The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) welcomed students and faculty members from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, as part of a Student Exchange Program. The event was held on Tuesday (May 12) at the UMSU Auditorium on Muchtar Basri Street No. 3, Medan.
The program aimed to strengthen international collaboration while fostering cultural understanding and friendship between Indonesia and Singapore.
Representing Temasek Polytechnic, Emil Chong expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by UMSU to the Singaporean delegation.
“We arrived in Medan yesterday and have truly enjoyed the local culture and cuisine. On behalf of our students and colleagues, I would like to sincerely thank UMSU for the wonderful welcome,” he said.
Emil explained that Temasek Polytechnic is one of Singapore’s five polytechnics, renowned for its emphasis on practice-oriented education and strong industry partnerships.
“Our visit to Medan is intended to deepen our understanding of Indonesian culture and to engage directly with students here,” he added.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Abrar Adhani, S.Sos., M.I.Kom., Vice Dean of FISIP UMSU, highlighted the importance of student exchange programs in broadening students’ global perspectives.
“We hope our FISIP UMSU students will build meaningful friendships, exchange experiences with students from Temasek Polytechnic, and gain new insights that will enrich both their academic and personal development,” he said.
He also emphasized that international collaboration creates valuable opportunities for academic development, joint research, and the expansion of professional networks across borders.
The event continued with a commemorative gift exchange and a group photo session, symbolizing the official partnership and friendship between UMSU and Temasek Polytechnic.
During the talk show session, students from UMSU’s Communication Studies Program introduced their curriculum, emphasizing that it combines theoretical knowledge with practical learning experiences. Meanwhile, students from Temasek Polytechnic presented their Gerontology program, a field of study focused on aging and the well-being of older adults.
The event was attended by Rafieqah Nalar Rizky, S.Sos., M.A., Chair of the UMSU Office of International Cooperation (OIC); Miss Yeom Mau Lin, representative of Temasek Polytechnic Singapore; heads of academic programs; and students from both FISIP UMSU and Temasek Polytechnic Singapore.
