartanto – Researcher & Data Visualization Expert
Their expertise ensured students received high-quality mentorship grounded in current industry practices.
Throughout the week, students strengthened their mastery of essential data storytelling competencies—skills that are increasingly critical in today’s communication landscape.
Students were introduced to structured methods for turning complex datasets into clear, impactful narratives with strong social relevance. Working closely with their mentor, each group began by identifying a significant issue related to social or environmental concerns as the foundation of their data storytelling project.
After defining their topic, students learned how to locate and collect relevant datasets to support their investigation. Mentors emphasized the importance of sourcing credible data, checking for inconsistencies, and cleaning the dataset to ensure it was ready for further analysis.
Students were trained to use spreadsheet tools and functions to uncover trends, patterns, and correlations within their data. With guidance from the mentor, they explored their dataset independently to extract meaningful insights that would later inform their visual and narrative storytelling.
Participants then transformed their analytical findings into compelling visuals using Flourish. They created interactive charts, maps, and other visual elements, learning how effective visualization can help audiences better understand and engage with data-driven stories.
In the final stage, student teams consolidated their analysis and visuals into the first draft of a publishable data-driven report. They presented their preliminary findings to their assigned mentor, who provided detailed feedback to strengthen their methodology, clarity, and narrative flow—ensuring the work met the publication standards of tirto.id.
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The Data Storytelling Bootcamp offers academic, skill-based, and professional advantages, including:
Strengthened data literacy, analysis, and visualization skills
Direct industry mentorship from data journalists and analysts
A completed data storytelling project suitable for publication
Improved research, communication, and digital problem-solving skills
Certificate fulfilling graduation requirements
The third-year collaboration with tirto.id reinforces BINUS University International’s commitment to empowering students with real-world media and technology competencies. The Data Storytelling Bootcamp continues to serve as a bridge between academic learning and professional practice, preparing students to excel in data-informed communication fields.
Contributor: Lily El Ferawati
Editor: Lily El Ferawati
