The Muhammadiyah Student Association (Ikatan Mahasiswa Muhammadiyah/IMM) across Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) held a celebration marking the organization’s 62nd anniversary under the theme “Nurturing IMM, Advancing Indonesia.” The lively celebration took place on Saturday (July 18) at the UMSU Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
The anniversary celebration was officially opened by UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd., represented by Vice Rector III Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, who conveyed his congratulations and expressed his pride in IMM’s organizational maturity at the age of 62. He praised the consistent organizational governance and discipline demonstrated by IMM units across UMSU, which he said had performed exceptionally well over the past decade under his supervision. During this period, IMM has successfully developed thousands of cadres who continue to contribute to strategic fields at the local, regional, and national levels.
Dr. Rudianto emphasized the Muhammadiyah organization’s key priorities going forward, particularly following the official appointment of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership of North Sumatra as host of the 49th Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress in 2027. The major event will be held at the UMSU Integrated Campus, which is currently under development and will feature the Auditorium Berkemajuan, Walidah Sports Hall, and K.H. Ahmad Dahlan Mosque.
“One particularly proud achievement is that IMM at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara will host the event in its own home while also demonstrating to the world that, even on our home ground, we are capable of competing with anyone,” he said.
Vice Rector III called for the full support and concrete contributions of all IMM units to ensure the success of the 49th Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress in 2027.
He also delivered three key messages to IMM cadres in responding to the challenges of globalization and the university’s internationalization agenda. In 2026, UMSU attracted 1,219 applications from international students. He urged students to continue developing a growth mindset, strengthen their networks, which have increasingly embraced international cadres from countries such as Thailand and Cambodia, and enhance their soft skills as an essential foundation for embodying Al-Islamic and Muhammadiyah values.
Earlier, Secretary-General of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of IMM, M. Zaki Mubarak, affirmed that the DPP IMM was ready to provide full support to ensure the success of the 49th Congress in North Sumatra.
“God willing, as the DPP IMM, we will celebrate, support, and help promote the Muhammadiyah Congress, which will be held next year in North Sumatra,” he said.
He praised UMSU’s strong commitment to IMM, which he described as reaching 99 percent, and expressed hope that this close partnership could serve as a model for other universities across Indonesia, enabling IMM to remain relevant in nurturing a generation of critical-thinking and socially conscious Gen Z intellectuals in the digital era.
The celebration continued with a public lecture delivered by Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), Sugiat Santoso, S.E., M.S.P. He highlighted social threats in North Sumatra, particularly the dangers of drug abuse and online gambling to the future of young people. He expressed hope that IMM cadres at UMSU would strengthen youth-led moral movements with a global outlook, following the legacy of K.H. Ahmad Dahlan.
The 62nd anniversary celebration of IMM across UMSU concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to distinguished guests, a group photo session with organizational officials, and the traditional cutting of tumpeng as an expression of gratitude for another year in the organization’s journey.
The event was also attended by BPH Chairman Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP.; Chairman of the DPP IMM North Sumatra, Rahmat Taufiq; Chairman of the Medan City IMM Branch Executive Board, Rais Prayogo; and representatives of UMSU faculties.
