UMSU took part in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, held at Korea University, Seoul, from 4–6 November 2025. The largest higher education forum in the Asia-Pacific region brought together more than 800 participants from hundreds of universities worldwide, discussing the future of higher education amid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), strengthened cross-country partnerships, and the evolving skillsets needed by the younger generation.
The forum, themed “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” was opened by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region has now become a driving force in global educational transformation. Also present were Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Korea University President Prof. Dong-One Kim, both underscoring the importance of collaboration between universities and industry to address emerging global challenges.
During the event, QS released the latest QS Asia University Rankings 2026, involving more than 1,500 universities across Asia. Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) achieved an impressive milestone, ranking 445 in Asia, 87 in Southeast Asia, and 19 in Indonesia — reaffirming its position as a leading private university advancing its regional and international presence.
The QS Insights Pack 2025, launched at the summit, highlighted three key pillars for the success of future universities: strategic partnerships, graduate skills, and artificial intelligence integration. QS noted that universities with strong global networks tend to score higher in academic and research reputation. Additionally, digital literacy and adaptability to AI technologies are becoming essential factors that strengthen graduates’ competitiveness in the global job market.
UMSU also used the forum as an opportunity to explore early discussions on collaboration with universities in Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. These talks covered virtual credit transfer programs, PhD scholarship opportunities, and cross-country collaborative research—aimed at expanding UMSU’s academic network and opening more international pathways for its faculty and students.
UMSU’s Vice Rector III for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Partnerships, Dr. Rudianto, S.Sos., M.Si., who attended the summit in Seoul, stated that the forum provided strong inspiration for UMSU to accelerate its journey toward becoming a globally competitive university.
“The QS Summit clearly shows that the success of future universities will depend on strong partnerships, adaptability to technology, and the readiness of graduates to navigate the digital workforce. UMSU will continue strengthening these directions through international research and innovation collaborations,” Rudianto reported from Seoul.
He emphasized that UMSU’s attendance at the event was more than just participation — it was a concrete commitment to expanding its global network and implementing best practices from top higher education institutions across Asia.
