The Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand, Martono Anggusti, visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors. He was warmly received by UMSU Vice Rector III, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, M.Si, on Friday (May 23) at the university’s VIP Room on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Honorary Consul of Thailand in Medan, Eryanto; Head of UMSU’s Indonesian Language Program for Foreign Speakers (BIPA), Dr. Cut Novita Srikandi, M.Hum; and other university officials.
In his remarks, Martono Anggusti reaffirmed his commitment to advancing international cooperation. He highlighted several key areas for collaboration with UMSU, including tourism, education, and healthcare.
“We want to create opportunities for Thai students studying at UMSU, such as encouraging them to start small businesses (MSMEs) as a means of learning and contributing economically,” said Martono.
He also invited UMSU to take part in tourism initiatives in partnership with AirAsia and proposed the establishment of a “Café Corner” as a hub for cultural exchange and collaboration.
“It’s time for UMSU to expand beyond formal education by promoting sports activities. For instance, introducing Muay Thai on campus would be a first for Medan,” he added.
In addition, Martono offered a publishing collaboration with UMSU Press, focusing on social issues such as the real-life stories of drug convicts and their journeys of regret and redemption. These stories, he noted, could offer new perspectives on life and personal transformation.
To solidify the partnership, Martono outlined several joint pilot projects, including tour guide training, café establishment, and cross-national student development programs.
Earlier, UMSU Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto expressed his hope that the collaboration between UMSU and Thailand would continue to grow, particularly during the student admission period.
“We welcome further discussions on programs that are practical and easy to implement for mutual benefit,” he stated.
This visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening academic and cultural ties between Thailand and UMSU, opening up numerous opportunities for impactful collaboration.
