A series of commemorations of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic cooperation between Indonesia and the United States, including the event “Diplomat Goes To Campus,” was held on the UMSU campus in Medan on Thursday (16/5). This activity was coupled with the Ideas and Talks program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara, an English-language discussion forum featuring actual topics.
The event, graced by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Alumni and Cooperation of UMSU Dr. Rudianto.M.Si, was a testament to the diverse and inclusive nature of the Indonesia-America cooperation. It was enriched by the presence of speakers such as Foreign Advisor of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Benyamin Abiyoga and Deputy US Consulate General in Medan Kristy Mordhrost, and attended by 200 lecturers and students from various universities both inside and outside North Sumatra.
Also present at the event were the Chairperson of OIC UMSU Rafikah N Rizky, the Chairperson of the UMSU Language Center Muhammad Rafii, who served as moderator, the Head of BIPA UMSU Cut Novita Sri Kandi, the Heads of Faculties and Study Programs at UMSU, Independent Student Exchange participants throughout Indonesia, and UMSU International class students.
UMSU Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni and Cooperation Dr. Rudianto, in his remarks, celebrated the remarkable 75-year journey of cooperation between Indonesia and the United States. He emphasized the significant contributions of this partnership, particularly the English lecturers sent directly from America by the US Embassy in Jakarta, which have been instrumental in enhancing the English language proficiency of UMSU students from 2015 to 2021.
“Alhamdulillah, our collaboration with the United States has been running for quite a long time and is very effective in improving the quality of higher education on our campus,” He said.
In addition, UMSU also collaborates with various campuses in the United States, such as John Hopkins University, Montgomery College, and Babson College. UMSU also had a singer from the United States, Native Dien, Head of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, who visited OIF UMSU and HAMTRAMK film director Razi Jafri, who was facilitated by the United States consulate in Medan. Even now at UMSU there is an Education USA representative office that can help people continue their studies at universities in Uncle Sam.
According to Rudianto, the future of cooperation in the field of higher education with the United States is promising and holds immense potential. Recognizing the United States’ reputation for offering some of the best higher education in the world, he expressed his hope that this collaboration will continue to elevate the quality of higher education at UMSU and across Indonesia.
Foreign Ministry Advisor Muhammad Benyamin Abiyoga said the celebration of 75 years of relations between Indonesia and the United States in 2024 aimed to strengthen partnerships based on shared values, including diversity and democracy, to support broad stability and prosperity.
The Diplomat Goes to Campus event at UMSU is a series of activities that are also held on various campuses in the country. UMSU is one of 2 locations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States in Medan. The event’s excitement was complemented by the opening of exhibition booths by AMINEF, EducationUSA, and UMSU at the event location.