Mundhakir Salman, General Manager of PLN North Sumatra Distribution Main Unit (UID North Sumatra), delivered a public lecture titled “From Graduating Early to Living a Meaningful Life: Building a Career, Achievements, and Lasting Contributions” on Wednesday (May 20) at the Auditorium of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), located on Muchtar Basri Street No. 3, Medan.
The event was officially opened by UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd., represented by Vice Rector III, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, M.Si. Hundreds of students from various faculties attended the lecture.
In his presentation, Mundhakir emphasized that his visit to UMSU was about more than discussing electricity.
“We are honored to be at UMSU, one of the largest universities in North Sumatra, not only to talk about electrical energy but also about energy and the power of doing good,” he said.
He explained that the global energy transition presents significant opportunities for the younger generation.
“The energy transition opens up new opportunities. Indonesia has tremendous potential in renewable energy development, which can deliver lasting benefits to society,” he noted.
Mundhakir also highlighted a common mindset among students who focus solely on graduating quickly without considering the broader purpose of life afterward. He encouraged students to use their university years to prepare not only for employment but also for a meaningful future.
During the lecture, he shared a moving experience from a disaster in Sibolga, when a power outage threatened the lives of patients requiring urgent medical treatment.
“There were 25 patients who needed dialysis. At that moment, we realized that electricity is not merely a source of energy—it is essential to sustaining human life.”
He also introduced PLN’s social initiative, Light Up The Dream, which provides free electricity connections to underprivileged families through voluntary donations from PT PLN (Persero) employees.
“More than 44,108 households have benefited from this program. It has become a movement that spreads happiness throughout society, and its impact will continue to grow through greater collaboration,” he explained.
Concluding his lecture, Mundhakir described three stages of life:
- Survive – securing employment and financial stability.
- Growth – continuously improving skills and competencies.
- Meaning – making a positive impact on others while living with purpose and inner peace.
Earlier, Vice Rector III of UMSU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, M.Si., welcomed the PLN executive and expressed appreciation for his presence on campus.
“Welcome to UMSU, Mr. General Manager. Your presence is both an honor and a source of inspiration for our students,” he said.
He also highlighted UMSU’s ongoing institutional development, including preparations for hosting major Muhammadiyah events.
“UMSU is now listed in the QS Rankings and has been recognized by UniRank as one of the world’s leading Islamic universities. We are committed to continuously improving our academic quality and global standing,” he stated.
As the host of the 2027 Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah National Congress, UMSU is currently developing its Campus IV in Sampali, Percut Sei Tuan. The university will require substantial support from PLN to meet its future energy demands.
“PLN’s contribution will be crucial, as university operations and future expansion require a reliable and high-capacity electricity supply,” he added.
The public lecture concluded with a presentation of a commemorative plaque to Mundhakir Salman by Vice Rector III Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, M.Si., accompanied by Chairman of the UMSU Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP. The event was also attended by leaders of the UMSU Graduate School, faculty executives, and students from various academic disciplines.
