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> News > USU Implements Women’s Mentoring Activities Engaging Over 10% of Female Students

USU Implements Women’s Mentoring Activities Engaging Over 10% of Female Students

Published At

22 November 2024

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“Women’s empowerment at USU is not only about access—it is about accompaniment and mentorship,” stated Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “Through continuous mentoring and student engagement, we are shaping women leaders who combine academic excellence with integrity and social awareness.”

Medan, 22 November 2024 — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to demonstrate its comprehensive commitment to student development and women’s empowerment through an extensive, decentralized network of faculty-led and student-organized mentoring activities across its diverse academic units.

While USU does not currently operate under a single, formally labeled “Women’s Mentoring Scheme,” institutional performance reports from 2024 confirm that regular mentoring sessions and dedicated gender-focused activities such as Women’s Discussions are frequently and consistently implemented throughout the academic year.

Decentralized Faculty and Student-Led Mentoring

Across multiple faculties particularly those with high female enrollment such as Social Sciences, Psychology, Cultural Studies, and Health Sciences, where women constitute over 60% of total students student organizations and faculty units actively conduct regular mentoring and personal development sessions.

A case in point is the Faculty of Forestry, where the student organization BKM Baitul Asy-Jaar successfully executed a series of mentoring sessions activities on at least three separate occasions in June and August 2024. These sessions focused on crucial areas like personal growth, religious guidance, and character building. Complementary Women’s Discussions events further explored themes of women’s leadership, modesty, and spiritual wellbeing, reinforcing holistic development among female students.

“Mentorship is an essential component of our approach to character and leadership formation,” said Rahma Yurliani, S.Psi., M.Psi., Director of the Directorate of Student and Alumni Affairs. “These consistent activities create safe, supportive spaces for women to learn, share, and ultimately lead with confidence.”

Widespread Participation and Embedded Support Culture

Given the frequency, regularity, and diversity of these activities across faculties, it is conservatively estimated that well over 10% of USU’s female student body participates in some form of structured mentoring. This participation spans formal academic guidance, specialized peer-led initiatives, and faculty-organized discussion groups.

Beyond personal development mentoring, USU integrates broader leadership and career guidance into its student life ecosystem through institutional bodies, including the Directorate of Student and Alumni Affairs, the Center for Independent Learning, and dedicated faculty-level career development offices. This decentralized yet interconnected structure forms a comprehensive support system that nurtures both academic growth and emotional resilience among USU’s female students.

Shaping Women for Leadership and Community

These mentoring activities play a crucial role in actively preparing women students for both leadership positions and deeper community engagement. Through group reflections, open forums, and student-led initiatives, participants consistently cultivate vital soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork qualities that empower them to contribute meaningfully to university governance, social outreach projects, and professional life after graduation.

“Women’s empowerment at USU is not only about ensuring access—it is fundamentally about accompaniment and mentorship,” stated Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “Through continuous mentoring and sustained student engagement, we are shaping women leaders who combine academic excellence with integrity and crucial social awareness.”

Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals

USU’s active mentoring ecosystem contributes directly to the advancement of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting inclusive student development, leadership skills, and personal wellbeing.

Guided by Academic Regulation No. 13 of 2022 and Rector’s Decree No. 459/UN5.1.R/SK/SPB/2023, the university embeds gender-sensitive mentoring as a core part of its commitment to equity and holistic education.

By fostering robust mentorship networks that empower women across faculties and disciplines, USU strengthens its identity as an inclusive, nurturing, and gender-responsive academic community dedicated to empowering the next generation of women leaders.

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