Tag: Universitas Sumatera Utara

The widespread use of social media is unavoidable in today’s digital era. The young generation are the ones who will determine the future of Indonesia’s media literacy. Based on a survey conducted by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2019, Indonesia ranked 62nd out of 70 countries, or the bottom 10 countries with low literacy levels.

Although the literacy rate in Indonesia is still relatively low, Indonesians actively use the internet, especially in terms of online shopping and social media usage. Data shows that everyone has at least one mobile device with a fairly high percentage of social media users, which is 60% of the total population.

Due to this particular issue, the Communication Science student groups of Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik (FISIP) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held socializations at SMK Perguruan Nasional Brigjend Katamso 1 and SMAS Prayatna Medan that involved a total of 81 students. These activities were held on May 15 and 22, 2024 with two themes: “Recognizing ‘Infinite Scroll’ Addiction in Teenagers” and “How Ads and Clicks Shape the Internet and Deconstruction Media Message”.

The purpose of these socializations are to raise students’ awareness about the importance of literacy in the digital era, provide knowledge about the dangers of excessive use of smartphones and social media, and teach them how to limit and moderate their time on social media.

In addition, these socialization s also aim to provide a basic understanding of how to be wise in media literacy, identify good and bad advertisements and clicks, to understand the deconstruction of digital media in the digital era.

In this socialization, the college students educated the students in each school about life in a digital world filled with information and communication technology that continues to grow, facilitating human work, especially with the existence of smartphones that are being used every day and had become an inseparable aspect in our lives.

However, on a smartphone, there are many dangers that might go unnoticed. One of them is the bad habit of surfing in social media until you lose track of time. One can feel too comfortable on social media because of infinite scrolling, a feature where the social media continues to display content without limit or end. This leads to the “inability to stop scrolling on social media” as the algorithm displays content that matches the user’s interests.

Through this socialization, the college students hope that the students that they taught can apply the fundamental aspects of media literacy, such as how to moderate the use of smartphones, be aware of why we can’t stop scrolling, be aware of the harmful effects that are caused by social media, be able to differentiate good and bad clicks, understand the deconstruction of media messages, act wisely and critically in the use of digital media, and help educate family, friends, and the surrounding environment who have not been exposed to this knowledge.

Community Service Program (PKM-PM) Eco-empowered by Universitas Sumatera Utara and the Ndeskati Village PKK Partners Conduct Innovative Activities to Transform Coffee Husk Waste into Natural Dyes for Batik Aksara Karo. This activity was conducted in stages over three months, involving various elements of the village community and highlighting the vital role of women in cultural preservation and environmental management.

The program began with extracting natural dyes from coffee husk waste. The participants, primarily women organization (PKK) members, were enthusiastic about learning each step, from collection and drying to color extraction. “This is the first time we have seen coffee husk waste turned into something valuable. The process is interesting, and the results are very satisfying,” said May, one of the training participants

Once the natural dye was ready, the training continued with a session on making Karo Script Batik. The participants were directly introduced to the history and meaning of Karo Script, guided by one of the PKM team members, Muslih Arridho, to introduce and revive the nearly faded Karo cultural heritage.

The women of the Ndeskati Village PKK were taught to apply Karo Script to create beautiful words written on batik using pencils and design paper. The wax painting process became the peak of creativity, where the partners carefully carved Karo Script motifs on the batik cloth to honor and represent Karo’s cultural heritage.

The most anticipated moment was the dyeing process. The batik fabrics were dipped into the natural dye extracted from coffee husk waste, resulting in a unique and environmentally friendly light brown color. This process was completed with fixation and drying to ensure the resulting batik was high-quality and durable. “We are very proud of the results. This batik is beautiful and has high environmental and cultural value,” said Wadaria, the head of the participant team.

This program produced high-quality batik products and empowered the village community, especially housewives. They now have new skills to increase family income and strengthen the local economy. “We hope to pass these skills on to other communities, making Ndeskati Village a training center for Karo Script batik,” added Wadaria.

The sustainability of this program is supported by the establishment of the “Batik Aksara Karo” cooperative, which will independently manage the production and distribution of batik. This cooperative will also serve as a training center for other communities to ensure the continued development of this knowledge and skill. With firm commitment from the entire community and ongoing support from PKM-PM, Ndeskati Village is ready to become a model of a sustainable creative economy.

Ndeskati Village will shine as an inspiring example where tradition and innovation go hand in hand, bringing broad positive impacts on the environment and culture. This program has opened new opportunities, reduced waste, strengthened cultural identity, and created a greener and more empowered future for the entire village community.

In several past decades, climate change and environmental degradation have become pressing global issues. The increasing population growth rate, along with the increasing human activities in the environment. This has become a major factor in the pollution and exploitation of natural resources.

According to data released by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, by 2023, there will be 19.56 million tons of waste per year, 27.56% of which will be untreated. The data shows how sad the waste produced by humans every day is, some of which cannot be processed properly.

During this challenge, the concept of Eco-Living or an environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle has emerged as a promising solution to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the earth. Not just a trend, this concept is a philosophy of life that promotes environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and the use of environmentally friendly products.

Based on this phenomenon and in commemoration of World Environment Day, Merakee Organizer, an event organizer from Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Farhan Alvadin Lubis as project manager along with its members, namely Anna Fauziah Pane, Quisha Rahma Chandra, Sandrina Humaira, Azzahra Dwi Prananda, Niza Ervia Seftiawati, Salsabila Iriska Kusnin and Nur Jamiah Nasution, created an event that raised environmental issues and sustainable lifestyles entitled Green Gala as a form of their concern for environmental conservation. The event was held on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at the Park of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU).

Green Gala event aims to increase public awareness and participation in environmental conservation. Green Gala by Merakee Organizer is also part of the social project of the Event Organizer course in Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU).

Green Gala has a series of interactive activities, began with a morning exercise led by Syah Hendra Mahadi, then continued with a clean-up session around the campus. After a short break, we present a talk show session under the theme Eco-Living: Way to Brighter Future by presenting spectacular speakers who are very concerned on environmental issues, namely Dr. Mayang Sari Yeanny, S.Si., M.Si, an academic from the Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Park, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and Adelia Acasia Bangun, the Main North Sumatra Ambassador of Puteri Lingkungan 2023.

The participants were also invited to take part in a plastic waste recycling workshop by making ecobricks. Ecobricks themselves are made from plastic bottles containing plastic waste. Ecobricks can be used as an alternative to brick products to build buildings and household furniture.

“We know that plastic waste is a major problem in Indonesia, especially in Medan City. Through this activity, we hope people are able to sort and utilize plastic waste wisely. This activity is expected for all young generation to love and protect the environment more, starting by stop littering,” said Farhan Alvadin Lubis, Project Manager of Merakee Organizer.

The Green Gala event was also fully supported by the Directorate of Student Achievement and Alumni Affairs of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and successfully collaborated with Communication Science Student Association (IMAJINASI) Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and attracted participants and communities from all over Medan, not only from USU but from other universities and the ones who care about environmental conservation issues.

Lembaga Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat (LPPM), a community development unit under Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), recently spearheaded an impactful community development initiative in Bandar Baru Village, Sibolangit District, Deli Serdang. Led by Husni Thamrin, S.Sos., MSP, along with M.Ikom, Arief Marizki Purba, SE, S.Sos., M.Si, and Farida Hanim, S.Sos., M.I.Kom, this initiative aims to address the pressing social issues in the region.

Bandar Baru is notably recognized as one of the prostitution hotspots in North Sumatra, where the complexities of economic, social, and cultural factors intertwine. This area faces significant challenges, including high rates of drug abuse and deviant behaviors among teenagers. Contributing factors such as poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities in the formal sector often drive individuals towards prostitution.

To combat these issues, the LPPM team has introduced a foster parent program focusing on providing access to education for the local youth. This initiative seeks to interrupt the cycle of prostitution by ensuring that adolescents receive a good education, thereby steering them away from negative behaviors and social problems such as drug abuse.

The foster parent program encourages community members to sponsor students, ensuring their continued education and reducing their risk of falling into deviant behaviors. Each foster parent is asked to contribute Rp. 100,000 per month to support a student’s education at Madrasah Tsanawiyah YPI AL Hilal in Bandar Baru Village. This manageable monthly donation is pivotal in keeping the students engaged in their studies and away from the dangers prevalent in their community.

Husni Thamrin emphasized the importance of this program in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including promoting healthy and prosperous lives, ensuring quality education for underprivileged children, and increasing youth productivity through meaningful activities. The team’s expertise in community empowerment and digital media has been instrumental in running effective campaigns and developing a robust reporting system for foster parents to monitor their sponsored children’s progress.

A significant part of this initiative involves a social media campaign to engage potential donors and raise awareness about the program. By leveraging digital platforms, the team aims to reach a wider audience and garner more support for the cause. The program also integrates the Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) curriculum, allowing students from USU to participate in the community development activities. This hands-on experience helps students develop social skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards societal issues.

Through this comprehensive approach, USU’s LPPM is making strides towards creating a positive change in Bandar Baru Village. The collaboration between academics, students, and the community highlights USU’s commitment to addressing social problems and fostering sustainable development in North Sumatra. This initiative is not just a step towards mitigating the immediate issues but also a long-term investment in the community’s future, aiming to uplift and empower the residents of Bandar Baru Village.

#UniversitasSumateraUtara #USU #FISIPUSU #LPPMUSU

In the era of advanced communication and information technology, the ability to access and share information has become a fundamental necessity. This accessibility has given rise to citizen journalism, where anyone, not just professional journalists, can contribute to the dissemination of information.

Recognizing the importance of this trend, the Community Service Team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., along with her colleagues Dra. Linda Elida M.Si. and Dra. Nita Savitri M.Hum, organized a two-day journalism workshop on May 12-13, 2024. The workshop aimed to enhance the citizen journalism skills of students at the Pondok Pesantren Unggul Terpadu SASBARA in Bah Aren Pematang Sidamanik, Simalungun. This initiative was supported by the Lembaga Pengabdian pada Masyarakat (LPPM) at USU.

The workshop began with 23 enthusiastic students learning about the fundamentals of citizen journalism. Communication Science students Farhan Alvadin Lubis, Azzahra Dwi Prananda, and Syah Hendra Mahadi presented topics including the basics of journalism, news writing, and photography using mobile phones. Each participant received reading materials to deepen their understanding of these subjects.

On the second day, the students applied their newfound knowledge in a practical journalism workshop. They were divided into groups and tasked with writing news articles and taking photographs around the SASBARA pesantren. The best group and the most active participants were recognized and appreciated by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., the head of the activity. An entertainment session by Rumah Kreatif Mutiara Langit Biru, featuring origami practice, provided a creative break.

Through this community service initiative, USU hopes to empower these students to become proficient citizen journalists. By adhering to journalistic standards and utilizing information technology wisely, they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

#FISIPUSU #CommunicationUSU #USU

A group of creative students at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) have taken a unique approach within their campus to boost their peers’ mental well-being. As part of a Leadership course project, these students have strategically placed motivational cards at several bus stops around the campus for others to pick up freely. These cards contain messages designed to help individuals accept themselves and encourage a positive outlook on life.

Aditya Pratama, a Social Anthropology student, shared that the initiative stemmed from concerns over the high rates of mental health issues among students. To draw attention, the cards are brightly colored. The project, named Card to Everyone, not only aims to provide motivation but also to foster a sense of caring among the student community. Vicky Rifai Adriansyah, another student, explained that the project has helped them become more empathetic towards others, noting that one significant cause of mental health problems is the feeling of isolation among students. In addition to distributing these cards, the student group has also set up an Instagram account @spread.positiveness to continuously share uplifting messages aimed specifically at students.

The project is overseen by Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, Dr. Irfan, and M. Rifai, MSc., and aims to equip students not just with knowledge but with tools to address challenges. Although it’s a small-scale initiative, it encourages students to think creatively about solving real-world issues.

It is widely known that the advent of social media offers numerous benefits to human life. The quick, easy, and cheap access offered by social media in spreading various types of information is the key reason why this technology is favoured by many, including students. However, this ease of access also poses new challenges for social media users, such as difficulties in distinguishing between facts and fictions and the dangers of photo manipulation, which make individuals susceptible to fake news (hoaxes).

Acknowledging the importance of digital media literacy and the skills needed to minimize the spread of fake news, students from the Communications Science program at the Faculty of Social and Politics, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held an educational socialization event on May 15 and 18, 2024, addressing two interesting topics: “Differentiating Facts and Opinions and Identifying Photo Manipulation on Social Media” and “Fighting Fake News on Social Media”.

The event, which was held at SMA Negeri 15 Medan and SMP Negeri 10 Medan, was attended by 66 students and supervised by Yovita Sabarina Sitepu as the co-lecturer of the Digital Media Literacy course in the Communications Science program at USU.

This socialization event is equipped with pre-test and post-test designed to measure students’ understanding of the topics before and after the material was presented. These tests revealed that this event significantly enhanced the students’ knowledge and comprehension of the discussed topics. To further develop students’ skills, various online tools that can be used to identify fake news were also introduced. Additionally, the students were tested on their ability to distinguish between authentic and manipulated photos through interactive games. The students actively participated and showed their enthusiasm throughout the whole event.

Through this socialization event, it is hoped that students will become more critical in receiving information—either online or offline—, more active in fighting the spread of fake news, and capable of addressing photo or video manipulation. This socialization also aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a wiser and more responsible social media user.

A group of students from the Social Anthropology at Universitas Sumatera Utara engaged in activities at the Taman Pendidikan Islam (TPI) Special Needs School in Medan, North Sumatra. There, they provided creative lessons to children with intellectual disabilities. The students participated in various activities, including playing games, storytelling, and teaching the children how to make pencil holders from popsicle sticks, which were then decorated according to the children’s imaginations. All participating students displayed great enthusiasm from the start of the activities to the presentation of their creations.

This initiative serves as a project for a leadership course. Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, a member of the teaching team for the course (with Dr. Irfan dan M. Rifa’i, MSc), explained that the project aims to cultivate social sensitivity among students through self-chosen and self-directed projects. This experience is intended to lay a moral foundation for their future roles as community leaders.

The involved students expressed a strong interest in participating in similar activities in the future. Nadya Fortuna Gunawan, one of the students, mentioned an increased awareness of the importance of recognizing the needs of others and expressed a hope to engage with more special needs children in interactive activities along with her peers.

Prior to the event, the students developed their own action plans. Dr. Zaluchu emphasized that leadership involves not only designing plans but also executing them, making these activities valuable learning and reflective experiences.

Muammar Rifqi, another student participant, remarked that social sensitivity is an essential skill for students, applicable in their future roles as community leaders. Reflecting the leadership course’s motto, student today, leader tomorrow, he expressed a desire to help build communities that greatly need their support

The escalating use of pesticides has become a cause for concern. In just the past decade, pesticide usage has surpassed previous levels, raising significant alarm due to its impacts not only on the environment but also on farmers, with further implications extending to consumers. Clearly, this situation is quite worrisome.

Novi Fitriani Nazara, a student of the Social Anthropology Department at Universitas Sumatera Utara, conducted research to delve into pesticide usage in one of the largest agricultural areas in North Sumatra. “Indonesia’s position is alarming as it ranks among the top five countries in the world in terms of pesticide usage,” stated Novi, the researcher. “This is based on data from the FAO in 2024. However, we acknowledge that the actual data may be much larger”.

After conducting research for four months in the Karo Regency using a live-experienced approach, Novi elucidated, “I found that pesticide usage is intertwined with local perceptions. Farmers express that pesticides are their only option. They are facing changing climates, and they do not want to fail in their harvests. “Ironically even though they are aware of the health impacts of pesticides, they overlook them. They view pesticides as medicine for their plants, similar to how humans need treatment when they are sick.”

The research supervisor, Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, revealed that this study employs a structural violence approach. By utilizing the concept of structural violence, we reflect on the vulnerable position of farmers exposed to pesticides, while they are far from accessing health empowerment. This research demonstrates that farmers do not receive adequate protection to prevent continuous exposure to pesticides. “Thus, the use of pesticides by farmers is a long-standing consequence of human-nonhuman relations, leading to dependency effects. This cannot be severed as the government plays a limited role in protecting farmers, instead allowing these incidents to persist.”

Novi presented her research findings in a seminar organized by the Social Anthropology Department at the end of April 2024. It is hoped that this research will produce a policy brief that will benefit stakeholders.