19 November 2024
Threesna Sharfina
Medan, 19 November 2024 - Universitas Sumatera Utara recognizes education as the cornerstone of sustainable development and social transformation. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the university is committed to ensuring that learning is not only accessible but also inclusive, innovative, and transformative, preparing individuals and communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Guided by the belief that “education must not only enlighten minds but also empower communities to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing world,” USU integrates academic excellence with social equity to build an education ecosystem that benefits all.
Opening Doors, Changing Lives: USU Expands Access for Low-Income Students
Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is widening pathways to higher education for underserved communities while safeguarding quality. In 2024, USU enrolled 41,570 students (up from 41,084 in 2023), with 86.6% in undergraduate programs and an improved student-faculty ratio of 1:24 (from 1:25 in 2023; 1:27 in 2022; 1:30 in 2021). Drawn from all 34 provinces, 65% of students originate from North Sumatra, 20% from other Sumatran provinces, 10% from Java and Kalimantan, and 5% from Eastern Indonesia, reflecting inclusive national admissions via SNBP, SNBT, and Mandiri. This geographic spread underscores USU’s role as a higher-education hub for Western Indonesia and a driver of social mobility for rural and underdeveloped regions.
To remove financial barriers, USU deploys a comprehensive aid architecture that combines public, private, and university funds. In 2024, 6,636 students received KIP Kuliah (plus 119 via the community-proposed KIP mechanism), complemented by USU’s Bantuan Belajar Mahasiswa (BBM), Baznas scholarships, and support from partners such as Bank Indonesia, PT Martabe, BCA, the Labura local government, as well as ADik and BRIN Barista schemes. In total, approximately 7,500 students, around 18% of all enrolments, benefited from financial assistance, with 8,250 awards disbursed across programs. The Directorate of Student Affairs and Ditmawalumni monitor academic progress, provide counseling, and offer emergency relief, ensuring students persist to graduation. Together, these measures translate vulnerability into opportunity, advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
.jpg)
USU Scales Student Start‑Ups with Entrepreneurship Education and Rp 1.7 Billion in Grants
Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is accelerating student entrepreneurship through structured education, incubation, and seed funding. In 2024, institutional programs supported 137 student‑led start‑ups and 40+ community enterprises via P2MW, the USU Pitching Competition, and Kewirausahaan Merdeka, complemented by over Rp 1.7 billion in grants and technical mentorship from partners including Bank Indonesia, BRIN, PT Inalum, and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. USU’s enterprise culture is reinforced by the USU Enterprise, a hub for incubation and product commercialization, whose facilities and showcases connect student innovations to industry and investors.
.jpg)
BPRI (USU Enterprise) expands entrepreneurship education through hands‑on training and national collaborations. Its Entrepreneurship Training for USU Students develops ideation, business planning, and venture execution skills; The USU Enterprise also hosted a Startup & Incubator Institution Selection Socialization under the Ministry’s Startup Go Global program and co‑ran a Demo Day with Kemenkop UKM featuring bootcamps, coaching clinics, and investor pitching. Together, these initiatives translate classroom learning into market‑ready ventures and strengthen founder capabilities.
Ecosystem events knit learning with real markets. The USU Career Expo & Car Boot Sale integrated recruitment with student business showcases, 27 companies, 40 cars, and 120 student businesses, positioning the campus as a launchpad for jobs and new ventures, while ongoing BPRI programs in career and entrepreneurship services provide year‑round mentoring and commercialization pathways. With parallel support to community MSMEs, including village funding and green/digital venture focus, USU is building an inclusive, sustainable innovation pipeline for North Sumatra.
Realizing Lifelong Learning through Digital Transformation
USU’s Moodle platform serves as a cornerstone for lifelong and technology-enabled education. The system offers open-access digital courses that support flexible learning for students, alumni, and the broader community. By integrating multimedia content, discussion forums, and real-time assessments, the platform encourages self-paced and inclusive learning that transcends traditional classroom boundaries.
.jpg)
This initiative ensures that education remains accessible to all, regardless of time, location, or background, directly supporting SDG 4.3 (equal access to affordable and quality tertiary education) and SDG 4.4 (enhancing relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship). Through its innovative conferences, scholarship programs, institutional collaborations, and digital platforms, Universitas Sumatera Utara embodies the spirit of SDG 4 (Quality Education). These efforts promote inclusive access to learning, foster technological literacy, and prepare future generations for global challenges.
Advancing Innovation and Global Resilience through Education
The ELTICOM 2024 (Electrical, Telecommunication, and Computer Conference) marked a milestone in USU’s commitment to advancing science and education for sustainable development. Organized by the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, the event brought together academics, students, and industry professionals from multiple countries to explore the role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in supporting organizational resilience and global competitiveness.
Through its scientific sessions and technology showcases, ELTICOM strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration and inspired young researchers to contribute to innovation-driven learning ecosystems, aligning with SDG 4 targets on improving technical and vocational education.
Expanding Equal Access through the English Access Scholarship Program
In collaboration with the Indonesia International Education Foundation (IIEF) and supported by the U.S. Embassy, USU launched the English Access Scholarship Program Medan 2024–2026. The program provides English language training, cross-cultural learning, and leadership development for underprivileged high school students across Medan and surrounding regions.
By empowering economically disadvantaged youth with linguistic and soft skills, this initiative widens access to global education and employment opportunities. It represents USU’s strong dedication to inclusive education and social mobility, core principles of SDG 4.5 (Eliminate disparities in education) which aims to eliminate disparities in education access.
.jpg)
Student Development through Collaboration with LPS
USU’s partnership with the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) demonstrates how higher education can connect learning with practical skill-building. Through joint programs on student development, financial literacy, and career readiness, the collaboration equips students with the knowledge and values needed to thrive in professional and civic life.
.png)
The initiative also includes leadership training and ethical awareness components, encouraging students to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to national and global development. This reflects SDG 4.7 (Education for sustainable development & global citizenship), which emphasizes education that promotes sustainable lifestyles, human rights, and global citizenship.
USU Advances SDG 3 and SDG 17 Through Indonesia–Malaysia Technical Exchange on Zoonotic Malaria Surveillance
Universitas Satya Terra Bhinneka Visits USU for Benchmarking on SDGs Center and Sustainability Living Lab Development
USU and VNU Hanoi Forge Strategic Partnership: A Cross-Border Collaboration on History and Education
