MEDAN, Indonesia — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) incorporated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themes into student orientation, environmental learning, curriculum discussions and applied activities during 2025. The university welcomed 7,961 new students, introduced sustainability-related topics across faculties, and provided opportunities for students to apply knowledge through waste-management research, community service and student-led initiatives. These programmes document different entry points for SDG learning, rather than evidence that every student completed the same SDG curriculum.
| 7,961 new students at university orientation | 1,040 new vocational students | 184 public health students in service placements | 19 villages in Deli Serdang |
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SDG Learning Begins with New Student Orientation
On 13 August 2025, Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin welcomed 7,961 students at the 2025 campus orientation. Under the theme “Unlock Your Potential, Create Real Change,” the three-day programme introduced leadership, academic ethics, digital literacy and social responsibility. The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, addressed the cohort virtually and encouraged students to contribute to social change.
Faculties adapted this message to their fields. The Faculty of Agriculture linked its orientation to tree planting and green-campus principles, while the Faculty of Pharmacy emphasised professional ethics, mental health and leadership under its IMPACT theme. The Faculty of Vocational Education introduced 1,040 new students to study programmes and campus life. These events connected orientation activities with SDGs 4, 13, 16 and 17, among others.
Campus Waste Management Becomes a Learning Facility
On 6 May 2025, USU and the North Sumatra Provincial Government inaugurated an integrated waste processing site (TPST) at Gate IV of the campus. Managed by the USU Circularity Center, the facility supports segregation and processing of plastic, plant material and food waste. Its pilot involved four faculties and the Rectorate, with research contributions from five faculties. The goal of a zero-waste campus remains an institutional objective, not a reported completed outcome.
Students used the facility for work involving organic fertiliser, briquettes, recycling equipment and waste-education tools. During an October visit, Universiti Sains Malaysia representatives examined the TPST and student innovation, highlighting its function as a multidisciplinary learning environment.
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Curriculum Development and Community-Based Learning
In October 2025, the Faculty of Forestry convened a curriculum updating workshop using Outcome-Based Education and the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka framework. Participants discussed environmental literacy, local wisdom, digital skills, entrepreneurship and sustainable forestry. The recommendations represented curriculum development priorities and should not be reported as proof that all proposed changes had been implemented.
Applied learning also took students beyond campus. On 25 August, 184 Public Health students began thematic community service placements in 19 villages across four districts of Deli Serdang. The three-month programme provided opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with community health and behaviour-change activities.
Students Lead Climate, Health and Leadership Activities
The Forest Youthverse initiative launched in October as a platform for students to present ideas and projects on conservation, forest management and climate challenges. In September, the USU SPIRIT Summer Course brought international experts and participants together to explore sustainable diets, physical activity and the triple burden of malnutrition in Asia.
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Student representation was another form of practical leadership. On 9 November, Ade Arsy Syahuleka Siregar was selected as USU Main Student Ambassador 2025, through a programme designed to strengthen communication, leadership and institutional networks.
Together, these documented activities show how USU connected SDG-related learning to orientation, campus operations, curriculum planning, community service and student initiatives during 2025. Their contributions intersect with SDGs 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17.