The closing ceremony of the UMSU Innovation & Creativity Carnival (UICC) 2026 concluded on a high note with a spectacular mini concert by the UMSU Orchestra, held on Saturday (May 23) at the Auditorium of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) on Muchtar Basri Street No. 3, Medan.
Now in its fourth edition, UICC 2026 was held from May 18–22, 2026, featuring six competition categories: Poetry Recitation, Solo Vocal Performance, English Speech, Mobile Legends E-Sports, Creative Dance, and Qur’an Recitation (Tilawah). The event attracted 611 participants representing 64 universities and 90 senior high schools from across Indonesia and abroad, with competitions conducted both online and onsite.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP., Chairman of the UMSU Board of Trustees (BPH) and Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2027 Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress. In his remarks, he emphasized that fostering students’ creativity has always been an integral part of UMSU’s educational mission.
He explained that the establishment of the UMSU Orchestra was inspired by North Sumatra’s appointment as the host of the 49th Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress in 2027, while also reflecting the university’s commitment to developing students’ artistic talents.
The orchestra captivated the audience with performances that blended traditional Indonesian melodies and contemporary music. Regional songs, presented through fresh orchestral arrangements, entertained the audience while showcasing the rich cultural heritage of North Sumatra.
“Our orchestra performs both traditional and modern music, and the results are truly remarkable. We will continue to develop this ensemble. I am confident that it will become one of the highlights of the 2027 Muhammadiyah Congress, especially since North Sumatra is home to eight ethnic groups whose cultural richness can be beautifully represented through orchestral performances,” he said.
During the ceremony, Prof. Agussani also announced that competition winners would be offered scholarship opportunities to study at UMSU. He further revealed that UICC 2027 is planned to be held at the Auditorium Berkemajuan on UMSU’s Integrated Campus in Desa Saintis.
“God willing, UICC 2027 will be held at the Auditorium Berkemajuan. Creativity should always be at the forefront and be appreciated by our students. We hope this event continues to inspire and recognize outstanding talent and achievement,” he said.
Earlier, through a recorded video message, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd. congratulated all participants from Indonesia and overseas.
“Congratulations to all participants who achieved outstanding results at UICC. May this become the first step toward greater success and serve as motivation to continue learning and growing for a brighter future,” he said.
The Rector reaffirmed UMSU’s commitment to supporting outstanding students through various scholarship programs and talent development initiatives.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector III, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, M.Si., explained that the special appearance of the UMSU Orchestra reflected the university’s dedication to nurturing performing arts among students.
“We intentionally featured the UMSU Orchestra because it is one of our student organizations established last year to promote performing arts. We are proud that UICC 2026 has attracted an increasing number of participants from both Indonesia and abroad,” he said.
He also emphasized that the judging process was conducted fairly, objectively, and transparently.
“We ensure that all judging is objective and transparent. We hope UICC continues to serve as a platform where students can showcase their talents while demonstrating UMSU’s strong commitment to supporting their interests and creativity,” he added.
One of the highlights of the evening was the orchestra’s mini concert, featuring eight musical performances inspired by diverse cultural traditions. According to Herizon, conductor and composer of the UMSU Orchestra, preparations for the performance took approximately three months, making it the ensemble’s first official mini concert following its debut during student orientation and UICC.
“We spent three months preparing for this performance, and this marks the first official mini concert by the UMSU Orchestra,” he explained.
According to Abdurrahman Zuhdi, M.I.Kom., Head of the Bureau of Student Affairs and Alumni (BIMAWA), UICC has now entered its fourth consecutive year since its launch in 2022.
“This year’s participants came not only from across Indonesia but also from international institutions, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and a polytechnic from Malaysia. We hope to welcome even more participants from different countries in the future,” he said.
He affirmed that UICC will continue to serve as a platform for nurturing creativity and innovation among students in the years ahead.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of appreciation certificates to the competition judges across the six categories, followed by the announcement and awarding of the competition winners.
MAN 2 Model Medan was named the Overall Champion of UICC 2026.
The event reaffirmed UMSU’s commitment to promoting creativity, innovation, cultural appreciation, and international engagement, while providing meaningful opportunities for talented students from Indonesia and around the world to showcase their abilities.
