PR USU - Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) attended and was actively involved in "The 75th NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo," which was held May 30 - June 2, 2023, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C., United States. This activity is the largest international higher education exhibition and conference attended by more than 100 higher education institutions from various countries.

The Rector of USU, Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos, M.Sc, who was directly present at the event, explained that USU's involvement in The 75th NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo (NAFSA 75) in the United States was to collaborate with various universities from various countries. In addition, USU needs to convey campus internationalization program offers to all NAFSA participants present, such as Summer Courses, Student Mobility, International Staff Mobility (IMS), Sabbatical Leave, International Classes, etc.

"This activity is a platform for international educators, especially USU, to build cooperation and international partnerships in exchanging knowledge, thoughts, and global perspectives related to the world of education. From this activity, USU also managed to record agreements with several universities from other countries, "said Prof. Mury in his written statement. Thursday (1/6/2023).

Several agreements are collaborated with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSBs), carrying out two collaborations. The first is students exchange between USU and CSUBs. On this occasion, USU students who applied will get a discount. The second discussed continuing the dual degree program (2+2 Transfer Articulation Program). An appropriate study program and curriculum exploration will be determined on this occasion.

"Next is the University of California, Irvine (UCI), which is willing to host USU students in the Student Mobility Program. Then with the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy (IMT), USU will conduct a pre-selection to recommend prospective doctoral students for USU Masters graduates and USU lecturers who wish to continue their Magister program in Italy. The final committee at IMT will select these candidates, and those who pass will be given a full scholarship to continue their Ph.D. at IMT," explained the Rector.

An agreement has also been made with Ludwigshafen University Of Business And Society, Germany (LUBS) to collaborate where USU will host students from LUBS to complete one semester at USU. For this, it is necessary to select courses that meet the International Human Resources Management and Organization Study Program at LUBS.

"Several collaborations (with international universities) are still being followed up. The program offering that has attracted the most attention from outside universities is the Summer Course Program. Several universities will send their representatives to participate in the USU Summer Course Program," he said.

NAFSA is the largest association in the world dedicated to internationalizing education and exchange. The theme for 2023 is "Inspiring an Inclusive Future," with the keynote speaker Nadia Murad (awardee of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize). The message conveyed in this theme is that getting an education belongs to everyone without exception.

Prof. Mury said USU took part in NAFSA for the first time since it was considered very important to introduce USU to the international academic community and as a way to the adaptation to change as the meaning of USU's tagline "Transformation Towards the Ultimate".

Author: Bambang Riyanto - Humas

Interviewee: Prof. Muryanto Amin - Rektor USU

Photographer: Amri Simatupang - Humas