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> News > USU Supports Women’s Access Through Scholarships, Mentoring, and Leadership Programmes Benefiting Over 8,900 Participants

USU Supports Women’s Access Through Scholarships, Mentoring, and Leadership Programmes Benefiting Over 8,900 Participants

Published At

16 December 2024

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“Empowering women is central to USU’s vision of sustainable and inclusive education,” stated Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “Through partnerships, scholarships, and mentorships, we are building a generation of women leaders who will contribute to science, business, and community transformation.”

Medan, 16 December 2024 — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to strengthen its institutional commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment through a series of comprehensive access and development programmes. Guided by USU Academic Regulation No. 13 of 2022 and Rector’s Decree No. 459/UN5.1.R/SK/SPB/2023, the university mandates that women receive equitable opportunities to access, participate, and excel in all areas of academic and professional life.

These robust regulatory frameworks emphasize inclusivity, gender equity, and fair participation, ensuring women receive equal access to educational resources, scholarships, and professional development across all faculties and degree levels.

Targeted Programmes Supporting Women’s Access and Success

In 2024, USU implemented several key initiatives designed to directly remove financial and developmental barriers for women:

  • Financial Access: The Poverty-Targeted Scholarship supported 6,636 students, with women comprising a significant 60% of recipients. This programme provides crucial tuition coverage and living allowances for low-income and first-generation women students, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder access to higher education.
  • Leadership Development: The Women’s Mentorship and Leadership Programme connected over 1,200 women students with academic mentors and alumni leaders. The initiative focused on building confidence, leadership capacity, and professional networks.
  • Career Empowerment: A dedicated Entrepreneurship and Career Empowerment Programme for Women trained 850 women students and graduates in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness, enhancing their employability and capacity for business innovation.
  • STEM Participation: The Women in Science and Technology Initiative engaged 300 young women researchers across multiple disciplines through research mentorships and innovation grants, actively encouraging participation in fields traditionally underrepresented by women.

“At USU, we believe that equitable access must be accompanied by empowerment,” said Rahma Yurliani, S.Psi., M.Psi., Head of the Directorate of Student and Alumni Affairs. “These initiatives ensure that women are not only admitted but also supported throughout their academic and professional journey.”

Collaborative Partnerships and Data-Based Monitoring

To expand opportunities, USU collaborates strategically with external bodies, including Bank Indonesia, Baznas, and the Ministry of Education and Culture, enhancing scholarship coverage and professional training for women students and graduates.

All access and empowerment programmes are monitored annually using gender-disaggregated data to track participation, outcomes, and long-term impact, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.

“Empowering women is central to USU’s vision of sustainable and inclusive education,” stated Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “Through partnerships, scholarships, and mentorships, we are building a generation of women leaders who will contribute to science, business, and community transformation.”

Through these robust initiatives, USU demonstrates strong alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). These actions are part of the university’s broader sustainability strategy, reaffirming its role as a national leader in advancing gender equity and inclusive excellence in higher education.

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