The Postgraduate Program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), in collaboration with the ADA Research Center, successfully organized the International Conference on Technology, Economics, and Social Science (ICTESS) 2025. The international conference was held in a hybrid format, centered at the Auditorium of the UMSU Campus on Jalan Denai No. 217, Medan, on Saturday (January 10).
ICTESS 2025 was officially opened by UMSU Vice Rector I, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, S.H., M.Hum. In his keynote remarks, he highlighted the major challenges faced by academia amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
“The development of information technology is extraordinarily rapid. Many academic disciplines are predicted to be displaced by AI if they fail to adapt. Therefore, the integration of technology, economics, and social sciences is inevitable,” said Prof. Arifin.
He also emphasized the importance of ethics in the use of technology to ensure that digital progress does not result in negative consequences.
“Without ethics, technology can dehumanize society. Innovation must be balanced with moral, religious, and humanitarian values,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Vice Director of UMSU’s Postgraduate School, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adi Mansar, S.H., M.Hum., expressed his appreciation for the successful organization of ICTESS 2025 as a result of collaboration between UMSU and the ADA Research Center.
“This international conference plays a vital role in strengthening academic traditions and research culture at the UMSU Postgraduate School, while also opening wider opportunities for scholarly collaboration,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Director of the ADA Research Center, Dr. Suginam, S.E., M.Ak., emphasized that innovation must go beyond novelty and deliver tangible impact.
“Innovation is not only about new ideas, but also about sustainability and real impact on society, particularly in Indonesia,” he said.
Dr. Suginam also expressed his hope that ICTESS would become an annual agenda. “God willing, this conference will continue to be held every December as part of our commitment to research development and academic collaboration,” he added.
Previously, the Chair of the ICTESS 2025 Organizing Committee, Dr. Hazmanan Khair, MBA, Ph.D., reported that the conference was designed to strengthen cross-border academic collaboration.
“The participation of scholars from various countries reflects our commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation and promoting research that benefits society,” he explained.
He further emphasized that ICTESS 2025 served not only as a forum for exchanging ideas, but also as a platform for initiating sustainable research collaborations.
ICTESS 2025 featured several international keynote speakers, including Prof. Dr. Bambang Pamungkas, MBA from the Institute of Business and Informatics Kesatuan Bogor; Prof. Ts. Dr. Sobihatun Nur Abdul Salam from Universiti Utara Malaysia; as well as speakers from China and Brunei Darussalam.
In addition to the academic sessions, the conference included the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the UMSU Postgraduate School and the ADA Research Center, marking a concrete step toward strengthening research collaboration and academic development.
Through ICTESS 2025, the UMSU Postgraduate Program and its partners aim to generate ideas, research, and policies capable of addressing global challenges and contributing meaningfully to sustainable development in the era of intelligent technology.
