The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., accompanied by several Directors General, visited the ecosystem of the Free Nutritious Meal Service Unit (SPPG–MBG) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and reviewed the construction progress of the Advanced Auditorium and Walidah Sport Hall at the UMSU Integrated Campus in Deli Serdang on Sunday (January 4).
The site has been designated as the main venue for the 2027 Muhammadiyah Congress (Muktamar). The UMSU MBG kitchen is scheduled to begin operations on January 8, 2026.
Officials accompanying the Minister included the Director General of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, Gogot Suharwoto; the Director General of Vocational Education and PKPLK, Tatang Muttaqin; Special Staff for Student Management and Institutional Affairs, Didik Suhardi; Special Staff for Communication and Media, Ma’ruf; and the Head of the North Sumatra LPMP, Afrizal S.
During the visit, Prof. Mu’ti praised UMSU’s concrete initiatives, which he said go beyond several government programs related to free nutritious meals, education, and socio-economic community empowerment.
Supporting facilities such as a bakery, poultry farm, and vegetable production within the SPPG ecosystem were highlighted as tangible examples of programs that move beyond concepts to generate real social and economic capital for the community.
“This goes beyond just a program. What UMSU is doing is real action—less talk, more work. When many only talk without execution, Muhammadiyah and UMSU deliver real solutions,” the Minister stated.
According to Prof. Mu’ti, such an approach is crucial, as genuine action fosters optimism rather than pessimism in society. The synergy between Muhammadiyah–‘Aisyiyah and UMSU, he added, has been felt through concrete solutions.
“Many initiatives today create pessimism because they are not carried out seriously. Here, we see a real example: being present, working, and delivering solutions,” he emphasized.
The Minister also noted the ongoing educational and social activities within the UMSU Integrated Campus area, marking it as a living and growing space rather than merely a physical development project.
Meanwhile, the construction of the auditorium and sport hall was viewed as having long-term strategic value beyond internal campus needs. The area is projected to become an educational tourism (edu-tourism) destination integrating education, da’wah, and community economic empowerment.
Recalling his visit to the site a year earlier, Prof. Mu’ti likened the development to the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim—once an empty land, now growing into a new settlement and civilization.
“I see the UMSU Integrated Campus and the 2027 Muhammadiyah Congress venue as having the potential to become a new settlement and a future destination,” he said.
He also encouraged the development of libraries and vibrant public educational spaces within the campus to serve as centers for progressive Islamic development and to inspire younger generations to pursue education, including studies abroad.
UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP., stated that the Integrated Campus is designed as a comprehensive educational area that not only serves academic interests but also empowers surrounding communities.
“We aim to make this area a center for education, da’wah, and economic empowerment. The edu-tourism concept developed here must provide direct benefits to the community and the organization,” he said.
With strong infrastructure, organizational readiness, and community participation, the UMSU Integrated Campus is expected to become a model of sustainable educational development and a platform for actualizing progressive Islamic values with tangible impact.
Prof. Agussani added that the Advanced Auditorium, with a capacity of 7,500 seats, is targeted to host its first graduation ceremony in 2027 and is expected to be attended by the Minister. Construction progress has reached 33 percent for the auditorium and 45 percent for the sport hall, with funding fully supported by UMSU without bank financing.
The visit was attended by members of the Daily Advisory Board, Vice Rector II Prof. Akrim, M.Pd., the UMSU academic community, regional Muhammadiyah leaders from Deli Serdang, Serdang Bedagai, Binjai, Tebing Tinggi, Asahan, and Medan, as well as provincial Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah representatives.
The following day, the Minister and the Directors General visited Aceh Tamiang and Langsa to mark the reopening of schools after the long holiday, signaling regional recovery. Previously, the Minister had visited Medan to sign several school revitalization plaques.
