As the astronomy study program was opened, which is a new major at UMSU, various efforts were made, including direct outreach to various regions in North Sumatra, and recently, the socialization was carried out in Sarawak, Malaysia. Led by Dr. Arwin Juli Rakhmadi Butar-Butar MA (one of the UMSU FAI astronomy lecturers) and the team carried out socialization in Sarawak, to be precise at the Kuching Cliffs of Sarawak Malaysia, which coincided with the implementation of the Sempena Falak Archipelago Carnival by the Mufti Department of Sarawak, Malaysia.
In this socialization, the team explained the vision and mission, and lecture programs that would be held at the UMSU astronomy study program, especially informing that the field practicum facilities that students majoring in Astronomy would get were the practice of astronomical instruments at OIF, which were complete, on the 7th floor of the UMSU Postgraduate campus.
The enthusiasm of visitors, especially students, who came was relatively high; even one Malaysian, namely Ustadz Mansur, who is also an official at the Mufti Office of Sarawak Malaysia, firmly stated that he would register his daughter who memorized (hafizhah) the Koran 30 chapters in the department Astrology FAI UMSU. This is undoubtedly a positive thing and a form of trust in UMSU.
As is known, UMSU is a favorite campus in North Sumatra, which is now predicated as superior and ranked in the top 50 nationally.
When separated, Dr. Muhammad Qorib, MA, was always the Dean of FAI UMSU, said that the Astronomy Study Program, even though it was a new study program, was a feature and advantage along with the existence of OIF UMSU which had taken part and contributed to society so far. Moreover, according to him, this study program is expected to become a prototype for the new astronomy study program established in Indonesia because the FAI UMSU Astronomy Study Program is the first for a private university level in Indonesia.
