This was mandated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. H Joko Widodo is at the peak celebration of the 69th anniversary of the Universitas Sumatera Utara, which took place online on Tuesday (21/9/2021). Taking the theme “Working Together to Protect Our Health Against Covid-19 Threats”, the USU Anniversary was also attended online by the Minister of Education and Culture, the Governor, Deputy Governor, a number of regional heads, leaders of 13 state universities incorporated, and leaders of other universities, LLDIKTI region I North Sumatra, USU Trustees and other USU academic community.

The President emphasized that transforming into the best is the way to go by moving progressively and adaptively towards a better direction, ready to respond to changes and provide space for the growth of innovation.

According to the President, in an innovative ecosystem, lecturers do not only teach in class, but are ready to encourage and facilitate their students in honing and developing their talents. Leaders of study programs and faculties must be ready to build collaborations and networks widely, interacting with various groups, not only fellow academics, but also with practitioners and industry.

“Higher education leaders must also change ways of working by using creative methods, thinking quickly and adaptively, so that the campus remains relevant to current developments. The pandemic has taught us many lessons about the importance of innovation to solve problems, the importance of solidarity and cooperation to overcome limitations, and the importance of speed and accuracy in taking a stand. The courage to make breakthroughs will have a significant impact on achieving results,” the President said.

He hopes that USU can be a spark of enthusiasm for the progress of the people of the nation and state, as well as being at the forefront of downstream research and innovation development, helping the community in solving existing problems and contributing greatly to the nation and state.

In the peak celebration of the 69th USU Anniversary, the USU Rector together with the Governor of North Sumatra and the Mayor of Medan also launched a remote health service platform (telemedicine) for Covid-19 patients undergoing independent isolation. With this service, Covid-19 patients do not need to go to the hospital; they can consult and get medicine delivered directly to the patient's address.

USU Rector Dr Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si. said that the Covid-19 Telemedicine program is the result of collaboration between the Medan City Government, North Sumatra Provincial Government, USU and the Indonesian Medical Association. By using telemedicine, Covid-19 patients only need to access the page rawatcovid-sumut.usu.ac.id to get care and treatment.

This program is expected to reduce distance and time and help people exposed to Covid-19, as well as being clear evidence of the success of collaboration between the government, universities, and the community.

USU's 69th Anniversary also presented a scientific oration from the Head of the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), Prof. Dr. dr. Aman Bhakti Pulungan, Sp.A(K), FAAP, FRCPI (Hon). Also shown were in memoriam videos of lecturers and education personnel of the Universitas Sumatera Utara throughout the span of 2020-2021 and awards to lecturers who became fatalities in providing health services to Covid-19 sufferers. Awards were also given to the best faculty and a number of the best lecturers and researchers in the USU environment.

Previously, at the beginning of the event, USU Rector Dr Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., delivered the latest report regarding USU's development and achievements as well as strategic plans that will be implemented to support campus internationalization.

Also congratulating the virtual event were a number of Ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Education and Research Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Governor of North Sumatra, and 13 leaders of PTNBH and other universities. (RJ)