Hundreds of students from 20 high schools in Medan, Deliserdang, Binjai, and Langkat enthusiastically took part in the Online Scholarship Competition (OSC) 2025 roadshow, themed “Realizing Dreams Together.” The event was held on Wednesday (Sept 10) at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) Auditorium, Jalan Kapten Muchtar Basri, Medan.
The roadshow, part of the OSC scholarship’s 10th-anniversary series, aims to expand access to quality higher education while fostering student achievement. OSC is a scholarship program initiated by Medcom.id in collaboration with the Surya Edukasi Bangsa Foundation and several leading universities in Indonesia, including UMSU.
The event was attended by UMSU Vice Rector I Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Hum, faculty leaders, heads of UMSU’s Student Affairs and Public Relations Bureaus, Head of Corporate Communication at Medcom and Secretary of the Surya Edukasi Bangsa Foundation, Herfindo Satria Gading, influencer Amien Ashal, OSC awardees currently studying at UMSU, as well as teachers and students from 22 high schools across North Sumatra.
Opening the event on behalf of UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, Prof. Arifin highlighted UMSU’s 68-year history and its wide range of academic programs.
“UMSU offers 41 undergraduate programs, all accessible through OSC scholarships, including opportunities at the master’s level. So don’t be afraid of failure—this is all part of the learning process,” he said.
He further emphasized UMSU’s commitment to recognizing both academic and non-academic achievements, which has brought the university national and international recognition.
“Currently, UMSU has the highest number of accredited ‘excellent’ programs under LLDIKTI Region I, with 50% of its study programs already accredited,” he added.
Prof. Arifin also noted that UMSU has collaborated with Medcom on the OSC program since 2021, with 20 UMSU students receiving scholarships each year.
“For UMSU, this is an honor, as OSC currently involves only 18 universities across Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Herfindo Satria Gading explained that OSC has entered its 11th year since its launch in 2015.
“Why pursue higher education? Because college is important, but it must go hand in hand with skills. Data shows that the highest unemployment rate comes from high school and vocational graduates, so continuing to higher education is crucial,” he explained.
He added that the OSC scholarship is open to 2026 graduates and gap-year graduates from 2024–2025. Recipients will receive full tuition coverage, internship and career opportunities at Media Group, and certificates for winners and finalists.
“OSC has also provided living cost assistance for awardees in need, totaling IDR 4.2 billion to date,” he revealed.
During the event, Herfindo hosted a talk show with OSC awardees currently studying at UMSU, Ahmad Bayu (Faculty of Law) and Salsa Khairina (Faculty of Agriculture), who shared their journeys.
Bayu stressed the importance of determination: “The most important thing is intention and action. Once we know our goals, we can work ambitiously to achieve them.”
Salsa shared how her gap year became a driving force to pursue the OSC scholarship and eventually study at her dream university.
The event concluded with an inspiring session by Medan influencer Dr. Amien Ashal, who spoke about his educational journey as a santri before entering the field of medical education.
