Students represents Indonesia at AYCF+3

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again taken a strategic step onto the international stage by representing Indonesia as its sole delegate at the 20th ASEAN and 10th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum (AYCF+3). The forum took place from Sunday, June 22, to Friday, June 27, 2025, in Thailand, hosted across Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Burapha University. At the event, UNAIR proudly showcased Indonesian culture before a diverse ASEAN audience.

This annual forum, initiated by the ASEAN University Network (AUN), brings together students from ASEAN nations and three key partner countries—Japan, South Korea, and China. With the theme “Cultural Convergence: Embracing Diversity, Empowering Youth,” the forum fostered cultural exchange and encouraged creative collaboration among youth across nations.

UNAIR’s delegation featured four students representing a partnership between the Student Executive Board (BEM UNAIR) and the Inter-Student Activity Unit Forum (FORKOM UKM): Anggun Zifa Anindia (President of BEM UNAIR), Melvin Hermawan (Vice President), Rodesti Florence (Chair of FORKOM), and Trikiranna Purnama (Secretary of FORKOM).

“UNAIR’s decision to participate in this forum reflects our broader mission. We’re not here just to perform, but to build cultural diplomacy as a form of soft power that can be directly experienced. We want UNAIR students to be seen as not only academically strong but also globally minded and culturally aware,” said Anindia, the delegation’s leader and President of BEM UNAIR.

Collective action, meaningful impact

UNAIR delivered a performance titled Indonesia Wonderland during the ASEAN+3 cultural night. The medley fused traditional Indonesian dances including Saman, Piring, Kecak, Legong, and Yospan with modern interpretations. Dressed in traditional attire and accompanied by contemporary ethnic music and a unifying narrative, the five-minute performance captivated the international audience.

“We received a standing ovation from nearly everyone in the room. Delegates from Japan and South Korea even came up to express how deeply impressed they were by the richness of the Indonesian culture we presented,” Anindia recounted.

At the cultural bazaar, UNAIR’s booth drew crowds with its immersive introduction to Indonesian culture. Participants sampled an array of snacks such as various Indomie flavors, brem (fermented rice cake), basreng (fried spicy meatballs), banana chips, and ginger candy. Attendees also explored cultural items like batik, Barong Bali t-shirts, wayang kulit (leather shadow puppets), and musical instruments including rebana and gendang, which they could try firsthand.

“We didn’t just showcase our culture—we brought it to life. Visitors from Laos, Vietnam, even Japan played the rebana, tasted our traditional food, and asked about the meaning behind batik and wayang. We spoke to them through flavor, movement, and sound,” she added.

Global vision through real collaboration

Anindia emphasized that UNAIR’s participation was a product of purposeful planning. Despite only having two weeks to prepare, the delegation presented a thoroughly curated and impactful showcase. “This forum wasn’t just a stage—it was a platform for student movements to voice their messages strategically. The collaboration between BEM and FORKOM UKM was key. We presented a shared narrative, not just individual efforts,” she explained.

Beyond a cultural performance, UNAIR’s presence at AYCF+3 2025 was a reflection of the university’s commitment to internationalization grounded in national identity. With other prominent Indonesian universities like UI, ITB, and UGM absent, UNAIR confidently took the spotlight, showing that its students are ready and capable of representing the country on a global platform.

“We didn’t come in large numbers, but our message was loud and clear. This forum wasn’t just about showcasing culture—it was about who’s willing to speak for their country with pride. UNAIR chose to show up, take the stage, and make its voice heard,” Anindia concluded.

USU and USM Study Homelessness

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) through its Faculty of Social and Political Sciences strengthens its international research profile by collaborating with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in a cross border study. The project explores the survival strategies of homeless individuals and beggars in Medan, Indonesia and Penang, Malaysia. The research contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 which focuses on the eradication of poverty in all its forms.

The study is led by Husni Thamrin, S.Sos., M.SP. from FISIP USU together with Dr. Paramjit Singh and Dr. Mohd Haizzan Bin Yahaya from USM. According to Husni Thamrin, “The collaboration between Universitas Sumatera Utara and Universiti Sains Malaysia has delivered a very positive impact. By combining the research strengths of both institutions we are able to produce studies that are more comprehensive and of international standard.”

The project investigates socio economic conditions that contribute to homelessness and observes how marginalized groups manage daily survival in challenging urban settings. The team applies qualitative methods including direct observation, in depth interviews and focus group discussions in both cities. The comparative approach allows the researchers to highlight differences in social support systems and policy responses between Medan and Penang.

The research outcomes are expected to inform evidence based policy that supports inclusive and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities. Insights from the study will not only contribute to academic literature but also offer practical guidance for stakeholders in Indonesia and Malaysia. The project demonstrates how universities can provide knowledge that directly addresses global development priorities.

This initiative supports USU’s Strategic Plan 2020 to 2024 which positions the university as an internationally recognized institution. Collaboration with USM ranked second in Malaysia and 146th globally in the QS World University Rankings enhances the visibility of both institutions. The project is designed to produce high quality outputs including publications in international journals, conference proceedings, intellectual property rights and publicly available research resources.

Through this partnership USU and USM highlight the importance of regional academic collaboration in Southeast Asia. The study generates knowledge with direct impact on society and affirms USU’s commitment to research that matters for communities beyond national borders.

matters for communities beyond national borders.

From Waste to Rupiah (Wealth)

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) conducted a Community Service Program in Pakam Village, Batu Bara, through focus group discussions (FGD) and community training & development held at the Hall of the Cooperative and Small and Medium Enterprises Office of Batu Bara Regency.

This community service program is part of Desa Binaan USU’s Program, carried out by a group of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences lecturers from various academic programs. The program is titled “Development of Village Regulations on Household Waste Management and Small Business Operations to Support Economic Empowerment in Pakam Village.”

Desa Binaan USU’s Program is a community service program run by the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) with the aim of developing village potential through various empowerment activities. The program involves students and lecturers from various disciplines to provide solutions to problems in the villages and improve the quality of life of the villagers.

This series of community service activities consists of training and development programs for housewives, who are organized into groups of workers involved in the processing of shellfish waste. Additionally, the development of village regulations on household waste management is being undertaken to support the local economy. The FGD activity was conducted to explore the aspirations of local government officials and relevant parties to align perceptions regarding the formulation of village regulations on household waste management and small businesses to support community economic empowerment in Pakam Village.

This FGD invited relevant parties such as local governments, sub-districts, and districts, with a total of 17 participants. The training and development activities themselves were attended by 19 participants, predominantly housewives. The service team is led by Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., with members comprising FISIP USU lecturers from various disciplines (programs of study), namely Dr. Muhammad Arifin Nasution, S.Sos., Wiro Oktavius Ginting, S.Sos., M.Si., Dra. Dara Aisyah, M.Si., Ph.D., and Siti Hazzah Nur. R, S.Sos., M.AP., from the Public Administration program. Additionally, there are Dr. Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, S.Sos., M.Si. from the Communication Studies program and Dr. Onan Marakali Siregar, S.Sos., M.Si from the Business Administration Program.

Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., as the head of the community service program, explained that the initiative to draft village regulations and empower the community arose from community complaints about waste and the potential that exists. “The society’s complaints about waste reached us (the community service team), and we also saw potential here. Additionally, I had previously conducted a similar community service project, so we chose this village,” she said in an interview. Key points discussed in the FGD included an analysis of the village’s situation and potential, the presentation of solutions both regulatory and empowerment-related, and discussions regarding the Village Regulation (PerDes) presented by Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., and Dr. Onan Marakali Siregar, S.Sos., M.Si.

Ratna Dewi (housewife) as a participant in the training and development program facilitated by this community service initiative also shared her insights on the journey of the waste processing process they have undertaken. Ratna explained that this program has had a significant impact on coastal women, both economically and in terms of fostering social connections. Ratna also expressed her hope that this activity could be conducted again by Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) with an increased number of working women, given the outcomes of this community service initiative.

Drs. Bambang Hadi Suprapto, M.Si., as the Assistant for Economy and Development at the Batu Bara Regency Secretariat, who was present to delivering opening remarks and kick off the FGD, shared his hopes following the completion of this activity. “We hope this activity can make Pakam Village a pioneer for other villages. We also need academic support to identify the basic potential and opportunities that can be managed, of course through a commitment to build synergy with USU,” Bambang said in his remarks. The activity received high enthusiasm from the community and participants in the training and empowerment program. 

UPI Collaborates with Termez University

The Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and Termez University of Economics and Service, Uzbekistan, signed an agreement to implement an academic cooperation program.

The signing was carried out by Dr. Sharofiddin Yarmatov, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Information Technology, Termez University of Economics and Service, under the academic cooperation scheme for the Dual Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program in Economic Education, and attended the Global Conference of Business Management and Entrepreneurship 2025 as cohost.

Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Education UPI, Prof. Dr. Ratih Hurriyati, M.P., CSBA, explained that this collaboration was carried out with the aim of fostering, promoting, and developing academic and educational exchanges based on equality and mutual benefit.

The Faculty of Economics and Business Education at the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia and the Faculty of Economics and Information Technology at Termez University of Economics and Service Uzbekistan are committed to promoting joint research and publications. They collaborate in organizing international conferences and accept students in exchange programs.

Furthermore, both parties provide educational services that meet the needs of stakeholders in joint education programs and ensure that the quality of education meets international education standards. Then, they increase normative and methodological support for the educational process in joint education programs.

In addition, both parties are obliged to improve services and teaching methodologies in joint education programs, analyze scientific, educational, and market needs, and integrate the latest educational programs and technologies into the educational process.

The signing of the cooperation agreement was attended by the Faculty of Economics and Information Technology of Termez University of Economics and Service of Uzbekistan. The leaders of the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia who were present were Prof. Dr. Vanessa Gaffar, SE. Ak., MBA, as Vice Rector for Education and Quality Assurance; Prof. Dr. Ratih Hurriyati, M.P., CSBA, as Dean; Dr. Heny Hendrayati, S.IP., MM, as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Tony Heryana, S.Pd., MM, as Vice Dean for Finance and Resources.

The event was also attended by Dr. Siti Parhah, M.S.E., and Mumuh Muhammad, S.E., M.A., as the Coordinator of the International Unit of the Faculty of Economics and Business at UPI, Dr. Susanti Kurniawati, M.Si, as the Head of the Economics Education Program for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees, and Dr. Navik Istikomah, S.E., M.Si. Secretary of the Economics Education Program for the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs.

ITS Leads Global Community Service in EIA 2025

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) continues to demonstrate its commitment to international-scale community service through the Engineers in Action (EIA) 2025 program. This year, ITS, through the Department of Chemical Engineering, hosted the collaborative initiative in Kemiri Village, Mojokerto, bringing together students from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) and Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT) to create practical technological solutions for rural challenges. 

Dr. Kusdianto, Coordinator of EIA 2025, emphasized that ITS took the lead in mobilizing this cross-border initiative to address pressing community needs. One of the main innovations was an LPG-fueled crop dryer that significantly reduces the drying time of rice, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to the conventional roadside drying method. 

Further underscoring ITS’ community empowerment mission, the team built a greenhouse facility to promote sustainable agriculture and introduced a biodigester to transform organic waste into eco-friendly fertilizer, demonstrating ITS’ active role in transferring environmentally sound technologies to society. 

Beyond infrastructure, ITS and its international partners conducted educational workshops to increase environmental awareness among residents. These included interactive waste-sorting games for students, hands-on training for farmers, and eco-friendly product making using local ingredients. 

The program involved 20 lecturers and 20 students, including 10 from ITS, 9 from NTUST, and 1 from OIT. Through EIA 2025, ITS reaffirms its leadership in community service at a global level, aligning its initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production. 

 

UNAIR secures 5-Star HURS Rating

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again earned international recognition, this time receiving a 5-star rating in the Healthy University Rating System (HURS), a regional assessment spearheaded by the ASEAN University Network–Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN).

Asian-wide healthy campus evaluation

Dr. Sri Widati, Head of UNAIR’s Airlangga Health Promotion Center (AHPC), explained that HURS serves as a regional benchmark for healthy campuses across Asia. “HURS is a health-focused university rating system developed by AUN-HPN. It includes several evaluation criteria—ranging from infrastructure and institutional systems to zero-tolerance policies, health-oriented curricula, and campus health promotion programs,” she said.

She elaborated that the Zero Tolerance Policy addresses seven prohibited areas, including smoking, alcohol, gambling, bullying, sexual violence, and other safety concerns. Infrastructure assessments examine whether campus facilities are accessible for individuals with disabilities, include anti-slip flooring, and offer adequate sports amenities. “Last year we earned a 4-star rating. This year, thankfully, UNAIR has advanced to 5 stars,” she noted.

UNAIR key programs and innovations

According to Sri Widati, achieving a 5-star rating requires strong performance across all evaluation areas. “Each variable must meet high standards. Our systems, infrastructure, zero-tolerance enforcement, curriculum, and health promotion initiatives all play a crucial role,” she explained.

UNAIR has continued to introduce improvements, notably through its installation of solar panels in nearly every university building. Health promotion programs have also been expanded to reach all faculties across UNAIR’s four campuses—Surabaya, Gresik, Lamongan, and Banyuwangi.

“We’ve conducted direct outreach to faculties, offering medical inspections, healthy lifestyle education, and our Happy and Healthy Lifestyle program. These efforts have significantly boosted UNAIR’s performance,” she said.

This year, UNAIR also prioritized the development of its Healthy Canteen initiative. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, local health departments, and the Halal Center, UNAIR provided training to 85 canteen vendors. In addition to educational programs, UNAIR and local health authorities conducted clinical testing of food products to ensure compliance with health standards.

“We carried out surprise inspections and held training for food handlers and managers. When vendors fall short of the standards, we offer feedback and improvement plans. Our goal is to ensure all UNAIR canteens meet health requirements,” she added.

Deep commitment to a happy and healthy campus

Sri Widati emphasized that the 5-star rating is a byproduct of UNAIR’s ongoing dedication to creating a healthy and fulfilling environment for its academic community. “The 5-star recognition is a bonus. What matters most is that we’re doing the right thing to support the well-being of our entire campus. Our ultimate goal is for every member of UNAIR to feel both healthy and happy,” she stated.

She also stressed that UNAIR’s primary mission has never been to pursue accolades. “Everything we do is sincere and aimed at making our academic community feel truly well. When that effort is made wholeheartedly, it naturally leads to recognition—such as this international 5-star rating. That’s what makes it so meaningful for us,” she concluded.

Village Regulation Tackles Waste

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) conducted a Community Service Program in Pakam Village, Batu Bara, through focus group discussions (FGD) and Community Training & Development held at the Hall of the Cooperative and Small and Medium Enterprises Office of Batu Bara Regency.

This community service program is part of Desa Binaan USU’s Program, carried out by a group of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences lecturers from various academic programs. The program is titled “Development of Village Regulations on Household Waste Management and Small Business Operations to Support Economic Empowerment in Pakam Village.”

Desa Binaan USU’s Program is a community service program run by the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) with the aim of developing village potential through various empowerment activities. The program involves students and lecturers from various disciplines to provide solutions to problems in the villages and improve the quality of life of the villagers.

This series of community service activities consists of training and development programs for housewives, who are organized into groups of workers involved in the processing of shellfish waste. Additionally, the development of village regulations on household waste management is being undertaken to support the local economy. The FGD activity was conducted to explore the aspirations of local government officials and relevant parties to align perceptions regarding the formulation of village regulations on household waste management and small businesses to support community economic empowerment in Pakam Village.

This FGD invited relevant parties such as local governments, sub-districts, and districts, with a total of 17 participants. The training and development activities themselves were attended by 19 participants, predominantly housewives.

This service team is led by Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., with members comprising USU lecturers from various disciplines (programs of study), namely Dr. Muhammad Arifin Nasution, S.Sos., Wiro Oktavius Ginting, S.Sos., M.Si., Dra. Dara Aisyah, M.Si., Ph.D., and Siti Hazzah Nur. R, S.Sos., M.AP., from the Public Administration program. Additionally, there are Dr. Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, S.Sos., M.Si. from the Communication Studies program and Dr. Onan Marakali Siregar, S.Sos., M.Si from the Business Administration Program.

 

Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., as the head of the community service program, explained that the initiative to draft village regulations and empower the community arose from community complaints about waste and the potential that exists.

“Complaints (from the community) regarding this waste have reached us (the community service team), and we also see potential here. The hope is that after this, waste management will become part of village regulations, so that its management and results will be maximized,” said Februati.

According to Ratna Dewi (housewife), a participant in the training and development program, they have been managing tamin (shellfish) waste for approximately four years. Unfortunately, they are working independently. The local government provides support but does not have full authority over the activities carried out by Ratna and her colleagues.

Ratna hopes that the arrival of the USU community service team can improve the welfare of female workers at Tamin. “Our hope here is that this activity can be carried out again by USU, not just this once, so that the number of working mothers can increase because there is support,” added Ratna.

Drs. Bambang Hadi Suprapto, M.Si., as the Assistant for Economy and Development at the Batu Bara Regency Secretariat, who was also present to deliver a speech and open the FGD event, expressed his hopes following the completion of this activity. “We hope that this activity will enable Pakam Village to become a pioneer for other villages. We also need the support of academics to identify the basic potential and opportunities that can be managed, of course through a commitment to building synergy with USU,” said Bambang in his speech.

Given the natural resources and human capital available, proper management of waste could be developed into a new source of income for the community, thereby boosting the local economy. It is truly regrettable if existing resources are not managed effectively. The outcomes of community service initiatives advocating for waste management to be formalized into village regulations (perdes) mark the first step toward enhancing the economic well-being of the community.

Zimbabwe Embassy visits UNAIR

As part of its commitment to global engagement in education, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) welcomed delegates from the Embassy of Zimbabwe on Friday (June 20, 2025) at the Balai Rua Meeting Room, MERR-C Campus Management Office. The meeting focused on exploring strategies for potential academic collaboration between UNAIR and institutions in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean delegation included Z.R. Churu, M. Makururu, Dr. W. Kachere, C. Taringa, E. Chaoneka, and W. Mungate. Representing UNAIR were Prof. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto DEA, DVM, Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, and Dina Septiani, BComm, MComn, PhD, Deputy Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE).

During the discussion, Mr. Churu highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing collaborations with Indonesia, including scholarship and postgraduate programs. He also emphasized the potential for deeper engagement with UNAIR to enhance international exposure and broaden educational impact for Zimbabwean students.

“We are eager to work with UNAIR on educational initiatives such as student exchanges, joint degree programs, scholarships for Zimbabwean students, and collaborative research. We are also grateful to UNAIR for welcoming Zimbabwean students to study in Indonesia,” he remarked.

In response, AGE representative Dina Septiani outlined several opportunities for bilateral cooperation in education. She emphasized that these initiatives could foster mutual knowledge exchange and further strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“We are fully open to future partnerships. UNAIR can offer staff and student exchange programs, joint lectures, research co-supervision, collaborative studies, and international internships. For scholarships, the Indonesian AID program from the Ministry of Finance currently supports three academic disciplines: psychology, pharmacy, and Islamic economics,” she explained.

Dina also introduced the Airlangga Development Scholarship (ADS) for international students at the master’s and doctoral levels. This scholarship includes free Indonesian language training, full tuition coverage, and living expense support.

“UNAIR also provides scholarships for one-semester exchange programs, covering tuition fees, English-language classes, and Indonesian language instruction. Students not enrolled in regular coursework may instead participate in internships or research activities tuition-free,” she concluded.

Branding and Marketing Seminar

Product identity and marketing strategy have become fundamental to the success of selling goods and services. In today’s increasingly competitive market landscape, communities are required not only to produce goods but also to understand how to present their products effectively to consumers. For small and medium enterprises in rural areas, branding and marketing often remain underdeveloped aspects.

In Pemepek Village, Pringgarata Subdistrict, Central Lombok, small-scale businesses have been steadily emerging as a community-driven effort to improve household and village-level economies. Various local groups have tapped into surrounding natural resources, from agricultural yields to home-based food processing, to create value-added products. However, many of these products still face low competitiveness due to a limited understanding of modern branding and digital marketing techniques.

To address this challenge, students of the University of Mataram‘s 2025 Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata or KKN) initiated a capacity-building seminar titled “Meningkatkan Daya Saing Produk melalui Branding, Marketing, dan Kesetaraan Gender Pelaku Usaha” (Enhancing Product Competitiveness through Branding, Marketing, and Gender Equality in Entrepreneurship) held on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, at the KHDTK Rarung Hall. The program specifically targeted two active business groups in Repok Pidendang Hamlet: the Women Farmers Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani Mekar Harum) and the Cooperative Syari’ah Wana Makmur Lestari.

For the KKN students, community engagement is not merely a ceremonial activity but a direct embodiment of Indonesia’s Tri Dharma of Higher Education, teaching, research, and community service. This initiative served as a bridge between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and the practical needs of society.

“We witnessed firsthand how many local entrepreneurs produce high-quality goods but struggle to sell them due to unattractive packaging or limited digital marketing skills,” one of the student organizers said. “Through this activity, we aimed to share knowledge while learning from the community.”

The seminar featured key speakers from the Cooperative and Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Service of Central Lombok, including Endang Triwindusari, SP., MM (Head of SME Division), Ani (Young Functional Expert for Small Medium Enterprises), and Baiq Mentari (Technical Staff for Small Medium Enterprises). Discussions included building strong local product identities, utilizing platforms like Instagram and e-marketplaces, and applying packaging standards aligned with modern retail expectations.

Beyond the technical aspects, the seminar also highlighted the importance of gender equality in entrepreneurship. Professor Dr. Ir. Ruth Stella Petrunella Thei, M.S., Lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, delivered a session on Gender Equality. She stressed that inclusive village development cannot be achieved without empowering women.

“Men and women have equal rights and opportunities. Gender is a social construct that evolves. Empowering women in the economic sector is part of building sustainable communities,” she stated during the session.

The initiative was well received by the local government. Muhali, the village secretary of Pemepek, expressed his appreciation and support for the program, noting its positive impact on strengthening local business capacity in the face of a changing market environment.

Participants remained engaged throughout the event, actively posing questions and discussing marketing challenges, many of which stem from relying solely on traditional sales methods such as word-of-mouth or local markets.

Through this activity, the University of Mataram students not only shared academic insights but also fostered intergenerational collaboration and mutual learning. The long-term goal is to empower Usaha Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), particularly women-led groups, to grow their businesses independently, creatively, and sustainably.a

FISIP USU Student Takes Global Step to Rome

Shafa Yasmin As Sajidah, a student from the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has been selected to participate in a student exchange program at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. She will spend one semester in Rome during the Fall term of the 2025–2026 academic year, as part of a bilateral collaboration between USU and Sapienza University of Rome.

Shafa was nominated by the Kantor Urusan Internasional (KUI) of Universitas Sumatera Utara after successfully passing a document-based selection process. The requirements included a minimum GPA of 3.00 and a foreign language proficiency certificate at the B2 level or higher. She independently managed the entire application process, including document preparation, form submissions, visa arrangements, and securing accommodation.

At Sapienza University of Rome, Shafa will take courses at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Although most Political Science classes at the host university are taught in Italian, the academic system allows exchange students to enroll in interdisciplinary subjects that are relevant to their major and eligible for credit transfer at Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The program adopts a co-funding model: tuition fees are waived by the host university, while expenses such as travel, visa, accommodation, and daily living costs are the responsibility of the participant. In preparing for her departure, Shafa also consulted with members of the Indonesian Student Association in Rome (ISAR) for guidance and support.

Her participation highlights how students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences actively pursue international opportunities with initiative and independence. While the faculty is not directly involved in the program’s administration, it supports academic flexibility to enable students to engage in similar initiatives when applicable.

“This is my first time going aboard. I felt nervous at first, but my excitement is even greater. I hope this becomes the starting point for more opportunities, both for myself and others on campus,” said Shafa.

Her journey reflects a broader trend of Indonesian students participating in international academic exchanges, underscoring the growing global engagement of institutions like Universitas Sumatera Utara.